Camaro’s Santiago Hotel Guide
Gentleman I am about to complete my first long term trip to the Dominican Republic. Although I now live on the north coast I plan to spend time in Santiago frequently therefore I decided to take an extensive look at the Santiago to include monger friendly hotels and the general monger scene.
Santiago
Shout out to Natmat, Uncle Ruckus and others who have wrote extensively about Santiago. I too have an interest in Santiago and I intend to synergize what I can into an easy guide for those who share our interest.
This is not a complete list of all Santiago hotels just the hotels I visited during my stay. I listed the hotels in descending order according to my personal preference. Although Camp David and Hotel Holdelpa are high end hotels at close to $100.00 per night I preferred them because of their unique customer service and amenities. Neither are for the budget monger. I have not included prices on hotel rooms because they vary you can consult the hotel web sites for specific prices and availability.
Below I have listed my notes for your review.
Camp David Ranch
Camp David is a hotel, restaurant bar that is 3000 feet above sea level which provides a picturesque view of Santiago. The view reminds me of Medellin, Colombia and I prefer both views at night with the natural night sky above and the city lights below. The property is reported to be one of the former homes of ex-President Raphael Trujillo. There are vintage vehicles on the property that are reported to have belonged to Trujillo. It should be noted there is some debate about the Trujillo report.
I have stayed at Camp David 3 times and have enjoyed each stay. It by far is my favorite hotel in Santiago and I intend to return in the future. It is out of the way because of its location but the property is quite and serine. The rooms are spacious with king size beds. The WIFI and cable work well but cell phone reception is spotty depending on where you are on the property.
Every time I have been the staff has been excellent. This hotel is on par with Hotel Odelpa and is not for the budget monger.
Camp David Restaurant
The restaurant has great food however the view is what takes the cake for me. You can eat inside or outside on the balcony. I enjoy the view better at night. Breakfast is included in the basic rate and the dinner menu includes everything from high end lobster and seafood for 1000pesos to low end salads for 500pesos. You can easily drop 3000pesos for dinner and drinks for 2.
***The one challenge about Camp David is because of its elevation it can be cool especially if you are sitting on the restaurant balcony so depending on the time of year you might need a jacket or sweater.
Hotel Hodelpa Centro Plaza - Santiago
There are 3 other Hodelpa hotels in Santiago, the Hodelpa Centro Plaza is downtown next to Hotel Aloha Sol. These are super luxury 4 star hotels at $100.00 per night and I must admit the accommodations are excellent. The WIFI and TV work well and my room was freezing when I arrived. The room was immaculate with modern furnishings. There is an extensive mini bar which includes candy chips & alcohol.
There is also a restaurant and gym in this facility. So far this looks like the nicest Santiago hotel I have stayed in. One problem with Hotel Hodelpa Centro is it located downtown Santiago in a very busy area therefore during the day there is a lot of street noise. My other complaint would be the receptionist seemed like she had a STANK attitude when she checked me in...pero lo que sea...
Vista Bar & Restaurant
The Hotel Hodelpa has a restaurant on the top floor, when you arrive you see why it is called "Vista Bar & Restaurant" because it has an incredible view of Santiago including the Monument. The waiter staff was great and very attentive the menu had items that ranged from 200 pesos Sanchoco to 1500 pesos steak and seafood.
This restaurant was a definite compliment to the hotel experience. I had a date and she was as impressed as I was. Our dinner with drinks came to just over 1500pesos. Breakfast is included with your stay which makes for a well-rounded hotel experience.`
Hotel Platino & Casino
This is my second time staying at Hotel Platino. My first impression was of a good hotel with small windowless rooms that had the potential to make you feel claustrophobic. On my second visit the staff showed me the different rooms and there are suites that are bigger than my apartment with living room areas and king size beds. I chose the larger room just under the suite and it was very comfortable especially the king size bed. The air-conditioner made you feel like you were in a refrigerator, the cable worked well however the WIFI was intermittent.
Hotel Platino has a very small bar and restaurant and buffet breakfast is served daily, and there is also a casino on the property.
Vitolas Cigar Club & Restaurant
Vitolas is not a part of Hotel Platino but it is next door in the same shopping center. It deserves an honorable mention because the restaurant, food and service is excellent. In fact, dinner at Vitolas with dessert at Hotel Platino makes a perfect date in Saniago.
***It should be noted the primary reason I like Hotel Platino is because of the nexus with Vitolas they fit together like hand in glove.
Hotel Matum Casino Complex
The Hotel Matum Casino Complex next to the Monument that is known for its freelance action. All that is required is look for women who maintain extended eye contact. I have listed the following venues on its property:
I checked all the venues and they were very slow but I believe I was there at the wrong time of the week. Santiago often doesn’t get cranking until after 1am.
Hotel Matum
Hotel Matum is within walking distance of the Monument. It is a complex with hotel casino and 2 night clubs. I booked a double so if I have a guest she should be able to sign in with no charge, however extra guest are charged an extra fee. I believe this is because Hotel Matum is known for having freelancers work the casino and 2 clubs.
The room was decent and clean with good WIFI and air-conditioning. The cable was intermittent with certain channels, but then again I am not here to watch television. The hotel was dated but comfortable and centrally located.
Originally I booked for 3 nights because I was going to use the hotel as my base for Santiago and La Vega operations but the guest fee encouraged me to find another Santiago hotel option.
Hotel Matum Restaurant
Hotel Matum has a restaurant upstairs on the second floor. It is a small restaurant with less than a dozen tables. Breakfast is included in the hotel rate. The breakfast is comida tipica with mangu salami fruit etc.
Hotel Los Jardines
Hotel Los Jardines reminds me of Hotel Platino because it is a small hotel with small rooms. The staff is very friendly you a greeted by the bellboy who handles your bags and brings you a soft drink as a welcome.
The room was dated but clean and nice. There were 3 towels which is better than some hotels that don’t give you enough in the event you have company. The bathroom had a closet with hangers which I have never seen before. The cable and WIFI worked well.
Hotel Los Jardines-Las Orqudeas Resturante
Las Orquedeas Resturante is the restaurant for Hotel Los Jardines. It is only open in the morning for breakfast and in the afternoon and evening for dinner. There is a very light complimentary breakfast that is served; eggs sausage pancakes etc but very small portions. I usually like drinking jugo de chinola for breakfast but this time I tried jugo de tamarindo which was good although I like the flavor of chinola better.
Hotel Aloha Sol
Aloha Sol is right around the corner from Hotel Hodelpha Centro Plaza and what a difference between night and day. Aloha Sol is a 2-3 star hotel and Hotel Hodelpha is a 4-5 star. The ambiance, staff, furniture and total experience is different. Many of the rooms in Aloha Sol do not have windows which leaves you with an incarcerated feel. The room has a small flat screen and a mini bar that just has beverages no candy chips or various types of alcohol. The room was very basic but it will get the job done.
The Aloha Sol has a small restaurant next to the lobby and complimentary breakfast is served.
Hotel Century Plaza
Hotel Century Plaza is an upscale hotel with fancy lobby waterfalls and restaurant attached. I got a basic room that wasn’t much larger than the rooms at Hotel Platino and Hotel Los Jardines. The room was comfortable with an array of items in the mini bar including small bottles of alcohol. The cable and air-conditioning worked well. The WIFI was terrible in my room connecting and disconnecting. Apparently there was a router problem because the WIFI worked well in the lobby.
Hotel Century Plaza –Restaurant
Hotel Century Plaza has a restaurant connected and breakfast is included. I ate breakfast which was a self-serve typical Dominican breakfast with mangu, eggs, fruit and salami. I did not eat any meal in the restaurant other than breakfast but the dining room had a very elegant ambiance.
I saw several Mercedes and Range Rovers in the hotel parking lot and the clientele seemed to be people of above average means. In addition I saw a couple of elderly gentleman with strikingly gorgeous young women…I wonder what the deal was???
Aparta Hotel Jardines Metropolitanos
The Aparta Hotel Jardines is very difficult to find because there is no signage to identify the hotel; it is in the Residential Matilde complex and you will miss it if you do not know what you are looking for.
The hotel reminded me of Apart Hotel Lormar in Puerto Plata, this is a 1 star dated property. After spending time at Hotel Los Jardines & Hotel Matum this is a gross disappointment in appearance. The room is and studio style with a mini kitchen dining room table & chairs and a queen size bed. For me this is a place to sleep not a place to entertain company.
The WIFI and air-conditioner worked well but the remote control for the TV did not. The staff was friendly and it will have to do for 2 nights.
Aparta Hotel Jardines Metropolitanos - Restaurant
The Aparta Hotel Jardines has breakfast included in their 2
nd floor restaurant that is a very basic dining room and kitchen. When you arrive the receptionist ask you what you want for breakfast from a limited 4 item menu and it is prepared for you at a specific time. I was sleeping and someone came to my door to let me know that my breakfast was ready. The breakfast was basic Desauyno Americano and the eggs were folded like an omlet instead of scrambled well done. Breakfast was light and hit the spot.
Closing thoughts:
- My favorite hotels are Camp David Ranch because of the view and the staff, Holdepa because of the appearance and restaurant and Platino because if its location and adjoining restaurant Violas. The aforementioned hotels make great date options because of what they have to offer.
- My worst hotel experience was at Apart Hotel Jardines not because of the staff but after being at some of Santiago’s finest hotels it just could not compare.
- Although I did not bring chicas to all of the hotels I believe all are chica friendly especially if you book for 2 persons.
Depending on what your objective is in Santiago apartments might be a better option, especially if you are pursuing civilian non pros. Apartments give more or the appearance of legitimacy for date-like experiences and you can cook or have food brought in for a different vibe. There are apartments all over Santiago for different prices and can be sought out on the internet the same way you can find hotels.
