Best Luxury Hotels in Panama City: Where to Stay in 2026

Panama City: Central America's Most Cosmopolitan Capital

Panama City defies expectations. Where many travelers anticipate a sleepy Central American capital, they discover a dynamic, ultramodern metropolis with a skyline that rivals Miami, a historic quarter that channels Havana's colonial charm, and a culinary scene that ranks among Latin America's most innovative. The city's position as a global financial and logistics hub — anchored by the iconic Panama Canal — has attracted world-class hotel brands and independent luxury properties alike, making it one of the region's most exciting destinations for discerning travelers.

The city's geography creates distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and hotel offerings. Understanding these areas is key to choosing the right luxury hotel for your Panama City experience.

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Panama City's Key Neighborhoods

Casco Viejo (Casco Antiguo)

Panama's UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic quarter is the city's most atmospheric neighborhood. Crumbling colonial facades sit alongside meticulously restored buildings housing boutique hotels, acclaimed restaurants, rooftop bars, and contemporary art galleries. Staying in Casco Viejo puts you at the heart of Panama City's cultural renaissance, within walking distance of historic churches, plazas, and the famous Seafood Market (Mercado de Mariscos).

Costa del Este and Panama Viejo

The modern eastern corridor features gleaming towers, upscale shopping, and proximity to the ruins of Panamá Viejo (the original colonial city, destroyed by pirate Henry Morgan in 1671). This area appeals to business travelers and those who prefer contemporary urban environments.

Punta Pacífica and Avenida Balboa

The city's most dramatic oceanfront stretch, Punta Pacífica features luxury residential towers, the massive Multiplaza Pacific mall, and the BioMuseo (designed by Frank Gehry). Avenida Balboa's waterfront promenade (Cinta Costera) offers stunning views of the skyline and is perfect for morning runs and sunset walks.

Causeway (Amador)

The Amador Causeway connects three small islands at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, offering panoramic views of the city skyline on one side and cargo ships queuing for canal transit on the other. This area is developing rapidly as a tourism and entertainment district.

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Top Luxury Hotels in Panama City

1. American Trade Hotel — Casco Viejo

Price range: $250-500/night | Style: Heritage boutique

The American Trade Hotel occupies a magnificently restored 1917 building that originally served as the headquarters of the American Trade Developing Company. The restoration preserved the building's grand architectural bones — soaring ceilings, original tile floors, wrought-iron balconies — while adding contemporary comforts and a design sensibility that's both sophisticated and warmly inviting.

The 50 rooms and suites feature curated art, custom furniture, and thoughtful amenities. The rooftop pool and bar offer 360-degree views of Casco Viejo's terracotta rooftops and church domes. The ground-floor lobby doubles as a cultural space hosting live jazz, art exhibitions, and community events.

Dining: The hotel's restaurant, Danilo's, serves elevated Panamanian cuisine using local ingredients prepared with contemporary technique. The emphasis on indigenous ingredients and traditional flavors, presented with modern flair, makes it one of the city's most interesting dining destinations.

Why stay here: The American Trade is the definitive Casco Viejo luxury experience — a hotel that celebrates Panama's history while pointing toward its future. It's the ideal base for exploring the historic quarter on foot and experiencing the neighborhood's vibrant cultural scene.

2. The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Price range: $300-600/night | Style: Golf resort and urban retreat

The Santa Maria brings resort-scale luxury to Panama City. Set within a 700-hectare master-planned community that includes a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, the hotel offers an escape from urban intensity while remaining just minutes from the city center.

The 200+ rooms and suites feature contemporary tropical design with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms, and private balconies. The resort-style amenities include multiple pools, a full-service spa, fitness center, tennis courts, and direct access to the golf course. The property's scale allows for a level of amenities that boutique hotels simply can't match.

Dining: Multiple restaurants cover everything from refined international cuisine to casual poolside dining. The golf clubhouse restaurant is popular for power lunches and sunset cocktails.

Why stay here: Perfect for golfers, families, and travelers who want luxury resort amenities within a city context. The golf course is genuinely world-class, and the property's lush landscaping creates a tropical cocoon that feels worlds away from the urban bustle.

3. Waldorf Astoria Panama

Price range: $250-500/night | Style: Classic luxury tower

Rising 57 stories above the city, the Waldorf Astoria Panama occupies one of the most striking buildings on the Panama City skyline. The hotel fills the top floors of a sail-shaped tower, ensuring that every room offers dramatic views — either of the Pacific Ocean, the city skyline, or both.

The 248 rooms and suites maintain the Waldorf Astoria brand's standard of refined luxury, with plush bedding, marble bathrooms with soaking tubs, and the thoughtful service touches (like personalized concierge service and twice-daily housekeeping) that the brand is known for. The spa spans three floors and features a vitality pool with panoramic city views.

Dining: The lobby-level Peacock Alley serves afternoon tea and light meals in the brand's signature elegant style. Bristol, the hotel's fine dining restaurant, offers contemporary cuisine with impressive wine pairing options.

Why stay here: The Waldorf delivers a predictably excellent international luxury experience with spectacular views. It's ideal for travelers who value consistency, brand-standard service, and premium amenities. The central location provides easy access to both Casco Viejo and the modern city.

4. Las Clementinas — Casco Viejo

Price range: $180-350/night | Style: Intimate apartment-hotel

For travelers who prefer a more personal luxury experience, Las Clementinas offers six beautifully designed apartment-suites in a restored 1930s building in Casco Viejo. Each suite is individually designed with a blend of vintage and contemporary furnishings, full kitchens or kitchenettes, and the kind of thoughtful personal touches that make you feel like a privileged house guest rather than a hotel customer.

The property's intimate scale means highly personalized service — the staff knows every guest by name and tailors recommendations to individual interests. The ground-floor café and bar is a popular neighborhood gathering spot, and the rooftop terrace offers lovely views over the historic quarter.

Why stay here: Las Clementinas is perfect for travelers who value authenticity over amenities. The apartment format provides space and independence, while the Casco Viejo location puts the city's best restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions at your doorstep. Extended stays benefit particularly from the full kitchen facilities.

5. Bristol Panama — Financial District

Price range: $200-400/night | Style: Business luxury

The Bristol has anchored Panama City's luxury hotel scene for over two decades, and its continued relevance is a testament to its commitment to service excellence. Located in the financial district on Via España, the Bristol caters primarily to business travelers but offers equally compelling reasons for leisure visitors.

The 56 rooms and suites feature classic luxury design, with rich fabrics, quality artwork, and marble bathrooms. The intimate scale allows for a level of personalized service that larger hotels struggle to match — staff remember preferences and anticipate needs with genuine warmth. The Bristol's restaurant has long been considered one of the city's best fine dining options.

Why stay here: For travelers who value impeccable service, intimate scale, and classic luxury over trendy design. The Bristol's reputation for going above and beyond for guests is well-earned, and repeat visitors are treated like returning family members.

6. JW Marriott Panama

Price range: $200-400/night | Style: Modern business luxury

The JW Marriott occupies a prime position in Punta Pacífica, adjacent to the Multiplaza Pacific shopping center and within the cluster of gleaming towers that define modern Panama City. The hotel's 369 rooms and suites feature contemporary design with warm wood tones, marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the skyline or ocean views.

The property's standout feature is its extensive amenity offering: multiple restaurants, a full-service spa, a large fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and direct access to Panama's premier shopping mall. For business travelers, the meeting and event facilities are among the city's most comprehensive.

Why stay here: The JW Marriott offers the most complete package of modern luxury amenities in Panama City. Its central location, reliable brand-standard service, and extensive facilities make it a safe choice for both business and leisure travelers who want everything under one roof.

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Beyond the Hotel: Essential Panama City Experiences

The Panama Canal

No visit to Panama City is complete without experiencing the canal. The Miraflores Locks Visitor Center offers an excellent museum and observation deck where you can watch massive vessels transit the locks. For a more immersive experience, partial canal transit tours take you through the locks by boat — an unforgettable experience that brings the engineering marvel to life.

Casco Viejo by Night

The historic quarter transforms after dark into one of Central America's most exciting nightlife districts. Rooftop bars with skyline views, intimate jazz clubs, craft cocktail lounges, and salsa venues create an atmosphere that's sophisticated, diverse, and genuinely fun. Start with sunset cocktails at a rooftop bar, dine at one of the neighborhood's acclaimed restaurants, and end with live music at one of the many venues that keep the quarter alive well past midnight.

BioMuseo

Designed by Frank Gehry (his only work in Latin America), the BioMuseo tells the story of how the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama millions of years ago changed the planet's biodiversity, ocean currents, and climate. The building itself is a spectacular work of art — a riot of colorful, angular forms that contrasts dramatically with the city's glass-and-steel towers.

Day Trips

Panama City's location offers easy access to remarkable day trip destinations. The San Blas Islands (Guna Yala) — a Caribbean archipelago of white-sand islands and crystal-clear water managed by the indigenous Guna people — can be reached by small plane in 25 minutes. The cloud forests of El Valle de Antón are a 2-hour drive away. And Gamboa, in the heart of the Canal Zone, offers rainforest hiking, aerial tram rides, and wildlife encounters within 45 minutes of the city center.

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When to Visit Panama City

Panama City's tropical climate features two seasons: the dry season (mid-December through April, known as "verano") and the wet season (May through mid-December). The dry season offers the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. However, the wet season has its advantages — lower hotel prices, fewer tourists, and dramatic afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly and leave spectacular sunsets.

Hotel prices peak during the dry season and around major events like Carnival (February/March) and Semana Santa. The best value is found during the shoulder months of May, June, November, and early December, when prices drop 20-40% while conditions remain pleasant.

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Getting Around

Panama City's Metro system (clean, air-conditioned, and affordable) connects major areas efficiently. Uber operates legally and is the recommended transportation option for most visitors. Taxis are plentiful but should be negotiated in advance (meters are rare). Within Casco Viejo, walking is the best way to explore.

For airport transfers, most luxury hotels offer private car service. The drive from Tocumen International Airport to the city center takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic (which can be significant during rush hours).

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Your Panama City Luxury Experience

Panama City rewards travelers who arrive with open minds and flexible expectations. It's a city of contrasts — colonial and ultramodern, Latin American and cosmopolitan, tropical and urban — and its luxury hotels reflect this dynamic character. Whether you choose a heritage boutique in Casco Viejo or a sky-high suite with canal views, Panama City delivers a Central American luxury experience that's truly unlike any other.