Casas Del XVI, Dominican Republic Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Eat. Pray. Eat.

Here’s how it works at Casas del XVI, the hotel essentially operates on a bed and breakfast basis; each morning your butler will ask where you’d prefer to dine – in casa or courtyard – before laying out a tasty spread. Anything you’re hungering for can be prepared, including all dietary restrictions. The chef can put together a bespoke private lunch or dinner menu on request (with some notice). Of course, Dominican rum (along with other spirits) is on-hand in the honesty bars in two of the casas to enhance any moment, have your butler whip up a daiquiri. As they say, when in the Dominican...

How’s this for super cool? A gastronomic experience like no other is also offered where you will learn from the hand of Casas del XVI’s Chef in an intimate cooking class in one of the colonial houses. Together you will prepare five specialties of Casas del XVI from beginning to end mixed with anecdotes and history about Dominican cuisine, its roots and influences. Afterward, enjoy the delicious dishes for dinner along with wine pairing in a private area for you and your classmates. At the end of the evening, you will receive a recipe book of the dishes that you cooked so you can share your new talent when you return home.

The Art of De-stressing

Casas del XVI offers its own Wellness Coach. The trainer will devise a program tailored to the guest, advising them on nutrition and physical training to achieve the desired results. The experience of doing toning and/or cardio routines around the monuments of the Colonial City or in the privacy of the house is the perfect mix to explore the magical surroundings of Casas del XVI while staying in shape.

For those looking for the ultimate pampering experience or means to balance mind and body in the comfort of their room, massages and treatments at Casas del XVI are the perfect indulgences. Choose a treatment like the “holistic ritual de la casa,” a relaxing therapy using milk and coconut salts, rosemary, orange and essential oils.

Guest may also de-stress poolside at Casa Macoris or the unheated pool in the inner courtyard of Casa de los Mapas (unless either Casa has been booked for exclusive use). This pretty patch has grassy banks, tropical ferns and palm grass along one edge, and a smattering of day-beds; after sundown, it’s lit by candlelight.