Local artists and craftsmen have been tapped to infuse each room with colorful design elements that reflect the spirit of Santo Domingo.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, announced it will open a new boutique luxury hotel in the bustling urban destination of Santo Domingo. Marking the brand’s first property in the Dominican Republic, Kimpton Las Mercedes will complement its picturesque and historic surroundings while serving as an ideal launch point for exploration. The hotel is poised to open in early Summer 2024.
Tucked within Santo Domingo’s Colonial City neighborhood, Kimpton Las Mercedes is owned by Megeve Investment Office S.A.S and will be operated by Iberostar Group. The hotel signifies the first operational partnership between the Kimpton brand and Iberostar Group and, while outside the commercial agreement, demonstrates opportunities of the strategic alliance between IHG and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is set within a 16th century structure that has been thoughtfully revitalized by award-winning architect Rafael Moneo to reflect the transformation of its historic neighborhood into a bustling cultural hub. In reimagining the space, original materials have been preserved or repurposed where possible, while a modern addition has been respectfully constructed behind the original structure. Kimpton Las Mercedes will feature 130 guest rooms, including eight expansive rooftop suites, each with a private balcony to give guests a taste of the indoor-outdoor living the city is known for.
Accompanying the stay experience will be unique restaurant and bar concepts. Zola, the signature restaurant with a retractable roof for al fresco dining, marries Northern Italian fare with local ingredients and features an expansive array of aperitivos, tableside cocktails and old-world wines. El Patio, the secluded courtyard garden bar and lounge, will offer snacks and sips to be savored amongst preserved oak and mango trees. Just off the lobby, guests can indulge their senses at the locally-sourced cigar and rum lounge, which showcases a 500-year-old well that was uncovered and restored during the building’s transformation.
Kimpton Las Mercedes will have several multi-use spaces that transition from daytime work and meeting spaces to evening social gathering places. The Jose Marti Ballroom is an idyllic location for weddings or to host business conventions and conferences in an inspiring setting. Additional hotel amenities include a rooftop pool and fitness center. As with all Kimptons, the hotel will also feature beloved perks such as morning coffee and tea service, evening social hour, a “Forgot It? We’ve Got It!” program, in-room yoga mats and pet-friendly policies.
Paul Adan, Regional SVP of Development, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean for IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We look forward to expanding Kimpton’s presence in the Caribbean, and Kimpton Las Mercedes will bring a distinct, inspiring experience to this historic destination. The hotel will welcome visitors and locals alike with its refined style, innovative restaurants and bars and heartfelt service while simultaneously serving as a gateway for guests to uncover all that Santo Domingo has to offer.”
Founded in 1498, Santo Domingo is one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While a historic treasure, the city is brimming with some of the best modern cultural experiences in the world. Beyond the maze of cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture at the hotel’s doorstep in the historic Colonial City, guests can enjoy the area’s local art galleries, exciting nightlife, hidden waterfalls and soft, white sands of the Caribbean Sea.
Rodrigo Silveyra, Director of Operations, Americas, Iberostar Group, said: “We’re thrilled to operate our first property under the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand. While this agreement falls outside of our strategic alliance with IHG for Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, it’s a great example of positive outcomes and opportunities that are surfacing based upon our expanding relationship with IHG.”
When it opens in early Summer 2024, Kimpton Las Mercedes will become the fifth Kimpton hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America. The Kimpton brand currently has 78 hotels open globally, with 54 projects in the pipeline.*
*Figures as of December 31, 2023
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
