I stayed at the Courtyard Santo Domingo Hotel from March 28 - April 5, 04, a total of 8 nights. Overall, I would have to say my stay to be very pleasing. First, the hotel is brand-spanking new, opening in late Feb. 04. So, everything is in top condition. No wear and tear on furniture, carpet, appliances, etc. My room with double beds was very nice size. I particularly liked the fact that the air conditioner was not located over the bed. A unpreferred location of A/C that I have experienced at the Jaragua and Fiesta hotels. Also, with new air conditioning, the quality of the air in the rooms and hotel was really great. No air stuffiness from old equipment or dirty unchanged filters, which I have experienced elsewhere. The hotel reception personnel was exceptionally polite. My kudos for an excellent staff that is very professional and helpful. The is lobby is attractive and comfortable with nice sitting couches and chairs. There is fast 24 hr. free access to the Internet on brand new Hewlett Packard 2.6 GHz computers in the lobby, that offers telephones at each desk station. Plus, there is Internet access from your room. Although, the hotel is more for business travelers in the tradition of the stateside Courtyard Marriott hotels, I made it my home for a city vacation. The hotel is located on bustling Maximo Gomez, with the U.S. Consulate's office next door.
Across the hotel, you can find Baskin Robbins, McDonalds, Wendy's and Pizza Hut, all within 150 yards. Looked like any city street in the States. There was bit more traffic than I would have liked walking out on Maximo Gomez, but such is life in the capital city. The Courtyard Santo Domingo has a modest size pool at the end of the building. The quaint patio at the rear of the hotel lobby is a clean, quiet place to have a conversation or read a book. Quickie comments: The elevators are fast and I never waited more than 5 - 10 seconds. The hotel has washer, dryer for doing your own laundry. Ice machines and soda machines are located on every floor. And the staff puts fresh cookies out at the reception desk each evening. Breakfast consisted of either continental of full breakfast, depending of what was included in your room rate.
The quality of the breakfast entries was excellent, with fresh omeletes made to order. The restaurant and banquets at the Courtyard are ran by Nidia, who managed the Quisqueya restaurant at the Jaragua Hotel. She is a super organized lady and everything runs like a Swiss watch under her supervision. I also noticed that other personnel had transferred from the Renaissance Jaragua hotel (another Marriott property in Santo Somingo), to the Courtyard Santo Domingo hotel. So, these people know what they are doing and are organized. I'm not saying this because I know them, but because it shows in how well the hotel is ran. You get a full compliment of nice thick, fresh towels everyday in your room everyday. I never had to ask for anything. The only thing for those who like to eat in at evening or night, is that you will have to order from local restaurants, as the hotel restaurant is open only for breakfast and banquets. But, the reception staff will assist you with ordering room service from local restaurants that will deliver should you decide to do so. For the business traveler, I would think this to be a very desired hotel, without the night element of loud discos or casinos that you might find in other city hotels, if a quiet, business-like hotel appeals to you. My rate for 8 nights - $94. a night.