The Best Tropical Islands You Can Visit, Led by Saint Martin

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

This is a city of surprises, whether you’re walking on a 500-year-old street or in a high-rise luxury shopping mall. Santo Domingo is an energetic, inspiring city, one that is quickly becoming cosmopolitan while remaining tied to its colonial past. The city’s Colonial Zone is a cultural treasure (full of terrific boutique hotels like the Billini), but the rest of the city is equally fascinating. If you’re staying outside of the Colonial Zone, make it the JW Marriott, a superb, modern hotel with a cleverly-designed transparent roof deck and pool.