I’m in the Dominican Republic for the annual ProCigar Festival, and my first stop for a cigar had to be the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club in Santiago de los Caballeros.
The shop and lounge are located inside Hotel Santiago, Curio Collection by Hilton, a stylish four-star property that blends contemporary design with Dominican character. The cigar shop and club opened in late December 2024, and this is the second Arturo Fuente cigar club in the country (the first and flagship Arturo Fuente Cigar Club is located in Santa Dominigo) and has quickly become a key destination during festival week.
The Cigar Shop
The cigar shop itself is bright, elegant, and lined with light brown cedar wood — exactly what you’d hope for in a premium humidor space. The cedar gives off that unmistakable aroma the moment you walk in. It feels clean, refined, and purpose-built for cigar.
The walls are lined with beautifully presented boxes and singles from the Fuente portfolio, alongside branded merchandise. I have my eyes on the Arturo Fuente baseball cap, the cigar case too but that one is probably a bit out of my price range. Is it time to buy the Arturo Fuente ‘Carlito’ Bobblehead? 😁
After browsing, I chose:
Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva Super 60 – I love a thicker ring gauge, and the 60-ring format really appealed to me.
Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva 858 – A classic. I’d heard José Blanco talking about it on Instagram earlier that morning, which nudged me toward it.
Prices are listed in Dominican pesos, though you can also pay in US dollars. My two cigars came to around 2,000 pesos — roughly £23 — which feels like excellent value (especially coming from the UK).
What makes the shop special isn’t just the cigars — it’s the heritage. There are photographs of the Fuente family displayed throughout, celebrating the legacy of the brand. They also have books by Aaron Sigmond about the Fuente story on display, and you can even put on white gloves to carefully look through them. It’s those small touches that elevate the experience.
For the Pro Cigar Festival, the shop has extended hours and some special selections available, which makes it a perfect first stop for any visitor.
The Cigar Club Lounge
If you leave the shop and head down the corridor to the left, you enter the cigar club.
The lounge has a rich, American-style bar atmosphere: dark wood panelling, high ceilings, low lighting, and a proper bar setup. It feels like stepping into a classic Stateside cigar lounge. The ventilation is excellent, with an air-cycling system inside and fans on the outdoor terrace area, so even when it’s busy the air remains comfortable.
There’s table service throughout. Staff are attentive, smartly dressed in coordinated uniforms — brown khaki trousers, white shirts, and hats — and they’ll offer you cigar cutters and torch lighters to cut and light your cigar. In case you don’t have your own.
Every table has a large open ashtray — the oversized Fuente ones (I actually have one at home but have never used it). Some of the tables resemble checkers (damas) boards, adding character to the space.
Behind the bar, you can see signed illustrations of Carlos ‘Carlito’ Fuente Jr., and his presence is felt throughout the lounge.
Large screens play footage from the Arturo Fuente Cigar Factory, reinforcing the connection between the lounge and the craftsmanship behind the cigars.
The Drinks & Atmosphere
As soon as I sat down, I ordered a Dominican rum — Puntacana Tesoro. First on the rocks, then neat. Smooth, rich, and the perfect pairing.
You can open a tab at the bar and settle up later — convenient, though potentially dangerous! 😬
You can find the menu here – sadly it doesn’t have the cigar menu list.
The music gives it that American lounge vibe (I’m guessing it’s the Americans that tend to visit here), and with the low lighting and relaxed energy, it’s somewhere you could easily spend hours.
Final thoughts
I’ve been told this is one of the best cigar lounges in the Dominican Republic, and I’d have to agree. It’s immersive, luxurious without being over the top, and deeply rooted in the Fuente story.
As someone who smoked a Fuente Opus X during my COVID lockdown cigar challenge back in the UK, being here feels like coming full circle. I only wish we had something like this at home. I bloody love this place!
Interested in visiting?
Arturo Fuente Cigar Shop & Club
Hotel Santiago
Av. Juan Pablo Duarte
Santiago de los Caballeros 51000
Dominican Republic
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