Property capitalizes on its location
IAN STALKER
The Santo Domingo Sheraton has come full circle brand-wise.
The 248-unit hotel began life as a Sheraton in the Dominican Republic capital of Santo Domingo, later became a Melia property and is now once again a Sheraton, returning to its original branding.
And, says Yandra de los Santos, hotel sales executive, the hotel is one of two hotels found by each other that fall under the Marriott umbrella, with a Renaissance hotel next door.
“We’re cousins,” she says, noting that particularly large groups wanting to stay in her oceanfront area can be jointly accommodated by the two hotels.
Most of the Sheraton’s guests are business travellers but it also hosts families, who can choose rooms with either a king or two queen beds.
Seven suites have balconies.
Hotel amenities include a large terrace with a pool and a bar, and the hotel has a fitness centre open around the clock.
“This is open 24 hours a day so if you wake up at 3 a.m. and you’re not doing anything you can exercise, ” says Dania Medina, the hotel’s groups, events and conventions manager.
A large hotel lobby has palm trees in it, a reminder of the Dominican Republic’s tropical nature.
The Santo Domingo Sheraton overlooks the lengthy malecon — an oceanside walkway — and is just a short distance from Santo Domingo’s historic old quarter, which has UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
de los Santos adds the area is a safe one, and tourists can walk it without concerns.
Medina recognizes that many of those who choose to vacation in the Dominican Republic head for the beach destination of Punta Cana but adds that Santo Domingo is also deserving of their attention.
“Punta Cana is beautiful but it’s only resorts, ” she says. “Here it’s history.”
Medina adds that the resort destinations of Juan Dolio and Boca Chica are within 30 minutes of Santo Domingo, adding those who holiday in the Dominican Republic capital “don’t have to go all the way to Punta Cana to find a nice beach.”
Santo Domingo-based Arajet links Montreal and Toronto with the Dominican capital.
