I love visiting the Dominican Republic, but Santo Domingo (the capital) is very special. It is the city where I took my first breath after coming out of my mother's womb and opened my eyes for the first time to see this beautiful world I love exploring so much. So, yes, I was born in Santo Domingo, a city rich in culture and I lived there on and off till I was about 12 years old. As a child, I didn't get to explore the touristy areas but became intimate with the local neighborhoods, alley streets, and residential communities. As an adult, I often visit, and in this blog, I will share with you the best places to stay in Santo Domingo if you plan to visit overnight or linger for a few days and explore.
If you're looking for accommodations in Santo Domingo, I highly recommend staying in La Zona Colonial. La Zona Colonial is the most lively area of Santo Domingo, boasting old colonial ruins from the 1400s, trendy bars/restaurants, and major historical sites. Another popular area amongst international students is La Zona Universitaria. Still, unless you're studying abroad and looking for an apartment to rent long-term, there's little to do in that area. Boca Chica is another popular destination of Santo Domingo if you want to be near the beach. But, if you're road-tripping the Island, I recommend sticking to the historical sites in Santo Domingo and leaving the beaches for other towns. You'll find epic beaches in other parts of the Island.
La Zona Colonial is the most lively area of Santo Domingo, boasting old colonial ruins from the 1400s, trendy bars/restaurants, and major historical
Hotels in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
I stayed at three hotels from The Oxo House in La Zona Colonial. The Oxo House is an excellent option for boutique hotel accommodations in La Zona Colonial. What makes staying at one of the hotels from the Oxo House so great is that they're all in the heart of the city, making the most popular attractions, bars, and restaurants within walking distance. The Oxo House Group also offers a wide range of accommodations for travelers. This post, will review the best budget, mid-range, and upper-mid-range hotel stay from The Oxo House in La Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo.
Budget Hotel | Hostal La Colonial by The Oxo House | Hotels in Santo Domingo
When I stayed at Hostal La Colonia, I traveled as a solo female traveler and loved staying there. I felt safe visiting La Zona Colonial and exploring Santo Domingo. Hostal La Colonia was perfect for me, as I was only planning to stay in Santo Domingo for three days and wanted to save money to enjoy eating at fine dining restaurants in the area. I was looking for beautiful views of La Zona Colonial and a hotel near all the spots I wanted to visit, and Hostal La Colonia was perfect for that.
What I loved about staying at Hostal La Colonia in Santo Domingo
Very affordable/budget-friendly hotel starting at $38 per night
Despite the name, all rooms are private. Hostal La Colonia is not a hostel
The rooms have AC
Free complimentary Coffee in the mornings
Breakfast is available for an add-on of $6 at the nearby restaurant Tribu
Every floor has a shared balcony overlooking La Zona Colonial
Walking distance to all major attractions
Prime location
Free wifi
Clean and spacious rooms
24-hour front desk
What I didn't love about staying at Hostal La Colonia in Santo Domingo
Private parking is not available
No restaurant/bar on-premise
Mid-Range Hotel | Casa Sanchez by The Oxo House| Hotels in Santo Domingo
I stayed at Casa Sanchez by The Oxo House towards the end of my trip. This hotel is overflowing with color-- one of those Instagrammable places in Santo Domingo. What caught my attention, however, was the pool. I loved swimming after a long day of sightseeing in La Zona Colonial. Not as affordable as Hostal La Colonia, Casa Sanchez could still be considered a budget boutique hotel with prices starting at only $ 52 per night. If you visit, a small local kiosk is right across the street selling the best hamburgers ever!! Casa Sanchez also has an upstairs bar/restaurant.
What I loved about staying at Casa Sanches in Santo Domingo
The pool, the pool, the pool -- Caribbean heat is no joke!
Chic and trendy aesthetic vibes
Rooftop café and bar
Rooftop Jacuzzi
Breakfast is available for an extra charge of $14
Spacious and clean rooms
Air-conditioned rooms
Walking distance to all major attractions
Prime location
Free Wi-fi
24-hour front desk service
Adults-only boutique hotel
What I didn't love about staying at Casa Sanchez in Santo Domingo
Private parking is not available, and the streets are overcrowded
We had to wait a long time to get hot water in our rooms (boiler malfunction)
Despite having a bar and café, these are often open during high season only
Upper-Mid-Range | Luca Hotel by The Oxo House | Hotels in Santo Domingo
Whlie backpacking the Island, I stayed at Luca Hotel by The Oxo House with my husband. We loved Luca Hotel's architecture as some of the original walls from the 1400s were still preserved and used by the hotel. We were so in awe of the experience-- having a piece of history so close to us while we slept! We had one of those walls in our room! Luca Hotel is chic and elegant with an undeniable cultural Spanish flair. Luca Boutique Hotel screams old-school Caribbean vibes. I still consider Luca Hotel, a budget hotel with nights starting at only $92. However, for this blog, as it is the most expensive of the three hotels we're staying at, we'll call Luca Hotel an upper-mid-range boutique hotel.
What I loved about staying at Luca Hotel in Santo Domingo
Private parking is available to all guests
Rooftop bar and restaurant
Private jacuzzi available upon request
Old colonial city vibes
The beautiful outdoor garden setting
Welcome Mama Juana drink (local Dominican drink)
Breakfast is available for an extra charge of $20
Spacious and clean rooms
Air-conditioned rooms
Walking distance to all major attractions
Prime location
Free wifi
24-hour front desk service
What I didn't love about staying at Luca Hotel in Santo Domingo
Old plumbing (to be expected): my clothes got soaked from a leak in the bathroom. Other than that, our stay was marvelous.
The Oxo House Boutique Hotels in La Zona Colonial Vlog Tour
Hostal La Colonia | Casa Sanchez | Luca Hotel | Boutique Hotel Crawl in La Zona
I hope you found this hotel guide helpful, and if you visit any of these, leave a comment below and share your experience with other readers. Till next time!
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