A big name on a small street tucked behind the waterfront Cinta Costera in Panama’s Marbella financial district, Waldorf Astoria’s first property in Latin America provides an impressive introduction to the brand for travellers to this often overlooked part of the world.

Like many guests, Waldorf Astoria Panama appreciates discretion and shies away from the limelight despite having credentials to shine brightly.  From the first encounter with a smiling doorman to the helpful front desk staff and brilliant Lille at the concierge desk, every employee at Waldorf Astoria Panama conveys a sense of genuine enjoyment on the job.  The entire ground floor serves as an open-plan lobby, making a spacious welcome to hotel guests.  There are two banks of elevators, one for the guests and one for the residents occupying apartments for extended stays or permanently.

Waldorf Astoria Panama’s spacious lobby sets the tone for the entire property.

Across the bright lobby from the Reception desk is Peacock Alley, a relaxing corner where light meals and drinks to accompany them can be enjoyed while taking in one of the sporting events shown on the big screen.  Peacock Alley’s menu includes international and local options; Panamanian cuisine is unknown outside the country, but the flavours of carimañolas, plátanos fritos, and ceviche are well appreciated by those who choose them.  Waldorf Astoria Panama has created a signature cocktail, the Bishop, to honour the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty at the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

A smooth combination of Californian wine and Panamanian rum, the Bishop is but one of the unique drinks to be sampled here.  The Waldorf Astoria New York’s connection to Panama is more vital than just a name association; the Panamanian Declaration of Independence was written, and the country’s flag was created at the hotel.

Rooms and suites at Waldorf Astoria Panama are as stylish as public spaces and are designed with exciting features and a soothing colour palette.  They make ideal sanctuaries for retreat after a day out enjoying the sights of Panama City, an underrated Central American capital with various attractions appealing to business and leisure travellers.  Panama City’s financial district is a surprisingly large agglomeration of highrise buildings housing the banks, insurance companies, and shipping brokers relevant to the country’s famous canal operations.

A stylish room at Waldorf Astoria Panama.

Here, too, is the upscale Soho City Center shopping mall, exciting art galleries, and the Cinta Costera, a ribbon of green parkland extending several kilometres from the financial district to Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic Old Town that is the soul of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A short taxi ride from Waldorf Astoria, Casco Viejo is home to the highly insightful Panama Canal Museum, the Mola Museum of Indigenous Textiles, and many beautiful churches dating from the Spanish colonial era.  There are chocolate shops, too, including the aptly named I Love Panama Chocolate.  The cacao bean originates in Central America, and the quality of Panamanian chocolate is very high.

For day trips and longer excursions out of Panama City, the altruistic tour company Advantage Panama can arrange airport transfers, tours to the Canal and nearby national parks, boat rides on Gatun Lake, and adventures customised to personal preferences.  Advantage Panama exists to support its nonprofit organisation called Adopta Bosque, which was created to assist in conservation efforts to keep Panama’s pristine forests and the wildlife inhabiting them from being subsumed by the demands of the modern world.  Whether as a traveller, volunteer, or contributor of funds to support the organisation, people all over the world take pride in having a hand in preserving Panama’s rich biodiversity.

Written by: Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

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