11 Calle Isabel la Catolica, Zone Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | (888) 252-0567
Excellent location right in Santo Domingo's colonial district
One block from the Catedral Primada de America and Fortaleza Ozama
Plenty of dining options in the immediate area
Compact, cozy rooms with air-conditioning, safes and flat-screen TVs
Delicious included breakfast buffet with hot and cold options
Charming cafe-bar for coffee or cocktails
Computer corner in the lobby
Free Wi-Fi, though it can be spotty in the rooms
Some rooms are compact and dark, with interior-facing windows
No elevators
No on-site parking, and nearby options are limited
The Casa Naemie is a boutique hotel with a dash of homey elegance, which is surprising for a low-key budget property in Santo Domingo. The location is a major draw here -- the hotel is right in the heart of the colonial zone -- and walks to most major sights take just minutes. Funky design details blending modern and antique motifs plus abundant tropical touches create an infectious charm. The 11 rooms are private and cute, but some are compact and dark. All feature flat-screen TVs, en-suite bathrooms, and powerful air-conditioning. The included breakfast
and cozy, intimate feel make this place a good value, despite the lack of parking
or elevators. Nearby Casa del Sol has stronger Wi-Fi and a rooftop breakfast, though it'll be pricier.
Scene
Unassuming boutique hotel with a bohemian-chic vibe
If you don’t look closely, you could almost miss the tiny
sign welcoming guests to Casa Naemie. It's an appropriate greeting for this unassuming boutique hotel that
takes up a quiet street corner in Santo Domingo's colonial district. The hotel has a peaceful mood, maybe because of the semi-outdoor
construction that lets in plenty of natural light to the common areas -- it's also a good things for the tall plants
propped in every corner, and the green vines climbing along the staircase. The vibe here is akin to staying in an apartment building, albeit one kitted out in a blend of Caribbean, Spanish colonial, and modern accents. Yes, you will see leopard print fabrics next to ornate, antique tilework, but the overall effect is bright and pleasant, and adds to the hidden-gem quality of this hotel.The small cafe and
bar has an Old-World feel, with soft lighting, little wooden tables, and elaborately
decorated mirrors hanging on cheerful tangerine walls. Even the aging, frayed wicker couches in hallways somehow
add to the charm, acting as visual proof of how many past guests have curled
up there on a Sunday morning with coffee. The bohemian-chic vibe and budget
rates attract guests from all over, including European and American couples and solo travelers wanting to be close to shopping, nightlife, and history in Santo Domingo's old town.
Location
In the colonial district of Santo Domingo, near restaurants and historic sights
Casa Naemie is in Santo Domingo's colonial zone, which is arguably the
city’s most charming neighborhood. It's certainly the area of town to go for top-notch dining
and nightlife, though it’s quite far from the beach (the nearest one is in Boca
Chica, a 40-minute drive away). The hotel’s
proximity to various ruins and monasteries dating back centuries is great for history buffs, and art
lovers will find innumerable local galleries within a few minutes of the hotel. A heightened police
presence on most of the touristy streets means it’s safe to walk around the hotel’s
surrounding neighborhood at night. The hotel is within a minute’s walk of a lovely plaza and
the Catedral Primada de America, which dates to the 16th century. Many of the capital's other most popular sights are within an easy walk as well, like the
Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria and Fortaleza Ozama, both just two minutes away on foot. The Museo de las Casas Reales is a six-minute walk and the Saint Francisco
Monastery is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Guests should expect a 35-minute drive from the city's airport.
Rooms
Compact and cozy, with en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning
The eleven rooms here have a cute, homey appeal, complete with colorful flowers in window boxes under each of the room windows.
Interiors are modest, with colorful accents that can range from cheery yellow walls to weathered turquoise furniture that has boho appeal. Rooms range from compact Standard Rooms to much larger options with additions like terraces. Amenities are limited to flat-screen TVs, spotty free Wi-Fi, and powerful air-conditioning. En-suite bathrooms are modern and are also done in a variety of styles, some more contemporary than others. All have at least a decent amount of counter space plus walk-in showers. Many rooms can be a bit dark as windows only open onto the interiors of the hotel. It's worth upgrading to an upper floor, not only for the added privacy, but also for the extra sunlight. The outdoor seating on each
floor is a nice bonus, with house plants, comfortable couches, tables and light shining down
from above. Guests with mobility issues should keep in mind that there are no elevators here, and lugging suitcases up three flights of stairs might feel overwhelming to some.
Features
Free breakfast plus a quaint cafe-bar with a subdued vibe
The breakfast buffet here is free and tasty, and served in
the hotel’s quaint cafe-bar in the lobby. It’s simple, but varied, with fruit, coffee,
cake, and toast plus made-to-order eggs and juices. The vibe is subdued and has a
touch of class— the ornate lamps, vibrant tile floors, and upbeat yellow color scheme all create a simple elegance that's refreshing in a two-pearl budget hotel. There are also couches and coffee tables sprinkled among the various
floors for extra lounging space. The bar is tiny. There’s barely enough space for three or four
chairs, but it’s a perfect amount of
space for a quick cup of coffee, or a glass of wine in the evening. The hotel has a computer they make available
for guest use in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though it
can be spotty in the rooms (especially those on the higher floors).