Santo Domingo Hotel Question from a Newbie

goggles70

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Nov 19, 2004
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Hello everyone! I'm new here and i've read some good stuff. I'm from Ottawa, Canada. I'm a single male in my early 30s and I speak half decent spanish. This will be my first time in DR and I just need a little advice. I need to stay in Santo Domingo. I've bought my airline ticket and now I need to book a hotel. Based on my research, I will choose between Barcelo Gran Lina, Hispaniola, or V Centenario. The info I seek is this: I like to be able to walk to the action...by action i mean good bars, variety of restaurants, and shopping. I see that Hispaniola and V Centenario are along the malecon, but which one is within walking distance to the good bars and a variety of restaurants, and the downtown? From the maps i've seen online I can't get a feel for the distances. I see that Barcelo Gran Lina is right downtown, but can you easily walk from there to the malecon if I wanted to go there for a few drinks at the bars there? The Hispaniola has tempted me because of the price and the buffet breakfast included (the most important meal of the day especially with a hangover!), but from there I don't know how far it is to walk downtown or to the bars or restaurants outside of the hotel. Any info would be appreciated. Gracias.
 

bienamor

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Apr 23, 2004
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depends on your definition of down town?

goggles70 said:
Hello everyone! I'm new here and i've read some good stuff. I'm from Ottawa, Canada. I'm a single male in my early 30s and I speak half decent spanish. This will be my first time in DR and I just need a little advice. I need to stay in Santo Domingo. I've bought my airline ticket and now I need to book a hotel. Based on my research, I will choose between Barcelo Gran Lina, Hispaniola, or V Centenario. The info I seek is this: I like to be able to walk to the action...by action i mean good bars, variety of restaurants, and shopping. I see that Hispaniola and V Centenario are along the malecon, but which one is within walking distance to the good bars and a variety of restaurants, and the downtown? From the maps i've seen online I can't get a feel for the distances. I see that Barcelo Gran Lina is right downtown, but can you easily walk from there to the malecon if I wanted to go there for a few drinks at the bars there? The Hispaniola has tempted me because of the price and the buffet breakfast included (the most important meal of the day especially with a hangover!), but from there I don't know how far it is to walk downtown or to the bars or restaurants outside of the hotel. Any info would be appreciated. Gracias.

If you are talking the colonial zone V centenario for walking about 20min, the rest are a lot further. nothing really close to the other two anyway, would need taxi's. Gran Lina is nowhere near downtown. Hispaniola is close to the malecon but a long way from anything.
 

goggles70

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Nov 19, 2004
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sorry, should have been more clear...

bienamor said:
If you are talking the colonial zone V centenario for walking about 20min, the rest are a lot further. nothing really close to the other two anyway, would need taxi's. Gran Lina is nowhere near downtown. Hispaniola is close to the malecon but a long way from anything.

I guess I should have been more clear...i don't know the layout of the city. I wasn't referring to the Colonial Zone as downtown. From what I read, the Gran Lina & Casino and Marriot Courtyard Hotel claim to be "downtown"...they say that there are lots of restaurants, bars and shopping in that area (27 de febrero y maximo gomez). I also read that there are lots of good bars along the malecon, but where on the malecon? Walking distance from any of these hotels? Thanks...
 

bienamor

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Apr 23, 2004
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Not close

goggles70 said:
I guess I should have been more clear...i don't know the layout of the city. I wasn't referring to the Colonial Zone as downtown. From what I read, the Gran Lina & Casino and Marriot Courtyard Hotel claim to be "downtown"...they say that there are lots of restaurants, bars and shopping in that area (27 de febrero y maximo gomez). I also read that there are lots of good bars along the malecon, but where on the malecon? Walking distance from any of these hotels? Thanks...

It's about a 1/2 mile to the malecon from either of these, no restaurants in that area, other than McDonalds, Dominios, and pollo Victorino, that are not connected with one of the two hotels. Lots of good eating places in Guzque but not close 1/2 hr walking distance.

Shopping in Plaza Crilloa, take you about 1hr to see all of it. any thing else a about a mile away.

Across the street from the Marriot is the Museum area. other than that take jimmydr's advice just don't use the cabs at the hotel, or double the price.
 

Jimmydr

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Apr 17, 2003
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bienamor said:
It's about a 1/2 mile to the malecon from either of these, no restaurants in that area, other than McDonalds, Dominios, and pollo Victorino, that are not connected with one of the two hotels. Lots of good eating places in Guzque but not close 1/2 hr walking distance.

Shopping in Plaza Crilloa, take you about 1hr to see all of it. any thing else a about a mile away.

Across the street from the Marriot is the Museum area. other than that take jimmydr's advice just don't use the cabs at the hotel, or double the price.

Street taxis are a fraction of the price.
 

goggles70

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Nov 19, 2004
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Thanks for your replies. So, V Centenario is my best choice for location if I want to be centrally located? Are there any cool bars around there on the malecon (besides the touristy hotel discos)? One person on another site described the malecon as "one big open air disco where the nightlife begins"...I'm assuming that there are alot of cool bars on the malecon. Sorry about all the questions...i'm just trying to get a feel for the right place to be for my situation...basically i'm there for fun, a variety of restaurants and nightlife as close as possible to my hotel. The reason I'm not asking about resorts is because i prefer to mix with the locals and actually see the culture and make new friends. I do plan to check out the shopping areas and the colonial zone and other points of interest too...
 

Jimmydr

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goggles70 said:
Thanks for your replies. So, V Centenario is my best choice for location if I want to be centrally located? Are there any cool bars around there on the malecon (besides the touristy hotel discos)? One person on another site described the malecon as "one big open air disco where the nightlife begins"...I'm assuming that there are alot of cool bars on the malecon. Sorry about all the questions...i'm just trying to get a feel for the right place to be for my situation...basically i'm there for fun, a variety of restaurants and nightlife as close as possible to my hotel. The reason I'm not asking about resorts is because i prefer to mix with the locals and actually see the culture and make new friends. I do plan to check out the shopping areas and the colonial zone and other points of interest too...

Try the bar in The Jarragua, or DeNoche down the block as well as the street behind your Hotel, but take a taxi.
 

rafael

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Jan 2, 2002
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From the centenario you can definitely walk to the zona colonial. What type of night life are you looking for? There are a few places on the Malecon near the hotel. The Napolitano has a disco and an upstairs lounge but they are not hotspots by an means.
 

Escott

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goggles70 said:
I guess I should have been more clear...i don't know the layout of the city. I wasn't referring to the Colonial Zone as downtown. From what I read, the Gran Lina & Casino and Marriot Courtyard Hotel claim to be "downtown"...they say that there are lots of restaurants, bars and shopping in that area (27 de febrero y maximo gomez). I also read that there are lots of good bars along the malecon, but where on the malecon? Walking distance from any of these hotels? Thanks...
I stayed in the Courtyard a few weeks ago and loved it. Everything you will find in a US courtyard and more. I am staying there next week again. I need a car for everything in S.d. and havent walked much at all. Not a compact city by any means and NOT walking friendly!

Escott
 

Robert

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Jimmydr said:
Try the bar in The Jarragua, or DeNoche down the block as well as the street behind your Hotel, but take a taxi.

These are hooker hangouts. Don't waste your time.
That is unless your looking for hookers.

To find out the what's going on and what bars are what, take a look at http://bonche.com This is by far the best nightlife site related to the DR.
It's in Spanish, but the photos speak for themselves and it's not that hard to work out whats what.

The Colonial Zone, Gustavo Mejia Ricart and Lincoln Ave are the nightlife hot spots. The Colonial Zone has the highest density of bars, clubs and restaurants. These bars are more like what you would find in most 1st world cities. You will find what your looking for here, from gay bars to tantra bed type bars etc. Some might say a little plastic :)

If you want to go a little less plastic, then you will need to cross the river to Ave Venezuela or San Vincente. These are more geared towards local music (merengue, bachata etc). If your looking to flirt and pick up girls this end of town, you better be able to dance and speak Spanish.

If you need specifics on any particular places or tell me exactly what your looking for I'll help you out.

I would personally stay in the Colonial Zone. It's great for walking and people watching.

Take a look at: http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/europa.shtml
Nice hotel, recently re-furbished, great location and good rates.
 

juanita

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Apr 22, 2004
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Go to the Colonial Zone!

"I would personally stay in the Colonial Zone. It's great for walking and people watching."

Exactly what I was gonna say, from what you say googles70, this hotel would be the perfect location for you in the Colonial Zone, you have lots of bars and restaurants and all in a walking distance. Day time is great to walk around and visit the shops and old buildings (even with a hangover). And nightlife is the best, you can go from bar to bar and its pretty safe! If you would be here on business I would say yes, go to the big hotels on Malecon, but you don't sound like you're coming with briefcase in hand so go for the Colonial Zone! The downtown area you can visit in a day taking a taxi. ;)
 

mikeyone

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Apr 16, 2003
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Robert, Info if possible.

Robert, I have a question regarding the Zona Colonial...Do you know of ' The German Place '... is it a restaurant, club etc. etc... just wondering if you knows its location.... Thanks......M.
 

Robert

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mikeyone said:
Robert, I have a question regarding the Zona Colonial...Do you know of ' The German Place '... is it a restaurant, club etc. etc... just wondering if you knows its location.... Thanks......M.

"The German Place". Is that the name?

I have never heard of it, if that's the name.
 

mikeyone

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Apr 16, 2003
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Any suggestions??

bienamor said:
Swiss German hotel,bar cafeteria venus bar

www.condo-parque.ch.vu/


maybe???

Thanks, for Robert and anyone familiar with Zona Colonial.....If one in conversation said ' Lets have a party at tthe German Place in the Zona Colonial ' would that ring a bell with anyone.........open to any suggestions within Santo Domingo.........Thanks again.. M.
 

Gordo

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Mar 16, 2003
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trying to make a reservation

Robert said:
I would personally stay in the Colonial Zone. It's great for walking and people watching.

Take a look at: http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/europa.shtml
Nice hotel, recently re-furbished, great location and good rates.

Robert,

I called this hotel 2 weeks ago to make a reservation for a couple nights in January. Talked to a nice lady who said they had availability but she couldn't confirm the price or dates because the computers were dowm. She promised to confirm by email the next day.

After a week had passed I sent them an email, explaining the situation and what I wanted, but still no reply another week later. I even mentioned I heard about them on DR1 as you suggested. I tried to call a couple times today and there was no answer.

Is this anything to worry about? Should I try another hotel? (Sofetel Francis looked nice as well). Or is this just the Typical Dominican service, and I need to be much more persistant? I love the dominican people, so this doesn't really bother me. Just looking for some advice on how to proceed. Thanks
 

goggles70

New member
Nov 19, 2004
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Thanks again...

Robert said:
These are hooker hangouts. Don't waste your time.
That is unless your looking for hookers.

To find out the what's going on and what bars are what, take a look at http://bonche.com This is by far the best nightlife site related to the DR.
It's in Spanish, but the photos speak for themselves and it's not that hard to work out whats what.

The Colonial Zone, Gustavo Mejia Ricart and Lincoln Ave are the nightlife hot spots. The Colonial Zone has the highest density of bars, clubs and restaurants. These bars are more like what you would find in most 1st world cities. You will find what your looking for here, from gay bars to tantra bed type bars etc. Some might say a little plastic :)

If you want to go a little less plastic, then you will need to cross the river to Ave Venezuela or San Vincente. These are more geared towards local music (merengue, bachata etc). If your looking to flirt and pick up girls this end of town, you better be able to dance and speak Spanish.

If you need specifics on any particular places or tell me exactly what your looking for I'll help you out.

I would personally stay in the Colonial Zone. It's great for walking and people watching.

Take a look at: http://www.dr1.com/directories/hotels/europa.shtml
Nice hotel, recently re-furbished, great location and good rates.


Hi all,
Thanks for all the advice. I did check out the Europa in zona colonial and it does look awesome, but I have since booked a room at the V Centenario. Thanks to your advice, I plan to take many trips to the zona colonial for some restaurants and nightlife. I'm not looking for hookers at all. I simply like to meet the locals from other countries who like to have fun like i do (the 20 - 30 age group). I'm adventurous that way. I do speak half decent spanish and I have a lot of experience meeting and having a good time with locals, because I have been to Havana Cuba a few times in the last year...on my first trip I met a lot of awesome Cuban people that have become friends. It's really cool because the big thing in Havana is renting a "casa particular" instead of staying in hotels because then you can have your Cuban friends over, and you really get to see the culture. Anyways, I just want something different this time so I chose Santo Domingo. I'm coming alone because I just can't seem to coordinate the vacation time with my friends, so I guess I'll scout it out and possibly return with them in a few months if I like it. We all have a thing for the beautiful latinas...god bless 'em...haha. So, any final advice on places to go for a young, single, friendly and outgoing guy? Cheers from Ottawa, Canada!
 

juanita

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Apr 22, 2004
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goggles70 said:
Hi all,
Thanks for all the advice. I did check out the Europa in zona colonial and it does look awesome, but I have since booked a room at the V Centenario. Thanks to your advice, I plan to take many trips to the zona colonial for some restaurants and nightlife. I'm not looking for hookers at all. I simply like to meet the locals from other countries who like to have fun like i do (the 20 - 30 age group). I'm adventurous that way. I do speak half decent spanish and I have a lot of experience meeting and having a good time with locals, because I have been to Havana Cuba a few times in the last year...on my first trip I met a lot of awesome Cuban people that have become friends. It's really cool because the big thing in Havana is renting a "casa particular" instead of staying in hotels because then you can have your Cuban friends over, and you really get to see the culture. Anyways, I just want something different this time so I chose Santo Domingo. I'm coming alone because I just can't seem to coordinate the vacation time with my friends, so I guess I'll scout it out and possibly return with them in a few months if I like it. We all have a thing for the beautiful latinas...god bless 'em...haha. So, any final advice on places to go for a young, single, friendly and outgoing guy? Cheers from Ottawa, Canada!
Raves are pretty big here, so look if there is one coming up around your dates!
Check these sites or nightlife:
www.uepa.com
http://www.bonche.com
http://www.loquepasa.com/
http://www.809k.com/
 

Spirit7

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Aug 26, 2004
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Malecon has become seedy.

There are several good hotels on the Malecon like Jaragua, Melia, VCentenario and even Napolitano but the ambience outside has become seedy. That is, if you are into hookers or young boys you will find them
hanging around. In fact, on Avenida Independencia which runs parallel
to Malecon there are plenty of smaller hotels but again, funny stuff going on. There is one where you can see a crowd of young males hanging around outside every night waiting for the middle aged tourists to connect with.

Go to the Colonial Zone, a couple of good French hotels, and hang around El Conde and some of the nightspots there and you should be fine. Now, if you are interested in the Malecon area and its scene, by all means.