fozziedoggie

Didn't see an official "Trip Report" thread on this property; mods please move/delete if I'm wrong.

Finishing up a five night stay here. Booked a great rate during a flash-sale ($70 per night). Booked King Standard and was upgraded a week prior to Jr. King Suite on the 20th floor. Checked in via the EL per instructions received several days earlier from EL staff email.

Visited all five HHonors properties while here (WA, Hilton, DT, HGI and new HI). Hampton still not open, but will be within 1-2 months now. The Hilton is by far the best location for views, unobstructed oceanviews if booked/upgraded. WA has very limited oceanview, the other three have no view.

Hilton staff are very friendly, helpful and professional, everything is new and shiny. Finishes are average, and I fear they will not stand the test if time (bathtub in my room leaked water from the water supply line and caused a mini flood ).

I don't know if the holiday time impacted the operations, but the EL had very limited options. Breakfast was two types of cookies or apples, evening offerings were two hot items and nothing else. Offer of beer or wine only in the evenings.

On the plus side, killer views from the EL...just may want to bring your own food

Breakfast comped for Diamonds in the lobby restaurant (Saquella), made to order omlets/eggs, etc. Fresh smoothie bar �� and usual assortment of pastries, etc. Not the best, but far better than most US Hilton breakfast buffets IMHO.

Rooms are typical of newer Hiltons, so good comfortable bedding and sleep quality. Fitness center was almost empty each day, all new equipment.

Took approximately forty minutes to walk from Hilton to the heart of the old town (Casco Viejo).

If I ever return to Panama, I would definitely stay again.

arlflyer

Thanks for the report. I had a stay a couple years ago at the DT there and very much liked the property, but the amenities and location of the Hilton sound much better - DT seemed really mostly good for business (near the office towers, etc.)

I do think that the holiday likely impacted operations at the hotel. When we were in Panama City it was over Christmas 2012 and the city in general was pretty much shut down. We were told by locals that lots of people head out of the city for the holiday (and obviously this would impact business travel as well).

fozziedoggie

Probably, there was only one person staffing the EL; they had to greet you, fulfill drink requests and replenish the food.

keisari

Would like to tag along a question to this thread.
Planning on going to Panama City for 3-4 nights.
Hampton is open and has generally good reviews
My other option would be Waldorf Astoria.

Is Hampton in a "good" and "safe" area? Can I just walk around at 10 or 11 pm at night? Is there anything decent to visit/places to eat/have coffee around Hampton?
How about around Waldorf?

First time in Panama City and don't really know the area.
I am fluent in Spanish so finding something English-friendly is not an issue.

Thank you in advance.

fozziedoggie

Both neighborhoods are safe; coffee shop/diner options near Hampton. However, not much to do around the Hampton at 11:00pm. WA is right in the heart of the clubs/party places.

keisari

Thank you for the quick response.
Not really into "clubs and party" but will I find some restaurants or nice bars around WA?
thank you for your input.

fozziedoggie

I don't know what your threshold for "nice" restaurants is. San Francisco it ain't, but there are some nice hotel restaurants nearby; Ruth Chris inside the Hilton a block away from the WA.

In general, there isn't really a "food scene" in PC, and I found most of the restaurant prices around this area comperable to the Bay Area

There is a few Lebanese food spots around this area that are worth a visit:

http://www.habibispanama.com
http://www.habibispanama.com/images/...ngles_baja.pdf

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Province.html

GarlicFlyer

The steak at the Argentinian restaurant on nearby Uruguay street is great! Very near to the new Hilton.

TomMM

Has anybody stayed at the new Hampton? I'll be there next weekend.

Zip

Ms. Zip and I spent 3 nights at the Panama Hilton, week before Festival.

Before departing, received a nice e-mail from the “HH concierge,” asking if they could do anything for us. I asked about transport from the airport, and they promptly replied they could arrange a Hotel car pick-up for $40. Decided to go with this (good decision, as we’ll see later). Upon arrival and exiting customs, there were a slew of runners for different taxis; we would have felt comfortable going with any of them (as long as the car was obviously a taxi with a meter). But our driver was there with our name on a sign. He led us outside to a less-hectic area beside the street, and went to pick up the car. Nice and stress less. Got to the hotel in about 25 min.

Per instructions in our pre-arrival e-mail, bellhop escorted us up to the Executive lounge. Desk agent asked if we could wait a short while for a “nice room.” OK with us, and had some refreshments there. We were then escorted over to a different set of elevators, and up to a very nice suite! And huge. As we entered, a washroom/toilet to the left, then a nicely furnished kitchen area with a large table, followed by a roomy sitting area. As we got near the huge picture window with a great view of Panama Bay, turned left through a doorway, and another room that went the full length back toward the hallway. This area contained the King bed, closet area, and nice, roomy bathroom area. Large walk-in shower, easily fits two, so we saved on water.
Lounge was very nice.

Since they were at a low occupancy during this time, they had us eat breakfast at the restaurant on the check-in floor. Received two full breakfast buffets every day. Lounge did have soft drinks, water, and light snacks throughout the day, and two hot dishes in the evening. Complimentary beer and wine in the evening, of course -- they took our orders, and brought the drinks from a service room. Very good, friendly service.

Lobby concierge gave us an area map and list of near-by restaurants. We walked to several, and never had any problems. Hotel is also about a 15 min walk to catch the hop on/off buses; two routes, one city, and other out to the locks and several visitor centers/museums. When we did the later, saw ships going through the locks, got off at the next museum also. Nice history of Panama. Upon leaving, we just missed the bus, but a taxi pulled up to let some people out. We asked the driver how much to the Hilton, and he said $10, so we took it. Over 20 min. to get back. Gave us a card for his taxi service. I asked how much to the airport from the Hilton, and was told $35. He told us that was the typical set taxi fare. So, glad we did the $40 hotel car, for the convenience.

Very nice stay with suite upgrade! Good service from everyone we encounter.

One final note on the elevator operations. In previous posts, it was stated how people had to change elevator banks. There is the ground floor, then a Casino, then ballroom floor, then the Main Lobby check-in floor. To get to the rooms and EL, you need to go down the hallway to another set of elevators. Apparently, they are pretty careful about identifying people who need to go from the casino level to a room. Not easy to do, so we felt quite safe about only people who needed to get to their rooms were the ones allowed to do so! Nice security arrangement

TomMM

I was in Panama City last month and the taxi cost $30 to and from the airport, $60 roundtrip.

MIAFlyer

Hotel taxi will want $40 each way. They charged me $25 to get to Costa del Este. Street taxi will cost no less than $25 to the airport, though could probably get to Costa del Este for $10 or so.

Having said that, I have truly enjoyed the Hilton Panama. As a gold, I have always been given a corner jr suite room, and the Exec Lounge is great. Soda/Water available all the time, wine and enough food in the evening for dinner if you want.

As for restaurants, La Posta and Market are both walkable from the Hilton, and are very enjoyable restaurants, suitable for casual dining as well as business entertaining.

arlflyer

Definitely second La Posta. Had a great dinner there.

TomMM

I am not much of a restaurant person so I found some good food at the Rey supermarket. Also the burgers sold by the lady under the cross walk at the Multicentro along Avenida Balboa were pretty good.

supermintyfresh

Would HHonors Gold status grant the free breakfast and room upgrade at this property or do you have to be diamond?

Thinking about booking this or the Waldorf Astoria (which I believe does not offer the free breakfast option).