Kimpton Las Mercedes: Where Colonial Soul Meets Contemporary Luxury
A boutique sanctuary in Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial
A Dialogue Across Centuries
Nestled in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kimpton Las Mercedes is more than a hotel—it’s a living testament to the Dominican Republic’s layered past and vibrant present. Originally opened in 2019 and reborn under the Kimpton brand in 2024, it has quickly become an architectural and experiential landmark in the oldest European-founded city in the Americas. Set within restored 16th-century structures, the project was guided by Moneo Brock Architects, who balanced heritage and innovation with rare sensitivity. Colonial façades remain intact, while elevated modern volumes, courtyards, and lush green spaces create a fresh rhythm. Open-air corridors encourage natural light and cross-ventilation, while travertine, Dominican hardwoods, hand-cut ceramic tiles, and native vegetation root the design in authenticity and sustainability. At its heart, a central courtyard hums with life, recalling the building’s origins as a communal hub.
Sanctuaries Above the Stones
The 130 rooms and suites carry the same dialogue between history and modernity. Many open to private balconies overlooking inner courtyards, while select suites boast jacuzzis and expansive terraces. Every space is designed as a serene escape above the city’s cobblestones. At the rooftop, the solarium and infinity pool deliver panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and Santo Domingo’s skyline—an elevated perch where past and present unfold before you.
Flavors and Stories in Every Bite
Dining at Kimpton Las Mercedes is a cultural journey grounded in Dominican terroir:
-
Zola, the signature restaurant, pairs Northern Italian inspiration with island flavor beneath a retractable glass ceiling that frames the Caribbean light.
-
El Patio offers calm among mango trees and gentle jazz—a garden lounge that slows the city’s pulse.
-
The Cigar and Rum Lounge surrounds guests with rich aromas and local lore, anchored by a 500-year-old well unearthed during renovations and turned into a centerpiece.
Wellness, Community, and Culture
A full-service spa, rooftop gym, and wellness programming center the guest experience around balance and renewal. But the hotel’s soul extends beyond its walls: its ‘green block’ ethos supports cultural programming, local partnerships, and urban regeneration projects in Ciudad Colonial. Even pets are part of the story, welcomed warmly into the community vibe.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Kimpton Las Mercedes is Santo Domingo distilled: bold, historic, and deeply soulful. A place where colonial courtyards meet infinity pools, where stone walls whisper of the past and modern design answers with respect. More than a boutique hotel, it’s a cultural dialogue—and an invitation to experience the Dominican Republic with style, substance, and sincerity.
