This Cluster of Eight Historic Houses in Santo Domingo Just Joined a Global Hotel Giant
Casas del XVI, a boutique hotel spread across eight restored colonial houses, has debuted as part of IHG's Vignette Collection.
One of the most unusual hotels in the Dominican Republic has a new home inside one of the world's largest hotel companies. As of September 2, Casas del XVI, a boutique property made up of eight restored historic houses scattered across Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial, has officially joined IHG Hotels & Resorts' Vignette Collection.
The hotel keeps its name, its identity and its unconventional layout. What changes is the reach behind it. Casas del XVI now plugs into IHG's global reservation system and the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, meaning guests can earn and redeem points at a property that still runs just 21 rooms and suites.
That small footprint is the whole point. Rather than a single tower of repeating rooms, the hotel is divided among eight casas whose architecture spans the 16th century through the early 1900s. Casa del Disenador leans into art and design, Casa Macoris draws on Dominican folklore, and Casa de los Mapas pairs colonial bones with a courtyard pool. Individual rooms can be booked, or an entire house can be reserved for a family or group.
Casas del XVI opened in 2014 following a restoration reported at the time at roughly $17 million, and it has since earned a Michelin Key. The Vignette Collection is built specifically for independent hotels that want distribution without surrendering their character, which makes it a natural fit here.
The IHG debut arrives with a few additions, including a new lobby bar and a fitness center. The rest stays focused on the houses and the neighborhood: pools in most of the casas, in-room spa treatments, complimentary bicycles and cultural outings ranging from architecture tours to chocolate and cigar experiences.
The move also deepens IHG's presence in Santo Domingo's historic core, where it already operates the Kimpton Las Mercedes. For travelers, the Colonial City is increasingly a destination in its own right rather than a stopover before a beach vacation, and a walkable base among centuries-old houses fits that shift well.