Hotel La Residence is a small guest house/ hotel located in Gazcue section of Santo Domingo. Gazcue is a quiet little neighborhood that is conveniently located within walking distance to the Colonial Zone, The Malecon and major hotels and Casinos. Hotel La Residence is also one of the few smaller hotels in Santo Domingo with their own website www.hotelresidencia.com
Gazcue is also home to many restaurants featuring different cuisines. Off the top of my head restaurants within walking distance include Dominican, Spanish, Brazilian, Cuban, Belgian, Swiss, Seafood, Italian, Pizza, Steak house etc.
If you want fast food, El Conde is a semi short walk away and home to Pizza Hut, KFC and more. KFC even delivers to Hotel Residence so on some days when I am too lazy to go out for lunch I call KFC and get my lunch delivered by moped!
As for night life, the colonial zone has tons of cool places to check out and is very nearby. Hotel Napolitano which is a short walk away has a disco as well as a rooftop "terraza" with life music most nights. The terraza features mostly lounge type acts singing romantic songs but on wednesday nights they feature Mexican Mariachis. Hotel Jaragua is also within walking distance and features Jubilee disco as well as champions sports bar and the Merengue Bar with a live 10 piece Merengue band!
As of september of 2005 room rates were very resonable. $900 pesos for a room with AC and $800 pesos with just a ceiling fan. Most rooms have small refridgerators and all have cable TV including american channels such as CNN, Fox News and ESPN. At the tme of my writing this the exchange rate is about 31 pesos to the dollar so rooms at Hotel La Residence are less than $30USD per night.
Unique Qualities: To me the unique quality of Hotel La Residence is the family run atmosphere. The hotel is owned and operated by family members. It is not unusual to see hotel guests greeted with a big smile and handshake or even a hug in many cases. I have spent many an afternoon or early evening sitting outside the Hotel chatting with the owners, and guests of teh hotel. This past trip there was an eclectic group staying at Hotel La Residence.
"El Mago" or the Magician is originally from Cuba but lives in Miami now. He would be sitting outside each day talking up a storm and selling some used cell phones and cameras he brought in from Miami. He would also argue with "Nino". Nino is an older Italian gentleman that has been living at the hotel for several months while he looks to buy an apt in santo domingo. He can be somewhat "Cranky" as he often seems to be yelling, especially at hois novia and el Mago! One conversation Nino had by phone went EXACTLY like this. . . .Nino dials a number. . . .then pretty much yelling into the phone says . . . ."aah". . . ."aah".. . . ."ya". . . ."ok" and hangs up. . . . . sort of a cross between spanish and "Caveman". . . .
Mingo is the security guard from the now closed Mona Lisa Massage Parlor. Mingo is a BIG guy that used to wrestle and works out a ton. he is a great guy to shoot the breeze with. Mona Lisa is now reopened but just as a Hotel. . . . .no more massages. . . . .or if you ask Mingo real nice he can probably hook you up. . . . LOL. . . .
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Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40
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Phone: 809 412 7298
Address: c/ danae #62 Gazcue, Santo Domingo
Directions: Gazcue area in Santo Domingo. 3 blocks from the Caribbean sea.
Website: http://www.hotelresidencia.com
Other Contact: williana@hotelresidencia.com
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on Sep 20, 2005
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