Anyone stay at Hotel Colonial in Santiago??

Ricardo900

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Jul 12, 2004
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I am trying to get more info on this Hotel, I was quoted a RD$500 a night with a/c :nervous: Is this place decent??
 

xamaicano

Well-known member
Apr 16, 2004
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Ricardo900 said:
I am trying to get more info on this Hotel, I was quoted a RD$500 a night with a/c :nervous: Is this place decent??

It is pretty basic, but clean. For the price it is hard to beat. When I stayed there that RD$500 was less than $10. Can't beat that.
 

Ricardo900

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Jul 12, 2004
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Is this a cabana??

xamaicano said:
It is pretty basic, but clean. For the price it is hard to beat. When I stayed there that RD$500 was less than $10. Can't beat that.
You have to admit RD$500 is really cheap, is this place centrally located??
 

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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Rellosk who posts here was just there and said it is a noisy dump. Since the price before tax is RD$400 you get a true $14 per night value. Avoid.
 

rellosk

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Mar 18, 2002
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You can't expect much for this price (considering the price includes over 20% in taxes). I was there last week.

The room was small (about 10' by 10') and relatively clean. (Although I did see a large cockroach/palmetto-bug in the closet). The air-conditioner was a little noisy, but it worked (I didn't need to turn on the ceiling fan to supplement the air-conditioner). The room did NOT have hot water (It had one of those electric heaters hooked up to the shower head, but it did not work). The hotel becomes incredibly noisy at daybreak (the noise comes from both within the hotel as well as the street).
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
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My wife and I stay there when we are in Santiago.

There are two buildings, one newer than the other. We ask for the newer building even though price a few pesos more, but the accomodations are the same in both.

We have never thought the hotel was "incredibly noisy at daybreak." I was very surprised to see that. It is true it is in town, but the street in front is not one of the major ones. Maybe we have been lucky, but the rooms we had were never noisy.

The hotel is in the city and within a few blocks of whatever services you might need.

It is basic, but inexpensive, and that is what we want. The rooms we have been in have been clean, the bedding is clean. We did have a problem once with the heating elements for the water, but the son of the owner got it working. If it doesn't ask for another room.

For a clean room; hot water, usually, when desired; and cable TV, RD$500 is very good value, in my opinion. Pay more if you want, but my wife and I are quite satisfied with what we get for the money at Colonial.
 

Ricardo900

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Jul 12, 2004
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Ken said:
My wife and I stay there when we are in Santiago.

There are two buildings, one newer than the other. We ask for the newer building even though price a few pesos more, but the accomodations are the same in both.

We have never thought the hotel was "incredibly noisy at daybreak." I was very surprised to see that. It is true it is in town, but the street in front is not one of the major ones. Maybe we have been lucky, but the rooms we had were never noisy.

The hotel is in the city and within a few blocks of whatever services you might need.

It is basic, but inexpensive, and that is what we want. The rooms we have been in have been clean, the bedding is clean. We did have a problem once with the heating elements for the water, but the son of the owner got it working. If it doesn't ask for another room.

For a clean room; hot water, usually, when desired; and cable TV, RD$500 is very good value, in my opinion. Pay more if you want, but my wife and I are quite satisfied with what we get for the money at Colonial.
Sounds good, I'll make sure I bring some "Black Flag" for the
La Cucarachas :laugh: :laugh:

Oh yeah, is it safe to leave items in the room ie. money, cellular, camera??
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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Sure, you can leave them in a parked car too.

Just as long as they are things you are willing to lose!

DBS! You can park some stuff in the hotel safe. Talk to Victor.

I, too, defend the Colonial for the simple reason that I have put up businessmen there and they have been satisfied. I put up people from New Mexico that were going out to Samana the next day and they were happy, too.

As for noise? Well it is almost at the corner of 30 de Marzo, one of the busiest street in the whole country, so I would imagine at around 7:30 or 8 o'clock in the morning, things are a bit noisy. So what,? You should be up by then, anyway!!

Aloha Sol is on the busiest street in Santiago, Del Sol, so it can't be too much quietier..

It is not a cabana, BTW...

HB Story: "One time I was in a nice hotel in Singapore, a place where major airlines put up their air crews (Lufthansa and PanAm). Late one night I went out into the hall to see if the maids left some TP and soap in the supply closet. When I opened the door, it was dark remember, I heard this rustling, and when I flipped on the switch there was the back side of the door covered, literally, in roaches-"palmetto bugs"...dang!!"

HB:p:p
 

Ricardo900

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Jul 12, 2004
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Hillbilly said:
HB Story: "One time I was in a nice hotel in Singapore, a place where major airlines put up their air crews (Lufthansa and PanAm). Late one night I went out into the hall to see if the maids left some TP and soap in the supply closet. When I opened the door, it was dark remember, I heard this rustling, and when I flipped on the switch there was the back side of the door covered, literally, in roaches-"palmetto bugs"...dang!!"

HB:p:p

Nice story :tired: I don't want to travel 1,800 miles to sleep with Cucarachas, unless their paying half for the room ;)
Maybe I should book a room at "The Exotic Hotel Matum" :nervous:
 

toneloc24

Bronze
Mar 8, 2004
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I've stayed at both

Never known the Hotel Colonial to be "incredibly noisy." It's not situated in a noisy area.

Aloha Sol is, however. On Calle de Sol, where every bus, taxi, car with a working horn will stop and just blow the horn to test it out.

Comparison-wise, it's not even a comparison. Aloha Sol is worth the extra bucks, if you got them to spare. It's like a good Holiday Inn. Hot water, A/C, nice bed, cable TV, etc. Hotel Colonial is a cheap alternative, if you're just there to screw, sleep, and ****. Some rooms have a/c that work, some don't. Cable TV, some rooms have hot water, others.... And that's in the newer building. Both hotels are guest-friendly.

When I went last year, Hotel Colonial was $10, Aloha Sol $35-40. Both are located in walking distance to much. Cab rides were reasonable to/from.

Hotel Colonial has a cheap breakfast/lunch restaurant. Aloha Sol has 3 meals, more expensive but a nicer dining atmosphere.

Both places have very helpful staffs. One of the guys at Hotel Aloha Sol walked me down to the casa de cambio at nite, to make sure I was getting the right rate. He wouldn't even take my propina offer, just wanted to be helpful. Just wanted to talk about hip-hop and chicas. At Hotel Colonial, Victor is a great guy all-around. Definitely helped me with my choices of nightlife and spots to take dates, as well as any issues with the room. I'm low-maintainance, so I had very few.

Hope that helps.
 

rellosk

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Mar 18, 2002
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Hillbilly said:
As for noise? Well it is almost at the corner of 30 de Marzo, one of the busiest street in the whole country, so I would imagine at around 7:30 or 8 o'clock in the morning, things are a bit noisy. So what,? You should be up by then, anyway!!
That's generally when I'm going to sleep.:tired:
 

TCIDR

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Sep 7, 2003
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I've stayed at Hotel Colonial, Centro Plaza and Alberto Suites in Santiago.

Hotel Colonial is located on Salvador cucurullo(sp?)which is a narrow one way street. This streets is about 5 blocks....8 minutes walk to Calle Del sol. Initially you can get the feeling of walking thru a narrow alley way with trash and marking on the wall. Sort of a place where reprobates hang out. However, as you get more settle in you'll soon see there isn't anything to worry about. The Hotel Colonial have a guesthouse/ a place to sleep feeling to it rather than that of a hotel with an array of services.
The sleeping area of the room is about 11 x 11 with TV, AC, phone (you'll have to buy a card to use the telephone), and refrigerator. The bathroom is about 5 x 11, with a lots of closet space.
The furnitures, and material is this hotel is VERY basic. During the day, there are receptionists, maids, restuarant staff and others. I've never ate at the restuarant...sort of a turn off for me, and I usually don't eat at the hotel I'm staying at since I spend a good amount of time outside of the hotel. During the night, there is a night manager/security who would open the secure gates upon arrival back to the property. The day staff is very friendly....the guy at night, often times when you return will be sleeping so you will have to ring a bell to get in....this guy simply open the door then goes back to sleep.
So this is what you get for under $20 bucks due to the exchange rate now. I've stayed there before for under $12 bucks when the dollar was up and the best rooms were around 3 or 4 hundred something pesos.

The Centro Plaza, like Hotel Colonial is about 8 feet away from the street, on Calle Del sol, the central road in the downtown area featured with shopping and restuarants. This Hotel is simply an upgrade from the Hotel Colonial with more professional services (staff with smiles), more expensive charms and in keeping with the becoming of it is...a hotel
On the downstair of this property is a disco, and the main lobby area housed with an elevators to access the different floors (I think 6). Some of the receptionist speak english. This hotel is frequent by business like individuals.
The sleeping area of room is similar in size to Colonial however better layout and design, and easy on the eyes. The bathroom is much cleaner...or so appears to be.
In the room there is a TV, a refrigerator with minibar, telephone calls billed to your folio
I haven't seen the restuarant there, I think they include breakfast in the purchase of rooms. This too is a hotel for sleeping with the ability to in visit guest....or business contacts where they can feel comfortable. I think the rate at the centro plaza was $50 or 60 bucks
Calle del sol is much more comfortable to walk on than S. Cucurullo.
There are people walking up and down this street all day, then at night it practically shuts down...like everybody just disappeared.
The aloha del sol is also on this street. Walking in the downtown area is a good way to exercise because you can walk for half hour without feeling the time. There are just so many people at any given time of the day

If you continue down on Calle del Sol toward the monument, there is a street call santome. On Santome and Vicente Estrella is an aparthotel call Alberto Suites. Again, very basic. The rooms are bigger. You'll get an apartment about 25 x 12, housing a kitchen with full size refrigerator, stove, storage cabinets and a sink and a bar with an integrated living or sitting area with a lots of windows from which you'll see lots of zinc/tin roofs and wooden residential properties. This living/kitchen area is about 12 x 12 and can accommodate a small get together/party.
The bedroom comes with a kingsize bed and optional beds if you want as I think this place was design for students, a tv with all of the channel I suppose, lots of closet space, a huge bathroom and a phone. Security here is similar to that at the colonial...you press the buzzer, they'll open the door.
To get taxi you'll either have to call one or walk up to the main street calle del sol
The price is around the same price or just a little more as the colonial
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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I will approve the above post with one

small correction.

YOu have to walk up Del Sol Street to get to Alberto's Suites.

That's all...:p:p


HB :D
 

Ricardo900

Silver
Jul 12, 2004
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TCIDR said:
I've stayed at Hotel Colonial, Centro Plaza and Alberto Suites in Santiago.

Hotel Colonial is located on Salvador cucurullo(sp?)which is a narrow one way street. This streets is about 5 blocks....8 minutes walk to Calle Del sol. Initially you can get the feeling of walking thru a narrow alley way with trash and marking on the wall. Sort of a place where reprobates hang out. However, as you get more settle in you'll soon see there isn't anything to worry about. The Hotel Colonial have a guesthouse/ a place to sleep feeling to it rather than that of a hotel with an array of services.
The sleeping area of the room is about 11 x 11 with TV, AC, phone (you'll have to buy a card to use the telephone), and refrigerator. The bathroom is about 5 x 11, with a lots of closet space.
The furnitures, and material is this hotel is VERY basic. During the day, there are receptionists, maids, restuarant staff and others. I've never ate at the restuarant...sort of a turn off for me, and I usually don't eat at the hotel I'm staying at since I spend a good amount of time outside of the hotel. During the night, there is a night manager/security who would open the secure gates upon arrival back to the property. The day staff is very friendly....the guy at night, often times when you return will be sleeping so you will have to ring a bell to get in....this guy simply open the door then goes back to sleep.
So this is what you get for under $20 bucks due to the exchange rate now. I've stayed there before for under $12 bucks when the dollar was up and the best rooms were around 3 or 4 hundred something pesos.

The Centro Plaza, like Hotel Colonial is about 8 feet away from the street, on Calle Del sol, the central road in the downtown area featured with shopping and restuarants. This Hotel is simply an upgrade from the Hotel Colonial with more professional services (staff with smiles), more expensive charms and in keeping with the becoming of it is...a hotel
On the downstair of this property is a disco, and the main lobby area housed with an elevators to access the different floors (I think 6). Some of the receptionist speak english. This hotel is frequent by business like individuals.
The sleeping area of room is similar in size to Colonial however better layout and design, and easy on the eyes. The bathroom is much cleaner...or so appears to be.
In the room there is a TV, a refrigerator with minibar, telephone calls billed to your folio
I haven't seen the restuarant there, I think they include breakfast in the purchase of rooms. This too is a hotel for sleeping with the ability to in visit guest....or business contacts where they can feel comfortable. I think the rate at the centro plaza was $50 or 60 bucks
Calle del sol is much more comfortable to walk on than S. Cucurullo.
There are people walking up and down this street all day, then at night it practically shuts down...like everybody just disappeared.
The aloha del sol is also on this street. Walking in the downtown area is a good way to exercise because you can walk for half hour without feeling the time. There are just so many people at any given time of the day

If you continue down on Calle del Sol toward the monument, there is a street call santome. On Santome and Vicente Estrella is an aparthotel call Alberto Suites. Again, very basic. The rooms are bigger. You'll get an apartment about 25 x 12, housing a kitchen with full size refrigerator, stove, storage cabinets and a sink and a bar with an integrated living or sitting area with a lots of windows from which you'll see lots of zinc/tin roofs and wooden residential properties. This living/kitchen area is about 12 x 12 and can accommodate a small get together/party.
The bedroom comes with a kingsize bed and optional beds if you want as I think this place was design for students, a tv with all of the channel I suppose, lots of closet space, a huge bathroom and a phone. Security here is similar to that at the colonial...you press the buzzer, they'll open the door.
To get taxi you'll either have to call one or walk up to the main street calle del sol
The price is around the same price or just a little more as the colonial
It sounds like Alberto's Suites is better than Colonial??
 

carcol

New member
Mar 9, 2004
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hotel quote

Ricardo900 said:
I am trying to get more info on this Hotel, I was quoted a RD$500 a night with a/c :nervous: Is this place decent??


Hi Ricardo,
just wondering how you got that quote for 500....I want to stay at that hotel in 2 weeks and would love that rate....can you let me know, did you just call? I know my uncle stayed there last week and he paid 2,186.33 which is about 76 dollars a night..........any advice?
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
carcol said:
Hi Ricardo,
just wondering how you got that quote for 500....I want to stay at that hotel in 2 weeks and would love that rate....can you let me know, did you just call? I know my uncle stayed there last week and he paid 2,186.33 which is about 76 dollars a night..........any advice?

Carcol, are you asking about Colonial in Santiago? If so, I doubt very much that they ever charged anybody RD$2,186/night.
 

easygoin

Bronze
Jan 2, 2005
746
0
0
Colonial clean and cheap

Stayed there three weeks ago and had no problem at all. Pretty quiet very friendly staff and the owner and his son are very helpful and nice. The rooms are small but clean. My AC worked great and quiet and no problem with hot water.506 pesos total a night.
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
514
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Just let me add

That I have put up some Miami business people there and they were nto put off by the place. You get a good deal for the money. "What's not to like?"

HB :p:p
 

carcol

New member
Mar 9, 2004
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hotel

Hi there,
the 2,186.33 rate that I spoke about was at the Aloha Sol....not the Colonial....I've stayed at the Aloha and had no problems with it, so I would like to stay there again, but that prices seems too high.....I mean, $76 dollars for a small room hotel with no amenities? Any advice on to get a cheaper rate at the Aloha.......

oh and how is the Grand Almirante??? The one with the casino, how expensive is that? is it worth it?