The Bristol Hotel, Panama City, Panama! One Not To Miss! Great Hotel W/O
Written: Apr 27 '03 (Updated May 02 '03)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Perfect hotel, nothing needs to be changed
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this beautiful, but intimate hotel to anyone traveling in Panama!
|
|
|
| sweetsue_98's Full Review: The Bristol |
On our very recent trip to South America, due to airline connections, we had to overnight in Panama. Actually, it was nice to have a break in a very long flight from Minneapolis to Buenos Aires. As I started my research for a good hotel in Panama City, I came to the conclusion that The Bristol was our best choice.
First of all, there is only one motel near the airport, and it was not somewhere that looked terribly safe to stay. I contacted The Bristol via e-mail, was given an excellent rate of $125 US, and they made arrangements for a car and driver to pick us up and return us the next day. The airport is about twenty miles from Panama City, and taking a taxi is not really recommended. The charge for this car was $60 US round trip.
Panama City was beautiful at night with tall buildings and colorful lights. The Bristol is a delightful hotel located in the business area of Panama City, and is a member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”. We were not disappointed. Upon arrival the intimate lobby was elegant and peaceful. As this hotel is small with just fifty-six well-designed rooms, check in was quick, and we were immediately taken to our room.
The room was a Deluxe Room, which is basically the standard room. However, there was no disappointment here! The room was large and flawless in design and use. There was soft music playing, a king bed which had already been turned down, and double sheeted.
An overstuffed chair was in the corner complete with an ottoman for weary legs. The furniture was dark and the walls were in a deep peach color. There was a desk, cabinet with a television, end tables, beautiful original artwork, and plenty of room to stash that luggage. The room was exactly what the weary traveler needed. Every room had a butler assigned to you for pressing clothing, shining shoes, and even bringing a compact disc to your room. We did not use these services, but they were available.
If I could have taken home the bathroom, I would have! It was all marble with a glass shower and Jacuzzi tub. All of the standard amenities were in there with the addition of great big fluffy towels, bathrobes, and a very expensive lighted make up mirror.
We were getting hungry after all the “great” airplane food, so we went down to the dining room for dinner. We were promptly greeted and taken to a table in a non-smoking area. The food was quite interesting with many specialties from Panama. Including wine and tip the dinner was about $70, and well worth it.
Our breakfast was included in the rate and was served in a greenhouse room. It was a buffet with every type of cereal, fruit, pastries and juice that you would possible want. The waiter asked if we wanted any eggs, and that of course was included in the “continental” breakfast. They do no know to make a great omelet.
The hotel does offer a nicely equipped exercise room, which after a long flight we did not use; however the equipment is there for the guests.
The Bristol is perfection in a hotel! It is intimate, friendly, well designed, and offers anything that a traveler would want or need. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone going to Panama City, Panama and wanting a safe and quiet rest.
You can make on-line reservations at http://www.thebristol.com
E-mail the hotel directly.bristol@thebristol.com
Telephone:507.265.7844
Facsimile: 507.265.7829
HEADS UP! Even if you have to stay in Panama due to an airline connection, they will not give you an in transit visa. So, it cost us $30 each to leave the next morning in taxes at the airport.....even though we had paid all of the taxes when we purchased our ticket.
If you're interested in learning more about the "Write Off", copy and paste then link to your browser window!
http://www.angelfire.com/moon/lyagushka/index.html
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
sweetsue_98
|
 - Top 100 |
|
Reviews written: 394
Trusted by: 371 members
About Me:
"Still More George W. Bushisms: 'Neither in French Nor in English Nor in Mexican'"
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.