The three-pearl Courtyard Santo Domingo provides the safety and familiarity of a typical American chain hotel in the heart of the city. Each of the 145 rooms offers a clean, but generic executive look with modern amenities including mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, plus balconies with optional water views. As a business-centric hotel, its common amenities -- a fitness center, several event spaces, and free Wi-Fi -- cater to executive travelers. Aside from the slightly cramped pool area and pricey a la carte breakfast, guests don't find much else to fuss over. BQ Santo Domingo by BQ Hotels offers the same amenities plus a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge for less cash.
The three-pearl Courtyard Santo Domingo provides the safety and familiarity of a typical American chain hotel in the heart of the city. Each of the 145 rooms offers a clean, but generic executive look with modern amenities including mini-fridges and flat-screen TVs, plus balconies with optional water views. As a business-centric hotel, its common amenities -- a fitness center, several event spaces, and free Wi-Fi -- cater to executive travelers. Aside from the slightly cramped pool area and pricey a la carte breakfast, guests don't find much else to fuss over. BQ Santo Domingo by BQ Hotels offers the same amenities plus a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge for less cash.
The mid-range Dona Elvira is a quaint colonial hotel with a dose of charm, placed in a calm but central Zona Colonial setting with plenty of sights and restaurants close by. It’s an intimate, hacienda-style property with 15 rooms set around a small courtyard pool and a century-old mango tree. The rooms are nothing fancy -- more homey than hotel-like, with flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms. The inexpensive on-site restaurant is a highlight, as is the solid free breakfast. A rooftop whirlpool and “solarium” are also on offer. Guests love the central location, the yummy breakfast, and the colonial detail on show. All in all, it’s a great base for exploring the old city. Those seeking a room with a balcony could try Hotel Conde de Penalba.
The mid-range Dona Elvira is a quaint colonial hotel with a dose of charm, placed in a calm but central Zona Colonial setting with plenty of sights and restaurants close by. It’s an intimate, hacienda-style property with 15 rooms set around a small courtyard pool and a century-old mango tree. The rooms are nothing fancy -- more homey than hotel-like, with flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms. The inexpensive on-site restaurant is a highlight, as is the solid free breakfast. A rooftop whirlpool and “solarium” are also on offer. Guests love the central location, the yummy breakfast, and the colonial detail on show. All in all, it’s a great base for exploring the old city. Those seeking a room with a balcony could try Hotel Conde de Penalba.
Hotel Conde de Penalba offers classic Dominican charm in a small, relatively basic package in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. Each of the 20 rooms offers plenty of vintage appeal with contemporary touches, though they can be a bit worn. All do feature modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TVs, air-conditioning, and (optional) balconies -- some overlooking Parque Colon and the Palacio Consistorial. There's also a popular cafe and bar on the street level. The hotel stays true to its Spanish Colonial roots in every respect, although some guests may find common areas to be a bit more dowdy than vintage. While its nightly rates are higher, it's worth considering Hodelpa Caribe Colonial as well, which has more contemporary rooms and amenities.
Hotel Conde de Penalba offers classic Dominican charm in a small, relatively basic package in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. Each of the 20 rooms offers plenty of vintage appeal with contemporary touches, though they can be a bit worn. All do feature modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TVs, air-conditioning, and (optional) balconies -- some overlooking Parque Colon and the Palacio Consistorial. There's also a popular cafe and bar on the street level. The hotel stays true to its Spanish Colonial roots in every respect, although some guests may find common areas to be a bit more dowdy than vintage. While its nightly rates are higher, it's worth considering Hodelpa Caribe Colonial as well, which has more contemporary rooms and amenities.
Situated in the heart of Santo Domingo, the four-pearl Occidental El Embajador is within a short drive of the city’s main financial, cultural, and historic districts. The dated, '80s-era architecture and decor detract from the hotel's grandeur and solid list of resort-like amenities, particularly for a downtown city hotel. Although it lacks a beach, the lovely pool area, well-manicured grounds, a small casino, and several restaurants and bars tick many of the essential boxes for a Caribbean getaway. Each of the hotel’s 286 rooms are clean and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. Guests looking for a boutique alternative may wish to consider the Billini Hotel.
Situated in the heart of Santo Domingo, the four-pearl Occidental El Embajador is within a short drive of the city’s main financial, cultural, and historic districts. The dated, '80s-era architecture and decor detract from the hotel's grandeur and solid list of resort-like amenities, particularly for a downtown city hotel. Although it lacks a beach, the lovely pool area, well-manicured grounds, a small casino, and several restaurants and bars tick many of the essential boxes for a Caribbean getaway. Each of the hotel’s 286 rooms are clean and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. Guests looking for a boutique alternative may wish to consider the Billini Hotel.
Located in the heart of downtown Santo Domingo, Barcelo is an upper-middle-range hotel with flashy public spaces and a business-like vibe, but its its reasonable rates. Its 216 rooms are spacious, clean, comfortable, and pleasantly put together with minibars, coffeemakers, and big marble bathrooms. With three restaurants, a piano bar, a huge resort-like pool, fitness center, lovely salon and spa, plus a casino next door, Barcelo packs a lot in, catering well to business and leisure travelers alike -- although the high traffic urban setting isn’t ideal for everyone. Travelers seeking something closer to the water could try Sheraton Santo Domingo.
Located in the heart of downtown Santo Domingo, Barcelo is an upper-middle-range hotel with flashy public spaces and a business-like vibe, but its its reasonable rates. Its 216 rooms are spacious, clean, comfortable, and pleasantly put together with minibars, coffeemakers, and big marble bathrooms. With three restaurants, a piano bar, a huge resort-like pool, fitness center, lovely salon and spa, plus a casino next door, Barcelo packs a lot in, catering well to business and leisure travelers alike -- although the high traffic urban setting isn’t ideal for everyone. Travelers seeking something closer to the water could try Sheraton Santo Domingo.
Let's clear up one misnomer right off the bat: There is no casino at the three-pearl Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino. This 298-room property in western Santo Domingo does have plenty of other features, like a massive pool, spa, and a handful of bars with live music and panoramic city views -- but the look throughout the hotel is dated. It's a decent fit for businesspeople, offering nine meeting rooms, a proper business center, and a large gym. However, Wi-Fi is painfully slow, and the style of rooms ranges from pleasantly modern to more traditional. There's a lovely park next door, but it's a 25-minute drive to the colonial district, so vacationers might want to compare with the more modern Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, with its casino and nearby nightlife.
Let's clear up one misnomer right off the bat: There is no casino at the three-pearl Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino. This 298-room property in western Santo Domingo does have plenty of other features, like a massive pool, spa, and a handful of bars with live music and panoramic city views -- but the look throughout the hotel is dated. It's a decent fit for businesspeople, offering nine meeting rooms, a proper business center, and a large gym. However, Wi-Fi is painfully slow, and the style of rooms ranges from pleasantly modern to more traditional. There's a lovely park next door, but it's a 25-minute drive to the colonial district, so vacationers might want to compare with the more modern Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, with its casino and nearby nightlife.
With a solid list of amenities and a downtown location, BQ Santo Domingo by BQ Hotels has a lot to offer its mostly executive clientele. The rooftop pool and polished alfresco restaurant are a step above most properties in the area. The bland design of each of its 137 rooms is almost forgivable given their modern amenities: free Wi-Fi, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and optional balconies. Rates are low and freebies include a Dominican breakfast buffet and secure parking. However, the aging, mismatched decor in the common areas is subpar compared to Santo Domingo’s many other three-pearl, business-centric alternatives. The more polished Courtyard Santo Domingo is pricier but offers a more central location.
With a solid list of amenities and a downtown location, BQ Santo Domingo by BQ Hotels has a lot to offer its mostly executive clientele. The rooftop pool and polished alfresco restaurant are a step above most properties in the area. The bland design of each of its 137 rooms is almost forgivable given their modern amenities: free Wi-Fi, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and optional balconies. Rates are low and freebies include a Dominican breakfast buffet and secure parking. However, the aging, mismatched decor in the common areas is subpar compared to Santo Domingo’s many other three-pearl, business-centric alternatives. The more polished Courtyard Santo Domingo is pricier but offers a more central location.
With equal doses of colonial charm, history, and contemporary touches, the two-and-a-half pearl Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel is a lovely boutique property that gets just about everything right for low rates that include free breakfast and Wi-FI. The 10 rooms vary widely in size, and all include modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Spacious, apartment-style suites upgrade to kitchenettes and optional private balconies. A lap pool and rooftop sundeck with a hot tub and reading lounge offer far more social space than most boutique downtown properties. Aside from limited parking and occasional noise from the surrounding neighborhood, guests will find little to complain about. Hotel Villa Colonial offers similar amenities for similar rates, and the rooms are more traditionally styled.
With equal doses of colonial charm, history, and contemporary touches, the two-and-a-half pearl Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel is a lovely boutique property that gets just about everything right for low rates that include free breakfast and Wi-FI. The 10 rooms vary widely in size, and all include modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs. Spacious, apartment-style suites upgrade to kitchenettes and optional private balconies. A lap pool and rooftop sundeck with a hot tub and reading lounge offer far more social space than most boutique downtown properties. Aside from limited parking and occasional noise from the surrounding neighborhood, guests will find little to complain about. Hotel Villa Colonial offers similar amenities for similar rates, and the rooms are more traditionally styled.
With a history dating back more than 500 years, the buildings that house Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now home to one of Santo Domingo’s most charming and historic upscale hotels. The 97 rooms range from small to sprawling, but all include original, centuries-old design elements plus minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso makers. The outdoor pool offers decent views of Rio Ozama and La Residence restaurant serves up fine French dining in one of the city’s most romantic alfresco dining spaces. For a bit more money, Billini Hotel is a similarly historic, city-center property that provides a boutique experience with ultra modern amenities.
With a history dating back more than 500 years, the buildings that house Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and now home to one of Santo Domingo’s most charming and historic upscale hotels. The 97 rooms range from small to sprawling, but all include original, centuries-old design elements plus minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Nespresso makers. The outdoor pool offers decent views of Rio Ozama and La Residence restaurant serves up fine French dining in one of the city’s most romantic alfresco dining spaces. For a bit more money, Billini Hotel is a similarly historic, city-center property that provides a boutique experience with ultra modern amenities.
Opened in 2014, the JW Marriott is a luxury business hotel set in Santo Domingo’s bustling and upmarket Piantini financial district. Its sleek decor showcase extends to all 150 rooms and suites which emanate city style and showcase city views. All rooms feature stunning marble bathrooms and thoughtful touches like Nespresso machines, and nightly turndown service. The glass-floored lounge bar, Vertygo 101, and glass-framed pool both float 101 feet above ground. While the hotel is far from the beach and a little limited for leisure travelers, there’s plenty of easily accessible eating and shopping, as the hotel adjoins the high-end Blue Mall. Discerning types (especially the business set), seeking a polished city base should be happy here. For those after an upscale seaside stay, try the Sheraton Santo Domingo.
Opened in 2014, the JW Marriott is a luxury business hotel set in Santo Domingo’s bustling and upmarket Piantini financial district. Its sleek decor showcase extends to all 150 rooms and suites which emanate city style and showcase city views. All rooms feature stunning marble bathrooms and thoughtful touches like Nespresso machines, and nightly turndown service. The glass-floored lounge bar, Vertygo 101, and glass-framed pool both float 101 feet above ground. While the hotel is far from the beach and a little limited for leisure travelers, there’s plenty of easily accessible eating and shopping, as the hotel adjoins the high-end Blue Mall. Discerning types (especially the business set), seeking a polished city base should be happy here. For those after an upscale seaside stay, try the Sheraton Santo Domingo.