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Summary of reviewsHodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s historic Colonial Zone, has garnered high praise for its exceptional location. The hotel, situated in a beautifully restored historic building, offers guests a unique blend of fascinating history and modern comfort, making it an ideal base for exploring the city’s major attractions, restaurants and bars. The tranquil, picturesque surroundings and beautifully preserved spaces contribute to a charming and immersive experience, enhanced by attentive and responsive staff.
The breakfast experience at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando is generally positive with many guests praising the variety, quality and freshness of the offerings. The delightful outdoor seating options and the buffet’s abundance provide an enjoyable start to the day. However, some guests feel the breakfast is overpriced and suggest more vegan and gluten-free options. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant receives mixed feedback with commendations for food quality and presentation but criticisms for slow service and inconsistencies in food quality.
Rooms at the hotel are often described as spacious, clean and comfortable with beautiful views and colonial decor. Many guests appreciate the sizable, comfortable beds and the overall cleanliness. However, issues such as poor lighting, maintenance deficiencies and occasional noise are noted. Despite these drawbacks, the hotel’s historical charm and comfortable accommodations generally satisfy most visitors.
Cleanliness across the hotel's public areas, including the beautiful architecture and common spaces, is praised. Yet, some guests report issues within the rooms, such as dampness or musty conditions and occasionally find the need for room changes to ensure cleanliness. The pool area, despite some critiques on cleanliness, remains a significant highlight with its inviting atmosphere, pleasant ambiance and well-maintained facilities, complemented by the friendly staff.
The hotel staff consistently receives accolades for their professionalism, friendliness and attentiveness, contributing positively to guests’ experiences. Minor inconsistencies in service are occasionally mentioned, but the overall sentiment is one of excellent customer care.
Wi-Fi accessibility varies with some guests praising its performance while others encounter connectivity issues. The parking facilities receive positive reviews for being convenient and secure, enhancing the overall guest experience.
The historic and luxurious ambiance of Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, combined with its prime location, exceptional service and charming atmosphere, offers a unique and memorable stay. Despite areas needing improvement, particularly regarding room maintenance and breakfast price, the hotel’s blend of historical significance, comfort and luxury makes it a compelling choice for travelers seeking a distinct and enriching experience in Santo Domingo. Show more
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Categories
Luxury Hotel
Hotel near Golf Courses
Historic Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Hotel with Spa
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Accessible Hotel
Hotel with Gym
5-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Colonial RoomThis elegantly decorated room includes TV, telephone, safe and en-suite bathroom.
Contemporary Double RoomThis elegantly decorated room includes TV, telephone, safe and en-suite bathroom.
Deluxe Imperial RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The spacious double room provides air conditioning, a minibar, executive lounge access, a safe deposit box and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. The unit offers 1 bed.
Junior Suite ImperialThis suite features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The air-conditioned suite features a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a minibar, executive lounge access and a safe deposit box. The unit has 1 bed.
Suite ImperialThis spacious suite comprises 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The air-conditioned suite provides a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a minibar, executive lounge access and a safe deposit box. The unit offers 2 beds.
Colonial Imperial RoomThis air-conditioned double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services and a private bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.
Contemporary Twin RoomThis air-conditioned twin room includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.5
Very Good
Location
Situated in the heart of Santo Domingo's historic Colonial Zone, the Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando consistently receives high praise for its exceptional location. This charming hotel occupies a historic building, offering guests a unique blend of fascinating history and modern comfort. Visitors appreciate the central positioning with all major tourist attractions, restaurants and bars within easy walking distance, making it an ideal base for exploring the city. The tranquil, picturesque surroundings add to the hotel's allure, while the attentive staff and beautifully restored spaces enhance the overall experience. Whether it's a short stay or a longer vacation, this hotel provides an unbeatable and convenient location in a beautifully preserved historic setting.
Breakfast
Breakfast at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando has earned a mix of praises and critiques from guests. Many highlighted the generous, varied and high-quality offerings, describing the breakfast as excellent, comprehensive and rich. Guests appreciated the buffet's abundance, freshness and options with some specifically mentioning delicious dishes and the pleasure of enjoying breakfast outdoors or by the pool.
However, some guests felt the breakfast was overpriced at $25 per person and noted areas for improvement, such as the need for more vegan and gluten-free options. A few reviews mentioned that the quality did not match the hotel’s upscale reputation with some describing the food as mediocre and repetitive. Slow service and unresponsiveness were occasional complaints, although others lauded the breakfast service as amazing.
Overall, while the breakfast experience was generally positive with many guests finding it delightful and varied, there is room for enhancement to meet the expectations of all guests.
Dinner
The dinner experience at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando's hotel restaurant has received mixed reviews from guests. On the positive side, many praised the food quality and presentation, noting that the meals were very good and inexpensive with flavors that were well-received. Some guests found the food to be delicious and appreciated the overall dining experience at the restaurant.
However, there were notable criticisms as well. Many guests found the service in the bar and restaurant to be slow with some mentioning long waiting times between ordering and receiving their meals. There were also comments about the staff being pleasant but not well-trained for table service. Additionally, a few guests felt that the food quality did not match the price, describing some meals as only average or even bad.
Overall, while the food at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando has its strong points, there are areas for improvement, particularly in service efficiency and consistency in food quality.
Rooms
The rooms at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando receive varied feedback from guests. Many highlight the spaciousness and comfort, describing rooms as cool, clean and featuring nice views of the street or beautiful furniture. The beds are often praised for their comfort and certain rooms especially impress with their colonial style and tasteful décor.
However, issues with lighting and maintenance are common. Some rooms are described as dark and guests have noted deficiencies such as poor soundproofing, outdated furnishings and a lack of accessible electrical outlets. Specific complaints mention strong smells of lacquer or chlorine, basic and dated appearances and occasional unwelcome insect sightings.
Guests looking for tranquil stays might be disappointed by noise from the street or within the hotel and some bathrooms are considered uncomfortable or convoluted in their layout. While overall cleanliness is generally appreciated, the need for better room upkeep is a recurring theme.
In summary, while Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando offers beautiful, spacious rooms that can be very comfortable, potential guests should be aware of some maintenance and noise issues that could affect their stay.
Beds
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando presents a mixed experience when it comes to bed comfort. While some guests find the beds to be exceptionally comfortable with some describing them as among the best they’ve ever slept on, others have had less favorable experiences. A significant portion of the feedback highlights issues with uncomfortable and overly hard mattresses. Moreover, there are mentions of outdated, squeaky springs and worn-out mattresses that detract from the overall sleep quality. The bedding quality receives mixed reviews as well with some guests praising its comfort while others suggest an upgrade is necessary. Despite these inconsistencies, there are positive notes pointing to new and comfortable mattresses and excellent bedding in some rooms. The hotel's bed quality appears to be a hit or miss, suggesting that improvements in consistency could enhance guest satisfaction.
Cleanliness
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando offers a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness and service. The hotel's architecture and common areas receive high praise for their beauty and immaculate condition. The establishment itself is described as very clean and many guests found the rooms well-maintained and peaceful.
However, several guests reported issues with room cleanliness, mentioning damp and moldy conditions, musty atmospheres and old linens. In particular, there were multiple complaints about the need to switch rooms to find a clean one. Public areas, including the poolside chairs, were criticized for poor hygiene and there were also concerns about outdated bathroom amenities.
The staff received mixed reviews; while many guests found them friendly and responsive, others noted an indifferent attitude from the front desk and expressed dissatisfaction with the service, especially around the pool area. Noises from ongoing renovations and construction were also a major issue, affecting daytime peace and access to the hotel.
Overall, while the hotel's charm and cleanliness in some areas are commendable, inconsistent room conditions and service remain significant drawbacks.
Staff
The reviews of the Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando highlight the hotel's exceptional commitment to guest satisfaction, emphasizing the friendly, attentive and professional nature of the staff. The team is described as courteous, knowledgeable and eager to assist guests with any inquiries or requests, often going above and beyond to ensure a welcoming experience. Guests appreciate the warmth and kindness exuded by every staff member, from receptionists to bell staff and even in housekeeping and restaurant services. The staff's proficiency in English, combined with their warm hospitality, adds to the overall positive experience at this beautifully decorated hotel located in the heart of the Zona Colonial. While there were minor mentions of occasional less cooperative reception service, the overall sentiment is that the staff's charm, professionalism and helpfulness significantly enhance the guest experience, making it a memorable stay.
Wi-Fi
At Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, guests often find that accessing the internet can be hit or miss. While some have praised the Wi-Fi as being very good in their rooms and excellent in common areas, others have encountered issues such as unreliable connections, intermittent service and poor performance. Some mentioned that the internet was particularly spotty during their stay and even described moments where the network was virtually unusable. Despite these occasional setbacks, the staff is aware of the problem and does their best to ensure a satisfactory experience, though many agree that there's room for improvement in this area.
Pool
The pool at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando is frequently described as lovely, pleasant and a perfect retreat after a day of sightseeing in the city. Guests often mention the inviting and atmospheric pool area, complemented by comfortable sunbeds and a well-maintained, refreshing swimming experience. The pool area includes a bar and a lush green zone, providing a great place to unwind with a cocktail. Despite some issues with the cleanliness of nearby facilities, the overall pool experience remains a strong highlight for visitors, enhanced by spacious and comfortable rooms and super friendly staff. The common areas around the pool also add to the relaxing environment, making it a delightful spot for guests to enjoy during their stay.
Parking
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando offers parking facilities that guests found generally convenient and secure. Many appreciated the free covered parking and highlighted the good service associated with it. The availability of parking was considered a definite advantage, especially given the hotel's excellent location in the old town of Santo Domingo. However, some guests noted that access could be improved, suggesting a need for better signage to the garage and more advanced notice on parking arrangements. Overall, the parking situation was positively regarded, contributing to guests' satisfaction with their stay.
5 Star
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando garners mixed feedback regarding its five-star rating, facilities and services. While some guests appreciate its great location and describe it as an excellent hotel, others feel it falls short of the five-star mark they expected. Everything is perfect for a subset of reviewers, but critiques suggest that the service and attention to detail do not consistently meet the standards of a 5-star establishment. Additionally, there are concerns about a decline in quality since the hotel transitioned to the Hodelpa brand. Despite this, it remains a venue that some believe claims to offer excellent service and comfort.
Historic
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando offers an exceptional experience for those who appreciate history and charm. This stunning hotel is housed in the former mansion of Nicolás de Ovando, the first Spanish governor of Santo Domingo, lending an iconic and rich historical significance to the stay. The building itself is a beautifully restored colonial mansion, combining majestic architecture with lovely, atmospheric decor that speaks volumes about its storied past.
Guests are captivated by the hotel's extraordinary location in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, an area steeped in history and close to many attractions. The hotel is described as a "museum of memories," adorned with original paintings, an ancient well and even keys to the city gates, offering a glimpse into a bygone era with a uniquely charming vibe.
The hotel is more than just a place to sleep; it is an experience in itself. The lovely colonial-style furniture, the historic ambiance and the wealth of interesting artifacts on the hotel grounds make it a destination worth visiting. Whether for its historical significance, its beautiful architecture or its enchanting atmosphere, Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando provides a memorable and unique stay that resonates with many travelers.
Luxury
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando is a historic and luxurious hotel that offers a warm colonial ambiance, making it a standout choice in the city. The pool area is a particular highlight, providing a refreshing escape in a climate where temperatures often soar to 30°C. Guests often praise the excellent service and the overall experience of feeling like royalty during their stay. Situated in a prime location, the hotel itself is a monumental piece of history, enveloped by beautiful architecture that adds to its charm. Despite some critiques regarding the attentiveness of the staff for small requests, the hotel's dream-like setting, combined with its luxurious details, leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, making it a place many are eager to return to.
Yes, Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando.
No, Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando.