Thursday, February 21, 2008

Gran Hotel Aida

Old hotel that has been revamped, Gran Hotel Aida. Located on Espaillat, with its entrance right off El Conde. Rates are $55 - $65 per night. Call 809.685.7692 for more information.

9 comments:

CASKET SHARP said...

Thats across the street from the Pizza Hut! wow! what are their guest policy? I wonder do they have back up power?

14 days til the big 43
santodomingodirect.com


Thanks Anthony!

Anonymous said...

My friends and I used to stay at the Aida Hotel when we first started visiting SD like 100 years ago. Dna. Aida was alive and well then and we befriended her while staying there. It was said that her grandson was also "a friend of Dorothy" if you know what I mean. It was only because of our friendship with her and her grandson that her manager did not kick us out into the street for all the bugarrones that came up those stairs during our visits. Ahh...those were the days!
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael

CASKET SHARP said...

LOL "like 100 years ago" thats cute LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi Anthony, I also sent you a e/mail about this place, did you not receive that either?? just wondering, this message is not to be printed, but something seems a mist here, thanks , JIM from Houston, Tx.

Santo Domingo Colonial Zone Apts said...

Jim, never got an email from you.

Anonymous said...

Well, at least it seems like 100 years ago.... My friend, Hector, and I were in our mid-20s when we first arrived in SD and did not have anywhere to stay. After being turned away from several places, we found our way to the Hotel Aida. The hotel was full, but the manager said that we could stay in a small shack that they had on the roof until a room became available. So, rather than sleep on a park bench, we accepted her offer. During the days, it was hot as hell and during the nights the bugs almost ate us alive. Luckily, after a few days, a room became available. Thus, we met Dna. Aida who was a heavyset, Cuban woman with a stern look for employees and guests alike. She had lunch and dinner by herself at the table in the picture with several servants around her to pour her water or take away empty plates, etc. Sometimes, her grandson would join her for lunch. He ran Musicalia, the record store downstairs, which was also theirs. Anyway, since we were always going in and out, we would smile and greet her. Then one day she asked that we join her at the table. Her employees' jaws dropped open and they looked at each other in disbelief. So began a friendship which lasted several years. She would laugh at our stories and the way we carried on. She would also turn a blind eye to our "guests" who came in and out of all hours of the day and night.
After that, we did not return to SD for a few years. When we did return, we were told that she had passed away. The hotel closed and has just reopened. Hopefully, it will accomodate others coming to
SD for the first time and looking
for a place to stay.
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael

CASKET SHARP said...

Thanks Rafael for the your personal experience it sounds like that good ole days

Anonymous said...

I wonder what their guest policy is? I bet you'd get followed by a crowd of buggarones every night after coming home from the club.

Anonymous said...

Anthony, have you heard anything from guests that have stayed there since they revamped it?