Renaissance Panama City Hotel

For the price, this place gave us a good overall impression and very good value. Our room was spacious, breakfast was sufficient, and the shared areas were well kept. We didn't use the gym, but it looked well equipped, with enough cardio machines and basic weights for a solid workout. The lounge was closed during our stay. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks were available in a room beside the breakfast area instead, but the selection was very limited and had no alcohol. That surprised me, since other properties in the same group usually have a wider range, including alcoholic options. The hallways near our room and the room itself felt dated. Carpets, lamps, furniture and other visible features looked old and worn, which made the place seem less clean, though everything worked. Improving how these areas look would make the experience better for guests and staff.

The afternoon snacks and drinks were a nice touch, and the entrance and shared areas looked very nice. But the rooms didn't live up to expectations. They were extremely basic, with nothing on the sink except one bar of soap. The AC seemed faulty and unhealthy: once I was in the room, I started coughing. It felt very humid and smelled noticeably moldy, and both the room and bathroom clearly need major renovation. The pool was too cold to enjoy because it isn't heated, and breakfast was quite basic. I'm sharing this in the hope management deals with the humidity and AC problems and renovates the rooms. Based on my stay, I wouldn't return.

Carolina, the bartender, is AMAZING! She's extremely pleasant and well worth stopping by to experience, even if you aren't staying at the hotel. She is THE TRUTH! The front desk staff were also very nice and helpful with service and recommendations. The pool water is cold, but on a sunny day it's the best place to cool off. The Renaissance Panama City is a nice place to visit with family. There's lots of shopping and city life just outside the doors, and the hotel is strategically located for walking or taking a short Uber ride to everything. Rooms are decent sized, clean, and have comfortable bedding. Not really posh, but good.

Carlos at the front desk helped make my birthday feel special, and David in concierge was fantastic at finding excursions that suited me. HR has a great staff, and that made an already perfect first trip to Panama even better. Everything met a five star rating. I had a ball celebrating 67 years of life!