Summit Rainforest & Golf Resort

The animals were the main reason we were glad we stayed here. From our third-floor room we spotted monkeys, birds, caimans, sloths, frogs, and even a capybara. The sunset golf cart tour was a lot of fun too, and on Monday, when the course is closed, you can walk the cart path. That was another nice way to see wildlife, and kids would enjoy it. Lunch and dinner were quite good, while breakfast was the usual buffet. The setting is lovely but remote. Without a car, you’re mostly stuck with the restaurant on site. Other places to eat are about a 15-minute Uber ride away, so plan accordingly. The hotel feels dated, with peeling paint and maintenance that seems overdue. Our room was comfortable, though the balcony door was hard to open and the railing felt loose, so we didn't spend much time out there. Reception has moved upstairs to the second floor, and the old lobby is now used for events. Check-in got chaotic when more than a couple of people were waiting. We also arrived during a wedding reception, with loud music going until 1:00 a.m., which made for a rough start to a rainforest getaway. On weekends, day passes seem to bring non-guests to the pool. There wasn’t a separate area for hotel guests, and finding a seat was nearly impossible. I’d like to see staying guests given priority. They also asked us to leave a passport to get pool towels, which seemed strange since they already had our passport details. Being surrounded by nature and seeing the wildlife was a real highlight of our trip. Some facility updates, clearing the trash around the grounds, and better handling of weekend crowds would have made the stay a 10/10.

Cesar at reception made check-in easy. He was polite and helpful, and service overall was very good. The rooms were spotless, and we enjoyed the breakfast buffet each morning, especially the omelet station. It’s an older hotel that could use some upgrades, but it was very clean and we had a good stay. There are a couple of okay restaurants nearby, though decent restaurants, shops, and grocery stores are about a 20-minute drive away.

That 5 km forest loop was a real highlight. It took us about two hours, and good hiking sandals are a must. There isn’t a free guided hike anymore, but you can do this route on your own, and it was so beautiful. We spent six weeks traveling around Panama, and this place, booked through booking.com, was the best value for the money. Big room, first-class breakfast buffet, gorgeous nature. I almost never review hotels, but this one really stood out for what we paid.

The room was okay, but I wouldn’t recommend this place. It feels dated and focused mostly on events and golf, with little attention to helping guests relax. The pool area is loud, crowded, and basic, and the dining room feels stuck in another era. There isn’t really a lobby either, just a small front desk area. This shouldn’t be advertised as a resort.