This property has reigned as the best hotel in Antigua since it opened in 1989 and, despite some new upscale boutique hotels coming along, it is still surprisingly devoid of competition in this attractive Spanish Colonial city. Part converted convent, part archeological site, it is the clear top choice for upscale tourists who want full hotel amenities, though as a tourist site in itself, it often feels more like a museum with overnight guests than a refined hotel.
The hotel's public areas revolve around a convent founded in 1542 and many of its surviving buildings are from the 1600s. Earthquakes have taken their toll, however, so some of the buildings are mere heaps of rubble. Some of the remaining artifacts are in the archeology museum on the hotel grounds. After check-in, guests move down a covered walkway and emerge into a bright courtyard filled with fountains, stone carvings, and squawking tropical birds. Religious artifacts are around every turn, gracing all public areas and hallways.
The restaurants and bars can get crowded with non-guests, but the pocket cigar bar has no choice but to be cozy since it has space for only 10 patrons. The main bar and restaurant are both more bustling, but each is large enough to avoid a wait, with a variety of seating configurations allowing for indoor and outdoor dining and drinking. Local specialties satisfy curious visitors, while steaks, foie gras, and truffles bring in local businessmen and socialites who know that this is the prestige spot in town. The dining setup is all very romantic at night, with soft lamps and candles illuminating the historic stone arches.
The large swimming pool, blocked off to non-guests by a keyed gate, is large and inviting, with plenty of lounge chairs, drink service and a whirlpool. In the daytime it gets plenty of sun and is enchanting at night, set amidst the relics and ruins. A sauna and basic spa with massage rooms are nearby. A staffed business center is on site and a concierge can arrange local excursions.
The large convention center here competes with the wedding trade as the main source of large groups. The facilities—some in dramatic structures with exposed stone—can host up to 600 with various meeting spaces and an open-air covered theater.
The most basic standard rooms here harken back to the days of nuns' quarters in terms of size, but come with fireplaces, minibars, and baths with tubs big enough for soaking. Stucco walls and local art add some sense of place, while the furnished balconies and extensive toiletries make even the smallest rooms feel special. All have satellite TVs in armoires and phones. Upgrading for more space is surprisingly inexpensive here, so guests should not hesitate to skip the bottom level and book a deluxe room or suite. Deluxe rooms are like a junior suite, while higher categories come with double the space of a standard, a spacious terrace (some with 
whirlpool), better custom furniture, and original 17th-century oil paintings. There are several drawbacks throughout: no air conditioning, theft-proof hangers in the small closets, and onerous charges for drinking water. Room service runs until midnight.
At heart, this is more a hotel for groups than for picky leisure travelers—who may be better off at one of the many fine small inns in town. The staff here is known for being unfriendly and only partially bilingual, especially in the restaurant. Until something better comes along, Casa Santo Domingo reigns as the top full-service hotel outside the capital city. With these rates, though, it's a good value. Guests should go in with lowered expectations on the service side and make a point to enjoy the ambience.