Best Business Hotels in Santo Domingo

First: There is no casino at Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino. Now that we've cleared that up, here is what this 298-room property in western Santo Domingo does have: a large gym, massive pool, spa, and a handful of bars with live music and panoramic city views. Sharply dressed businesspeople crowd the lobby bar and curl over laptops in the hotel's many informal meeting spots. (While Wi-Fi seems to work perfectly in common areas, in the rooms it can be a bit too slow for Skype or other streaming services.) You're likely to see even more corporate types steadily pouring out of the restaurant at the far end of the lobby. The hotel has a traditional, classy feel, though it is mostly dated. It's also an easy drive the city's financial district, meaning that it is frequently the site for corporate functions and events. 

Courtyard Santo Domingo's common amenities -- a fitness center, several event spaces, and free Wi-Fi -- cater to executive travelers. Each of the 145 rooms offers a clean, but generic business-ready look with modern amenities including mini-fridges, iPod docks, and flat-screen HDTVs with international programming. All rooms have balconies, some with optional water views. Centro, the on-site restaurant, has a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, and evening room service. Guests can opt to dine on the small outdoor terrace which also offers bar service nightly. The modestly-sized gym is clean and modern with a dozen cardio and strength-training machines and a stack of free weights. Free parking is available in a large lot staffed with 24-hour security. Weston Suites, two slots below, has decor that is far more modern than what is found at Courtyard (and what is found at most hotels in the city), but Courtyard's features and location closer to the Zona Colonial outweigh its middle-of-the-road style.

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 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. BQ Santo Domingo offers the same amenities as the pricier Courtyard Santo Domingo, plus a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge, but Courtyard is a better pick for its more central location and greater overall polish.

Weston Suites Hotel's overall modern design is a clear step above most of the city’s other mid-range business properties. The decor in the 94 spacious rooms is polished and simple, with Scandinavian-esque furniture, contemporary wall prints, and a restrained palette of brown, white, and wood tones. Flat-screen TVs with cable service, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks are standard, and in-room kitchenettes come with a microwave, mini-fridge, and electric cooktop. Without any noteworthy common areas (as of late 2016), the social scene is relegated to the penthouse restaurant (under renovation) and the small lobby lounge. Weston Suites is a central hotel, near malls along Avenida Winston Churchill, but the Colonial Zona can take up to 20 minutes to reach by cab.