Above: the lobby bar at the Sheraton Santo Domingo
The lobby bar. At most hotels, it sets the tone for everything — it’s the first part of the hotel you notice.
It welcomes you. It is the central meeting point. This is where you learn what a hotel is.
That’s particularly true in a hotel in an urban area.
At the newly-opened Sheraton Santo Domingo, the lobby is simply grand.
There are high, seemingly endless ceilings, sweeping pillars, a marvelous chandelier.
And at the centre is the bar, a crisp, modern square design with a nice little rum selection, a large-screen TV perfect for watching beisbol and a towering back wall.
As with many bars in the Dominican Republic, you can’t go wrong with Barcelo Imperial, a rich, caramel-accented rum that’s remarkably refreshing.
It’s functional, but it’s also energetic.
A bit like this bar.
— CJ