Last week, La Aurora announced the opening of a new La Aurora Cigar Lounge at the Residence Inn by Marriott Santiago de los Caballeros, introducing a thoughtfully designed destination for enthusiasts of premium cigars, fine Dominican rum, and authentic coffee. Comfortable, elegant, and social, the new lounge offers a distinctive setting for enjoying the art of the cigar. La Aurora celebrated the opening with an exclusive gathering that brought together members of the company’s executive leadership, representatives of the Residence Inn by Marriott Santiago, and members of the Board of Directors of Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS), along with distinguished figures from the industry and devoted La Aurora enthusiasts. Guests had the opportunity to experience this new destination from the oldest cigar factory in the Dominican Republic.
The new Cigar Lounge brings together La Aurora’s century-old heritage with contemporary elegance, style, and the art of enjoyment. Santiago de los Caballeros has stood for more than five centuries as the heart of the country’s tobacco-growing Cibao Valley, the same region where the Eduardo León Jimenes founded his factory in 1903. Located on the 11th floor of the Residence Inn by Marriott Santiago, in one of the most vibrant areas of the city, the lounge features thoughtfully designed spaces for gathering and socializing, all centered around attentive service and a memorable premium experience
The interior features a comfortable central seating area and an elegant bar designed for pairing cigars with the brand’s signature rums, including E. León Jimenes 110 Aniversario and E. León Jimenes 1903, as well as exceptional Kora coffee. The space also features a walk-in humidor, where guests can select from La Aurora’s portfolio of premium cigars, along with a private lounge available for social and corporate events. The experience extends outdoors to a balcony offering sweeping views of the mountains north of the city—a setting where comfort and a connection with the surrounding landscape come together seamlessly.
“This space will enrich Santiago’s tourism offering while strengthening the tobacco culture that distinguishes us as a country and celebrates a tradition we have preserved across generations,” said Don Guillermo León, President of La Aurora.
The opening of the new Cigar Lounge marks a significant chapter in the history of the Dominican Republic’s oldest cigar factory, further reinforcing the value of the Dominican cigar as part of the country’s cultural heritage. If you are visiting Santiago during your travels, La Aurora invites you to enjoy this Dominican experience and then visit La Aurora Factory Tour.
