Hotel Colonial Questions

[FritoBandito]

Looking at Hotel Colonial's website, I see that in one of the pics of the hotel you can see the Santiago monument in the background...so I know that's in walking distance.

Can anyone recommend any bars or restaurants near the hotel that I should check out???

Can you bring female guests into the hotel free of charge????

By looking at a map I see the Ahi bar is real close to the Hotel Colonial, is that right??????

Is Passions within walking distance of the hotel???

Are the safes at the hotel digital safes????

I plan on spending a week at the Hotel Colonial in Santiago soon.

Thanks in advance for your input,
J.B.

[Roy]

Looking at Hotel Colonial's website, I see that in one of the pics of the hotel you can see the Santiago monument in the background...so I know that's in walking distance.

Can anyone recommend any bars or restaurants near the hotel that I should check out???

Can you bring female guests into the hotel free of charge????

By looking at a map I see the Ahi bar is real close to the Hotel Colonial, is that right??????

Is Passions within walking distance of the hotel???

Are the safes at the hotel digital safes????

I plan on spending a week at the Hotel Colonial in Santiago soon.

Thanks in advance for your input,
J.B.

Stayed there in a 450 peso room overnight before moving on to POP. You'll need to make good friends with a concho to get what you're looking for. Couple of eateries below - street food grade. Unless you're in the newer section - and maybe not there - the section I was in was LOW BUDGET... even on my standards of low budget.

[psriches]

Looking at Hotel Colonial's website, I see that in one of the pics of the hotel you can see the Santiago monument in the background...so I know that's in walking distance.

Can anyone recommend any bars or restaurants near the hotel that I should check out???

Can you bring female guests into the hotel free of charge????

By looking at a map I see the Ahi bar is real close to the Hotel Colonial, is that right??????

Is Passions within walking distance of the hotel???

Are the safes at the hotel digital safes????

I plan on spending a week at the Hotel Colonial in Santiago soon.

Thanks in advance for your input,
J.B.Closest bars and restaurants are up by the Monument.

Rooms range from $20-$40. Guests free of charge.

Passions not within walking distance.

Safes?? Are we talking about the same Colonial Hotel??

You're staying a week???:eek: We definitely aren't talking about the same Colonial.

Sorry.

[FritoBandito]

Closest bars and restaurants are up by the Monument.

Rooms range from $20-$40. Guests free of charge.

Passions not within walking distance.

Safes?? Are we talking about the same Colonial Hotel??

You're staying a week???:eek: We definitely aren't talking about the same Colonial.

Sorry.

Hi,

This is the hotel I'm talking about: //www.uvm.edu/~jdericks/hotelcolonial/index.html (http://www.uvm.edu/~jdericks/hotelcolonial/index.html)

You wouldn't stay there a week if this is the same place you're speaking of? Why not...is it that big of a dive?????

Thanks,
J.B.

[Seville]

Depends on your budget and taste. Personally I would have no problem staying there but I am very low maintainance and easy to please. Stay in the new section and if clean sheets and warm water meet all your needs then you are set.

[FritoBandito]

Depends on your budget and taste. Personally I would have no problem staying there but I am very low maintainance and easy to please. Stay in the new section and if clean sheets and warm water meet all your needs then you are set.

Sounds like we share the same tastes and comfort levels.....

Is it a problem to bring women back to the rroom for free??? I would be discreet about it...

Are the rooms fairly soundproof...it's not that I make much noise, I'm just worried about the noise other people make....lol

[Revolutionrock77]

I stayed there, it was ok, but not one of my favorite place. Seemed kind of dingy and dirty, at least the part I stayed in. Don't know about other sections of the place.

It was kind of like the comfort level of a room at Rockies, but not as much fun, since there weren't many mongers hanging around and not as much going on right there like when I was in Sosua.

I recommend you check out Aloha Sol. Much nicer and not that expensive.
See if that location and price works for you:

http://www.alohasol.com/

[foadi]

Stayed there in a 450 peso room overnight before moving on to POP.
guess i know where i am staying if i fly into STI

[weyland]

Most important thing to remember when staying at the Hotel Colonial is not to let Ajax 718 buy your breakfast.

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/65684d2a744c571af.jpg

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/65684d2a744c9e25b.jpg

[ralphie1]

guess i know where i am staying if i fly into STI
i think psriches said rooms run 20-bucks. that is 700-1400 pesos, give or take

might want to email them and get a price on a room. might also want to see a pic of a room. of all the pics they have, none for the rooms.

the restaraunt looks a little cramped, all those people shotgunned on one table. hope the rooms have a bit more room to get around

[FritoBandito]

>>Hotel Monumento, Aloha Sol, Matum, Alberto Suite, Hodelpa all within walking distance of the Monument area.<<

Would anybody here have any comments about these places????

I'm looking for a Santiago motel that is close to the nightlife, is chica-friendly, has a good room safe, the rooms are fairly soundproof, and is inexpensive (US $20-$40/day)...

Thanks.

[psriches]

>>Hotel Monumento, Aloha Sol, Matum, Alberto Suite, Hodelpa all within walking distance of the Monument area.<<

Would anybody here have any comments about these places????

I'm looking for a Santiago motel that is close to the nightlife, is chica-friendly, has a good room safe, the rooms are fairly soundproof, and is inexpensive (US $20-$40/day)...

Thanks.I've mentioned all this but i'll state it again:

The wingman and I have stayed at the Colonial about 100 times and know the owners very well. They used to live in New York. The rooms range from $20 in the older building to $40 in the newer building. NO ROOM SAFES. None of the hotels in Santiago are close to nitelife. Maybe a few local bars in the area. This is a very sketchy part of town so know what you're doing and where you are going at night. You will have to cab it wherever you go. The Colonial is very low budget but clean enough. We usually only stay there 1 night at a time when arriving and departing Santiago. The rooms are not sound proof but it doesn't much matter at a budget hotel. There is a small dive restaurant next door that has the best fried chicken/rice&beans in town. It's similiar in price to Susanas in Sosua. Given the fact that the Colonial is low budget, I usually only take my low budget chicas there as well. Anything decent will be taken to Hotel Matum which is located up by the Monument, next to the Casino. The rooms here range from $50-$65. This hotel on par with a Marriott or Hyatt (keep in mind we are in the Dominican Republic). And walking distance to the monuments and decent restaurants. Anyway, Hotel Matum is my favorite hotel for GFE!

But Hotel Colonial will be fine for your budget needs. I hope this answers your questions.

[gdogg]

Hotel Colonial's breakfast used to be tasty (and free). Couldn't tell you how it is now. Everything psriches said is correct.

[WSJ3_Sith_Lord]

The Matum is right across the street from the moumento...

Great restaurants but its a bit pricey...$50 and up...I stay there once and it was very nice.

No problems with bringing my novia in the hotel (no hidden charges)

I still prefer the Colonial for its low prices and easy 3some chica access.


>>Hotel Monumento, Aloha Sol, Matum, Alberto Suite, Hodelpa all within walking distance of the Monument area.<<

Would anybody here have any comments about these places????

I'm looking for a Santiago motel that is close to the nightlife, is chica-friendly, has a good room safe, the rooms are fairly soundproof, and is inexpensive (US $20-$40/day)...

Thanks.

[FritoBandito]

I've mentioned all this but i'll state it again:

The wingman and I have stayed at the Colonial about 100 times and know the owners very well. They used to live in New York. The rooms range from $20 in the older building to $40 in the newer building. NO ROOM SAFES. None of the hotels in Santiago are close to nitelife. Maybe a few local bars in the area. This is a very sketchy part of town so know what you're doing and where you are going at night. You will have to cab it wherever you go. The Colonial is very low budget but clean enough. We usually only stay there 1 night at a time when arriving and departing Santiago. The rooms are not sound proof but it doesn't much matter at a budget hotel. There is a small dive restaurant next door that has the best fried chicken/rice&beans in town. It's similiar in price to Susanas in Sosua. Given the fact that the Colonial is low budget, I usually only take my low budget chicas there as well. Anything decent will be taken to Hotel Matum which is located up by the Monument, next to the Casino. The rooms here range from $50-$65. This hotel on par with a Marriott or Hyatt (keep in mind we are in the Dominican Republic). And walking distance to the monuments and decent restaurants. Anyway, Hotel Matum is my favorite hotel for GFE!

But Hotel Colonial will be fine for your budget needs. I hope this answers your questions.


Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it greatly....

As far as taxis go to travel around, are there motoconchos available or, in Santiago, do you have to take a regular taxi?????

Thanks again.....

[Maretti]

I stayed there, it was ok, but not one of my favorite place. Seemed kind of dingy and dirty, at least the part I stayed in. Don't know about other sections of the place.

It was kind of like the comfort level of a room at Rockies, but not as much fun, since there weren't many mongers hanging around and not as much going on right there like when I was in Sosua.

I recommend you check out Aloha Sol. Much nicer and not that expensive.
See if that location and price works for you:

http://www.alohasol.com/
The cheapest room is $80 for two persons. That's expensive by DR standards.

[gdogg]

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it greatly....

As far as taxis go to travel around, are there motoconchos available or, in Santiago, do you have to take a regular taxi?????

Thanks again.....

Motoconchos aren't the main source of transportation like the Sosua strip. You mayl see them around, but it's best to take a taxi if you aren't driving.

[Mr. Smooth]

The cheapest room is $80 for two persons. That's expensive by DR standards.

Has the Aloha Sol gone up that much? I stayed there for 4 nights in 2009 and a standard room was about 1800 pesos a night, about $50-52 dollars.

[foadi]

not exactly budget either.

[Revolutionrock77]

Aloha Sol: I was there about a year ago and got it for about $50. Asked for best price via email.

[Mr Hillbilly]

I stayed at Aloha Sol this week it was like 62 a night.

FRITO Albertos suites is probably your best alternative---


That too FRITO you need to get your own security suitcase from pacsafe through ebay for 60 bucks--

then not worry about what the hotel has for room safes.

[weyland]

Motoconchos aren't the main source of transportation like the Sosua strip. You may see them around, but it's best to take a taxi if you aren't driving.
But not necessarily a private taxi. There is a massive network of carritos (publicos) running along fixed routes, mostly with great frequency, and denoted by large letters in the windshields. And they are ridiculously cheap. We seemed to ride forever, right across the city, for 15 pesos each.

But finding out which route goes where is a different story, especially with the one-way streets complicating things. Has anyone ever seen a map of carrito routes?

[ajax718]

Most important thing to remember when staying at the Hotel Colonial is not to let Ajax 718 buy your breakfast.

Click to see pic (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/65684d2a744c571af.jpg)

Click to see pic (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/65684d2a744c9e25b.jpg)

Weyland, you are never gonna let me live that one down. :rolleyes:

[weyland]

Weyland, you are never gonna let me live that one down. :rolleyes:
It's only when I mention it here that you seem to come alive at all. How're you doing?

[gdogg]

But not necessarily a private taxi. There is a massive network of carritos (publicos) running along fixed routes, mostly with great frequency, and denoted by large letters in the windshields. And they are ridiculously cheap. We seem to ride forever, right across the city, for 15 pesos each.


That's what I meant. Thanks for clarifying, Weyland.
:)

[Maretti]

Has the Aloha Sol gone up that much? I stayed there for 4 nights in 2009 and a standard room was about 1800 pesos a night, about $50-52 dollars.
I got it from their website.

[bailar]

I also think Albertos Suites is probably your best alternative. They have small kitchens that come with a stove and fridge---- 1,000 pesos. --quieter than down by central, closer to the monument. No safe though you'll have to bring your own!!!

[guttaman]

Taxi is 120 to 150rd on the cornor of 30 De Marzo. But once you hit the Autopista Duarte like going to Passions or Dias Gomez could come to 200RD. Airport is 500rd from Colonial, no bargaining with Apollo Taxi. But they are fair and do not dick gringos if you speak up.

Well worth it. Driving in Santiago involves drinking heavy and that could run 3 grandes a trip. I bought a rice burner and only ride on the back streets north of Estrella. My new future wife just graduated school and is insane enough to take the bike to the city.

Frito, the Colonial is so so but is near nothing at night. rent a car and find Los Reyes ( sorry Paul and Sammy ) for the future La Passions chicas. That is where most come from. But stay away from Paloma, she has a week to go for legal status.

[psriches]

OH SNAP!!!!!

IT'S MY MAN GUTTAMAN!!

[tpaz37]

Terrible experience at Colonial. My Dominican wingman and I checked in last friday about 10 pm, mind you after surviving an accident on the freeway from santo domingo, that totaled the rent a car, as a matter of fact, the towtruck dropped us off at the hotel.The guy working the desk was a complete asshole from the start, unattentive as if he was doing us a favor by letting us stay there. He spoke no english and seemed to only want to get the 1300 pasos per room and get us the hell out of his face. So, we check in, and leave to go meet our dates at Pizza Hut, we return with the dates about 12. This asshole stops us at the door and barks at us saying no company allowed after 10 PM. I was thinking, WTF!!! I told him that he should have mentioned that when I checked in or show me that in writing. This son of a bitch decided to stand his ground and also refused to return my money since it was more than 30 minutes after the time that I checked in. It was complete bullshit, so I got my shit out the room and checked in to Aloha del Sol. I got to write an email to Lazaro the owner to complain about that prick.

[Mr Hillbilly]

tpaz37 Please tell us about the car accident-- you guys get hurt?

[weyland]

tpaz37 Please tell us about the car accident-- you guys get hurt?
Yeah, did it result in any spooning?

http://news.insearchofchicas.org/forum/imagehosting/65684d3c33c81dced.jpg

[psriches]

Terrible experience at Colonial. My Dominican wingman and I checked in last friday about 10 pm, mind you after surviving an accident on the freeway from santo domingo, that totaled the rent a car, as a matter of fact, the towtruck dropped us off at the hotel.The guy working the desk was a complete asshole from the start, unattentive as if he was doing us a favor by letting us stay there. He spoke no english and seemed to only want to get the 1300 pasos per room and get us the hell out of his face. So, we check in, and leave to go meet our dates at Pizza Hut, we return with the dates about 12. This asshole stops us at the door and barks at us saying no company allowed after 10 PM. I was thinking, WTF!!! I told him that he should have mentioned that when I checked in or show me that in writing. This son of a bitch decided to stand his ground and also refused to return my money since it was more than 30 minutes after the time that I checked in. It was complete bullshit, so I got my shit out the room and checked in to Aloha del Sol. I got to write an email to Lazaro the owner to complain about that prick.And let us know the owner's response! Thanks.

[jcrew2020]

I don't why people like to suggest Hotel Colonial as a good place to stay. I would never pay 1,300 pesos per room. I just had a friend stay there and he paid 460 pesos per night (about $13 us). There are hotels across the street and next door to Hotel Colonial and they are very cheap (under 500 pesos) and Guest Friendly.

[WSJ3_Sith_Lord]

It doesn't matter what hotel it is.

4 star or 0 stars...

You are in a foreign country and the people there DO NOT RESPECT you. You think different ask David Smash or the original creator of this thread how much respect they have for you.

The best you can do is try to find an economic place to stay to maximize your vacation and keep a low profile.

I learned this the hard way.

[tpaz37]

No we were not injured in the accident, It happened on the freeway around Bonao, close to the famous restaurant that starts with a "J", sorry can't spell the name, but I'm sure you know it. Anyway, a gua gua decided to change lanes in the middle of a curve in the road, which caused me to swerve and loss control of the car, since we were traveling pretty fast. The car spun around a few times and crashed into the concrete road divider, the whole front-end of the car was destructed, but luckily we were wearing seatbelts. I have to admit that before I could count to ten that ten guys were already on-site helping get the car off the road and offering assistance, and did not ask for a peso, I was shocked. Happened to be a tow-truck along the road and the young driver raised the car and we continued on our trip to santiago. The driver was great, he drove us to santiago and then to his barrio to show me where he lived and where he would keep the wreck for the night, he then drove us to La colonial. When he met us the next day at Aloha del Sol, he offered to tow the car all the way to santo dominigo, for 3000 pesos including the tow from the night before from Bonao, WOW!!!!!!! But it was not needed because I had called the rental company, Payless, and they were very helpful and told me just to take the wreck to Nelly car rental and they would provide another vehicle, good thing that I had decided to purchase the full insurance, because I experienced no problem at all with the rental company. Different story when I had to return to Bonao to make the police report for the car, those pricks were completely unhelpful and rude, and give me the run around. Long story short, I returned to santo domingo and had a friend pay one of his buddies at AMET to complete the report as if the accident happened in santo dominigo, which came in handy considering that I would have had to drive back to Bonao on Monday morning and return to Payless in SDQ on malecon, and then try to make my 12 flight out of Las Americas. I'll keep you guys posted after I call Lazaro tomorrow about that prick he has working at the desk. I tell ya that wreck, my hurting ribs, and that asshole ruined my night. I was making a special trip that night to fuck a real honey at La passion named Glenis, damn I wanted that ass. LOL