The Santa Maria, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, Panama City

The resort's facilities and hospitality were attractive: the property was clean and well maintained, our rooms were comfortable, the golf course was wonderful, and the staff we met were friendly and courteous. Still, a serious security incident right beside the hotel overshadowed our visit. During our stay, an armed robbery involving several gunmen took place nearby. Weapons were drawn, guests ran for safety, and a security guard was injured and taken hostage. We're grateful we weren't physically hurt, but the severity and proximity of it were deeply unsettling. What disappointed us most was the response afterward. The hotel didn't proactively communicate or follow up, and its later description of the event didn't match what we saw ourselves or heard from local shopkeepers. That left us concerned that serious security events might be minimized or not clearly shared with guests. For a resort presented and priced as premium, we expect a high standard of guest safety, transparency, and communication after an incident. The lack of visible engagement and clear information affected our trust and sense of safety. I think future guests should know about this experience so they can make an informed decision.

We only stayed overnight during an airport layover, but the hotel exceeded our expectations. The room was large, clean, and modern, and dinner at the restaurant was very good. The breakfast buffet was amazing, with plenty of variety, a nice presentation, and great staff. The only small downside was the relatively small pool and shared outdoor area, though that's to be expected at more of a golf resort. Definitely get the breakfast buffet!

The food was outstanding across breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with great flavor, quality, generous portions, and presentation. David, the Executive Chef from Spain, had worked in Nice and elsewhere and brought a level of cooking to Panama well above the norm. It was hard to keep trim, thankfully the gym was right next door. The property is sizable, beautifully landscaped and maintained, and looks over a lovely golf course. The pool was refreshing, and we could always find a lounger in the sun or shade. The gym was well equipped, and the view from the treadmills and stair climbers was inspiring. I stayed at the Santa Maria for ten days in early December. I know Panama City well, but this was my first time at this resort, and I wasn't disappointed. From arrival, the staff treated us like family and were accommodating about every request. As a Bonvoy Titanium member, I got a lovely suite for the whole stay, even though the hotel was busy with holiday events and high occupancy. My companion and I were grateful. I travel a lot and am often treated well because of my status or relationship with a property, but Santa Maria excelled on many levels. The area is mostly residential, but Uber rides to the mega malls or downtown were plentiful, quick, and inexpensive. We only left a couple of times because we enjoyed the resort so much. By the time we left, nearly all the staff knew us by name. After such a great stay, I know I'll return.

The food was good, but there's no microwave in the rooms, so anything uneaten has to be thrown away. I really didn't like wasting food. The cleaning was excellent, though. We were busy all day moving from one program to another and didn't even get to see the pool, but every time we came back, the room had been made up. We'd go out in the morning and return to a clean room, then leave again in the afternoon and find it made up once more. I'll definitely stay here again.