The boutique hotel solidifies its position as a benchmark of quality by receiving two of the most prestigious awards in the international hotel industry.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – In an unprecedented milestone for Dominican hospitality, Casas del XVI celebrates a double triumph, winning the 2025 World Travel Awards in the Leading Hotel Suite category for the Dominican Republic – Royal Suite, and being recognized by the MICHELIN Guide with a MICHELIN Key.
The World Travel Awards recognize the authenticity of Casas del XVI and its exceptional design. The Royal Suite, located in Casa del Diseñador, was selected as the most outstanding suite in the country, surpassing its competitors for its remarkable design, luxurious amenities, and world-class personalized service.
For its part, the MICHELIN Key represents an extraordinary achievement that positions the hotel among the elite of global hospitality. The MICHELIN Guide, recognized worldwide for its rigorous standards of excellence, awards the Keys to hotels that offer truly exceptional lodging experiences. This distinction takes into account excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency, personality and character, as well as value and contribution to the surrounding environment, creating well rounded experiences for guests.
“These recognitions represent a triumph for Casas del XVI and are a source of pride for the Dominican Republic,” stated Ignacio Peñalver, General Manager of Casas del XVI. “Being one of only four hotels in the country with a MICHELIN Key 2025 and being selected for the World Travel Awards demonstrates that Dominican luxury tourism competes at the highest international level. It is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence and authenticity.”
The World Travel Awards, a prestigious awards ceremony recognized as the Oscars of Tourism, highlight excellence and innovation in the hotel industry. They are a global benchmark, with a rigorous selection and evaluation process and popular voting methodology that annually recognizes the most outstanding entities in the sector worldwide.
The MICHELIN Key recognizes Casas del XVI as “a true treasure with its own character and personality,” highlighting how the hotel transcends traditional expectations by offering something truly unique: a perfect fusion of colonial heritage and contemporary luxury that provides much more than just accommodation. This is the first year that MICHELIN Keys have been awarded to hotels in the Dominican Republic, resulting in four hotels being included in the selection.
A historic year for Casas del XVI
This double recognition solidifies 2025 as a historic year for the boutique hotel in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The combination of both awards – Leading Hotel Suite of the Dominican Republic and the coveted MICHELIN Key – places Casas del XVI in a unique position on the map of international luxury tourism.
“Each house that makes up our hotel represents the historical legacy of Santo Domingo, while every detail of our service is designed to create unforgettable memories for the future,” added Peñalver. “These recognitions validate our vision of offering unique accommodations and experiences that connect our guests with the rich cultural heritage of the Colonial City.”
Impact on Dominican Tourism
These achievements reinforce the Dominican Republic’s position as a destination that offers world-class hospitality experiences. The presence of four MICHELIN Keys hotels in the country underscores the capacity and excellence of the available offerings, while the World Travel Awards reaffirm the leadership of hotels like Casas del XVI in the luxury segment.
The hotel will continue to raise the bar for hospitality in the country, maintaining its commitment to providing a differentiated, high-value offering and constantly innovating the guest experience.
About Casas del XVI
Casas del XVI is a luxury boutique hotel located in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It operates within a collection of meticulously restored historic homes, where each space has been designed to offer a unique experience that blends history, service, and contemporary luxury.
The hotel is managed by Solara Real Estate, a hotel company within the Terra República Dominicana Real Estate Investment Fund, which is co-managed by Terra RD Partners and INICIA.
