What happens when you mix a 16th-century Dominican monastery with a 21st-century boutique hotel? The result is Hotel Santo Domingo Jaragua, one of the most unique hotels in the world. Located in the city of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, this former monastery was built back in 1495 and renovated to its original beauty. The hotel’s modern amenities include spacious guestrooms, an onsite spa and fitness center, and a multi-level bar and lounge with panoramic city views. This hidden gem is perfect for travelers who want to discover a different side of the Caribbean. The Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino caters to both business travelers as well as vacationers seeking relaxation. Let’s take a closer look at what this property has to offer…
Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino - A Brief History
The Dominican monastery in Santo Domingo was built in 1495 by order of the Catholic Church in order to convert the natives of Hispaniola. The Dominican monks who lived there lived a strictly monastic life in a hermetic environment, isolated from the rest of the world, until the Dominican order was expelled by the Spanish crown in the 18th century. In 1787, the Spanish Crown sold the monastery to a Dominican priest called Don José de la Cruz Porro. After the Dominican order was expelled in the 18th century, the monastery remained unused and abandoned until it was acquired by the Dominican Jaraguá Foundation, which had the building restored to its original state. In 2015, the Jaraguá Foundation entrusted the restoration and refurbishment of the former Dominican monastery to Renaissance Hotels. Renaissance Hotels is a global hotel operator specializing in the design and development of distinctive hotels in Latin America. Its President, Alan Wild, is originally from the Dominican Republic.
Awards and Recognition
As one of the most unique hotels in the world, the Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino has received many accolades since its opening. The following are some of the awards it has received since its opening: World Travel Awards: The Dominican Republic’s leading hotel was voted Best Hotel in the Caribbean by the World Travel Awards in 2018. The awards are based on the votes of more than 750,000 travel industry professionals worldwide. Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino the Best Hotel in the Caribbean in 2018. TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards: TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards recognized the Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino as one of the Top 10 Hotels in the Caribbean.
Best season to visit
The Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino is open year-round. However, the best time to visit the Dominican Republic is from December to April, during the dry season. Avoid the rainy months of May to November, which experience frequent downpours. The weather in the Dominican Republic is tropical, with an average temperature of around 28°C (82°F). The climate varies depending on the region. The Northern and Central parts of the island have a tropical rainforest climate, while the Southern region has a tropical savanna climate.
Rooms & Services Available
Amenities
The Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino is a boutique property decorated with Santo Domingo’s colonial architectural tradition in mind. The hotel has beautifully preserved the monastery’s structure and character, while updating it with modern amenities. The hotel features 11 meeting rooms, as well as a business center and a fitness center. The onsite La Bodega bar and lounge serves cocktails and tapas. Jaraguá Restaurant serves Dominican cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. In terms of accommodation, the Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino has 93 guestrooms, including 35 Deluxe rooms, 24 Deluxe Junior Suites, 18 Premium Suites, and 4 Premium Junior Suites.
Getting there
The Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino is located just 4 miles (7 kilometers) from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the destination airport for the Dominican Republic. There are many options for ground transportation. For example, you can choose to take a taxi, which usually costs around $45. You can also take a shuttle van, which costs around $19, or a shared ride service, which costs around $12. You can book these services online through a trusted travel booking website, such as Expedia or Orbitz. Another option is to book a flight with a low-cost airline, such as JetBlue or Southwest Airlines.
Bottom line
The Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino is one of the most unique hotels in the world. Come discover the hidden gems of the Dominican Republic with this stunningly beautiful boutique hotel. Located in the city of Santo Domingo, this former monastery has been beautifully restored, while keeping its original architectural features. Its modern amenities include spacious guestrooms, an onsite spa and fitness center, and a multi-level bar and lounge with panoramic city views. This hotel is perfect for travelers who want to discover a different side of the Caribbean.
