chix

Anybody that has stayed here care to share hotel experiences??

http://www.radisson.com/hoteldirecto...elCode=PANPCIT

CHW

Doesn't look like any FTers have stayed at this hotel.

Just FYI, this hotel was a recpient of Radisson's prestigous President's Award in 2005.

This hotel is also currently offering a package that includes double Gold Points as well as a full breakfast, a complimentary upgrade, complimentary drinks, $25 at the Majestic Casino, and a savings passbook for shopping.

Details here.

If you do decide to stay, enjoy!

boxo

Any recent experiences here (or at any of the other three Carlson Panama City properties)? TIA.

chemist661

I used the "friends and family" rate and stayed there (Decapolis) in Sept 2010. Got upgraded to nice room and got $20 beverage credit plus free breakfast buffet. Very nice hotel. Only stayed 1 night.

boxo

Thanks, chemist661. Did you use internet service while there? If so, how much did it cost? Did you taxi to/from the hotel? If so, how much was the fare?

I'm torn between the Decapolis, for central location, and the Country Inn & Suites Panama Canal where I currently have a balcony suite booked on F&F rate, where internet & breakfast is complimentary.

bworrell

We just stayed there for two nights.

Room
Room was pretty nice and a little funky. It's obviously been re-done as the bathroom fixtures are obviously old but the rest has been remodeled. No complaints -- nice view from 21st floor.

Price
Only $114 for us staying on a corporate rate. This rate included free breakfast and $20 extra a day for beverages at the pool bar or martini bar. Very nice.

Breakfast
Breakfast is available at the restaurant on the 1st or 3rd floors. The 3rd floor restaurant is more casual (you can wear shorts) and has a full buffet including hot items. The 1st floor restaurant is a continental buffet and a short list of hot items to choose from -- we were not charged for any of the hot items. I strongly suggest the 1st floor restaurant!

Location & Transportation
We rented a car and it was easy to get there from the airport (a few dollars of tolls on the coastal road). Valet is prompt and we were not charged for it. There is the majestic casino across the skybridge -- we were given five $5 match-play coupons. Also across the skybridge is the multi-centro mall -- lots of stores available including a pharmacy to stock up on mini-bar items (although the mini-bar isn't very expensive). A 6-pack of Balboa beers are $3.50 at the pharmacy while a single one is $3.25 in your mini bar. A huge Hard Rock hotel is now next door -- it just started it's soft opening one week before we got there.

Internet
Internet is free and there is no login necessary.

The Deal Mommy

I didn't stay here, but was in a condo next door and ate at the restaurant...wonderful...and played in the casino next door (also fun, but a little lowbrow). Beautiful public spaces so expect rooms would be nice as well. The Country Inn and Suites at the Canal is in an AMAZING location, but didn't see the inside.

thegrailer

Anyone else? I just booked a decent deal to fly down and am trying to figure out hotels. I have a ton of CC points and either of the 2 PTY hotels would put these points to good use. Thoughts between the Country Inn and the Radisson Decapolis?

Cheers

gizmodell

I stayed at the Radisson over New Years- I liked the hotel. The rooms were spacious and clean. The hotel may be a bit dated, but seems modern enough. Overall, it was a decent hotel experience!

thegrailer

Just finished a stay at the Decapolis and here are my rambling thoughts:

A decent hotel. Nothing special, nothing out of the usual but a decent functioning place. I was upgraded as a gold to a suite and got the free breakfast and $20 per night at the bar. Breakfast was ok. The poolside bar was great. It's a little pool that others have "complained" about but it really was a nice pool deck. The bartender out there was great, he even made us Seco and milk drinks. Overall the staff was great except for the concierge. The concierge was horrible so know what you want to do, eg, where to eat and drink. Free internet and there was a cell phone in the room for use. No idea how much or if the cell phone was free so I just left it sitting there (as more and more message piled in according to its screen). The rooms have tile floors so when the folks above us dropped something, it made more noise than would be expected. Most everyone spoke English or enough English to understand, a bit of Spanish does help though. Taxis are cheap so location doesn't matter too much, again, with an exception. If you like to explore on foot, that is a bit difficult. Take a taxi to "X" and explore from there because it didn't seem like there was an easy way to walk on foot to much of anything - except the mall across the street. And take a yellow taxi rather than a hotel taxi if you are looking for a cheaper ride. Would I stay again - maybe. I wouldn't rule it out but I might look at the SPGs which seemed to be in better locations to just go out walk around.

A bit about the PTY Country Inn & Suites since I did a ride by on a rented bike. It's at one end of the Amador Causeway bike path. It's out of the way and appeared to be more relaxed and quiet. I didn't go in but the outside seemed ok with a pool and a small playground. Looks better suited for a family (?). The location isn't terrible on the path but it's a decent trek to even get to a bike rental place. Food looked to be only the TGIF attached to the hotel. The views from the water side balconies looked decent too but nothing all that majestic.

PM for specifics

Cheers -

slickvik

I stayed here 4 times in the last year, got upgraded every time to a giant two room suite with two bathrooms and great view of the water. The staff is helpful, be prepared to tip the baggage guys. It's connected to the mall and next door to Hard Rock, apparently you can get into the 63rd floor club in Hard Rock with your key. Sometimes there are $25 casino credits also. If breakfast is included that's good because it's a huge spread. About 20 minutes to the airport without traffic. I recommend a restaurant walking distance called Aglio Rosso, good for pizza and pasta. Otherwise go to a local place El Trapiche for soups and Mercado de Mariscos for fresh seafood but those aren't walking distance. Hotel has an outdoor pool and a spa also with sauna and showers. I like this hotel.

Lefly

Hi. Has anyone some information about the best way to reach the hotel from the airport?
I e-mailed the property a week ago asking about transportation but no one replied...

Thanks in advance

arollins

The best way is to hire a taxi or car share service. The airport is about 30-40 minutes away, depending on route, from the main part of the city. There are several agencies that provide this service right at the airport upon landing, you can even pre-book a return as well as it saves some $$$. It is cheaper if you do a share service, since most hotels are within a few blocks or so from each other, but you stand the chance of waiting till the van is full, it took 30 minutes in my case. There is public transportation, but from what it looks, it appears that you have to walk out of the airport, and the stop for the hotel is about 13 minutes walk to the hotel, based on Google Maps, cost is $1.25 and its about 1HR.

calvinoeh

Uber

Lefly

Thanks