StarwoodGuy: A week in Panama on a points run! Day 4 - Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center

I woke up the next morning and went down to the very impressive and large gym for a workout. Plenty of free weights, machines, and cardio equipment all looking out over the pool. And almost completely empty! I looked in at the good change room with hot tubs and sauna separated for men and women. After a long workout, I discovered the pool would be closed the next two days, but we could use the Aloft infinity pool. The Aloft is actually attached to the Sheraton just beyond the lobby shops, so I checked out the pool area quickly. Not much seating and the view was of the rear of the Sheraton, but still a nice pool. I went back to my room to shower and change quickly so I could head out.

I had breakfast in the Club Lounge, with plenty of meats, cheeses, breads and cereals along with bacon, sausage and pancakes and an attendant making omelettes. After breakfast I made my way out on another long walk, similar to the day before, but now that I had my bearings I found a quicker path to the Trump Tower, the Hard Rock Hotel, and down to the main boardwalk and promenade. Still not the most walkable city and the heat was again oppressive, but the views once I arrived at the water were stunning. I saw the Meridien where I would be staying at the end of my trip and realized this was likely a better location to the center of town, as well as getting to the Panama Canal and the historic part of town just beyond the Meridien.

Once back at the hotel I headed to the Aloft pool for a few hours, then had another cardio workout, and had dinner in the Club Lounge consisting of meats, cheeses, warm appetizers, and sandwiches, with wine, beer or sparkling wine complimentary (if you ask) before I finally made my way to the casino. I was surprised that the slot machines were identical to Vegas, I am not sure why but I had expected some local variety. Atlas, Wheel of Fortune, Zeus, the Sex and the City Game (I was searching for the Monarch where I had gotten lucky once before but no luck), all the same machines and of course all the same table games. The casino was actually smaller then I expected, but amazingly smoke free, if only all of Vegas could pick up this habit, so I headed back to the room to finish up on work.

The Sheraton was a great property with one of the best SPG gyms I have ever seen (the Westin Chosun in Seoul is still up there as my favorite) and the service and Club Lounge were wonderful, as was the suite upgrade and view. It would have been nice to be informed in advance that the pool would be closed that weekend as I could have tried the other SPG properties in the city first and stopped in at the Sheraton at the end, but since the Aloft was right there it gave me a chance to check that out. The hotel is a little away from the main boardwalk/promenade and farther then the Meridien from the Old Town, but right next to the Convention Center and close to the largest mall. Taxis are cheap and Uber is prevalent so it is not too difficult to get around, though be warned, the traffic is slow. Another great stay!