HotelChatter

The new 8º58' Lounge is part of the hotel's re-vamp and expansion, a 25-story tower that adjoins the existing hotel at the fifth floor. The expansion adds 111 new rooms, suites and condos to the hotel’s existing 56 rooms and suites, for a total of 167 accommodations. The project, including the rooms, pool, lounge, new business center, lap pool and fitness center will officially be completed July 25 th this month. The Social Table Restaurant will open in December 2012 (the existing Baranadas restaurant will close) and a rooftop Spa at Bristol will open early 2013.

The 8º58' Lounge which overlooks Panama City is Panama’s celeb Chef Cuquita Arias de Calvo's' new restaurant and bar. We like it because here small plates of Panamanian fusion cuisine come with big flavors perfect for a tapas-style repast with Asian, Spanish or Carribe flair; the offerings are reflective of Panama’s own internationally-influenced cuisine.

We love the pillow-y Dim Sum with a cocktail or perhaps a local Cervezas Panama ( beer) with Carpaccio. But you can try the Langostino a la Parrilla; after all Panama is a Central American country on an isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, so fresh fish is plentiful. Also not-to-miss are the desserts, especially the Arroz con Leche con perfume de Vainilla y Hierba de Limon ( Vanilla and Lemon Arroz con Leche).

Tired after your evening at 8º58' Lounge? Slip into your room, take a shower or bathe in the soaking tub in the marble -lined bathroom and lather up with fine Moulton Brown amenities. Then slide between your silky Frette cotton sheets under the sumptuous duvets and drift off to your very own drink-fueled dreamland.

A quick check of rates for this week are a King Deluxe at $199. or the Bristol Suite approximately 862 square feet (80 square meters) with high ceilings and a spacious separate sitting room and dining area for 6 people at $420.