After I first visited Panama Metropolis, Panama earlier than a two oceans yacht tour on a luxurious catamaran, again within the late ’00s, the capital appeared nothing prefer it does now. Again then there was a critical resort scarcity, virtually no worldwide chains, and an enormous underground market in condominium leases to satisfy demand. (This was earlier than Airbnb and when few had used VRBO outdoors of trip resort areas.)
There have been not less than 60 fewer skyscrapers within the metropolis, no metro, and the broader Panama Canal extension that permits container ships by way of was nonetheless only a dream.
Again then, not so way back, should you went to search for luxurious Panama Metropolis motels, there was The Bristol and…not a lot else. The deep pocket builders had not felt snug sufficient to enterprise into Panama and it might be years earlier than a 5-star resort in Casco Viejo grew to become actuality.
Now it’s an entire completely different story as Panama’s star retains rising and funding retains pouring in. All the main worldwide resort chains have a foothold within the Panamanian capital now, together with their luxurious model in some circumstances.
We simply added two new Panama Metropolis luxurious motels to our critiques and up to date one different one whereas we have been there, so it’s time for an replace. Listed below are the most effective motels in Panama Metropolis should you’re a high-end traveler. Happily, with all of the competitors within the metropolis, you get rather a lot to your cash right here. Splurge just a little and improve to a set!
Casco Viejo Historic District
We not too long ago reviewed the most recent luxe property on the town, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, a brand new construct venture that gives essentially the most services of any property on this UNESCO World Heritage neighborhood. It has a swimming pool, a number of bars, a high-quality restaurant, and a French pastry cafe with attractive desserts and regionally grown espresso.
The American Commerce Resort got here first and isn’t as sprawling, nevertheless it’s a gorgeous constructing with some historic gravitas and loads of attention-grabbing design parts. The constructing dates again to 1917, when the canal was simply getting rolling, and solely has 50 rooms going through a plaza or the historic zone’s rooftops.
Luxurious Panama Metropolis Resorts within the Enterprise District
Our newest evaluation for this a part of town, buzzing with commerce and high-rise rental buildings, is W Panama. It’s true to the W model vibe, with a hip-looking employees and a wealth of contemporary artwork touches, nevertheless it additionally pays homage to the historical past and the tradition of the nation. With a rooftop pool and bar, a cool foyer bar, and good eating places. Earn or use Marriott factors.
The JW Marriott Panama is a extra buttoned-down selection from that resort chain, however the knock-off of a well-known constructing in Dubai is hanging and the swimming pool space going through the Pacific is the most important within the metropolis itself. It homes a on line casino, a number of eating places, and several other bars. Many rooms are suites with a kitchenette, so it’s a very good long-stay company choice. (See our Finesterre Govt Flats evaluation for one more Marriott with a kitchen choice.)
There’s additionally a well-located Le Meridien Resort Panama Metropolis that was once a part of French chain Accor however is now one among Marriott’s 30-some manufacturers.
If you happen to’re loyal to Hilton as an alternative, try the Waldorf Astoria. One of many uncommon showings from that model in Latin America, it’s a high-rise within the enterprise district with a swimming pool, a preferred restaurant for energy lunches, and plush rooms.
The Bristol Resort was the unique luxurious providing right here and it’s nonetheless probably the greatest Panama Metropolis luxurious motels, particularly should you’d choose an unbiased resort reasonably than a company one. It has expanded over time and now has residential-style residences along with common resort rooms.
Enterprise District view from the W Panama
Seashore Resorts Close to the Panama Canal
If you happen to’re not coming to Panama’s largest metropolis to hammer out offers, you’ll be able to have a resort trip with out going very far. There’s an space referred to as Playa Bonita that faces the Pacific the place ships are coming into the canal, nevertheless it backs as much as a rainforest the place there’s little or no improvement.
There are two Panama resorts on this stretch of sand, locations the place you’ll be able to relax by the pool consuming cocktails earlier than it’s time to fly house. Or it’s an excellent space to combine enterprise and pleasure if one individual has to go do enterprise shows and the opposite partner doesn’t. It’s shut sufficient to town heart to spend the day there and return again right here at night time. It’s additionally not removed from the Biomuseo and conference heart.
There’s yet one more Marriott property right here and it’s a sprawling seaside resort with a number of swimming pools, eating places, and bars: the Westin Playa Bonita. We simply spent just a few nights there late final 12 months and put collectively a fast video tour along with the evaluation.
In any other case it’s Goals Playa Bonita, as soon as an Intercontinental after which a Secrets and techniques earlier than getting downgraded, the place you might have an all-inclusive plan and don’t should signal for each drink and chew to eat. Now you can earn or money in Hyatt factors there.
Or Keep Close to the Rainforest…
Panama’s capital is likely one of the few cities on this planet that has a rainforest in its metropolis limits. If you wish to be in an actual jungle as an alternative of an city jungle, take into account a keep at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. This gained’t provide the sort of luxurious Panama Metropolis resort pampering you’ll get at a number of the others talked about right here, nevertheless it’s a spot the place you’ll be able to stroll out the door and see monkeys and tropical birds. But you’re only a few minutes from the Panama Canal and 20-Half-hour from downtown Panama Metropolis.
There’s a lot extra to this nation past the capital metropolis although. Like Costa Rica, the true payoff comes once you get out of the metropolis and into nature. See this submit for some concepts on distinctive issues to do in Panama.
Try luxurious resorts and lodges in Panama in the remainder of the nation. And whilst you’re there, attempt some good Panamanian rum!
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxurious Latin America and has been overlaying the area as a journey journalist because the mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of instances and relies in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact info right here.
