Four Points by Sheraton Santo Domingo

I've been coming to Dom Rep for over 20 years, and this is the worst hotel I've stayed in. The building felt old, dingy, humid, outdated, and uncared for. Service from the day shift clerk was awful, very unprofessional and arrogantly dismissive. Breakfast wasn't good either. The mangu was hard, dry, and tasteless. I arrived at 330 am with no water. It was back by morning, but there was no hot water. They charged me itbis, their govt tax, which was fine, then added another 824 pesos as an unauthorized tip. I'm disgusted. Who gave them the right to add a tip themselves?

The room was a nice surprise, with four bottles of water included, a comfortable mattress, and a quiet, efficient Frigidaire AC unit. I checked in at 1:30 PM without any trouble, and the staff were courteous and helpful. The whole hotel was clean and well kept. There was also a complimentary hot buffet dinner each day from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, with soup, fish or chicken, and fresh papaya juice. It was a very comfortable, welcoming stay.

The pool and amenities were great, and the area felt safe, quiet, and close to local beaches. Staff were really nice and courteous, and both the breakfast buffet and dinner at the restaurant were very good. I had a great stay, no complaints, and would come back next time I fly into SDQ.

The staff really stood out, especially Angel at the front desk and Julianna in the dining room. The dining room was pleasant and the food was good. I liked the fried fish, beef mofongitos, and soups. I skipped breakfast, though the spread looked extensive and my colleague said it was included. The pool and cabana were nice, while the furnishings were a bit rough. I'd avoid an oceanside room because traffic noise is heavy and the view isn't much. Still, it's a decent place if you're working near the Boca Chica industrial park or port, and I'd stay again.