Hotel/resort recommendation?

[JD Jones]

For a whorehouse it might be clean. If you get more than one towel and a small soap consider yourself lucky. STAY AWAY

Oh? How many times have you stayed there to have that knowledge? I've stayed there a few times with my spouse.

That's what I'm basing MY opinion on.

And yes, they allow guests for single persons.

Once again painting with a very large brush.

Choose your words carefully.

 

[keepcoming]

Based on another thread the OP has maybe the Hampton Inn near SDQ. They have or use to have shuttle service. I guess it depends on how long your staying before traveling again. There is Emotions in Juan Dolio which is all-inclusive. Otherwise I would stay in Santo Domingo center, Jaragua, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, which are all on the Malecon offer decent rates. Not sure how services are now during this period but good hotels at a decent rate.

 

[Caonabo]

Oooh, Juan Dolio is a good idea! The extra 10 mins is fine. Boring is fine - we like boring!

Emotions/Juan Dolio.
The rest is up to you, based on your personal preferences.

 

[TropicalPaul]

Based on another thread the OP has maybe the Hampton Inn near SDQ. They have or use to have shuttle service. I guess it depends on how long your staying before traveling again. There is Emotions in Juan Dolio which is all-inclusive. Otherwise I would stay in Santo Domingo center, Jaragua, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, which are all on the Malecon offer decent rates. Not sure how services are now during this period but good hotels at a decent rate.

Those hotels on the Malecon are fine for business travellers and people who want to stay in the hotel all the time and need a room which looks like every other hotel room in the US. But, you have to get a taxi to go anywhere, it's a good 30 mins walk into the Colonial Zone. The Colonial Zone is a much better bet if you want to see a bit of the real Dom Rep and mooch around bars and restaurants, shops, museums, galleries. All very safe.

 

[Daisy.Chain]

We're looking at one 6-night week in June - hoping to do under $1500 for 2 rooms, 4 people but could go a little higher if needed. We were hoping to get food included with that - much higher and we'll just drive the extra couple of hours and stay with the fam inland after all!

 

[Mcinbrass]

Oh? How many times have you stayed there to have that knowledge? I've stayed there a few times with my spouse.

That's what I'm basing MY opinion on.

And yes, they allow guests for single persons.

Once again painting with a very large brush.

Choose your words carefully.

How did you like the pillows or did you feel like you should have brought your own?

 

[Mcinbrass]

Based on another thread the OP has maybe the Hampton Inn near SDQ. They have or use to have shuttle service. I guess it depends on how long your staying before traveling again. There is Emotions in Juan Dolio which is all-inclusive. Otherwise I would stay in Santo Domingo center, Jaragua, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, which are all on the Malecon offer decent rates. Not sure how services are now during this period but good hotels at a decent rate.

Crown Plaza is dated. The other 2 Jaragua and Sheraton have undergone major remodeling including the guestrooms and bathrooms and common areas in the last 3 years.

 

[TropicalPaul]

We're looking at one 6-night week in June - hoping to do under $1500 for 2 rooms, 4 people but could go a little higher if needed. We were hoping to get food included with that - much higher and we'll just drive the extra couple of hours and stay with the fam inland after all!

You are looking for 24 person-nights, so it comes out at $62.50 per person per night. I think that's pretty low if you want food included, given that most places that include food also include drinks. I don't think that even a really basic hotel like Hamaca in Boca Chica would offer you that rate. We have discussed AI rates to death on another thread and I think they are currently running at around US$ 90 per person per night, lowest.

You would certainly get a nice room for maybe $90 per night, including tax, in one of the better Colonial Zone hotels - like Luca or Casa Sanchez or Palacio, and that rate would include breakfast. That would leave you $35 for lunch and dinner, for four people, RD$ 2,080 pesos for 8 meals. Just do-able if you eat in cheap places, but I think you'd probably spend more.

I would advise you to email the hotels and discuss rates. Hotels have to pay commission rates of about 20% to the main web pages, and are not allowed to offer lower rates on their own sites. But they can offer lower rates if you call, email or walk-in. And they will usually give you at least half of the 20% commission they would otherwise be paying as a discount.

Final thing to say is that hotels are, surprisingly, very busy at the moment. My hotel has been 100% full all week and looks like it's staying that way. Rates are high as hotels are trying to make up for the huge amount of money they lost last year. So don't expect rock-bottom rates.

 

[TropicalPaul]

Crown Plaza is dated. The other 2 Jaragua and Sheraton have undergone major remodeling including the guestrooms and bathrooms and common areas in the last 3 years.

Crowne Plaza has also had a facelift, but I agree it's dated. I was in the casino at Sheraton the other day and thought how tired and nasty it was looking. I honestly think these brands are selling a brand name rather than anything particularly special. A bit like J W Marriott in Blue Mall, I just don't see anything amazing in terms of service, furniture, staff, facilities.

 

[Daisy.Chain]

You are looking for 24 person-nights, so it comes out at $62.50 per person per night. I think that's pretty low if you want food included, given that most places that include food also include drinks. I don't think that even a really basic hotel like Hamaca in Boca Chica would offer you that rate. We have discussed AI rates to death on another thread and I think they are currently running at around US$ 90 per person per night, lowest.

You would certainly get a nice room for maybe $90 per night, including tax, in one of the better Colonial Zone hotels - like Luca or Casa Sanchez or Palacio, and that rate would include breakfast. That would leave you $35 for lunch and dinner, for four people, RD$ 2,080 pesos for 8 meals. Just do-able if you eat in cheap places, but I think you'd probably spend more.

I would advise you to email the hotels and discuss rates. Hotels have to pay commission rates of about 20% to the main web pages, and are not allowed to offer lower rates on their own sites. But they can offer lower rates if you call, email or walk-in. And they will usually give you at least half of the 20% commission they would otherwise be paying as a discount.

Final thing to say is that hotels are, surprisingly, very busy at the moment. My hotel has been 100% full all week and looks like it's staying that way. Rates are high as hotels are trying to make up for the huge amount of money they lost last year. So don't expect rock-bottom rates.

Thanks! Sorry, I meant 3 people, but I think you're still right. We may have to shoot a bit higher. I didn't realize they were full!

 

[keepcoming]

What is the distance your willing to travel, say to Bayahibe, La Romana? Going East you have more AI's (all-inclusive). Embassy Suites in Santo Domingo has or had a breakfast buffet as well as happy hour but not sure now but it was good. You may have to expand your search. I agree with TropicalPaul the colonial area is a very nice area especially with a breakfast rate included?

 

[Mcinbrass]

Crowne Plaza has also had a facelift, but I agree it's dated. I was in the casino at Sheraton the other day and thought how tired and nasty it was looking. I honestly think these brands are selling a brand name rather than anything particularly special. A bit like J W Marriott in Blue Mall, I just don't see anything amazing in terms of service, furniture, staff, facilities.

These are "Business class hotels" catering to the business traveler. Therefore you will get a certain level of service and cleanliness. Often you will even see ballplayers staying there who are down for winter ball or scouts down scouting Dominican talent. I have run into many over the years. Pretty cool.

 

[JD Jones]

These are "Business class hotels" catering to the business traveler. Therefore you will get a certain level of service and cleanliness. Often you will even see ballplayers staying there who are down for winter ball or scouts down scouting Dominican talent. I have run into many over the years. Pretty cool.

I was offered the job I have now there 18 years ago.

 

[Seamonkey]

I would suggest that you stay in the Colonial Zone. There are some lovely hotels (admittedly I own one so I'm bound to say that), but there is honestly something for every budget and a lot of them do food. And there are a wide range of eating and drinking options in the Colonial Zone outside the hotel, so whatever you fancy eating you can find it. Boca Chica can be sleazy especially at night, and it's absolutely hopeless if the weather isn't good. There's always plenty you can do in the Colonial Zone and most hotels have pools or jacuzzis if you just want to flop.

TP, which hotel do you own?

 

[Salsafan]

@Seamonkey : TP is not advertising for something, just giving friendly advice for Daisy.

 

[Mcinbrass]

@Seamonkey : TP is not advertising for something, just giving friendly advice for Daisy.

That may be true, but with the current state of curfew in the country the larger hotels are a better bet, since bars and restaurants can stay open and serve guests past curfew. If you stay at a small hotel in the zone i.e Hotel Palacio you will be in bed at 7:00PM on a Saturday night.

 

[Caonabo]

That may be true, but with the current state of curfew in the country the larger hotels are a better bet, since bars and restaurants can stay open and serve guests past curfew. If you stay at a small hotel in the zone i.e Hotel Palacio you will be in bed at 7:00PM on a Saturday night.

This could not be farther from the reality.
Smaller venue means less eyes.

 

[TropicalPaul]

That may be true, but with the current state of curfew in the country the larger hotels are a better bet, since bars and restaurants can stay open and serve guests past curfew. If you stay at a small hotel in the zone i.e Hotel Palacio you will be in bed at 7:00PM on a Saturday night.

Not true. Casa Sanchez and Luca both have a full time chef and a bartender, and only have 10 bedrooms. Billini also has a full restaurant and bar with 19 bedrooms. Mosquito only has 12 bedrooms and also has a full restaurant and bar. A big part of the boutique hotel experience is eating and drinking and it's a very important part of the revenue line.

 

[Russell]

I am sounding more like a broken record, but the Colonial Zone is for me... Hotel Conde Penalba at the Park Colon has been my go to place for 11 years. Our company booked me once at another Resort Casino hotel and I reverted back to CZ.
Safe, great food and lots of restaurants in the area.
My evenings on the balcony with imported Wines and cheese side ordered with fresh fruit...all available within a 5 minute walk on the conde.
Just talked myself into returning for another visit soon.

 

[Mcinbrass]

Not true. Casa Sanchez and Luca both have a full time chef and a bartender, and only have 10 bedrooms. Billini also has a full restaurant and bar with 19 bedrooms. Mosquito only has 12 bedrooms and also has a full restaurant and bar. A big part of the boutique hotel experience is eating and drinking and it's a very important part of the revenue line.

OK however there are few if any people. i.e at Jaragua you can hang at the lobby bar where you will hang w people. They even throw parties on weekends in the banquet halls that the guests attend. At thos establishments yes perhaps there is a small bar or comedor, but chances are you will be the only one there, no way to spend a vacation. I am giving the OP unbiased advice. Yours looks to be steering him in your direction.