I have to agree, sadly, SDQ is not a place to walk around. That said, you are fine going anywhere you want by taxi (make sure you arrange your way back with the driver). Not some - ALL - decent restaruants/nightclubs, etc. will have armed rent-a-cops or bouncers.

There is a Courtyard now near the US Consulate. Another CY is scheduled for W. Churchill/Gustavo Mejia Ricart area which will probably be more business location freindly than all the G.Washington hotels. Of course none will have the nightlife of the Jaragua.

Jaragua. As I live here I have not had much opportunity to stay, but I did get a suite there on my wedding night. It's nothing at all to write home about in terms of quality or service although as mentioned above this post, not much is in SDQ. The Hilton is widely being regarded as the best there is- (probably simply because it's brand spanking new.) though the food at the restaurant there (the one in the casino) was both hideous and hideously expensive.