I am a well-traveled male, north of 40, who is in the process of finalizing plans for my first trip to the DR. I will be traveling solo. After much research it became clear to me that Santiago would be my destination of choice. The reasons for this are many of the same ones expressed by DR1's Santiago aficionados for loving the city.
My plans are to travel to Santiago in early October and stay for 8 nights and 9 days. My flights are reserved and now I want to lock in my hotel arrangements. I have extensively reviewed the material on the DR1 forums and concluded months ago that I prefer to stay at Hotel Platino. The quality level and the prices quoted made it seem the best choice for me.
It seems as though the hotel has updated its website and its prices as well. Prices are now listed in US dollars rather than DR pesos as they were a few months ago. The prices are substantially higher as well. Like most people, I travel on a budget and am interested in maximizing value for my money. Here is the pricing information from their website:
Tarifa de Habitaciones (as of ?06.09.10)
Tipo de Habitacion.....Pax.....Tarifa PH
Estandar....................1......US$ 51.00
Ejecutiva Superior........1......US$ 59.00
Ejecutiva Superior........2......US$ 65.00
Junior Suite.................2.....US$ 82.00
Suite.........................2......US$ 133.00
Personas Adicionales............US$ 17.00
Ninos.................................US$ 9.00
Platino?s site references a number of possible discounts including corporate, long stays, weekend, and groups & weddings.
Now for my questions:
1) In the listed rates (Tarifa PH), what does the ?PH? stand for? Do these rates include the 26% taxes or would that be additional? If the taxes are additional Platino is getting quite pricey: a 2-person executive superior room would cost approximately $82 per night. Is there a separate peso-based price list and are those rates lower?
2) What is the best way to negotiate a discount? Would booking through a local contact be best? Or would I do just as well negotiating via e-mail on my own? I will be staying for 8 nights, checking in on a Saturday and checking out on a Sunday morning. Clearly some nights qualify for the weekend rate. I don?t know if 8 nights qualifies as a ?larga estadia,? but I would surely make the case. And although the purpose of my visit is for recreation, as a businessperson I can certainly request a corporate discount. I would appreciate the best advice of this board on getting the best deal at Platino. I am looking to pay a final price (all taxes and fees included) of no more than $60 per night.
3) Will this hotel allow me to bring in guests without any hassles or extra charges? I plan to request and pay for a 2-person executive room specifically to avoid any extra charges.
4) Having reviewed maps of Santiago, I am familiar with the hotel?s location near PUCMM. Will this result in excessive taxi fares to city center and the clubs? Are there reasonable public transport options for getting around inside the city? As points of reference, what would a taxi cost from the Platino to (a) the Monumento and (b) the aeropuerto?
I will no doubt post questions on other topics?after first searching the board?but for now I?ll just ask for help with the issues above concerning hotel accommodations.
Thanks in advance for the assistance offered.
Neil
My plans are to travel to Santiago in early October and stay for 8 nights and 9 days. My flights are reserved and now I want to lock in my hotel arrangements. I have extensively reviewed the material on the DR1 forums and concluded months ago that I prefer to stay at Hotel Platino. The quality level and the prices quoted made it seem the best choice for me.
It seems as though the hotel has updated its website and its prices as well. Prices are now listed in US dollars rather than DR pesos as they were a few months ago. The prices are substantially higher as well. Like most people, I travel on a budget and am interested in maximizing value for my money. Here is the pricing information from their website:
Tarifa de Habitaciones (as of ?06.09.10)
Tipo de Habitacion.....Pax.....Tarifa PH
Estandar....................1......US$ 51.00
Ejecutiva Superior........1......US$ 59.00
Ejecutiva Superior........2......US$ 65.00
Junior Suite.................2.....US$ 82.00
Suite.........................2......US$ 133.00
Personas Adicionales............US$ 17.00
Ninos.................................US$ 9.00
Platino?s site references a number of possible discounts including corporate, long stays, weekend, and groups & weddings.
Now for my questions:
1) In the listed rates (Tarifa PH), what does the ?PH? stand for? Do these rates include the 26% taxes or would that be additional? If the taxes are additional Platino is getting quite pricey: a 2-person executive superior room would cost approximately $82 per night. Is there a separate peso-based price list and are those rates lower?
2) What is the best way to negotiate a discount? Would booking through a local contact be best? Or would I do just as well negotiating via e-mail on my own? I will be staying for 8 nights, checking in on a Saturday and checking out on a Sunday morning. Clearly some nights qualify for the weekend rate. I don?t know if 8 nights qualifies as a ?larga estadia,? but I would surely make the case. And although the purpose of my visit is for recreation, as a businessperson I can certainly request a corporate discount. I would appreciate the best advice of this board on getting the best deal at Platino. I am looking to pay a final price (all taxes and fees included) of no more than $60 per night.
3) Will this hotel allow me to bring in guests without any hassles or extra charges? I plan to request and pay for a 2-person executive room specifically to avoid any extra charges.
4) Having reviewed maps of Santiago, I am familiar with the hotel?s location near PUCMM. Will this result in excessive taxi fares to city center and the clubs? Are there reasonable public transport options for getting around inside the city? As points of reference, what would a taxi cost from the Platino to (a) the Monumento and (b) the aeropuerto?
I will no doubt post questions on other topics?after first searching the board?but for now I?ll just ask for help with the issues above concerning hotel accommodations.
Thanks in advance for the assistance offered.
Neil