Some hotels on Malecon?

[bigbird]

As mentioned there is no beach in Santo Domingo to speak of. Although a few years back they put some sand down and at Plaza Guibia they now have playa de Guibia which one you see I doubt you would want to go in the water. The hotels on the malecon all have a nice view of the Caribbean Sea.

Hotel Napolitano is not as upscale as the other three hotels mentioned but probably better suited for you. Napolitano has a small pool on the terrace and some nights they also have live entertainment. Room should be under $100 if you cut a deal and pay cash. I believe they still offer free breakfast which is no big deal but something to get you started for the day.

You can walk to Pacos/Grands on el conde in ten minutes.

If you want beach a day trip to Boca Chica would be easy enough to do. You simply take the #14 or #19 guagua to la parada de autobus Boca Chica. Take the expresso bus to the little park in Boca Chica. Total cost 85 pesos. I can give you detailed info if interested. You won't need Spanish to pull this off.

 

[AlterEgo]

Jose, there are also a lot of small apart-hotels on the blocks between the malecon [Ave. George Washington] and the next block up [Ave. Independencia]. Steps to the malecon without the malecon hotel prices.

 

[joselowe]

So should I try to book something online or simply try to get a hotel once I see the area without reservations?

 

[DavidZ]

Book at least your first night online or over the phone...the hotels on the Malecon are close to each other, but you wouldn't want to walk from one to another lugging your bags looking for the best deal.

 

[Jaime809]

portada - Napolitano Hotel & Casino

The reviews of this place scared me off, and I don't scare easily from hotels. Did they work out their service and bug issues?

 

[Hector L]

There is a newly constructed hotel at Pasteur and the Malecon called the Shakee Hotel. Ropms on one side have wonderful water views and prices are less than the big name chain hotels. I looked at rooms and have had friends stay there and they were happy. Be sure to specify if you wish a water view room. You really don't want to enter the water in Santo Domingo but it is nice to look at and walk along. This area is safe.

 

[Criss Colon]

Napolitano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you do like one of the 100's of girls working the Malecon after dark, you CAN take them into that hotel!!!!!!!!!!
NICE 2ND FLOOR POOL WITH A VIEW OF THE OCEAN.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

 

[rafael]

Cheapest option may be Hotel Napolitano. Crowne Plaza and sheraton are nicer but Napolitano has a restarant terraza and pool overlooking the Malecon.
Walking distance to zona colonial.

 

[bienamor]

The reviews of this place scared me off, and I don't scare easily from hotels. Did they work out their service and bug issues?

live across the street for the Napolitano, stay there once in a while. Nice breakfast, rooms clean. Never heard of any problems,

 

[Jaime809]

live across the street for the Napolitano, stay there once in a while. Nice breakfast, rooms clean. Never heard of any problems,

That sounds like a Yes to me. I'll give them a try my next weekend trip to SD. I like the idea of a casino and club attached, though I'm fairly certain I should reference it as "club."

 

[greydread]

There is a newly constructed hotel at Pasteur and the Malecon called the Shakee Hotel. Ropms on one side have wonderful water views and prices are less than the big name chain hotels. I looked at rooms and have had friends stay there and they were happy. Be sure to specify if you wish a water view room. You really don't want to enter the water in Santo Domingo but it is nice to look at and walk along. This area is safe.

Shakey is the best bang for the buck on the Malecon in my travels. 1BR apartment is $80 on the back side, $100 on the Caribbean side and there's a whole lot more to look at than the water. It's a very short walk to many, many conveniences. Last stay, my apartment overlooked the Caribbean and the pool on floor 3 of the Crown Plaza and having stayed at that hotel back when it was the Intercontinental, Shakeys is money much more well spent.

Hotel Shakey - Homepage

The deluxe (2br) is $160 (all prices plus tax)

 

[corsair74]

The last time that I stayed at the Napolitano was February of 2010. And unless they've renovated the place, I'll never stay there again. The room that I was in had a great ocean view (no balcony). But the furnishing were old and dated. The overhead a/c leaked onto the old carpet, which made the room smell like mildew. The toilet's plumbing leaked onto the bathroom floor. And the elevator took 10 minutes (seriously) to arrive to my floor. I was on an upper floor, so the stairs weren't a serious option.

I'd have complained to management, or gone somewhere else. But this was shortly after the earthquake in Haiti. AND there was an Aventura concert in SD that night. Therefore, this was literally the only room left in town. I paid $93 for that night's stay. Swore I'd never be back.

 

[Jaime809]

Hopefully they have renovated in the past 5 years, but I hear ya.

 

[bigbird]

The last time that I stayed at the Napolitano was February of 2010.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.

2010? Come on, this is 2015 and things change like a renovation.

As mentioned in previous post Shakey is also a good choice but if you want the Caribbean Sea view for a decent price go with Napolitano. Best thing is check in and see if you can cut deal using USD. Just pay for two nights in advance and if you don't like the place just move to another hotel.

 

[corsair74]

2010? Come on, this is 2015 and things change like a renovation.

As mentioned in previous post Shakey is also a good choice but if you want the Caribbean Sea view for a decent price go with Napolitano. Best thing is check in and see if you can cut deal using USD. Just pay for two nights in advance and if you don't like the place just move to another hotel.

Well a lot of the recent reviews I've read on the Napolitano say that the view is great, but the place needs renovating. Those are 2015 reviews.

 

[bigbird]

Well a lot of the recent reviews I've read on the Napolitano say that the view is great, but the place needs renovating. Those are 2015 reviews.

Mira, we are talking a 3+* hotel. If the OP wants to pay double than he can stay at Jaragua. I live here and go to Napolitano often for the day pool pass. 2010 was NOT the last time I was there.

 

[TropicalPaul]

The beach which the OP is talking about is actually a beach, it's just below the monument of Frey Anton and down from D'Luis. I always think it is such a shame that it isn't used as a proper beach, it could be really pleasant. Unfortunately, it can't be used as a beach because the water is too polluted, and the only people who use it are a bunch of quite rough local kids who I think sleep there as well. There are Cestur police, but it isn't safe and I wouldn't recommend you go there unless you are with a local. I was with a couple of Dominican friends the other day and we went into the monument of Frey Anton and nearly got mugged, again I'm not sure it is safe.

The nearest hotel to that area is Llave del Mar, which is on Booking.com. I also live on the Malecon, but on the 20th floor of a tower. I would seriously think about whether you want to stay anywhere on the Malecon because the noise of the trucks will keep you awake all night, they constantly honk their horns. I think you'd be much more comfortable in one of the hotels in the Colonial Zone, many are just a few minutes walk from the Malecon.

 

[corsair74]

Mira, we are talking a 3+* hotel. If the OP wants to pay double than he can stay at Jaragua. I live here and go to Napolitano often for the day pool pass. 2010 was NOT the last time I was there.

Okay. Well, since you're a recent visitor, what is your opinion of the rooms? Have they been renovated? Has the plumbing been fixed? What about the slow, decrepit elevator? Has that been renovated as well?

You see, I naturally assumed that the OP wanted a review of more than just the swimming pool. What is your opinion regarding the things I've mentioned. Cause as far as I'm concerned, they weren't 3 star quality.

 

[irishpaddy]

ive spent many hours on that beach and never had a problem.it is frequented by a lot of dominicans ,working out on the beach ,training their dogs or just enjoying the day....most are minding their own business and at worst you might get asked for a few pesos from some of the kids...but i never felt threatened .....i would not be on it after dark. i enjoyed the restaurants over looking the beach....nice quiet views
i will say i went to the monument two times by myself and would agree that it could leave you open for a mugging and the view from the monument is not spectacular

 

[joselowe]

See I'm getting scared now, thinking I might get mugged lol