Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of the luxury and lifestyle portfolio of IHG Hotels & Resorts, announced that it will open a new luxury boutique hotel in the vibrant urban destination of Santo Domingo.
Kimpton Las Mercedes, the brand's first property in the Dominican Republic, will complement the historic and picturesque surroundings of Santo Domingo from early summer 2024, and serve as the ideal starting point for visitors and travelers wishing to explore this incredible culture.
Located in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Kimpton Las Mercedes is owned by Megeve Investment Office SAS, and will be operated by Grupo Iberostar and will be the first operational partnership between it and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
The new Kimpton Las Mercedes is located within a historic 16th century structure, which has been carefully renovated by award-winning architect Rafael Moneo, to reflect the transformation of its surroundings and give another face to an already vibrant cultural center. By reinventing the space within their own possibilities, the design team preserved some of the original materials while attaching a new building behind the original structure.
Kimpton Las Mercedes will feature 130 rooms, and eight spacious terrace suites, each with a private balcony to give guests a taste of the indoor-outdoor living that animates this city. Local artists and craftsmen have been tapped to provide colorful design elements in each room that reflect the spirit of Santo Domingo.
Accompanying the experience of the stay, there will be curated concepts for the gastronomic, rest and recreation offer. Zola, a gourmet restaurant with a retractable roof for outdoor dining, combines the culinary culture of northern Italy with local ingredients, and offers a wide variety of fresh appetizers and cocktails along with the table and old world wines.
El Patio, a garden bar and lounge, located in the property's central courtyard, will offer snacks and drinks to savor among carefully preserved oak and mango trees. Just off the lobby, guests can indulge their senses in the locally sourced rum and cigar lounge, as well as a 500-year-old well, discovered and restored during the building's renovation.
Kimpton Las Mercedes will have several multi-use spaces that will transition from work and meeting spaces during the day to social gathering places at night. The José Martí hall is an idyllic place for weddings, or to celebrate conventions and business conferences in an inspiring environment.
Additional hotel amenities include an upstairs pool and fitness center. Like all Kimpton hotels, you will also have valuable benefits such as morning tea and coffee service, afternoon social hour and a program called “Forgot? We got it!", yoga mats in the room and pet friendly policies.
Paul Adán, Regional Senior Vice President of Development for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean at IHG Hotels & Resorts, stated regarding this upcoming inauguration: “We are expanding Kimpton's presence in the Caribbean, and Kimpton Las Mercedes will provide a different and inspiring in this historic destination. The hotel will welcome visitors and locals alike with its refined style, innovative restaurants and bars and friendly, personalized service, while serving as a gateway for guests to discover all that Santo Domingo has to offer.” .
Founded in 1498, Santo Domingo is one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. While a historical treasure, the city is packed with some of the best modern cultural experiences in the world. Beyond the maze of cobblestone streets and centuries-old architecture on the hotel's doorstep in historic Ciudad Colonial, 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 for the Americas of Grupo Iberostar, said: “We are excited to operate our first property under the Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants brand through this additional agreement to our strategic alliance between IHG Hotels & Resorts and Iberostar Beachfront Resorts. A great example of positive results and opportunities emerging based on our ever-expanding relationship with IHG.”
Once open in early summer 2024, Kimpton Las Mercedes will become the fifth Kimpton hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America. Currently the brand has 78 hotels open around the world and 54 projects in development.