The art galleries. The cafes. The 500-year-old streets. The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo remains one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean, a colorful, vibrant, fascinating historic quarter that’s a reason in itself to visit the Dominican Republic’s capital. 

While the neighborhood has some stunning 16th-century architecture and a palpable energy, it hasn’t been home to any notable hotels. Until this month, that is. 

IHG’s Kimpton brand has opened its new Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel in the heart of the Colonial Zone, adding the company’s signature boutique-style cool to a historic building complex in the area. 

The 130-room hotel is already open and welcoming guests, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. 

So what do you need to know about the Dominican Republic’s newest hotel? 

It’s anchored by a rooftop pool and cocktail bar with panoramic views of the old city, along with three  eateries: Zola, an Italian-accented restaurant, an international dining concept called El Patio and a breakfast buffet spot called Coral.  

Other amenities include a fitness center, a lush garden-filled courtyard (with another bar) and of course  room service and free Wi-Fi. 

Every room has a large flat-screen TV and a seating area; some have balconies, some don’t. Every room does, as a Kimpton signature, come with a yoga mat, and you can get other Kimpton touches like bike rentals and morning coffee and tea service. There’s also a cigar lounge called El Pozo.

So what about price? 

The Kimpton Las Mercedes is charging about $220 per night on its Web site, although you can find it for a bit less than that at sites like Expedia. 

It’s the third Kimpton-branded hotel in the Caribbean, joining the Kimpton Grand Roatan, which opened its doors in Honduras last year, and the signature Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman. 

Another Kimpton is opening this year in the Mexican Caribbean, with the planned debut of Kimpton’s first-ever all-inclusive resort. 

To learn more, visit the Kimpton Las Mercedes hotel.