Kimpton’s New Dominican Republic Hotel Has a Rooftop Pool and 500 Years of History 

It’s still one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean, despite sitting in the heart of a well-known capital: the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in 1498 and today is a pastiche of centuries-old buildings, art galleries, cafes, bars and exciting eateries and beautiful plazas. 

While the old city has always had a clutch of boutique hotels, it’s never had a major-branded property, unless you count the old Accor-branded Nicolas de Ovando, which is now a Hodelpa.

That changed this summer, with the debut of Kimpton’s new Las Mercedes hotel, an exciting debut in the Colonial Zone with everything from a rooftop lounge to a multi-level courtyard garden. 

Interestingly, the hotel, which held its grand opening this week, is actually operated by another big brand, Iberostar, thanks to the company’s alliance with Kimpton’s parent company, IHG. 

Either way, it’s instantly the area’s must-visit place to stay, with an enchanting blend of modern comfort and colorful historic charm. 

So what else do you need to know?

There’s a signature eatery, Zola, which focuses on Italian-inspired food; a courtyard tapas-style spot called El Patio in the heart of the aforementioned garden; and a breakfast buffet spot called Coral. That’s along with a pool bar on the rooftop, with everything overseen by executive chef Cosimo Urso. The Colonial Zone has some very good nightlife; on Saturdays, Zola gets into the act with a live DJ set during the late evening. 

There are 130 rooms. While they’re not big, they’re true to the Kimpton aesthetic: cool, minimalist and comfortable. 

So is this all enough to draw travelers to Santo Domingo? The trend is certainly heading that way. The Dominican government has made growing tourism to the capital a big priority, and that has led to a wave of new flights to the city in recent years. Region-wide, more travelers are starting to consider getaways in Caribbean capitals like Kingston and Nassau, and the Colonial Zone certainly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath. 

Kimpton’s Caribbean portfolio now stands at four, with its flagship Grand Cayman property, the Kimpton Grand Roatan (which opened last year) and the Kimpton Aluna Tulum, which welcomed its first guests in 2021. Next year, the brand is opening its first-ever all-inclusive, with a 2025 debut in the Rivera Maya.

So what about prices? 

If you’re planning a stay at the Kimpton Las Mercedes you can get a room for as low as $154 per night right now. That gives you a king room with a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a sleek-looking bathroom. 

For more, visit the Kimpton Las Mercedes.