Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando

The location and service make this hotel a pleasure, and the building itself is beautiful. A doorman opens the entrance to Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando, and you can immediately see the detail in this historical site. On the way to the room, you pass the pool, mojito bar, and sprawling terraces. The rooms are large, with spacious bathrooms, and the AC works great if you like to turn it way down. You can walk to just about anything you need or want to see, including restaurants, museums, and tours. They also provide airport shuttles in clean, spacious, safe taxis.

Right in Santo Domingo’s historic old town, this hotel still has the unusual convenience of car access up to the entrance. I stay in hotels often, and this one really stood out to me. Inside, it feels part museum, part botanical garden, with a strong sense of history and thoughtful, well-kept details throughout. The staff were professional, warm, and helpful, and the food was far better than I expected. I’d readily recommend it to anyone visiting the city.

The staff were friendly and accommodating, and the hotel is well placed for seeing the historic sites on foot, with lots of restaurants nearby. I liked staying in such an old building and found it very charming. There was, though, a strong musty odor that stayed in the air and got into our clothes. Our sink drain backed up. Someone came promptly after we reported it, but it still wasn’t working properly, despite being told it had been fixed. Given the building’s age and history, perhaps that comes with the territory.

My room overlooked the square on the second floor, above the entrance flags, and it was gorgeous. Staying in the Imperial Club also came with a separate elevator and round-the-clock access to chilled drinks, including sodas and sparkling and spring water. There were small sandwiches and fruit bowls to snack on, plus a Santo Domingo coffee and cappuccino machine. I loved the place.