President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado officially opened the new Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel in the Colonial City on Thursday, 17 October 2024. The hotel adds 130 rooms and eight suites with terraces to the historic district’s lodging options.
Kimpton Las Mercedes is the first hotel of its kind operated by Iberostar in the country, complements the Colonial City.
Hotel executives describe it as a place of unique luxury experiences blending history and modernity, housed in a 16th-century building that immerses and captivates visitors with its ambiance.
The hotel features several dining options, including Zola, an Italian restaurant; El Patio, a relaxed restaurant and bar; and Coral, where guests can enjoy a comprehensive breakfast. Additionally, the hotel offers impressive event spaces for up to 400 people and amenities such as a 24-hour fitness center, a pool, and a pet-friendly policy.
During the opening, Jorge Apaez, director of operations for IHG Hotels & Resorts in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, expressed gratitude for choosing IHG and the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand to support the Dominican Republic as a growing destination for tourism and business.
“As strategic business partners, we provide value to our owners by presenting the ideal brand for the right destination, and I am confident that this is happening here. Santo Domingo is a vibrant urban destination, and Kimpton Las Mercedes complements it perfectly as a starting point for exploring its historic Colonial City and beyond,” he emphasized.
He added that Kimpton properties combine a culture of guest-centric hospitality with curated spaces and cutting-edge design.
José Antonio González, a partner at Megeve Investment Office, noted that the Kimpton Las Mercedes project has been an eight-year journey that began in 2016.
“We have Iberostar as a partner and future operator, as well as another Spanish partner, Grupo Inicia de RD, and for the architectural project, Rafael Moneo, while the interior design was handled by Pepe Deudero and Linnette Nardi,” he said.
Rafael Moneo was the Spanish architect who had won the contest for the renovation of the San Francisco Ruins. The proposal, nevertheless, was rejected by the community for its strong modernization stance.
González also highlighted that with this opening, they are not only inaugurating a new hotel but also contributing to the tourism and economic growth of the Colonial City.
He concluded by saying that the Kimpton brand, together with Iberostar and its association with IHG, is the perfect choice for this project.
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Mitur
IHG
22 October 2024