If you are interested in a colonial style hotel in the colonial zone, we just stayed at 2 there. Hostal Nicolas Nader, our room was $70 per night total. It is a nice hotel reminded us of a old castle, the room was very good, no mini bar/fridge tho, ( didn't really matter to us). They have bar downstairs open certain hours ( don't know them), husband got bottled water from the desk. There are stores very close that sell refreshments cheaper. This hotel only has about 10-15 rooms I guess, but the 2 we saw, were spacious, very nicely furnished and clean. The A/C ran even when we were out. We didn't eat the breakfast, but it is around $3-4 per person extra. There is a McDonald's on El Conde Street, within walking distance if you prefer, and also La Cafeteria even closer, same street, sort like a small diner, nice place. Husband really like the coffee there. If your out after 11pm, you have to knock in the huge front doors, they will let you in.
We would definitely use this hotel again. You can reach them by email to make your reservation at
g.nader@codetel.net.do
or
hostal@naders.com
Tel.: (809) 687-6674
Fax: (809) 565-6204
http://www.naders.com/hostalnicolasnader/
The other hotel we stayed at there was Hotel Palacio, very close to Nicolas Nader. It was nice also, very colonial. You have a balcony here you can stand on, makes for some interesting sites, but it was located above a side street. We had a superior room $82.50 total per night, they have a standard room for about $68, Had a mini bar/fridge.
There is a sunroof etc., not worth the walk up there to us tho They offer breakfast for $6.95 per person, we didn't take it tho.
Offer laundry service, we used it, it was reasonable, they did a good job. Staff very friendly, but not all speak English, or well. They have a website, you could try emailing them, but I had no luck with a reply. I called them to make reservations.
Website: http://www.dominican-rep.com/henglish.html
Email: h.palacio@codetel.net.do
At first when we saw the area around these 2 hotels, which we had never seen before, we were worried we had chosen a wrong area, but after getting settled in and seeing and doing in the area, it convinced us that we had made a good choice, because the hotels were nice and the old sites we wanted to see, and El Conde Street to site see and shop and eat, were very close. We could zip in and out to do all this over and over, never worry about a taxi for that. But there are plenty available if you need them, always ask how much before you get in. Both hotels are good, I guess I would say that Hostal Nicolas Nader is a bit better than Hotel Palacio, with the room furnishings anyway. Either choice would be good, maybe Hotel Palacio was a bit overpriced. The bathroom at Palacio was very nice, surprising tho 2 downsides to it, there was no shower door, and you may have to yourself or ask the staff, to cover the small window in it, to keep people from across the street from peering in from their building. Neither of these hotels are glitz and glamour, but are nicely decorated, furnished and clean. No great view, but very convenient to alot places, some with views.
Good luck with your trip.
Joyce
