Our first time to Panama this was an amazing stay and experience. As we are accustomed to the prices in the US, UK, and Europe as well as the often lackluster interest by staff, The Santa Maria was in stark contrast. Staff were attentive and, for me with my limited Spanish, great sports as honed my language skills. Most staff spoke excellent English and when they didn't we managed just fine. The food, we felt, was excellent, including room service which covers the full menu. I can't fault anything at the hotel. The room was spacious with an excellent view. The pool was luxurious. The gym well equipped and in good working order. The hotel is about 4 miles from the airport and not in the city centre so going to the city will require a taxi or, and I recommend it, an Uber. Uber cars were nicer and we knew what it would cost (generally half the yellow taxis). The final touch was in getting our covid tests for our next flight to the US. Thinking our only option was to queue up at the airport and take taxis, I asked the front desk. Without missing a beat, they arranged a mobile test company to come to our room, take the test, and email us the certificates -- for much less than the test's cost at the airport. I absolutely recommend this hotel.…
This a extremely well managed hotel. I have been in many five stars around the world and this one of my top ones. They made feel at home. Excellence in management and service. All staff are extremely polite and helpful. We spent almost two weeks at this hotel. My twins enjoyed each minute at the pool. Thank you so much to Omar, Claudia Jones and Rosa Maria, you were amazing! My kids had so much fun at the pool! The pool is delightful warm and clean. We also enjoyed a great breakfast everyday. At the restaurant, Nelson, Kris and Melissa were always so kind and helpful with us. This is a highly recommended hotel. I rarely give a five stars review but this hotel really deserves it. I hope they will always keep a high standard in comfort and service.
We went for dinner to the terrace, as many other times before. I was sad seeing the bad food served and overprice menu they have. I do not know if they changed chef, but some of the plates we ordered we did not even eat. In summary (including taxes), bottle of basic white wine $42, gnocchi $24…among other plates. That wine in a local store is less than $9 (really!!! Almost x 5). In summary, being a platinum Marriott Bonvoy member and had visited many places around the world. Those prices for the quality are a shame. I hope they take my comments and the time it took me, with the only intention for them to succeed
We consider this hotel one of the best hotels in Latin America and the top one in Panama. This hotel has not only a beautiful property and comfortable rooms but also the best personalized service in town. Each time we stay at this hotel we feel welcomed by the same friendly and helpful staff. From the reception to the pool service, this hotel offers a top-notch service with well-managed and trained staff. They offer a daily and delicious breakfast buffet until 10:30 am. Mrs Melissa (Thank you so much for amazing tea!), Iris, Roger and the whole restaurant team made sure that our daily breakfast was the first joy of the day. The pool is big, clean, and always at the right temperature, nicely warm and refreshing. We felt like we were staying at a nice resort right near the city. Mr Reymond and Ms Nubia made sure that we always had enough towels and snacks to enjoy a great day at the pool. We are always sad to leave this hotel at the end of our stay. My kids keep always asking me when we are going come back to Panama and see Mr Omar, who is always very welcoming and helpful at the hotel entrance and gives us the best tips about restaurants and places to visit in Panama. We are planning our next trip already and I am very excited to enjoy again live music and good cocktails on the weekends…We are never disappointed!…
Stayed one night twice in one week. First day in Panama and last day in Panama with a trip to Pedasi in between. First day the room was not ready when we arrived. Waited 45 minutes while other guests got their rooms. A million excuses about how busy they were blah, blah, blah. Thought that was the exception. Came back today for the second night, and the same thing. Excuses about room inspection because of the featherless pillows. Eventually I had to speak up and the manager made the same excuses. We had already checked in the day before online, and had a 2:00 pm checkin (to avoid another delay in the lobby). We arrived at 3:30 and didn’t get the room until 4:00. The room was scorching hot when we got in (what? no time to set the thermostat during the “inspection”?). We also asked for away from the elevator due to the noise, and we couldn’t be closer unless we were in it. The food is overpriced and bland, the food service is super slow. The only shining star is Omar the bellhop who jumped in to try and salvage the mess twice. Unless you are just coming here to play a round of golf, avoid this place at all costs. Definitely not up to Marriot standards. There are much better places to stay at this price point. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.…
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