Holiday Inn Santo Domingo by IHG — Hotel in Santo Domingo

I have stayed in this hotel a dozen times and never been any less than thrilled.

However, this stay (March 27th) was way below my expectations.

First off, I paid for and reserved the double suite - when I got my room it looked exactly like the executive city view room I had my stay before. But on my stay before I was on a higher level and had access to the wine bar. So I am unsure how I paid $50 more per night this time for the 'best' room and had less. But that didn't bother me, and didn't even worry about it until everything else transpired.

So my daughter wanted a coke and I went to the mini bar, and it was empty except for 1 juice, 1 redbull, 1 water and a bunch of alcohol. Having stayed there before I knew that they had coke, sprite, juices, perrier, etc. So I called down to the front desk and they said they couldn't help me (6pm) and that they would have to send someone the next day. So I called room service and got her a coke.

The next day I went out, when I arrived back at 4pm, I saw that the minibar was still in the same state, so I called back down and was informed that they still could not fill the bar - but called room service for me. I ordered 4 cokes to have on hand. When they arrived they only had the old fashioned bottle cokes, which was fine but we had no way to open them! While they opened one for us at that time, how were we going to open the other 3 later on? They told us to call down to room service. Finally one of the room service guys said 'here keep mine, it is ridiculous you have to call down every time you want a coke opened'.

Then that night when taking a shower my daughter stepped on glass, the shower door evidently was broken when cleaning and it had knocked off 4-5 shards of glass and she stepped on one.

So I went through the shower with a towel and uncovered a few more pieces, cleaned it thoroughly and let her shower. I needed a drink, at that time I went to open up and prepare myself a drink, and the ice bucket still had water in it from the previous guest and it smelled very foul.

Calls to front desk gave us apologies but no resolution. At check out I showed them the glass fragments, I explained everything AGAIN. and they simply said 'Sorry we hope to see you next time'.

I really hope that this was just a one time incident, but it was bad enough that I am hesitant to book there for...

During my most recent visit to Santo Domingo I rented a large suite with two queen beds for myself and a friend from NYC. Most of the stay was enjoyable and the vast majority of hotel staff interaction was very positive, however there were a number of instances which occurred with the hotel security staff that were totally unacceptable.

We have 3 local friends in Santo Domingo who were joining us on outings and showing us around, etc, all native to the DR and each registered and paid for as required by hotel policy. Most of the time my friends went home to their own houses, but certainly visited frequently after a night out and at time stayed the evening. I am US/Caucasian, my friend is US/Dominican with the NYC Police Department, and my other 3 friends Native Dominicans.

On multiple occasions security asked for the ID’s of each my guests and even came into our room asking for identification. The first time this occurred we were a little annoyed and spoke to the security manager in charge asking that he remember our faces so that this didn’t occur again. This occurred multiple times and even entered our room in an aggressive accusatory tone. He had the papers in his hand showing that each of my guests was properly registered and all appropriate fees paid for.

I subsequently sought out the hotel / reception manager who apologized but could offer no explanation for the behavior of his security staff. .

I understand and support the need to control the security and am sensitive to the economic environment that can create risks for your hotel guests. What I object to is the manner in which these controls were execute, and the fact we were singled out. None of the all-caucasian or all-Spaniard groups of visitors were addressed in this manner, only ours and I believe because of the mixed nature. The proper way to have addressed any concern was to politely pull me aside instead of embarrassing me and my friends. I some level of respect when traveling at this hotel or any other and I didn’t receive it here – which is very disappointing since this was one of the nicest Holiday Inn’s...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Holiday Inn, and I feel compelled to share my gratitude for the outstanding service provided by one particular employee. Freddy Espinosa went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was nothing short of exceptional.

From the moment I arrived, Freddy Espinosa exhibited a level of professionalism and friendliness that truly stood out. Their attention to detail was remarkable, making me feel not just like a guest but like a valued individual. Whether it was offering insightful recommendations for local attractions or ensuring that my room was impeccably cleaned, Freddy Espinosa consistently exceeded my expectations.

What truly set Freddy Espinosa apart was their genuine care for guests. They anticipated my needs and went the extra mile to ensure my comfort throughout the stay. It's rare to encounter someone so dedicated to creating a positive and memorable experience for guests.

In addition to their exceptional service, Freddy Espinosa demonstrated a deep knowledge of the hotel's offerings and amenities. Their willingness to assist and provide information added immense value to my stay. I left Holiday Inn not only impressed by the facilities but also grateful for the personalized and attentive service provided by Freddy Esposa.

In conclusion, Holiday Inn should be proud to have such a dedicated and customer-focused individual on their team. Freddy Espinosa turned my stay into a truly memorable experience, and I look forward to returning to the Holiday Inn in the future, thanks in large part to the outstanding service provided by this...