The Waldorf-Astoria Panama welcomes visitors from all over the world with luxury at the Heart of the Americas.
Location
Two blocks from the Pacific ocean in the hotel district, the Waldorf-Astoria Panama is a high-rise property with limited views of the sea.
Address: 47th St. & Uruguay St, Panama City, Panama
Phone: +507 294-8000
Business Property
Waldorf-Astoria Panama is a business hotel with luxury details. For those visiting Panama City for work, the hotel is well-placed in the city, walkable to many banks and major office buildings. The focus is on a comfortable, luxurious experience within the city and it delivers on that objective.
Nestled amongst the city’s high rise towers, Waldorf-Astoria has at once both a feeling of a Manhattan cosmopolitan hotel and a Caribbean destination, which the city of Panama City itself embodies.
This property is part of the Hilton Honor program, be sure to read our latest article – Everything You Wanted To Know About Hilton Honors.
Facilities
The hotel excels in offering a premium feel at all aspects. Important for business hotels the world over, is the ability to melt away the stresses of the day by relaxing in the pool or working out in the gym.
The pool cuts out of the building to provide an open-air environment that takes advantage of the hot Panamanian sunshine during the day. Loungers are available with poolside service, and a hot tub provides relaxation stories above the city streets in the evening.
A very large gym is located on the same level as the pool which allows those who want to finish their workouts with a dip in the hot tub easy access. The gym was staggered over two floors which included everything from treadmills and deadweights to boxing speed bags.
Views from around the hotel face nearby buildings and half the hotel faces the sea.
The lobby is elaborate and ornate. Starbursts that match the infamous original Waldorf-Astoria New York clock adorn the light fixtures and reflect off the 20′ walls.
Standard Room and Suite
During my stay, I had the opportunity to try both a standard room and a junior suite. I had the benefit of bringing my family along for this trip and we were happy to move to the suite for the last couple of days of our stay.
Standard rooms were fit to a high standard but sized the same as any other hotel room. High thread count sheets, plush pillows, and terrycloth robes made the stay premium.
A large closet near the door had plenty of room for longer stays. The bathroom in the standard room featured a shower and premium toiletries from Salvatore Ferragamo.
Some hotels utilize a triggered mini-fridge that charges your room each time a beverage or food item is taken. I loathe these because they do not allow you to store your own beverages or food items in the fridge. This property uses an open fridge which is a bonus, especially for traveling families.
When we moved over to the suite we found the same level of luxury finishes with more space. My daughter loved the sitting area at the end of the bed. The suite is not a true suite in the sense of separating the sleeping and living areas with a closed door and separate rooms, but in a rare exception, it was large enough to qualify.
The desk was also larger and more impressive than the standard room with a sizable, glass desk. As a business person and a writer, I often carry two laptops and an iPad. Having a desk that gives me space to work is key and this desk was a huge enhancement to an already great suite.
The suite bathroom was slightly different than the standard room with a separate shower and soaking tub.
Hilton’s Global Service
Two benefits of holding either Gold or Diamond status with Hilton are complimentary upgrades when space is available and breakfast. During my family’s stay, a suite was only available for the latter half of our stay and we were offered the switch, though in some cases I may decline to avoid moving rooms. Breakfast was available in the hotel restaurant and did not impose limitations, another amazing perk of status.
As an additional gesture of thoughtfulness, the staff sent up a tray of chocolate chip cookies with macarons – a welcome amenity tailor-made when I checked in with my daughter. I also earned status nights and stay credit, bonus points, and enjoyed a late checkout due to my Hilton Honors Diamond status.
For more information on the Hilton Honors loyalty program, see this post.
Value
Panama city is a unique metro in that a large number of visitors arrive for business purposes but it remains a tourist destination. Few offer the same. This creates a dynamic by which luxury properties are available but must also deliver a resort feel. Cash rates for start at $230 for a standard room – a fair price for the product and location.
When spending points, Waldorf-Astoria is an excellent value. At just 40,000 points per night (32,000/night on a five-night reservation as fifth nights are free for Hilton Honors members), the property delivers a value of 0.57¢ to 0.72¢/point – well above SuitesandLobbies.com Hilton Honors point valuation of 0.4¢/point. For perspective, the Hampton Inn runs a little more than half the cash price, without the luxury accommodations for 29,000 points/night or 0.44¢/point.
Get points even when you are not staying at a Hilton property. Why Every Traveler Should Have A Hilton Honors Credit Card.
Conclusion
Waldorf-Astoria Panama delivers exceptional value for money. A better view of the ocean would make the property near perfect, but better luxury, hospitality, and price would be hard to find.
What do you think? Have you stayed at Waldorf-Astoria Panama? How was your experience?
