Casas del XVI begins the year with new management, a visionary leader sensitive to the cultural sphere and committed to innovation, sustainability, and the development of the Dominican Republic. Her vision focuses on authentic local experiences, where heritage, service, and design intertwine to offer a memorable stay in the Colonial Zone.
Driven by a great passion for tourism, Yuribell Chez has made this industry her way of life. Although her studies were geared towards Business Administration, her entry into the hotel industry happened “almost by chance,” as she herself puts it, after a first contact with the world that awakened an unexpected vocation. “By getting involved in operations, I discovered my passion for service and the creative potential of the sector, which motivated me to develop professionally in that direction,” she says. From then on, she understood that hospitality was not only a business activity, but also a way to create meaningful experiences for those who travel.
Today, in her new role as manager of Casas del XVI, she presents a distinct way of understanding hospitality: a place where heritage, contemporary design, and personalized service intertwine to offer an authentic experience in the heart of Santo Domingo. For her, the challenge lies in continuing to consolidate this offering without losing its essence, but her objective is clear: “In the medium term, we want to establish ourselves as a benchmark for experiential luxury in Santo Domingo, expand cultural and gastronomic partnerships, and implement sustainable initiatives and loyalty programs.” This strategy seeks to strengthen the connection between the hotel and the city’s cultural environment, while promoting a more intimate, conscious form of luxury deeply rooted in Dominican identity.
But like every vocation, there is always an origin. “I remember accompanying my father on resort furnishing projects, a legacy of the family’s wicker and rattan furniture factory; those experiences awakened my love for the hotel industry and the attention to detail in service,” she says. Those journeys between hotels and interior design projects left a deep mark and, almost without realizing it at the time, marked the beginning of her connection to this world. From her parents, she inherited values that today form the foundation of her understanding of both life and her profession. “From my father, I inherited discipline, respect for craftsmanship, and a commitment to quality; from my mother, hospitality, empathy, and attention to human relationships. They both taught me the importance of effort and integrity,” she explains. Principles that, over time, have become the basis of her leadership style and her vision of hospitality.
When she speaks of the essence of what is essential in life, Yuribell summarizes it as authentic connections: time shared with family, honesty at work, and respect for one’s roots. Simple yet profound actions that guide her way of life.
