We are planning on spending several days in Santo Domingo before flying home from there. We want to see the city and the area. Does anyone know if Hotel Mercure is a good spot to park for a few days and sightsee from there? Any suggestions on what do see and do while in the area?
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Hotel Mercure info
hotel mercure
If it is the hotel Mercure I am thinking about,it is right off Maximo Gomez and a few yards up from Independencia,and the Argentina restaurant...it is a good location,you can shop on Maximo Gomez,walk to the Malecon,and get a quick cab on Independencia to the Colonial Zone...
search dr1 under Mercure,you will find some more info...
bob
We are planning on spending several days in Santo Domingo before flying home from there. We want to see the city and the area. Does anyone know if Hotel Mercure is a good spot to park for a few days and sightsee from there? Any suggestions on what do see and do while in the area?
If it is the hotel Mercure I am thinking about,it is right off Maximo Gomez and a few yards up from Independencia,and the Argentina restaurant...it is a good location,you can shop on Maximo Gomez,walk to the Malecon,and get a quick cab on Independencia to the Colonial Zone...
search dr1 under Mercure,you will find some more info...
bob
Hotel Mercure
Hotel Mercure is right on El Conde in the Colonial Zone. Go to their website at www.mercure.com to see their rates. It is within walking distance of Cathedral, Alcazar de Colon, etc, etc.
Hotel Mercure is right on El Conde in the Colonial Zone. Go to their website at www.mercure.com to see their rates. It is within walking distance of Cathedral, Alcazar de Colon, etc, etc.
The hotel Murcure that "I" was thinking of is right on el conde near the cathedral right in the heart of the zona colonial. My friend stayed there a couple of years ago and liked it. I walked by it last year and the lobby looks very nice. You are right in the heart of the colonial zone..so there are plenty of toursity things to do. As meantioned..walk to the malecon, check out Fort Ozama, THere is a cool place for toursity knick knack about a block or two away on (ave mella?)
The only complaint my friend had was that if one of his other travel buddies, who were staying at another hotel, wanted to come to his room he was charged 5 USD....EVERY time they came or went.
I am sure others will chime in about the hotel and more things to do.
The only complaint my friend had was that if one of his other travel buddies, who were staying at another hotel, wanted to come to his room he was charged 5 USD....EVERY time they came or went.
I am sure others will chime in about the hotel and more things to do.
If it is the hotel Mercure I am thinking about,it is right off Maximo Gomez and a few yards up from Independencia,and the Argentina restaurant...it is a good location,you can shop on Maximo Gomez,walk to the Malecon,and get a quick cab on Independencia to the Colonial Zone...
search dr1 under Mercure,you will find some more info...
bob
You're describing the Hotel Metur, a charming budget hotel owned by a German.
hotels dominican republic santo domingo - dominican republic hotels - hotels dominican republic
Thanks - it sounds like it would work just fine for us. We like to talking walking trips to see the area. As long as it is in a good area, we should be fine.
It is located in a very, very safe area. The walking tour guides are one block away. Some complain the rooms are small but I found them to be quite acceptable especially considering the nightly rate. Book online and pay in advance to maximize your savings. $67 per night for two with a free buffet breakfast (payable at least two weeks in advance).
Hotel Mercure
I stayed at the real Hotel Mercure about a month ago. It is an Accor hotel--the huge Australian company that owns several different levels of hotels and resorts around the world.
The place was just fine and, although the rooms are small, it is well-located and pretty cool. Ambience, not temperature.
Good rates with on-line specials.
I didn't try to have any guests, so I can' t comment on that aspect of it.
I stayed at the real Hotel Mercure about a month ago. It is an Accor hotel--the huge Australian company that owns several different levels of hotels and resorts around the world.
The place was just fine and, although the rooms are small, it is well-located and pretty cool. Ambience, not temperature.
Good rates with on-line specials.
I didn't try to have any guests, so I can' t comment on that aspect of it.
I didn't try to have any guests, so I can' t comment on that aspect of it.
I wasnt implying "guests" as in sex trade workers...I was talking about other travel friends who were staying near by and who came by for a drink before heading out for the evening. I cant imagine this being an issue if the op's party is all staying there at the same hotel.
Also..to the OP..check out the thread about travel safety tips. Even tho its a very safe area...there are still hustlers and pick pockets about (just like any other urban area with tourists). Dress in long pants at night (or if you plan on going to the cathedral or other places like that).
If you are doing the toursit thing and get involved in a walking tour of zona colonial...as with anything in the DR make sure to ask and settle on the price first!!!
If you are doing the toursit thing and get involved in a walking tour of zona colonial...as with anything in the DR make sure to ask and settle on the price first!!!
BTW does anyone know what a "reasonable" price would be for an English speaking walking tour guide?
BTW does anyone know what a "reasonable" price would be for an English speaking walking tour guide?
Ok...i was trying not to tell this story.
on my second trip to DR..we got sucked into a "walking tour" after paying an entry fee to fort ozama. After a decent tour of the fort (we really were just being polite and thought the tour was included)...the guy started taking us to the "amber museum" and obvious tourist traps to try mamajuana and cigars...etc. It was a bunch of BS...We kept on saying that we werent interested in this tour...but he kept on with his spiel. when we said we were not interested in his "tour" he demanded 500 pesos a piece. He didnt get it.
we gave him (i think) 200 pesos (total)....and went our way.
This WAS when i was green in SD...gotta say..he gave a good historical tour of the fort..but the rest of it was tourist trap crap.
Dont mind giving someone 200 pesos...or even 500 pesos...but this guy was shady and was not up front about the charge. SOoo...just sayin'...before one does any sort of "tour" just ask up front how much and agree on it before.
I just loft the zona 2 weeks ago I did 2 walking tours one guy was real cool I gave him 500 pesos and he knew a lot about the area even down to small facts.
I stayed at sofietel was real nice but charged my 1000pesos if I had friends over
I was making AA meetings so I ran unto some decent folk there .
I stayed at sofietel was real nice but charged my 1000pesos if I had friends over
I was making AA meetings so I ran unto some decent folk there .
Walking tours
I got the Ozama hustle too, but I was expecting it. The tour continued down the street and, although I usually do settle on price before hand, I was curious as to how this hustle was going to work.
So when my guy ended the tour after about a half hour and told me the "customary charge" was $20 US, we "settled" on a few hundred pesos and he went away grumbling.
I don't doubt some of his information and the Zona is pretty compelling, but the rate of $40 per hour was not particularly realistic.
Luckily, although I am not bullet proof nor foolhardy, I don't get intimidated easily and it ended without incident.
The true high point of the visit though was simply sitting in the square and watching the kids enjoy the simple pleasure of playing with a balloon from the vendor.
I got the Ozama hustle too, but I was expecting it. The tour continued down the street and, although I usually do settle on price before hand, I was curious as to how this hustle was going to work.
So when my guy ended the tour after about a half hour and told me the "customary charge" was $20 US, we "settled" on a few hundred pesos and he went away grumbling.
I don't doubt some of his information and the Zona is pretty compelling, but the rate of $40 per hour was not particularly realistic.
Luckily, although I am not bullet proof nor foolhardy, I don't get intimidated easily and it ended without incident.
The true high point of the visit though was simply sitting in the square and watching the kids enjoy the simple pleasure of playing with a balloon from the vendor.
to jrzyguy
Yes, I understood your meaning of guests. It sounds crazy that the hotel would do that, but it no doubt has experienced paying guests taking a room then having a squadron of buddies fill up the room, drain the water, etc. So to prevent extra overnight guests, they charge any guests at all.
Just guessing, but hotels have to put up with a world of crap too, so they have to figure out some strategies.
Yes, I understood your meaning of guests. It sounds crazy that the hotel would do that, but it no doubt has experienced paying guests taking a room then having a squadron of buddies fill up the room, drain the water, etc. So to prevent extra overnight guests, they charge any guests at all.
Just guessing, but hotels have to put up with a world of crap too, so they have to figure out some strategies.
more big spenders
I have to laugh when I read that a tourist who posts here says he's happy to pay $200 pesos for a hour long tour..but not if its one that included a gift shop.. what a joke...Did you ask the price? If you did he couldn't be shady about the cost could he?.. Did you walk away and say no? It wasby the posters accounty a "good historical tour of the fort" but not worth the money or even worth your time to walk with him but it was ok for him to spend his time tho..maybe you should have only paid him $100 pesos..glad to see you don't hold on to your $6.00 US too tightly...You made a big deal saying that you would even pay a whopping 500 pesos for what would obviously have to be a a fantastic tour, a big $14.00 US..how many people were you.?.what could you buy where you live for $6 US or even $14 US...how much do you make? stop thinking that these people should be happy with whatever scraps you give them because they are poor..and you will enjoy your time here much more.
The other big spender wanted to see for himself how he was going to be ripped off planning by saying "although I usually do settle on price before hand, I was curious as to how this hustle was going to work."...so he accepted a tour without asking the price, knowing he was not going to pay ..he let the guide walk him around in the heat and waste his time for what I am sure was much more than an hour, even though the slikster says only a half hour... which wouldn't be a tour at all. He says they walked a while before the tour ended and you could not even start a tour in a half hour. He also says the during the tour, the guide offerered good information stating "I don't doubt some of his information and the Zona is pretty compelling" He then waited for the end of the tour and when the guide offered a price the un-intimidateable tourist big shot told the guide no and refused to pay. He did what he intended to do and he ripped of a poor working man who probably will not get the opportunity to guide anyone else because he lost his turn. Then he threw him a few bread crumbs and wonders why he went away grumbling...this "man" has the nerve to proudly post that here too..
Finally the poster asked what would be a "reasonable" price for an "english" language walking tour of the colonial zone..not how he can cheat the guides and get away with it, or how little he could pay for a tour.
I can offer a suggestion, walk over to any of the four corners of the park in front of the cathedral. there will be a group of licensed guides at each. Ask if any speak english. Have a brief conversation with them until you are satisfied with their language skills. Tell them what you would like to see or leave it to them..The "official" price for the tour is $20 US and it should last between and hour and 1 1/2 hours.If you are happy with the tour, any gratuity will be appreciated $2-$3 per person is appropriate. If you have the time and you particularly enjoyed the tour and the company, accompany the guide to a store or market or stop for a cold drink and ask him to join you. If you go to a shop and buy or not is your business but it is a nice gesture and it will be appreciated either way.
Now... that wasn't so bad was it...you got your tour in your native language from someone who can certainly offer more than a guide book, and you both leave happy, say goodbye and smile. You may even remember eachother fondly, god forbid.
Please come and enjoy...don't do experiments to see how you are going to get hustled..or plan on ripping the poor people off or get mad when a tour guide trys to take you to a gift shop or "tourist trap", when you are visiting a tourist area.
Relax and have fun...
Rich
I have to laugh when I read that a tourist who posts here says he's happy to pay $200 pesos for a hour long tour..but not if its one that included a gift shop.. what a joke...Did you ask the price? If you did he couldn't be shady about the cost could he?.. Did you walk away and say no? It wasby the posters accounty a "good historical tour of the fort" but not worth the money or even worth your time to walk with him but it was ok for him to spend his time tho..maybe you should have only paid him $100 pesos..glad to see you don't hold on to your $6.00 US too tightly...You made a big deal saying that you would even pay a whopping 500 pesos for what would obviously have to be a a fantastic tour, a big $14.00 US..how many people were you.?.what could you buy where you live for $6 US or even $14 US...how much do you make? stop thinking that these people should be happy with whatever scraps you give them because they are poor..and you will enjoy your time here much more.
The other big spender wanted to see for himself how he was going to be ripped off planning by saying "although I usually do settle on price before hand, I was curious as to how this hustle was going to work."...so he accepted a tour without asking the price, knowing he was not going to pay ..he let the guide walk him around in the heat and waste his time for what I am sure was much more than an hour, even though the slikster says only a half hour... which wouldn't be a tour at all. He says they walked a while before the tour ended and you could not even start a tour in a half hour. He also says the during the tour, the guide offerered good information stating "I don't doubt some of his information and the Zona is pretty compelling" He then waited for the end of the tour and when the guide offered a price the un-intimidateable tourist big shot told the guide no and refused to pay. He did what he intended to do and he ripped of a poor working man who probably will not get the opportunity to guide anyone else because he lost his turn. Then he threw him a few bread crumbs and wonders why he went away grumbling...this "man" has the nerve to proudly post that here too..
Finally the poster asked what would be a "reasonable" price for an "english" language walking tour of the colonial zone..not how he can cheat the guides and get away with it, or how little he could pay for a tour.
I can offer a suggestion, walk over to any of the four corners of the park in front of the cathedral. there will be a group of licensed guides at each. Ask if any speak english. Have a brief conversation with them until you are satisfied with their language skills. Tell them what you would like to see or leave it to them..The "official" price for the tour is $20 US and it should last between and hour and 1 1/2 hours.If you are happy with the tour, any gratuity will be appreciated $2-$3 per person is appropriate. If you have the time and you particularly enjoyed the tour and the company, accompany the guide to a store or market or stop for a cold drink and ask him to join you. If you go to a shop and buy or not is your business but it is a nice gesture and it will be appreciated either way.
Now... that wasn't so bad was it...you got your tour in your native language from someone who can certainly offer more than a guide book, and you both leave happy, say goodbye and smile. You may even remember eachother fondly, god forbid.
Please come and enjoy...don't do experiments to see how you are going to get hustled..or plan on ripping the poor people off or get mad when a tour guide trys to take you to a gift shop or "tourist trap", when you are visiting a tourist area.
Relax and have fun...
Rich
Hey Mr. Ruffino--here's what I have to say to you....
You're right! I didn't handle that correctly at all. I have become so inured and so defensive to the hustle of los tigres that I may not have considered that this was an honest working man.
I will be more discriminating in the future.
Thanks for the slap in the face.
You're right! I didn't handle that correctly at all. I have become so inured and so defensive to the hustle of los tigres that I may not have considered that this was an honest working man.
I will be more discriminating in the future.
Thanks for the slap in the face.
Finally the poster asked what would be a "reasonable" price for an "english" language walking tour of the colonial zone..not how he can cheat the guides and get away with it, or how little he could pay for a tour.
Hey Ruff, a few synonyms for "reasonable" are practical, realistic, logical and equitable. I don't believe anyone, at least myself, has intentions of trying to rip anyone off for their services. But....at the same time we don't want to be ripped off either!
Abe...
I re-read my post and I realize I came off a bit harsh. Its just a sore spot. I do not defend groups but rather individuals that I have come to know and am not nieve to the tigre's hustle. I also feel responsible to try to help others experience good things in the DR, as I have enjoyed for more than two decades. I just think it serves everyone better to both try to help visitors and new ex-pats by sharing our experiences and to encourage them to enjoy the best the DR has to offer while helping them avoid the problems. I don't think we should be forming or encouraging an us against them attitude, especially when we are all "their guests". That said if you either live in the Colonial Zone or frequent it feel free to pm me. We can sit down and share rip-off horror stories over a cold brew. I bet mine beat yours... I'll even buy.
Rich
I re-read my post and I realize I came off a bit harsh. Its just a sore spot. I do not defend groups but rather individuals that I have come to know and am not nieve to the tigre's hustle. I also feel responsible to try to help others experience good things in the DR, as I have enjoyed for more than two decades. I just think it serves everyone better to both try to help visitors and new ex-pats by sharing our experiences and to encourage them to enjoy the best the DR has to offer while helping them avoid the problems. I don't think we should be forming or encouraging an us against them attitude, especially when we are all "their guests". That said if you either live in the Colonial Zone or frequent it feel free to pm me. We can sit down and share rip-off horror stories over a cold brew. I bet mine beat yours... I'll even buy.
Rich
bigbird..
I wasn't referring to you at all if you read my post..., thanks for the english lesson anyway..just commenting on others replies..and offering you some help.
BTW..the $20 US for the tour is for the group so if you have 5 people its $4 each. Not bad for a private tour in your native language where you can ask questions.
If you are still interested and want to be confident you will have someone you will be satisfied with you can PM me. I will provide you with someone that you will be totally happy with or take you on the tour myself..No charge.
Also, feel free to ignore all or part of my replies if you think its b.s. or don't agree, just trying to help.
Rich
I wasn't referring to you at all if you read my post..., thanks for the english lesson anyway..just commenting on others replies..and offering you some help.
BTW..the $20 US for the tour is for the group so if you have 5 people its $4 each. Not bad for a private tour in your native language where you can ask questions.
If you are still interested and want to be confident you will have someone you will be satisfied with you can PM me. I will provide you with someone that you will be totally happy with or take you on the tour myself..No charge.
Also, feel free to ignore all or part of my replies if you think its b.s. or don't agree, just trying to help.
Rich
bigbird..I wasn't referring to you at all if you read my post..., thanks for the english lesson anyway..just commenting on others replies..and offering you some help.
Rich
I submitted the "reasonable" post.
I thank you for your information on the price. I will be back in the DR with a friend of mine in January. He is a big time "history" person. As you know you can get so many different prices on the street that I just wanted to know what is reasonable. More than likely he will take the tour with his lady friend. So if $20 for a 2-hour tour is the going rate I will inform him.
No need to apologize for your harsh post. There are some who need the rude awakening.
Peace..........