StarwoodGuy: A week in Panama on a points run! Day 7 and 8

I was up early again for a workout before breakfast in the lounge, a goodbye to the wonderful staff up there, and then a quick two hours on the beach and ocean, which were re-opened again with the Tsunami warning lifted. I caught up on some work in my room before checking out at 1:00 pm. The front desk staff is a little slow since there is often only one person there unless a group arrives and they put extra staff on. It was so quiet in general and sometimes I need to remind myself that I was at a beautiful beach resort and to relax and forget work for a bit. I tried to get an Uber but the hotel is out of the way from town so unless there is one in the area it does not show up with 'No Cars Available'. The hotel got me one of their cabs. I discovered that it is apparently common place in Panama for the cabs to actually share, something like the newer Uber Hop service. I actually had that on arrival with the car I booked from the Sheraton at pick up in Panama. This time I had my own car, and I asked for a detour to the canal so I could at least see it a little since I did not have time for a full tour. It is all very impressive and I managed a quick picture from the Bridge of the Americas, but really a tour is likely worth it.

Upon arrival at Le Meridien Panama right on the main Causeway/Boardwalk in Panama I was told that they had a huge Platinum suite for me but not for a few hours or I could take a Gold Suite right away. I opted for the Gold Suite so that I could get out and start sightseeing. The Suite had a large living area with sofa, bar and television, and in the large bedroom a desk and bed with views out over the water and a huge bathroom with rainfall shower and jetted tub as well. It was great, but the relatively new building had some minor wear and tear that was noticeable.

I had thought the hotel was the entire massive tower I was in, but in fact it is only the lower 6 floors. The lobby and bar are dark and have a club feeling, and the gym upstairs had a great roof deck as well as outdoor pool, but the deck and pool were closed for renovations. It was the second time on this trip I had found out only upon check in of the closures, not on the hotel websites and with no mention from SPG or the hotel in advance. That was little disappointing, but again this hotel had made other arrangements with the Intercontinental across the street allowing us to use their pool if needed.

I decided to walk the entire Causeway heading to the old and historic part of Panama City. The walk is very beautiful along the water with exercise facilities integrated into the long park, along with a marina and at the end the fish market. From here it is an easy walk into the old town, with beautiful architecture, restaurants in newly renovated historic buildings, and various churches and government buildings. I stopped in for a drink at the Capitale Bistro Panama with great views back to the towers of downtown Panama before the walk back. The walk takes around an hour each way.

When I got back I showered and had dinner in the Club Lounge. The Lounge is much more basic then the Lounges at the Westin or the Sheraton, just a smaller sized room at the end of the building with only one window looking out at the water. The staff was excellent though, but there was not too much in the way of food, with a few warm options and some cheeses and meats. It was right to bed after that.

The next morning I was up early for a workout in the gym, but really only cardio since there are only low weights and not much in the way of machines. After, I had breakfast in the lounge, worked, and then went for a walk around the city and stopped to buy a phone charger since mine had bit the dust. Pedestrians do not seem to have much of the right of way so watch out when walking. Another funny note were the public buses, each one is different, and they are all elaborately decorated with lights and crazy accessories. As in much of South and Central America honking is a common occurrence, sometimes for no reason, other times because the traffic is so hectic or if they are trying to get the attention of a person to pick them up. I picked up an iced coffee at a Coffee Bean, with that chain being much more prevalent it seemed then Starbucks. Another interesting note was that whenever you order coffee they always wanted to add cinnamon. I am a fan of cinnamon and it was a good addition.

I had debated about heading to the pool across the street but work got in the way of this plan and I spent the next few hours working before going for a run outside along the Causeway back to the fish market. It was so hot and humid and a potential thunderstorm was holding off in the distance, but I made it back to the hotel before the rain hit. The staff saw me coming and looking like a drowned rat and they had a bottle of water ready for me. I had a shower before finishing up work in the Club Lounge, and then I headed out to see the bars and clubs right next to the hotel on Calle Uruguay. Le Meridien is definitely the right place if you are in town for restaurants and nightlife with plenty right here on this street. I stopped in at the neighboring Hilton Hotel to check out the Casino before heading home to bed.