Was at this hotel for the 2nd time end of Jan to early Feb. Of course beautiful weather and still not a place for vacation however I was there on business.

I still their beds are some of the most comfortable I have had anywhere for vacations or work travel. I tried to take one of the pillows apart to see what kind it is - but couldn't find a tag. Food is ok - but I also stayed at the Intercontinental, and would still say the food here at Jaragua is better. However, the only down sides are the following:

There are no smoking rooms any longer - so you can only smoke outside the hotel. I would probably go back to the Intercontinental next time for the sole purpose of the balcony. However everyone at this hotel is great. There is no gift shop any longer, for I was ther eon business - had a full day and wanted to maybe buy a swim suit - to jump in the pool. I was directed to go next door to the Melia for their shop use. A hotel in the caribbean as big as this with no souvenier type shop, seems out of place.

Overall - I miss they used to have couches out by the "blue bar" which made sitting out there with a computer and a beer at the same time much more comfortable than the little bar tables which is really seating for one.

Cappacino - they use real cream on top - very very yummy.....

overall - still a good choice for business travel, but would still go elsewhere for a blacony next time.

My last stayed at Jaragua was on December 2011, when I was for business in Santo Domingo for six days; it was my fourth time as a guest. There are two levels of staying: Garden or Tower / Main Building. Off the bat, I recommend trying to stay in the Main Building or else where (hopefully, someone had written about it here).

Previously, I have stayed at the Courtyard Marriott - which is by far my favorite for business and with the friendliest/professional staff . However, as it is located close to a busy intersection, a bit away from the Ocean, and also there is a very limited selection of restaurants at walking distance or things to do (other than walking to the US consulate or the National Theater) I stayed at the Jaragua to introduce to the culture a co worker who was visiting the country for the first time. I wanted for her to experience a more 'Dominican' environment than at the Courtyard, where usually foreigners or people from the U.S. Embassy stay.

The Jaragua: Although fellow travelers were on target about the updates needed for carpeting, paint in the walls, and furniture, etc. I will try commenting more from a business perspective.

Pros -

a. Location - George Washington Avenue is an easy way in or out of Santo Domingo. Of course, there are traffic jams and they can be frustrating especially when one wants just want to go from point A to B, but in general is close to other hotels at walking distance (Hilton, Melia next door, and V Centenario). Additionally, it is close enough at walking distance to Adrian Tropical - which is one of the "Dominican" trendiest restaurants that specializes in Dominican food right on front of the ocean. We had a *very* tight schedule every morning, but it was nice seeing the sunrise on front of the ocean as a sign that 'we were here!". Also, close by, there is a new outdoor gym (which just opened when I was there) and the Malecon – boardwalk/waterfront is just great to walk, jog or unwind at the end of a busy day. Finally, behind the hotel, off of Independencia Avenue, there is a nice local restaurant with excellent breakfast and lunch menu.

b. The gym/spa - it is one of the best if not the best fitness center in any hotel in Santo Domingo. It was renovated two years ago, and it is just perfect with every thing and more one can wish in a regular gym (two years ago I would have not said the same). The staff is friendly and it is open 24 hrs a day. Better, it is included in the staying at no extra charge.

c. Connectivity - the hotel has wired Internet in the rooms, no WiFi, which is fine with me. I recall they were charging about it (!!), but it is consistent and reliable at all times. WiFi is available only in the lobby at no charge and may be by the pool area. I did not have any problem using VPN or similar.

d. The rooms are wide as well as the work areas, including the desk, outlets and lamps. As I was in a higher floor, there was not a chance for noise coming from the outdoor bar or the pool. Someone may call it a 'standard hotel room' but there is not such a thing when traveling abroad.

e. The front desk staff, generally speaking, was pleasant and professional and they work hard to accommodate the customers.

f. The 10th floor, known as the VIP area, offers drinks and snacks during the day and evenings. It is probably the only place where one can hold a private meeting with a customer in the hotel, but it is off-limits to many guess. The view from there is just spectacular, and the bilingual staff was very professional at all times. It is only accessible by key.

g. The pool area is great and well taken care of. Enjoying a swim early in the morning or at the end of a busy day was a big plus while overseeing the ocean. Sorry Courtyard.

h. Evening rates are usually lower than the Courtyard Marriott.

CONS -

a. Location - Crossing George Washington's Avenue can be a death sentence; not only everyone speeds up on front of the hotels but seldom drivers stop by and let the 'tourists' cross the street. Last time we tried it, we waited 15 minutes until a driver saw us and probably had mercy on us.

b. Expensive taxi service - Try calling a local taxi company such as Apolo Taxi or Tecno Taxi as hotel taxi drivers (regardless the hotel) will charge almost five times the cost of a private taxi, and sometimes in US$. For Apolo's "Comfortable Taxi" we paid DR$150 one way, with the hotel driver we paid DR$650.00. In US$ is not a lot, but it is about being fair. Unless it is a real emergency or one is running late, avoid using taxi drivers from Dominican hotels, and Jaragua's are not the exception. Point made.

c. To unwind, Jaragua offers an onsite (huge and busy) Casino, a Sports Bar, a little tiny coffee kiosk, and a common breakfast/lunch place. Unlike other hotels, Jaragua does not have an area where one can enjoy a nice meal during a business office or meeting. The breakfast/lunch place was an after-thought and the selection of Dominican dishes to my surprise, was limited. Service was going OK until the waiter brought us someone else's order twice!

d. The hotel is the venue of many local performances and events, and pricing per night changes quickly. Additionally, parking or getting around the hotel can be a nightmare during one of those evenings.

e. I think they started including a coffee pot and coffee in the rooms, but that was not the case until recently. Memory is not helping about the bottle of water but I think they were extra, too. Same as the Internet service.

f. I never used the business center as did not have to, however, as I am writing this review also wonder if there is one.

In summary - Jaragua is a Dominican landmark with plenty of history (may be the equivalent to Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico), but it needs touch ups and the Marriott blessing to reach its full potential again. It is hard to define it as a business hotel as it was not built for that purpose, such as the Hilton or the Courtyard but it offers quite a few elements that one can enjoy if not looking at the cosmetic issues that other people had highlighted.

Ignore the reviews of these ignorant people below!! If they would spend more time getting to know the Dominican people, their culture, and the beautiful beaches there would be no need to sit in the hotel room and find small things to complain about. There are people in this country who have no running water or electricity and are just as happy and full of life. Yes this hotel may need a few updates but REALLY PEOPLE this is the CAPITAL!! If you want real resorts fly on over to Punta Cana and stay at any all-inclusive resort that are made just to satisfy needy people.

My experience at the hotel was not the best. First, because I paid more than some other small hotels in Santo Domingo with best conditions; secondly, because I had troubes to receive guests..The employees are very professional, though!
I use to get taxis from outside of the hotel, which charged me more...I met a very friendly and honest taxi driver, that show to me the city, and charged me less than tour agencies. He was my taxi driver during my visit, and assisted some other travellers I met there...His name is Juan and cellphone [--] ( I strongly recommend this taxi driver).
If you travel to Santo Domingo, please compare first prices and location of hotels...The hotel "Jaragua" is not bad, but it needs some paiting and repair (urgently), and change the furniture as well ( too old). The location was not convenient for me as well...