Grand Evenia Bijao Hotel — All Inclusive

The beach, kayaking and water slides were highlights for me. Food was decent, and the main buffet had better choices than the a la carte one. The grill, which you book in advance, served food that was cold and precooked; the Mediterranean and Japanese options were fair. Snack bars mostly had standard American fare like burgers, fries and nachos. You can skip the shows unless it’s the folkloric one. I’d have liked more Panamanian dishes at the main buffet, like other resorts in the area offer.

The food was great, even at the main buffet, with lots of choices. It’s a very good four-star resort that would suit couples or families. English isn’t widely spoken in the country, so basic Spanish or a translator will help.

The resort was easy to find and the people seemed polite. I came with my family feeling excited, but the room was a letdown. The shower drained badly and the water pressure was so low that sometimes there was no water while I was showering. We had to call maintenance to fix the drain. Someone should inspect rooms before new guests arrive. It’s also noisy: you can hear everything people say downstairs, and people slam doors well past 10 PM. If you need to rest, I’d suggest staying somewhere else. The location is beautiful, and I think a few small changes and some investment could turn this into a real five-star resort and triple the owners’ investment.

We had a great two-night stay as a family of four. The location is beautiful, and the hotel has what you need for a nice family trip. Service was excellent, with hardworking, attentive staff. It seems there are new owners or management trying to address things that have been neglected, though more work is needed. For example, not one of the pool bathroom doors closed or locked, and toiletries were missing. I understand the complaints about it being called a five-star hotel when some details fall short. Still, for the price, location and all-inclusive amenities, it’s not far off. This place could be outstanding with a bit more fixing up, and it seems to need a facilities manager.