Once I first visited Panama Metropolis, Panama earlier than a two oceans yacht tour on a luxurious catamaran, again within the late ’00s, the capital regarded nothing prefer it does now. Again then there was a critical resort scarcity, nearly no worldwide chains, and a giant underground market in house 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 enables container ships by was nonetheless only a dream.
Again then, not so way back, when you went to search for luxurious Panama Metropolis inns, there was The Bristol and…not a lot else. The deep pocket builders had not felt comfy 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 key worldwide resort chains have a foothold within the Panamanian capital now, together with their luxurious model in some instances.
We simply added two new Panama Metropolis luxurious inns to our evaluations and up to date one different one whereas we have been there, so it’s time for an replace. Listed below are the very best inns in Panama Metropolis when you’re a high-end traveler. Fortuitously, with all of the competitors within the metropolis, you get rather a lot to your cash right here. Splurge somewhat and improve to a collection!
Casco Viejo Historic District
We just lately reviewed the latest luxe property on the town, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, a brand new construct challenge that provides essentially the most amenities 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 beautiful desserts and domestically grown espresso.
The American Commerce Lodge got here first and isn’t as sprawling, however it’s an exquisite constructing with some historic gravitas and loads of fascinating 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 Accommodations within the Enterprise District
Our newest evaluation for this a part of the town, buzzing with commerce and high-rise condominium buildings, is W Panama. It’s true to the W model vibe, with a hip-looking workers and a wealth of contemporary artwork touches, however 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 placing and the swimming pool space going through the Pacific is the biggest 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 great long-stay company possibility. (See our Finesterre Government Residences evaluation for an additional Marriott with a kitchen possibility.)
There’s additionally a well-located Le Meridien Lodge Panama Metropolis that was once a part of French chain Accor however is now one in all Marriott’s 30-some manufacturers.
If you happen to’re loyal to Hilton as a substitute, 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 Lodge was the unique luxurious providing right here and it’s nonetheless the most effective Panama Metropolis luxurious inns, particularly when you’d desire an unbiased resort somewhat than a company one. It has expanded through the years and now has residential-style flats along with common resort rooms.
Enterprise District view from the W Panama
Seaside Accommodations 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, however it backs as much as a rainforest the place there’s little or no growth.
There are two Panama resorts on this stretch of sand, locations the place you’ll be able to sit back by the pool ingesting cocktails earlier than it’s time to fly dwelling. Or it’s a fantastic space to combine enterprise and pleasure if one particular person has to go do enterprise displays and the opposite partner doesn’t. It’s shut sufficient to the town middle to spend the day there and return again right here at night time. It’s additionally not removed from the Biomuseo and conference middle.
There’s yet one more Marriott property right here and it’s a sprawling seashore resort with a number of swimming pools, eating places, and bars: the Westin Playa Bonita. We simply spent a couple of nights there late final yr and put collectively a fast video tour along with the evaluation.
In any other case it’s Desires Playa Bonita, as soon as an Intercontinental after which a Secrets and techniques earlier than getting downgraded, the place you’ve an all-inclusive plan and don’t must signal for each drink and chunk 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 the planet that has a rainforest in its metropolis limits. If you wish to be in an actual jungle as a substitute of an city jungle, think about a keep at Gamboa Rainforest Resort. This received’t provide the type of luxurious Panama Metropolis resort pampering you’ll get at among the others talked about right here, however it’s a spot the place you’ll be able to stroll out the door and see monkeys and tropical birds. But you’re just some 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 actual 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 masking the area as a journey journalist for the reason that 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 data right here.