I made a reservation at hotel Frances a month in advance for 3 nights and paid in full. I decided to surprise my girlfriend with a romantic vacation on valentine’s day. It was her first time traveling outside the U.S. so I wanted to make it perfect. I was so excited because of the location, spacious rooms, and the reasonable prices hotel Frances has to offer. Especially with all the previous positive reviews that were submitted about hotel Frances I thought I couldn't go wrong. After getting off of my flight that was delayed for a couple hours I couldn’t wait to get to my hotel room and relax and see my girlfriends face when she sees the hotel. As I walk in the hotel I was given a check in sheet. I filled out my info and gave it to the guy at the counter. he pulled my name up and gave the computer a blank stare. He then got the manager. I asked the manager is something wrong he says it’s ok I'll put you in another hotel with no explanation. I asked why, he responded with the same answer, it’s ok I’ll put you in another hotel. At this point I was furious because my room was paid for in full and I was tired and wanted some rest. He got on the phone and said I put you in another hotel. After going back and forth on why I can't stay there for another 10 minutes he finally said we are sold out of rooms. I asked you sold my room. He said yes. The hotel he placed us in was a good hotel but not nearly the size of the room I would have gotten at Frances and the room we were in was the cheapest room there. Also the prices of everything was 10 times more expensive at bar and breakfast. He called a cab for us and told us we will be ok at the other hotel. I wasn’t offered any hotel credits or any compensation at all. I would never recommend Hotel Frances to anyone based on my experience last weekend. No one should have to go through that.

-Eric

Recently stayed here two nights. It is within walking distance of all attractions in Colonial Zone. Restaurant is pricey but handy if you don't want to venture out at night. The breakfast at Mercure Hotel is much cheaper at only $10.00 per person including tax. So, you may want to walk the 3 blocks to the Hotel Mercure for Breakfast. Would have stayed at the Mercure but they have no parking.

This cozy hotel (only 19 rooms) is perfectly located if you are interested in exploring the Old City of Santo Domingo. It has numerous nice restaurants and historic sites. Also, from here you´re only a short taxi ride away from the rest of modern Santo Domingo. No elevators, but it´s only over two floors so no big problem unless you rely on it.

We had booked one night at this hotel, which is situated very well in the Colonial.
We had an experience of an inefficient staff by both check in and out - every thing took very long time.
The hotel has a nice last century interior and we had a spacey and very nice room no. 207 - but what a night!
We stayed at the hotel a Friday night and the Disco situated just across the street was playing loud music until after 3 o'clock at night, and the most irritating about that was the extreme bass, that we could hear even using earplugs. The window at the room is with double glass but that wasn't enough to keep out the music which was turned up during night.
We had a nice and good breakfast before we left but the overall impression wasn't good despite of a very nice historic building with atmosphere.