Panama City Luxury Hotels & Destination
Panama City Panama Destination
Panama City, Panama is a wonderfully diverse and friendly destination that has the power to change personalities as the neighborhoods unfold. Witness the historic with the ultra modern as they blend into the astonishing tropical landscape to know that you are having a truly unique experience in Central America. The charm and attentiveness at your small luxury hotel is guaranteed to create a wonderful respite to relax and enjoy life whether you’ve traveled to Panama City for business or pleasure. Consider the beauty and excitement Panama City has to offer when planning your next luxury hotel getaway.
Panama City Luxury Small Hotels
The luxury hotels of Panama City blend beautifully with the architecture of the neighborhoods in which they are located. Indoors, experience the serene ambience, sophisticated décor and personalized attention that make the small luxury hotel experience unique. An in-house spa treatment will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated ready to meet new challenges. Enjoy a glass of your favorite wine in your room or better yet at the bar where you’re sure to meet many expatriates who gather to share international news and happenings. The hotel concierge is at your service to arrange transportation, tickets or reservations, and facilitate your needs while in Panama City. No one knows the city better than your concierge. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime when you stay at one of Panama City’s fine small luxury hotels.
Panama City History
Panama City, in Central America, was founded on August 15, 1519 by Spain shortly after the explorer Balboa first saw the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of Panama. The city quickly became the staging center for exploration and conquest of the Incas in Peru. The gold and silver taken from Peru transited through Panama City on its way to Spain. Henry Morgan, a Welsh pirate, together with a force of 1400 men, attacked and looted Panama City in 1671. The city was destroyed by fire but the ruins known as Panamá la Vieja are a popular attraction for the discerning traveler. Within two years, Panama City was rebuilt at a new location 5 miles southwest of the original. This historic site is called Casco Viejo (Old Quarter) and it is often compared to the French Quarter in New Orleans. Panama City experienced increased prosperity with the formation of the Panama Railroad Company in 1850. The railroad would carry hundreds of thousands of people back and forth across the Isthmus of Panama from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans. But it would be the Panama Canal that would really put Panama City (some even say Central America) on the map. The construction of the canal brought much needed improvement in health, sanitation and infrastructure. Yellow fever and malaria were eradicated and a top rate water supply system was built. World War II brought military bases as well as US military and civilian personnel to the Panama City area and Panama Canal Zone. The 1970’s and 1980’s were decades in which Panama City became an international banking center and supposedly a money-laundering center. In 1989, the United States, under the command of President George H. W. Bush, deposed the Panamanian dictator General Manuel Noriega by an invasion that would destroy a neighborhood known as El Chorillo. Today Panama City continues to be a banking center with greater oversight to protect against money laundering and is perhaps the wealthiest city in Central America. With the handing over of the Panama Canal in 1999 and the closing of US military bases, Panama City has taken hold of its independence and is determined to be a leading travel destination now and into the future. The decision to expand the Panama Canal is likely to contribute increased wealth to this luxury destination of beauty and fascination.
Panama City Attractions
The skyline of Panama City shimmers with the glass and steel towers similar to those so well known in Miami. Although Panama City is often referred to as the ‘Miami of the South,’ English may actually be more common here than in Miami and the historic neighborhoods and buildings are more reminiscent of Havana and New Orleans. Panama City’s efforts to reconstruct the once abandoned historic districts, adds to the city’s enchanting charm.
The Casco Viejo, a designated World Heritage Site, is the location of the 1673 construction of Panama City. The revitalization of this area has made the cultural diversity and architectural mixture of the city that much more apparent. The less than 800 buildings display Caribbean, Art Deco, French and Colonial styles. Places of particular interest within the old city are the Salón Bolívar, the Catedral Metropolitana, the National Theatre, Las Bovedas Monument, La Iglesia de la Merced, La Iglesia San Felipe Neri, and be sure to see the Golden Altar in Iglesia San José, which was saved from the original Panama City.
The Centro de Exhibiciones Marinas invites the luxury hotel visitor to experience nature as well as history. The center is operated by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and includes a marine museum, two aquariums and the opportunity to view sloths and iguanas along a nature trail through one of Panama’s few remaining dry forests. The two aquariums, one containing Pacific fish and the other Caribbean fish, will leave visitors marveling at the distinctive color and size differences. From outside the museum enjoy looking out at the ocean and see the many types of ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal. It’s quite impressive to seem them all lined up.
The Amador Causeway is a 2km causeway that connects four small islands at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Consider a walk, skate, jog or cycle along this popular venue in the early morning before returning to your small luxury hotel for a leisurely breakfast.
For some fun in the sun ask your concierge for assistance in arranging an outing to one of the many white sand beaches just outside of Panama City. The generally quiet beaches are the perfect location to wind surf, surf, jet ski, kayak or simply relax with a good book. Just remember to wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated so you won’t spoil the rest of your luxury getaway. It is recommended to only drink bottled water.
Near the ruins of Panamá la Vieja (Old Panama City) is the Mercado Nacional de Artesanías where local artisans display and sell their wares. Adjacent to the market a museum that displays an impressive scale model and surviving artifacts of the old Panama City prior to 1671.
Although fishing in Panama City is “seasonal” there really isn’t an off-season. Fishermen are simply limited to the types of fish that can be caught at particular times of the year. Charters are easily arranged for both deep sea and fresh water fishing so you can enjoy both or your preferred type. The luxury hotel concierge will be able to recommend the best service providers ensuring that your experience will be positive.
No visit to Panama City would be complete without touring the Panama Canal. You might consider boarding a tour boat that will carry you through the locks or watch the boats as they enter the canal at the Miraflores lock. The Panama Canal Museum either at the Miraflores locks or in Casco Viejo provides you with the history of building the canal. This feat of human engineering is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.
If all you care to do is relax your luxury hotel staff will gladly arrange spa treatments or attentively serve you poolside with your favorite drinks and snacks.
Panama City Shopping
Panama City is a popular shopping destination with four principal centers for you to explore, offering many international luxury brands at duty-free prices. The Multicentro near Panama City’s business district is the city’s most expensive and eloquent mall. The Albrook Mall and Los Pueblos Shopping Center are located near Panama City’s international airport and are great places to find bargains and discounted goods. The Multiplaza in the Bella Vista area is the place for upscale shopping. Panama City also offers duty free shopping zones, which are especially popular with foreign visitors either passing through Panama City or stocking up from a nearby Central American country or island.
Panama City Nightlife
Since the daytime temperatures in Panama City are usually hot, once the sunsets the city comes alive. Nightlife tends to be more of a party nature than artistic. The Teatro Nacional, located in the Casco Viejo, hosts concerts and performances from both local and international artists. Details about performances and tickets will be available from the concierge at your small luxury hotel. Choose from a variety of party venues whether it is a quiet drink on Panama City’s Plaza Bolívar, dancing until dawn at a chic club on Calle Uruguay, jazz venues, casinos or anything in between, your luxury hotel concierge can direct you to the perfect place to fit your needs, they can also arrange safe transportation to and from your chosen venue in Panama City.
Panama City Restaurants
With all the wonderful choices of cuisine in Panama City it is suggested you try not to lose a couple pounds with this delectable cuisines all around! Local ingredients combined with creative international influences and culinary traditions produce delicious food at reasonable prices. Seafood couldn’t be fresher and apart from lobster or crab, very affordable. You will find cuisine from around the globe and expect to make reservations at Panama City’s finest restaurants. Your concierge will gladly assist with hotel reservations, dress requirements and transportation to and from an unforgettable meal in Panama City.
For a unique experience, consider visiting Panama City next time you need to escape. The amenities, services and attention to detail you will find in your luxury hotel oasis will surely leave a lasting impression. Panama City is your bridge between the old and new, with a lot of tropical thrown in for extra flavor. Book your luxury hotel retreat today and experience a retreat of a lifetime.
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