Fodor's Expert Review Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino

It's remarkable what a major renovation can do to revive an iconic, albeit tired, landmark; the newly transformed Jaragua is jaw-dropping. The stark white exterior segues perfectly into the lobby/restaurant areas where the monochromatic, contemporary look also prevails. Reopened in 2015, the 10-story hotel maintains its large guest rooms, which have been completely redone and given high-quality mattresses and dreamy, luxurious bedding. Tower rooms are the more popular, and have desks; you can even request an ergonomic office chair if you're working. The stunning pool is on an incline and set apart, giving it a trendy, resort feel. The casino is the largest in the Caribbean, and live Latin bands keep things fun. Service is generally good, the concierge and front desk staff efficient and welcoming. The hotel will match any discounted Internet rate you can find, but weekend rates are generally a good value.