Innovative Hotel Opens in Colonial Santo Domingo Offers Personalized, Intimacy and Five-Star Service

Opening with Two Houses, Expanding to 20 Colonial Houses in Coming Years

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. March 20, 2014

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - March 20, 2014 - Set to revolutionize the hotel industry with its daring concept and design, the highly anticipated luxury, boutique hotel, Casas del XVI, opens this month in the Caribbean's fastest growing travel market, the Dominican Republic.

Representing a departure from the traditional boutique hotel concept, guests will enjoy the personalized five-star service and intimacy of staying in a rental home at a fraction of the cost -- renting individual rooms in masterfully decorated houses, while enjoying the private feeling of being in their own home.

With only a few guestrooms in each home, discreet living spaces including a romantic library, inviting cigar bar, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and comfortably furnished courtyards allow guests to relax in tremendous privacy. With an attention to detail rivaled by the world's most trusted, long-time private home staff, Casas del XVI offers discerning travelers an unrivaled degree of service.

The new project is the latest brainchild of Samir Saab, CEO of Prohotel International, who in the past has been recognized for his bold designs at such iconic boutique hotels as La Pleta in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Riviera Maya's former Ikal del Mar and Esencia Estate, the former private retreat of the heiress to the Ferrari fortune. Located in the heart of Santo Domingo's historically rich Ciudad Colonial, Casas del XVI is the only hotel in the Dominican Republic comprised of an exclusive collection of restored colonial houses dating back to the 16th century.

Two Houses Open this Month with Project Expanding to Include 20 Colonial Houses

Now, with the opening of Casas del XVI, Mr. Saab is working his magic once again, having joined forces with Patricia Reid, celebrated Dominican interior designer to such stars as Latin singer and songwriter, Julio Iglesias. Opening with two houses this month, the hotel will expand over the next few years to include a collection of 20 homes in the colonial quarter - one of which was originally inhabited by Pilot Alonso Perez Roldan, who traveled with Christopher Columbus on his early expeditions to the Americas.

"The idea was to evoke the feeling and character of that bygone era, while adding to it all of the modern comforts and luxuries of our time," says Patricia Reid. "Casas del XVI is a purely Dominican experience, with the decor representing a synergy of cultures - Spanish, African and Indian - and a mingling of past and present through the details and furnishing."

Complete with everything from stunning, vibrant tiled floors and enchanting antiques to mesmerizing local art, romantic lanterns, colonial courtyards and a plethora of modern luxuries, each of the seven guest rooms spread between individual houses exude a character reminiscent of the island's earliest European settlers.

Personalized mayordomo (butler) service, elevates the guest experience to another level of luxury, as guests relish complete control over their charming colonial stay. Opt to enjoy breakfast at a shaded table in the Spanish style courtyard or enjoy Dominican rum cocktails, a cigar and small plates in the library before a night out.

A Historically Rich, One-of-a-Kind Caribbean Experience in Ciudad Colonia

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial is the oldest European settlement in the new world and offers travelers a plethora of historical, cultural, architectural and culinary delights. Experiencing a vibrant revival, Ciudad Colonial is home to the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas, all of which date back to Christopher Columbus' arrival on the island of Hispaniola in 1492.

Today, the area is a mosaic of museums, recondite theaters, ancient monuments, outdoor cafes, romantic squares, delectable restaurants, enchanting nightlife and charming colonial mansions.

Casas del XVI is managed by Prohotel International (www.prohotels.com) based in Houston, Texas and is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Introductory rates start at $225 per night. Included in the nightly rate is a daily a la carte breakfast featuring traditional Dominican and international menu options prepared each morning by the mayordomo in each house's fully equipped kitchen. Private lunches and dinners can be arranged. For more information visit www.casasdelxvi.com or call (855) 849-6396.