Marriott Executive Apartments Panama City, Finisterre

The staff made our 18-night stay feel personal from arrival to departure. Jonathon welcomed us at check-in, and Arnold and Virginia looked after us when we left. We’ve stayed at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo and Hotel Riu Plaza Panama, so we know high standards, but Eric Franco and his team stood out for their care and hospitality. Our apartment had lovely views, plenty of storage, and was spacious, spotless, and thoughtfully laid out. Since we were working, having room to set up two separate workstations mattered a lot. The kitchen had everything we needed, including a gas hob, full-size fridge freezer, and utensils. The bathroom had a generous walk-in shower, and the laundry facilities on each floor were handy. Breakfast on the mezzanine was simple and consistently delicious. We liked taking it out to the balcony, and the team were gracious, attentive, and patient with my attempts at Spanish. It was easy to explore on foot, and we often walked to El Cangrejo, Parque Omar, and beyond. The pool and gym were a highlight after a disappointing experience elsewhere. The pool is about 25 meters, great for lap swimming, and both facilities stayed clean, well maintained, and pleasantly uncrowded. The gym had good equipment, and the sauna was a bonus. Nearby Avenida Central España gave us a sense of everyday Panamanian life, with local fondas, shops, and supermarkets including Rey and Riba Smith close by. The metro was especially convenient. With an inexpensive rechargeable card, the ride to Albrook cost just $0.35, which felt remarkable. The system was clean and efficient, and staff were friendly and helpful everywhere. We happened to be there over Easter for my wife’s birthday, and the team made it unforgettable. At breakfast they surprised us with cake, candles, and a heartfelt “Happy Birthday.” After we spent a day at Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, we returned to find balloons and banners decorating the apartment. Then Jonathon, Virginia, and Yanisela, our wonderful housekeeper, came to celebrate with more cake and another song. It was genuinely touching. We’ve stayed in some exceptional places around the world, but haven’t experienced this kind of warmth and genuine hospitality before. Ciao for now. We’ll absolutely be back.

This was our second stay at Marriott Executive Apartments in Panama City, Panama in a year, and we chose it again for a relocation vacation. The staff make guests feel like family. They help with translation and ordering takeout, and are happy to chat in the lobby. The manager spends time with guests, and everyone at the front desk and cafe has been superb. Our room was comfortable and spacious, with a kitchen that had a gas cooktop, refrigerator, and microwave. Rooms are cleaned daily unless you ask otherwise, and laundry service is available. Breakfast is a full buffet, with made-to-order omelets and waffles, meats, bread and sweetbreads, cereal, fresh fruit and vegetables, yogurt, coffee, tea, and fresh juice. It’s near two grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, parks, and Coaste Cintera. We’ve been very pleased and highly recommend staying here when visiting Panama City.

We stayed ten days while applying for temporary residency in Panama. The staff went out of their way to help with something our lawyer needed from the hotel, which made a big difference during an important process. We’d highly recommend Marriott Executive Apartments, especially for business travelers or anyone handling residency paperwork. A few days after checking out, we realized we’d left behind a small but important item. When we returned to ask, the staff put in a lot of effort to track it down. Their care really impressed us. The apartment was clean, comfortable, and practical, with a fully usable kitchen that had what we needed for breakfast and lunch. We didn’t buy breakfast, so can’t comment on the food. There was plenty of storage for our six suitcases, and the workspace was great for remote work. The gym was a little small but convenient and well maintained. The metro is an easy walk away, along with restaurants, grocery shops, and essentials. Ubers were also easy to get. We needed three extra days before moving into an apartment, but stayed at a nearby property because rates had changed during Carnival week. That place was much newer and had a kitchenette, yet was far worse than the Marriott. Its rooms were much smaller, the walls thinner, and the kitchen lacked basics, making it hard even to prepare morning coffee. It made us appreciate the Marriott more.

On my second visit with family, Jonathan and Arnold at the front desk remembered us and greeted us warmly as soon as we arrived. They were consistently ready to help and made us feel at home. When I asked to collect our stored bags as we were leaving, Arnold smiled and said this was “my house.” The service really is exceptional. One tip: avoid rooms near the elevators and laundry if noise bothers you, since you can hear people there. Having a full kitchen is convenient, especially with Riba Smith grocery store about a 5-10 minute walk away.