The Dominican Republic Islands along with the capital Santo Domingo and touristic city of Punta Cana are considered a safe destination for LGBT tourists. LGBT people tend to face no discrimination issues in resorts and very touristic areas. Most Dominicans inhabitants are quite tolerant of same-sex relationships and in the islands we can find some gay friendly hotels Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Although homosexuality is not technically legal in the D.R., a staunchly Catholic country, it is more prevalent in the D.R. than anywhere else in the Caribbean, with the possible exception of Cuba, where many young men and women have turned to prostitution, especially in Havana.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Dominican Republic do not enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT residents, and face legal and social challenges that are not experienced by other people. While the Dominican Criminal Code does not expressly prohibit homosexuality or cross-dressing, it also does not address discrimination or harassment on the account of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does it recognize same sex unions in any form, whether it be marriage or partnerships. Household headed by same-sex couples are also not eligible for any of the same rights given to opposite-sex married couples, as same sex marriage is constitutionally banned in the country.
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities. Its walled, cobblestoned historic core, the Zona Colonial, has buildings that date to the 1500s, including the cathedral, which was the first built in the New World. On the cafe-lined Plaza de España is the Alcázar de Colón palace. It’s now one of the city’s many museums, displaying notable medieval and Renaissance art.
Top attractions to visit in Santo Domingo
Best Day tours in Santo Domingo
- Monkeyland & Plantation Safari Full Day from Juan Dolio
- Bayaguana Countryside Safari by Runners Adventures
- Santo Domingo old Town by Trikke
- Dominican Mountain Tour and River Adventure
- Catalina Island – Snorkeling
See all tours in Santo Domingo on GetYourGuide.
1. Casas del XVI Boutique Hotel 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo
Set 400 m from Santo Domingo Cathedral in the Colonial Zone, Casas del XVI offers stylish rooms, a garden terrace and a lounge area. Free Wi-Fi and free continental breakfast are included.
Each bright room at Casas del XVI features elegant décor, a flat-screen TV and a fan. Offering either a queen size bed or a king size bed, some rooms feature a shower while others a bathtub.
Casas del XVI is just 250 m from the shops and pavement cafés of the famous Conde Street. It is also a 5-minute walk from various restaurants and bars, including the Hard Rock Cafe Santo Domingo.
Casas del XVI is a whole new concept in luxury boutique hotels, bringing the romance and ease of a bygone era together with modern comfort, service and convenience. Here amid the beautiful, historic setting of Colonial City, our collection of beautifully restored 16th century homes combine into a single, unified hotel environment. Our welcoming staff members are dedicated to providing you with a level of hospitality that leaves you feeling invigorated, refreshed and completely content. Let us be your choice of hotel in Santo Domingo.
Absolute perfection : the rooms, gardens, pools are absolute top notch. The food and service are second to none, this place is heaven on earth. I love the styling ( old meets new ) and the location ( old part of santo domingo ) a true small luxury gem.
My first room (an upgrade thanks to my Small Luxury Hotels program membership) was a master suite in the “designer casa”. It was absolutely gorgeous (and massive), complete with a claw foot bathtub. There was butler service, delicious breakfast and a beautiful courtyard with a jacuzzi.
The second stay was equally lovely, in another casa this time, but with similar amenities.
During my stay, I was given a tour of all the casas and they all looked charming. I would have been happy with any one of them but ask in advance if you have specific requirements.
The location of the hotel is excellent for anyone wanting to explore the colonial zone of Santo Domingo. The service throughout my stay was very friendly and professional, with attention to every single detail. The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful, I would be happy to return any day.
The hotel has some of the best decor and architecture I’ve ever seen. We were given a complimentary upgrade to a beautiful room. The food and drinks were delicious (highly recommend the mojitos made fresh from mint in their garden). The hotel was also very safe and we felt very comfortable our entire stay. Santos our butler was so accommodating and sweet and we really appreciated having him available at all times. We highly recommend you stay here on your trip to Santo Domingo!
Casas del XVI are a group of four colonial homes that are immaculately restored and beautifully decorated. Guests have access to all four properties when staying here and we would encourage using these, as together they create a unique and memorable stay.
We stayed in the central Casa, with a beautiful courtyard. We were encouraged to swim in the Casa down the street, which had almost a Moroccan feeling of seclusion. One night we scheduled ahead for the hotel to create a candlelight dinner at their most recently redecorated Cas, which was stunning. There we enjoyed a private dinner out on the patio. The food and the experience of a private dinner on a candlelit patio was exceptional and created a lasting memory.
Each guest gets their own personal butler during their stay with access to them via phone. The service experience is outstanding.
Excellent service and clean, beautiful rooms surrounding a lovely courtyard at this quaint hotel in colonial Santo Domingo. The hotel has multiple locations (i.e. Pool) throughout the colonial area of the city, and hotel staff will gladly give you a tour of the multiple buildings. Although I was only able to stay for a night, I had an immediate appreciation for the excellent, personal service offered by the hotel. The personalized courtyard breakfast was excellent too!
Perfect location for the colonial district of Santo Domingo. Everything is within walking distance. Service is attentive but with the local essence intact, which made it a lovely experience. Lucy, Alvin and Caesar make a great team. We stayed in a deluxe room, which was large with an equally oversized bathroom. Breakfast was served in the intimate courtyard.
My only comment is that the website needs to clearer in the fact the hotel is a collection of houses and only one has a pool. It was disappointing to find this out on arrival. If you are looking for a stay without the hustle of bigger properties you will love this beautiful hacienda a great oasis.
How much does a room costs at Casas del XVI Boutique Hotel ?
Prices start 248 $/night for Luxury Double Room. The Luxury 2 Queen is 250$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.
This room has flat-screen TV and private bathroom.
Where to book online – Casas del XVI Boutique Hotel – Gay Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo – you can find the best hotels deals in Santo Domingo during Dominican Carnival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Santo Domingo on Booking.com or HotelsCombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
2. Billini Hotel Historic Luxury 5* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo
This boutique Santo Domingo Billini Hotel is 650 m from Puerto de Santo Domingo and Playa Montesinos. Features include free WiFi in all areas, an outdoor pool, and on-site restaurant.
A flat-screen TV, minibar, and coffee machine. Some suites have a hot tub.
A fitness centre and 24-hour concierge are on site for added convenience. A business centre with fax and photocopy services is available.
Castil Restaurant serves local Caribbean cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The first luxurious avant-garde design hotel in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo Dominican Republic. Billini Hotel (BH) reflects the concept of modernism, simplicity and elegance. We strive to exceed our guest expectations from the beginning to end. Its bold design can be seen in its world class suites and state of the art in room equipment.
The location simply is perfect and the ambiance modern combined with true historical architectural elements. You can ‘feel’ the Zona Colonial – without missing modern amenities.
Besides a stunning rooftop bar and pool, they feature a restaurant and a romantic cafe, next to a historic Catholic Church from the 16th century.
It is great to see that Billini Hotel not only kept their standards but improved – the new F&B manager and Chef de cuisine not only changed the menu and wine list but also trained the staff. All in all a very pleasant experience, to be repeated!
The hotel is beautiful and is located within walking distance of notable sites in the colonial zone. If you wish to be transported within the zone, motorized vehicles are available for use by those staying at the hotel free of charge.
Breakfast was included with our room and it was excellent with many choices. The staff on all levels were eager to please and very nice people.
This is a sweet boutique hotel just a few minutes by the hotel tuk tuk to the heart of the Zona Colonial. The rooms are relatively new with a modern décor. Ours had a little patio overlooking their ground floor common area which has a bubbling water feature.
Very quiet at night. Small fridge in room. Good in-room wifi. Lovely small rooftop pool, and restaurant and bar. Very light traffic at the restaurant and it can be different each night.
The Billini is perfectly situated — walking distance to everything within the Zona Colonial.
I felt very safe at all times. There are uniformed security personnel throughout the Zona Colonial and families with children on the streets and in the squares.
There is a gentle, friendly, community feeling in the neighbourhood, and I felt welcome and comfortable. The locals are kind and respectful. Vendors, tour guides and taxi drivers approach periodically, but they respectfully accept a “no gracias”. I never experienced anybody being aggressive or pushy.
The staff at the hotel are lovely — very helpful and happy to answer questions and arrange tours. Not everyone speaks English, but miming worked well when I couldn’t be understood in English or express myself Spanish.
The English speaking staff are outstanding. Niké went out of her way to locate a store that sold distilled water needed for a sleep apnea machine. Dinner recommendations were always spot on, and advice from the front desk staff was excellent.
The breakfast buffet is pricey, and I was reluctant to eat most of the food on offer because of the heat, and my anxiety about certain foods sitting out too long.
However, I did enjoy the fresh juices (3 types), the pastries and the fruit and yogurt.
The cafe con lèche is very good and each cup is brewed freshly for you. In addition to the buffet, there are eggs, omelettes and pancakes made to order.
For me, the convenience of breakfast at the hotel justified the cost. If you don’t mind a short walk, there are probably better, less expensive options for breakfast nearby.
The rooftop restaurant is beautiful with views of the adjacent convent. I recommend the “Goat Without Rules” — a delicious goat stew served with rice and crispy plantain.
Room 103 was perfect for our needs. It’s on the main floor off the courtyard, so no stairs to navigate (although there is an elevator for access to the basement gym and 2nd & 3rd floor guest rooms.) If mobility is an issue for you, there is an additional climb to get from the 3rd floor to the rooftop restaurant, but it’s worth it for the view and ambience.
The beds are low to the ground, but firm and comfortable. I loved that there were pillows galore with crisp white linens. The room has a good air conditioner and a fan. (Note: in addition to a switch, there is a remote control for the fan to adjust the speed and turn the fan light on and off.)
The free wifi was fast and I assume they’ve taken earlier reviews into account as you no longer have to log in more than once. Paying the extra $15 a day for “high-speed” internet is unnecessary because the free wifi is nearly as fast as high speed wifi back home in Canada.
There is complimentary water, juice and soda in the mini-fridge (replenished daily). Ice is available at no charge at the bar (adjacent to reception).
Overall, we were very satisfied with our stay — I wouldn’t hesitate to choose Billini Hotel again the next time I visit Santo Domingo.
How much does a room costs at Billini Hotel, Historic Luxury ?
Prices start 153 $/night for La Esquina Deluxe Suite – Full Bed. The Owner’s Suite
is 446$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.
This 2-level suite features hardwood floors and a full-size marble bathroom. It also has a private rooftop terrace with a city view and a hot tub. A kitchenette, dining area, and separate seating area are also included.
Where to book online – Billini Hotel, Historic Luxury – Gay Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo – you can find the best hotels deals in Santo Domingo during Dominican Carnival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Santo Domingo on Booking.com or HotelsCombined.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
3. Adam Suites 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
Welcome to ADAM SUITES GUEST HOUSE in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Our boutique style hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the Colonial Zone and a block away from the famous pedestrian boulevard “El Conde” and close to very several historic Cathedrals, great restaurants and near all local bars.
At Adam Suites your pleasant stay while in Santo Domingo is our number one goal and that is the reason why had we received for 3 consecutive years- 2013, 2014, 2015 the Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence as well as Booking Award of Excellence. Our hotel rooms are nice, clean and comfortable. Each is individually decorated and perfect for the smart traveler- a person who wants to stay in a nice cozy hotel without paying top price for it.
The rooms are quaint, each with their own charm. It is centrally located in Santo Domingo. There is a sense of community with the space – because it is a gay-owned / gay-friendly, I felt comfortable with the other guests. This isn’t like a hotel where you are isolated in your room – I became friends with a few of the patrons and we did things together. This is an excellent place to travel solo because of that. This isn’t a hotel to come to expecting a resort-like experience. It felt like the real dominican lifestyle.
Gilbert is very knowledgeable of the area and has many relationships to help give his guests the best experience. On my first day, he gave me a crash course in all of the good, bad, and ugly of Santo Domingo. Where to go/not go, who to talk to, who to avoid, cultural faux pas, etc. He treats you like family and requests the same from his patrons.
As for the night life, Adam Suites is located in front of two gay bars. They are open from Thursday to Sunday. Friday and Saturday nights are the best nights. There is another bar called EseDeKu (it is Spanish for SDQ) which is only two and a half blocks away. That one is open from Wednesday to Sunday. All three bars attract different groups of people. If you are looking for more local atmosphere, Fugoo and G Lounge is where you want to go (the bars in from of Adam Suites). If you are looking for more relaxed business casual attire atmosphere, go to EseDeKu.
The Adam Suites Hotel Dominican Republic is a clean, majestic, tranquil, calming, relaxing, quiet cottage hotel by day. At night let the party begin. The hotel “sits” among the center of Colonial Zones entertainment (the two clubs across the street). First rule in Real estate location, location, location. This cottage hotel offers something/ someone that all other hotels in the area do not have. That one thing is Gilbert, the owner. Gilbert has a plethora of knowledge that is priceless when is comes to DR, it’s culture, the VIP treatment at the beach, and the “boys.” Please also understand this is the first and only gay hotel in Dominican Republic. Gilbert is a trailblazer in leading this community in Santo Domingo.
How much does a room costs at Adam Suites ?
Prices start 90 $/night for Double Room.
Where to book online – Adam Suites – Gay Friendly Hotels Santo Domingo – you can find the best hotels deals in Santo Domingo during Dominican Carnival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Santo Domingo on HotelsCombined.com or Hotels.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.
