Santiago hotels and places to go?

[torrock]

I've been to Santiago a few times for baseball games (went up the monument once) ... this trip we're flying into STI for the first time.

I was hoping for a baseball game the day we land, or the night before we fly home, but the schedule didn't work out that way. There's a game Friday night (we fly home Sunday) so I'm thinking we'll stay in Santiago Friday and Saturday so we can go to the game and be close to the airport Sunday morning.

I found a condo with a pool, but found out the location they marked on the map (walking distance from the monument) isn't where it is at all, it's actually a 15 minute drive north ... I'll be cancelling that reservation.

It looks like the only hotel with a pool is Hotel Matum which is a good price ($54) but the reviews are a little sketchy.

Hodelpo Central Plaza($54), Aloha Sol($75) and Platino($54) seem to be good location wise, even though a pool would have been nice.

Any suggestions for hotels?
Any suggestions for places are good to go to eat, drink, party?
(Ahi Bar and Puerto del Sol are places I read about on the boards)
Any other suggestions for things to do in Santiago?
(we are doing a baseball game and the monument)

Thanks!

 

[SantiagoDR]

Sounds like you did an excellent job of scoping it out already.
Hopefully some of the party goers will respond with their suggestions.

Have a great vacation!

 

[PeterInBrat]

I was at Hotel Central just a few doors down from Aloha Sol. It's a crappy part of town, the nicest restaurant is a Pizza Hut. Casinos are about it for fun and not a place you want to walk around at night.

 

[torrock]

Hodelpo Central Plaza is actually $90 (typo) ... I was thinking that was the area to be, going by what I read ...

Anyone know what parts of town are good location wise?

 

[SantiagoDR]

Next to the Monument you have the casino and a few party bars, plus the Jade restaurant next to the casino.

 

[PeterInBrat]

Re Central: After taxes and fees, it's more like $125. The toilet seat wouldn't stay up for taking a pee because there was a cabinet blocking it from going up all the way. Kind of annoying. I was looking for someplace to eat nearby and couldn't find anything. The TV was maybe a 22" flat screen?

 

[VJS]

You may be disappointed with the Matum's pool, - I have never seen anyone use it. The best pool is in Gran Almirante, - that hotel is quite pricy though, - but you are allowed to use it if you are staying in other Hodelpas, like the Central Plaza. Central has some nice rooms, - either suits or mini-suits are very nice and quiet, but they cost more.

 

[jinty05]

When staying in Santiago it's a no brainer.....the Gran Almirante is THE place to stay. Perfectly located for the best of Santiago's restaurants and night life.

 

[santiagodude]

If you plan on visiting Puerto del sol and Ahi bar, matum is close by both (monumento area). The casino has a couple late night clubs (but I am usually done before they get busy). I prefer the area around Bella Terra Mall. Many places to eat and drink (KGB upscale dining, mojibar casual cocktails, Level Nightclub, Penthouse Nightclub). Feels safer than Monumento area at night,(to me)....Recommend Hotel Century Plaza (5 Min by cab to Bella Terra or Plaza Internacional, around $60 night, no pool).
Downside is rooms are small, upside is nice breakfast is included, some English speaking staff, clean rooms with A/C, cable, flat screen, stocked mini fridge, La Sirena Nearby, easy acess to STI. Keep in mind most night time options in Santiago are spread around the city in different areas.
Grand Almirante is the nicest (and most expensive) but once you exit the hotel you still need a cab unless you are heading to TGI Fridays

 

[Hillbilly]

Good to get such in-depth reporting.

The only other place I know of that has a pool is the former Marriott out on the highway. I think it is run by Hodelpa now. Not in the center of things but certainly the second best place in Santiago.

A lot will depend on how important a pool is to our OP. For example Hotel Jardines is much quieter than the Plaza in town. It is just down the
street from the Gran Almirante and in the $50-$60 price range. It is surrounded by good places to hang out for a group, to eat, drink, or shmooze.

Nothing is more than a 10 minute walk from the front door of the Jardines.

Taxi to the ball park DOP 150...Bus up to the North Coast 220 DOP and a 12 minute walk from the hotel.(Or a $DOP150 taxi).

HB

 

[torrock]

Awesome, thanks to everyone for the great feedback!

So, is DOP 150 for a taxi the typical price in and around Santiago? Do you need to confirm the price before getting in like the north coast?

Also, what is the typical price to/from the airport? I read that you can walk across the street from the airport and catch a public car. I'm debating between taking the bus from Santiago and hiring a driver. $100 US is more than I want to spend to get to north coast, but it would get us there a lot quicker, saving a chunk of our Friday.

- We land Friday around 1PM, we need to get to Sosua.
- The following Friday, we will likely take the bus to Santiago (unless friends come to the game), we need to get to the airport Sunday (245 fight)

 

[SantiagoDR]

So, is DOP 150 for a taxi the typical price in and around Santiago? Do you need to confirm the price before getting in like the north coast?

$150-$200 pesos is typical. Bargain with them if over $150.

ALWAYS confirm the price anywhere in this country!

And not just for the Taxi.

 

[KyleMackey]

Anyone have a gym and room balcony?

 

[exeurodominican]

Anyone visited Mr. Grilled at 27 de febrero near Super Central?

 

[santiagodude]

Normal taxi price to STI is 500 pesos

 

[santiagodude]

If you do not have a taxi reserved in advance (for arrival) the aiport taxi mafi will get you a taxi at a higher cost than the 500 pesos...Someone here can confirm the airport taxi price into Santiago..

 

[Bronxboy]

I have also stayed at Hodelpa Central Plaza and can say that it is a very nice and pleasant hotel especially the nice blackjack dealer I met. Priceless...............

 

[jd426]

Airport ( STI Cibao) Taxi, leaving the airport, starts at an asking price of 800 pesos from airport to center of city or Metro Bus.etc
700 can be easily negotiated .
If you smart you can get 600 by avoiding the Taxi mafia altogether and walk past them to a taxis dropping off..
It works flawlessly and I do it ALL the time.. the Arriving taxi is happy to take you anywhere into the city for 600 pesos.
Pretend like you know him from before.

Going TO the airport is 500 or 600...
Dont make this mistake, if you dont ask, they CAN and Have tried for 1 Mil Pesos, even if you call their BS, they will then swear its 800 to the Airport, so ask before you step into the Taxi.
Inside and around the city its 150 ,175 and 200 pesos, never more that that even if you make a stop somewhere like to pick up someone with grocery bags fast.

 

[Commander Ooh La La USN]

If you do not have a taxi reserved in advance (for arrival) the aiport taxi mafi will get you a taxi at a higher cost than the 500 pesos...Someone here can confirm the airport taxi price into Santiago..

I just paid 800 pesos this morning but it was cool because a guy who was on the plane with me also needed a ride to Caribe Tours to go to Sosua so we wound up splitting a cab which was 650 for him and 150 for me to get to my residence. I called a taxi rather than deal with these airport taxi syndicates.

Normally my taxi fare from the airport is 500-700 depending on how many stops I need to do. This morning I got bamboozled by these new banking laws at the ATM. I normally withdraw 15,000 at the airport but dammit if every transaction I made got rejected. Eventually, I found a compliant ATM at Clinica Corominas and was able to withdraw 8000 pesos.

His Royal Majesty, Lord Belly Button Kidney Bean, House of Donkey Kong

 

[SantiagoDR]

I just paid 800 pesos this morning but it was cool because a guy who was on the plane with me also needed a ride to Caribe Tours to go to Sosua so we wound up splitting a cab which was 650 for him and 150 for me to get to my residence..

His Royal Majesty, Lord Belly Button Kidney Bean, House of Donkey Kong

Remind me never to "split" a fare with you, I would think it would have been 50/50. lol