Hotel Shakey — Hotel in Santo Domingo

Upon booking at first i thought this apt-hotel was directly across the street from the waterfront, however, it's actually just behind the Crown Plaza Hotel and Casino on a side street, so it's not across the street from the water at all, but only a short walk away. Whenever we got in a taxi to return to the hotel, we always told the taxi driver to just drop us off in front of Crown Plaza hotel which was just easier for everybody. Our room actually faced the North, so our view was not so spectacular of the city, just the back side of buildings and homes. if you want a waterfront veiw, has to be a south facing room above the 4th floor. we didn't ask for the room change because we knew they would just charge us more...so we stayed in the room we were assigned, which was #404.||There is no Wi-fi signal in the bedroom, but in the dining room however it was ok on my ipad. Fast enough to do what i needed and i even watched youtube videos ok....||||the place is very safe, clean, and secure. no worries at all about that..the staff was friendly, and helpful, there is a really good restaurant on the northern corner called Villar HRNOS (Villar brothers) it is a restaurant, bakery, sandwich deli coffee shop...all rolled into one. We found ourselves eating there almost daily....great breakfast omelettes and sandwhiches, and dinner cafeteria line. really good food at great price. usually filled with people....so dont be afraid to ask any waiter for whatever you want as there technically is no assigned waiter to a particular table...there is a method to the madness so just dont be shy to ask for what you want. was weird at first, but entertaining after we got used to the order of business.||||there is also a little Colmado (convinience store) by the hotel is where we bought our liquor and coke to make drinks in the room.||||the location of Hotel Shakey was actually perfect because we were halfway between the colonial zone and the new side...

If you are a small familiy or just on a small city travel with your beloved wife, than the Malecon of Santo Domingo is a must-to-do. It's passing all the main 5*hotels you need to know and which you visit at your first stay in the capital. Behind the first row hotels you can find several other smaller hotels, just for a good price. The Shakey Hotel is one of these, it's more an apartement hotel. You rent a full 2-rooms-apartment with complete kitchen and 2 bathrooms. The rooms are huge enough for a small family of 2 or 3 person, they have bigger one too. Some rooms have the front view directly to the sea, but this is not recommended because of the very noisy Malecon and the direct sunshine from south, this could be very hot in summer times. The kitchen is full with equipment, but a regular world traveller knows, that nothing is perfect and can handle this. The next big supermarket LaSirena or National supermercado is about 5min far by car. Due the heavy traffic on daytime, it's better your visit them in the night up to 10p.m. The parking lot is ok, but you need request one for your car. They have a 24/7 service for protection, you can feel very safe overthere. It's a good adress working and visit at the government and administration offices, because many of them are nearby. Some heavy noises of a fridge, can make your night a little bit nightmare. The traffic to the hotel is a little bit tricky, you need find your best way to there. The sightseeing hotspots are a little bit far from the hotel, but with the car your can be at the Zona Colonial within 10 min. By the way this is a good place to stay for more than one night, because you can make your own meal. But there is a good local restaurant...

My stay here was amazing!!! I was greeted by Victor who was very courteous (not to mention extremely cute). Although I speak some Spanish, it was very helpful that the staff spoke English as well. The hotel is very nice and clean with 24 hour security on site. I love to explore so it was awesome that the ocean was right across the street and there were many shops and restaurants within walking distance The first intersection north of the hotel has a colmado (corner store) where you can purchase cellphones/ minutes. I often walked through the city alone (not recommended as a foreigner. However, since I'm Afro-American with some Spanish skills I found it quite easy to blend in.) The people in the neighborhood were extremely nice, I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe. ||||Back at the hotel, Mario was extremely helpful in directing me to places of interest and even gave me Spanish lessons every time I saw him! The kitchen was really nice and useful. Saved me a lot of money instead of eating out everyday (just make sure you purchase dish soap for cleanup).||||Can't beat the price, very affordable and close to everything (casinos, nightclubs, Adrian TropicaI, even a Church with an English service)! I would definitely stay here again when I come back!!! Thank you for a wonderful experience Shakey staff!!...