Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo
Right in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonia, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Casas del XVI offers a spectacular trip back in time. Rather than a single traditional building, this ultra-chic boutique hotel is a collection of individual, beautifully preserved 16th-century manorial houses scattered across a historic two-block radius.
The properties were masterfully brought back to life by principal architects Alejandro Marranzini and Juan Mubarak, alongside interior designer Patricia Read. They successfully preserved original Spanish colonial elements like grand brick archways, thick limestone walls, and Roman clay-tile roofs, while weaving in modern luxuries. Each individual casa has its own distinct personality; for instance, the cozy Casa del Arbol once served as the actual residence of Dominican President Ulises Heureaux in the late 1880s.
Quirky, hyper-local design details are everywhere you look. In Casa del Arbol, you can stay in a room completely themed around pineapples—featuring fruit-filled paintings and pineapple-shaped light fixtures—while Casa de los Mapas is adorned with historical charts reflecting the global explorers who once passed through the island. To elevate the historic luxury, each house comes with its own private butler (mayordomo) to arrange courtyard dining or candlelit poolside drinks.
The hotel’s location within this UNESCO World Heritage site makes it a perfect launchpad for history buffs. You are just steps away from Duarte Park and a short, ten-minute stroll from Parque Colón, the lively central square.
The surrounding cobblestone streets lead straight to some of the New World’s most iconic firsts. You can easily walk to the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor—the very first cathedral built in the Americas—as well as the imposing Ozama Fortress and the Museum of the Royal Houses.
Expert reviews
“A stay in one of these six impeccably restored colonial-era homes means toggling between the 16th and 21st centuries. Imagine archways, terracotta floors and courtyards evocative of a medieval monastery crossed with Sub Zero refrigerators, iPhones to contact your personal assistant and heated plunge pools.”
“This unique hotel concept comprises six former colonial residences that date back to the 16th century (hence the name) that have been restored and modernized by celebrity designer Patricia Reid; each house has its own allure.”
“Casas del XVI are a collection of beautifully restored colonial houses in the Old City of Santo Domingo; homes away from home with superb service. The surrounding streets are atmospheric, and once inside you are cocooned in traditional Dominican style and tropical comfort.”
What guests liked
- Central location
- Swimming pool
- Excellent breakfast
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
12 March 2026
Fabulous
24 January 2026
Exceptional
24 October 2025
Fabulous
11 October 2025
Very good
14 April 2025
Fabulous
10 March 2025
Exceptional
23 December 2024
Breakfast in not included through booking.com like advertised.
1 September 2024
Wonderful experience immersed in Old world charm
The venue is absolutely stunning ! A magical experience that transported us to old world charm with modern amenities! We are already looking forward to our next visit !
Everything was wonderful!
1 September 2024
Architectural and historical enchantment!
A true gem ! Look no further , book this enchanting venue and experience the essence of Colonial Santo Domingo . Beautifully designed, architectural splendor and impeccable service ! The food is delicious and the staff is outstanding!!
All was perfect !
26 August 2024
Pleasant
5 August 2024
Fabulous
17 June 2024
Exceptional
The bed and pillows were great! Espacious bathroom. Great staff service, and location for restaurants / bars.
2 May 2024
Exceptional
One of the best hotels I have stayed
The butler on WhatsApp is weird
30 April 2024
Fabulous
11 April 2024
Exceptional
23 March 2024
Pleasant
4 March 2024
Pleasant
17 February 2024
Exceptional
12 February 2024
Colonial Excellence
Amazing service
8 February 2024
An elegant, delightful respite.
Absolutely beautiful. Decor is charming and comfortable. Staff is well trained and anxious to help. Selso, the butler at my “house” could not have been more helpful with delicious meals, beverages etc. The pool shared by several rooms in same house.
Nothing!!!
30 January 2024
Exceptional
28 January 2024
Pleasant
25 January 2024
Fabulous
23 January 2024
Exceptional
22 January 2024
Great experience
The decor and location was great. The staff went above and beyond, superb!
The menu options could have been better and it was way over priced, however everything else was amazing.
21 January 2024
Bad
19 January 2024
Exceptional
9 January 2024
Beautiful house. Great shame about the noise and the apathetic management!
The rooms were stylish. The bed was very comfortable. The waiting staff were courteous. The breakfasts were a really good start to the day.
The outside dining table and chairs were extremely uncomfortable, despite accessing cushions ourselves. The management showed absolutely no interest in any personal contact with us, to the extent that they asked if we needed help with our bags 5 hours after we had left the hotel!! It was only on our final afternoon that we discovered that there were two swimming pools that we could access, that we had not been made aware of. The person who checked us in was more concerned about getting our credit card swiped than about telling us anything that the hotel had to offer. The rooms have no phones, so all communication is via WhatsApp. These messages get missed. I wanted to try to get either a steamer or an iron and ironing board, so I was forced to walk through two streets to the reception to arrange it and they still never arrived. No word from the hotel either. The one night that we had dinner with them was very mediocre! $72.00 for some cheese and ham starter to share. Hugely expensive for what it was. Also, the bedroom backs onto a street where the noise is constant from late evening to about 3am. Even the security guard sitting outside the property plays his music without headphones, for anyone to hear.
8 January 2024
Exceptional
3 January 2024
Rooms don’t look same as photos attached here
It’s an old house turned into a nice boutique hotel with different rooms
Room that I booked looks nothing to what I stayed in . The real room was too dark in a depressing way and full of mosquitoes. I realized later that there were more than one room with same as mine but they gave me the worst … totally disappointed
29 December 2023
Beautiful location and property has lovely decore. We weren’t aware that they had many different houses, it took a long
Beautiful colonial property in the best location. Lots of potential and room for improvement. Beds very comfortable.
We felt neglected and didn’t have the service you would expect from any hotel. The hotel need to understand that when you pay this money you have to have the service to match. You must be more attentive to guests.
28 December 2023
Exceptional
Very good hotel. Big comfortable room, very clean, the staff is very nice and friendly. Perfect location.
20 December 2023
A terrible
The location was good and the room comfortable.
The arrival was chaotic. There was no guidance that there was no reception. I had to find a security guard to call someone to come to the street corner and then take me to a room. This took about 15 minutes of waiting while we stood under a tree in the rain. That evening, the music and singing was so loud not only could we not hear the television, it kept us awake until after midnight. Even after submitting our breakfast request the night before, it was late and came at different times so that we could barely eat at the same time. I was told the kitchen was too busy.
4 December 2023
Fabulous
17 November 2023
Authentic Colonial Zone experience.
Comfortable, warm hospitality, clean, beautifully decorated, authentic Colonial Zone experience, walking distance to restaurants, cafes, shops and sights
7 November 2023
Exceptional
23 October 2023
Exceptional
3 October 2023
Exceptional
30 September 2023
We stayed many times in this hotel and we will come back again!
Staff is very friendly and very helpful. We love the luxury superior rooms with the extra large beds and the walk - in shower.
Our room was very nice but we did not have the view on the pool/garden. We prefer to have a luxury superior room with the terrace in front of the room.
25 September 2023
Exceptional
24 September 2023
The perfect bienvenido a un país lleno de cultura!
Everything ever swaying
Couldn’t stay longer
20 August 2023
Exceptional
Everything was perfect. Wonderful staff in an amazing location. Best breakfast, comfortable room.
Nothing
14 August 2023
Romantic and whimsical
Loved the decor, location and service. Would stay here again 🥰
N/A
24 July 2023
perfect!!
colonial style, historic theme
15 July 2023
Exceptional
7 July 2023
Fabulous
7 July 2023
I wish I had stayed longer.
Everything was excellent. They took care of every detail. Very personalized service. Loved it!!
Nothing
Hotel facilities
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Packed lunches
- - Car hire
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Shared lounge/TV area
- - Pet basket
- - Pet bowls
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
- - Picnic area
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Food & Drink
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Activities
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Cycling
- - Bowling (additional charge)
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Couples massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Personal trainer
- - Temporary art galleries (additional charge)
- - Movie nights (additional charge)
- - Walking tours (additional charge)
- - Bike tours (additional charge)
- - Happy hour (additional charge)
- - Tour or class about local culture (additional charge)
- - Cooking class (additional charge)
- - Live music/performance (additional charge)
Transport
- - Airport pick up (additional charge)
- - Airport drop off (additional charge)
Pool and wellness
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

12 June 2026
Exceptional