Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando

Hotel history in the Americas doesn’t get much deeper than this; Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando occupies three stone houses dating back to the year 1502, on Santo Domingo’s Calle las Damas, the oldest paved road in the New World. As you might imagine, it’s been updated over the years, and today combines colonial-era atmosphere with contemporary luxury-hotel comforts — some rooms contain original stone walls or rehabilitated timber ceilings, and all feature tile floors and other stylistic nods to the building’s heritage.

With just over a hundred rooms and suites it’s not a terribly large hotel, though the spaces feel oversized, and its courtyard-wall layout means it’s got plenty of interior space, including room for two restaurants, two bars, a swimming pool, and some shaded private nooks for lounging. You’re close to any number of restaurants and attractions in the picturesque Zona Colonial, including several museums and the seat of the Spanish Colonial government. The one thing Santo Domingo hasn’t got is the splendid beaches for which the Dominican Republic is known — but pair a visit to this historic city with a stay in Punta Cana or the Samaná Peninsula and you’ve got yourself a remarkably well-rounded island getaway.

How to get there:
Hostal Nicolas de Ovando is located 30km (25 min) from the Santo Domingo Airport. Transfers can be arranged for US$40 each way.