Before making a reservation at the The Bristol Panama, each new guest arrives with a picture painted in his or her mind depicting a luxury hotel stay. For some, the priority is a spectacular skyline view. For others, it’s an authentic culinary experience. And yes, there are also guests seeking a hotel with an art collection that is second to none.
At The Bristol, located in the heart of Panama City’s financial district, you’ll find all this and more. Guests discover a 125-room hotel that is a perfectly positioned hub to the Panama Canal, historic Old Town’s restaurants and shops, the Metropolitan National Park, and the Biodiversity Museum designed by Frank Gehry.
The Bristol is recognized as one of The Leading Hotels of the World. What is special about this gleaming 25-story hotel that has charmed guests from all over the globe for more than a decade? Let’s see if The Bristol’s charm, service, décor, and personality meet with your personal idea of Latin American luxury.
Luxurious Convenience
After a long flight, the last thing you want is an even longer commute to your hotel. The Bristol is located just 20 minutes from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport. Upon arrival at The Bristol, the VIP trained staff will reveal how their boutique environment makes sure that luxury is never further than your fingertips.
Room to Relax
The Deluxe Rooms and Executive Suites are so tastefully appointed that the staff receives weekly inquiries as to how guests can design their own home to match The Bristol’s chic standards. The hotel’s interior fabrics, furniture, and colors are so well thought out that there are now palette options, used by industry design professionals, starting with the word “Bristol.”
A Spa with a View
How many spas in the world offer a pre-treatment relaxation room whose view is as fabulous as the treatment experience? The Bristol’s Panama City Spa sits on the hotel’s 25th floor, and the twin relaxation rooms offer stunning views of the city skyline and beyond. The Spa treatment options range from facials, to massage, reflexology, body scrubs, hot stone therapy, and even couples rituals.
Dining Panamanian Style
The Bristol’s 8’58 Lounge is home to the best breakfast view in all of Panama City. Perched on the hotel’s 8th floor, this chic lounge is surrounded by a wrap-around glass exterior. The 8’58 delivers the perfect setting for starting your day with an exhilarating jumpstart view. The 8’58 is also a great venue for meetings, luncheons, special occasions, and wedding receptions.
The Salsipuedes Restaurant is known for its uniquely delicious cuisine. The Salsipuedes Chef was trained in Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, and he blends all these cultures so his guests can delight in extraordinary gourmet memories.
Each dish features sprinklings of local flavor. At this restaurant whose name pays homage to a locale steeped in Panamanian traditions, dinner guests delight in San Blast rum cocktails, Crocodile Tempura with Thai marinade, to Ricotta Ravioli, and Seafood Gaucho.
A $3.5 Million Art Collection
There are guests who return to The Bristol specifically to view the hotel’s extensive display of artwork. This eclectic collection can be seen in the lobby, the hallways, the restaurants, the rooms, and the spa. Each guest room also features original paintings created by the country’s most decorated Panamanian artists.
Painting a Perfect Stay
The Bristol is one of a select number of hotels to pass an 800-point checklist toward becoming one of The Leading Hotels in the World. What is on your checklist when determining your next luxury stay?
Do you envision a boutique hotel positioned within convenient walking or driving distance to the best Panama City has to offer? Or do you taste, feel, and see gourmet cuisine, a spa with a breathtaking view, and a multi-million dollar art collection?
If your hotel dream sounds like a rare hospitality work of art, that’s because there is only one place that has it all. When you open your eyes, you’ll be staying at The Bristol in Panama City, Panama.
Tim Cotroneo is a freelance writer specializing in travel, business, and golf.
