Central America - Top Notch Hotel in Panama City (PTY)?

Could some well-traveled individual out there recommend a high quality hotel in the Panama City, Panama, area for the nights of Oct. 14-18. We will be celebrating my wife's birthday during that time and I want to do it right for her. I've combed most of the usual travel sites (Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Orbitz, etc) and am getting the same properties: Sheraton, Marriott, Country Inns and Suites, etc. I'd like to keep the rate below $250/night, but will go higher for something extra special. We are partial to Marriott, but their two properties in Panama do not look very appealing. Also, I have one coupon from Sheraton which is good for 50% off the "rack" rate for four nights. Can anyone come forth with a recommendation??? Any restaurant recommendation for the special night would also be appreciated.

Actually, the Marriott (Obarrio/Bank area) is IMO by far the best hotel in the city. The hotel itself is very nice, and the location is also pretty good (walking distance to the restaurants and bars on Calle Uruguay, ie). The Sheraton is a bit out of the way, though closer to one of the big shopping malls.

The Country Inn is on the Causeway, and has a nice view of the entrance to the canal, but you're not within walking distance to any of the restaurants & shops farther down the Causeway.

As far as a nice meal, I recommend Manolo Caracol (http://www.manolocaracol.net/) in the Casco Viejo (downtown area). Note that they cook whatever they have fresh that day, so there's no menu - everyone gets the same multi-course meal.

My wife and I recently stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, right on the ocean front. The view from our oceanview room was amazing! Can't compare with other hotels as this was our one and only stay in Panama. Bear in mind you will probably have to go to ichotels website as I don't think their hotels are available on expedia etc.

Radisson Decapolis: is good- it has a modern decor and has the best hotel bar in the country. It is also centrally located and is close to everything. Also has a mall and casino.

Marriott: A good choice and you cant really go wrong.

Marriott Courtyard: Newer than the regular marriott. Is smaller but still very nice. Is connected to the Mulitplaza mall which has the best shopping in Panama City.

Intercontinental: Older than all of the above, but still pretty good.


Restaurants:
1. La Posta
2. Market- (steakhouse)
3. Ten Bistro at Multiplaza
4. Astrid & Gaston- gourmet Peruvian food.

Which hotel is best for convenience to the airport?

We need to overnight in PTY before an early morning flight out, not sure which one to choose. We will probably not be going out much, just recovering from our cruise around the pool/bar (hopefully!) but will need to be at the airport quite early the next morning.

Which hotel for easy access to the airport? Or, I assume all of those mentioned upthread will have similar access to airport transfers/taxi....?

Right, there is a toll road from downtown Panama City to PTY/Tocumen, so in terms of access, they're all pretty similar. Maybe traffic will be an issue if you're leaving during the morning rush hour? In any case, if you're not looking to go out, etc., then the Sheraton may be your best bet.

The Bristol is by far the fanciest hotel in town, with a central location, but it won't be under $250. There's a major hotel shortage in that city so surf around and then try to book now rather than waiting. Here are some detailed reviews of that one, the Radisson, and the I-C. Plus Hotel DeVille, which is more of a swanky B&B.

Luxury hotels in Panama (http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com/lux_panama.html).

The Bristol is the best hotel. It has that European boutique hotel feel to it. Personalized service. Their restaurant is very good. As the previous poster wrote, the inventory squeeze in Panama has put hotel prices through the roof and I don't think you'll get a room there for less than $250.

After the Bristol I would say the Mariott is the best property, followed by the Intercontinental and the Courtyard. The Radisson Decapolis is a hip hotel and the rooms are spacious if somewhat spartan.

The Bristol is usually rated the "Best" hotel in PTY but I prefer the Marriott. The Bristol is right around the corner from the Marriott but it does not have a pool or a wonderful fitness center as the Marriot does. The restaurant at the Bristol is fabulous and we always do one dinner there. I get Marriott points at the Marriott and have used points for reward stays also.

To get to the airport in the am is pretty easy. We usually leave the city around 7:30 - 8:00 am and there is a bit of traffic in the city but once on the toll road its very quick.

I am looking for a cheaper Hotel. Less than $ 100. Any suggestions for hotel as well as for sightseeing? I would like to see the Canal and whatever else I can see in 3 days.

If you are looking for the best of Panama, might I suggest that you split your stay - 2 days at one of the better hotels in the city, such as the Marriott, and 2 days at the Gamboa Rainforest Hotel. It's less than an hour drive from the heart of Panama city, but it is in the heart of the Panama Canal zone - and is a spectacular base for touring the canal and seeing some of the most spectacular wildlife in the Western Hemisphere.

http://www.gamboaresort.com/

If you don't stay there, it's still possible - and highly recommended - to use Gamboa as the basis for a day tour of the canal - including a boat trip onto Gatun Lake - for the spectacular experience of the wildlife and the boats.

Some of my wildlife photos from the canal zone - these were all taken from a boat trip out of Gamboa:

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m288/dougjgreen/birds/Eagle1-small.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m288/dougjgreen/birds/egret1-small.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m288/dougjgreen/birds/Hawk1-small.jpg

I am looking for a cheaper Hotel. Less than $ 100. Any suggestions for hotel as well as for sightseeing?

When I was there in 2007, I stayed at the Hotel Riande Granada in El Cangrejo neighbourhood (http://www.hotelesriande.com/granada/index.asp), which isn't too far from where the Marriott is located. We paid around $90 / night.

Greg

I totally two thumbs up go along with DMan's recommend of the Gamboa resort. It ain't particularly close to the airport though. But as far as sightseeing and birding goes, it is wonderful!

I totally two thumbs up go along with DMan's recommend of the Gamboa resort. It ain't particularly close to the airport though....

That's why I suggested a split stay between one of the better downtown hotels, like the Marriott, and the Gamboa Resort. 2 days is plenty for exploring the canal zone using Gamboa as a base, then 2 days in Panama City itself.

By the way, I've now had time to check out your photos, and I love the Snail Kite photo! We had great views but my equipment isn't up to the job of getting the bird in flight.


That's why I suggested a split stay between one of the better downtown hotels, like the Marriott, and the Gamboa Resort. 2 days is plenty for exploring the canal zone using Gamboa as a base, then 2 days in Panama City itself.

I stayed once at something I thought was a luxury hotel - Wyndham's Veneto Hotel. It was an ugly experience, totally horrible hotel! Do NOT stay there. I would stay at Bristol or Marriott, like others have said. That's my advice:)

I really liked the El Panama http://www.elpanama.com/ (it was Baron Hilton's first Latin American property) it can be a great deal when it is offered for auction on skyauction.com


http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/2133110