HotelChatter - Panama City

Art Appraisal: The Octopus Room at Tantalo Hotel

ASchechter — 2013-04-17T09:05:43-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/Tantalo_Panama_Art_Octopus_Front.jpg" class="top">It was sheer luck that we happened to catch up with the General Manager of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/3/13/92338/6636/hotels/The_Tantalo_Hotel_Will_Satisfy_Your_Hunger_For_Art_and_Killer_Views"><a href='http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel/local/5336'>Tántalo Hotel</a></a> in <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/city/Panama%20City">Panama City</a> several months ago. We were visiting Casco Viejo for lunch, and when we ended up (on the recommendation of several locals) at Tántalo Kitchen, the hotel's ground floor restaurant, we figured we'd better ask for a tour. A few of the things Tántalo has going for it are: an excellent location right in the heart of Casco Viejo; a hip, young crowd constantly streaming through the doors all day long, and, most importantly, a truly tantalizing collection of murals, photographs, paintings and quirky furniture scattered around the entire hotel. There are only 12 rooms total,

Will Panama's Antiguo Club Union Ever See the Light of Day?

ASchechter — 2013-03-20T09:17:27-05:00

Lately we've been taking a closer look at abandoned hotels, and recently on a walk through Panama's historic Casco Viejo district, we spotted a place in desperate need of some ~~loving~~ deep-pocketed investor to get the ball rolling again.

The crumbing Antiguo Club Union on First Street was built in 1917 and functioned for years as an exclusive members-only club for Panama's elite—former dictator Manuel Noriega even took over the club during his reign in the 1980s. However, since then, the historic building has fallen into disrepair, and these days, its shabby, weed-choked exterior is mostly just an eyesore along one of Panama's most scenic streets.

So, what's the deal?

Do a Raindance at The Westin Playa Bonita's New Spa

ASchechter — 2013-02-27T09:03:45-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/Westin_Panama_Playa_Bonita_Spa.jpg" class="top">The 611-room <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Panama%20Hotels">Westin Playa Bonita</a> got plenty of attention when it opened in 2011 as Panama City's newest beach resortno thanks to an all-night, Carnival-style grand opening party on the beach, complete with fireworks, Latino pop stars, and an estimated 3400 guests (<a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/1/29/172057/673/hotels/Guests_Got_A_Taste_of_Carnival_This_Weekend_At_The_Westin_Playa_Bonita_">ourselves included!</a>). The biggest reason to head back there now, however, is the resort's new Sensory Spa by Clarins, which debuted in October and has spent the last four months living up to its name by offering guests what it calls the "Tropical Rainforest Circuit," an hour-long hot-and-cold treatment featuring herbal saunas, ice fountains, an amethyst crystal steam room, and a Raindance Rainmaker shower. In fact, the whole thing is supposedly so relaxing, the

Westin Continues Panama As Paramour With Second Hotel

Chanize — 2013-01-22T10:05:13-05:00

Panama continues to be a sweetheart location for hoteliers and Westin has put another ring on it, by opening a second hotel, simply called the Westin Panama, this month. Located in the Costa del Este area of Panama City, the 218-room hotel is the sister property to the Westin Playa Bonita resort (opened December 2011), just 20 miles away.

While this hotel is mostly aimed at the business traveler—and there are many in town taking care of all those real estate and hotel deals we’ve been hearing about lately—it does have just enough flavor and colorful d�cor (and the Costa Nova restaurant) to let you know you are in the Caribbean.

The Long-Awaited Trump Panama Casino Is A Go

ASchechter — 2012-12-04T09:17:31-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/61268/Trump_Panama_Casino.jpg" class="top">As if <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Trump+Ocean+Club+International+Hotel+%26+Tower/local/4809">Trump Panama</a> didn't already have enough going on (the one-year-old hotel has quickly become a top destination in Panama City, and there are <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-24/trump-plans-hotels-in-argentina-brazil-as-regions-economy-grows">reports</a> its success has inspired other Trump properties throughout Latin America), it's been revealed that the 364-room hotel is finally set to add a long-awaited 75,000 sq ft casino to the mezzanine level. A private gaming room will also be built on the 66th floor, with 65th floor suites reserved for high-rollers. Technically, we've known about the casino as long as we've known about the hotel itself, but back in 2011, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2011/5/31/13741/0522/hotels/Trump_Panama_Now_Opening_July_6_for_%24255_a_Night_%28And_With_Unlimited_WiFi%29">it was made pretty clear</a> that the latter would open first. Now, a year later, things are moving right