This hotel was abominable from start to finish. I arrived late in the evening and called down to reception for their recommendation of someplace nearby and reasonably priced to eat. Rather than mentioning the assortment of eateries just next door, they told me that everything I could want, was in the offing at the hotel restaurant. That was a) not true and b) they did not mentiont that it would take 1 1/2 hours for my food to arrive (in three separate trips no less). My camera was stolen from my room on the second day and my complaint was met with the most blithe indifference I have ever encountered. Finally, on my second to last day, I had to ask to be reassigned a room because of a mysterious fire that broke out on the first floor and which the staff decided to handle themselves rather than call the authorities. They grudgingly agreed to put me in a new room on the second floor but seemed genuinely confused as to what I could be having trouble with. Smoke inhalation and/or carbon monoxide poisoning must not phase Dominicans. Finally, in this second room, the telephone was not and could not be, plugged in. I was told by several people upon my return that they had tried to contact me at the hotel but had never succeeded in getting through - even before the room reassignment. Make of this what you will. I would not recommend going there.

We go frequently to R.D. and stayed always in this nice hotel - since it exists. The best you can get is the penthouse suite. It is a very nice appartement with 2 sleeping rooms and a living room with kitchen.
Outside you find a big whirlpool which belongs to the entire hotel, but in practice only guests from the penthouse are using it. If you insist for periodic cleaning - a tip of 1 or 2 dollars help a lot - you find the paradise just there. The road along the hotel has frequent buses and carritos to the old part of the town (5 to 10 minutes), you even could reach the colonial zone walking in about half hour. It is one of the very nicest areas of the town. Believe me, I know Santo Domingo very well. The price of the hotel is moderate - if you plan a longer stay you should discuss (hard) with the management for a good rate. We always get a good discount or buisness rate. The penthouse suite is perfect for 4 persons. You can easily receive guests and make a "big pizza party" at the whirlpool. Only 2 minutes walking you are at the caribean ocean. Walking along the malecon, one of the nicest tropical roads, with nice people, restaurants, fun and music. The only negative aspect, might be the noise of the road. Enjoy your stay.

I have stayed at the Villa Italia several times in the past three years. It is a great value. They have clean rooms, cable tv, refrigerator, good air conditioning, and a very friendly staff. They also have one of the best Italian restaraunts on the premisis. There is a small store nearby where you can buy things for your fridge, but you would need a taxi to get you to shopping. It is a block or so from the ocean front.

GREATEST VALUE IN SANTO DOMINGO!