Embassy Suites by Hilton Santo Domingo

LikedI have been visiting Santo Domingo regularly for the past 25 years. Overall, despite some customer-service issues noted below, the Embassy Suites remains one of the better hotels in Santo Domingo. The rooms are very large, spotlessly clean, and well furnished.

DislikedThere are two big problems, one of which is fixable and one of which is not. The unfixable problem is that the walls of the rooms seem like they are paper thin. Noise from the hallway, from outside, and even from water running in an adjacent room easily penetrate the rooms. If noise distracts you, do not count on an uninterrupted night's sleep. The fixable problem is the lack of a strong customer-service orientation in areas that make the difference between a great hotel and one that is only so-so. For example, when I checked in a computer glitch made it impossible for the front desk to give me a key. Rather than bringing the key to my room, as I would have expected in any reasonably well-run hotel, I had to return to the front desk several hours later to request it. The service in the breakfast and lobby bar/restaurant is indifferent at best: always very polite but also totally inattentive. To be clear, I fault the hotel's management, not its employees, for failing to build a client-service culture that I have always experienced in most other comparable hotels in Santo Domingo. Bottom line: If might stay at the Embassy Suites again, but my expectations will be much lower.

LikedI like the spacious room, and the food

DislikedI didn't Like the smell of towels and the musty smell on the hallways

LikedThe room was spacious and immaculate clean, and the room service food was not only delicious but gourmet standard. Had I been able to stay more days, I would have done so just for the food. The bed was comfortable, and the hotel staff was very cordial and helpful.

DislikedWhile I did not travel for tourism, one can normally spot the sightseeing and tour options available through the hotel without making an effort. It seemed to me that spot did not meet my eyes. Perhaps because it was evident that a good number of the guests were on a business trip.

LikedGreat value. Central location. Spacious rooms with comfy beds.

DislikedNot the best food, but Santo Domingo has plenty of great restaurants.

LikedThe space is amazing

DislikedThey can't communicate with you about the law in the hotel.