StarwoodGuy

Monday, April 18, 2016

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!

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Gym

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Club Lounge Breakfast

Panama Office Towers

One of Several High End Shopping Malls

Panama Boardwalk Area

Trump Tower Panama

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Exterior

Panama Boardwalk Area

Aloft Pool Lounge Area

Aloft Pool

Aloft Bar

Aloft Check-In

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Men's Spas

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Change Room/Sauna

Sunday, April 17, 2016

A week in Panama on a points run! Day 3 - Dallas to Panama

     I woke up at 3:00 am, had coffee in the room, and then worked out for an hour before taking the Sheraton DFW’s shuttle to the airport. There was no PRE at the D gates that was open since it was so early, but it was a ghost village so I was through security very quickly. I went to the American Airlines main Lounge at DFW right when it opened at 5:00 am, then headed to the American Express Centurion Lounge. Both were beautiful spaces. I jumped on my 767-300 flight at the A Terminal in DFW after a quick trip on the SkyLink train. I had expected the upgraded plane with tv screens in each seat and a 1-2-1 Business configuration but they had swapped the plane out so it was a much more dated 767-300 in 2-2-2. The service was great, and I had ordered my food in advance on all American flights on this trip, a great feature, so the strata I ordered was available for me but not others once they reached row 5. American had shown the First Cabin virtually empty the day before, so seemingly most people upgrade within 24 hours but I am unfamiliar with the American Airlines upgrade procedures.

     We arrived in Miami 20 minutes early and fortunately my next 737-800 flight from Miami to Panama was at Gate D12, right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge. I stopped in here for some work and a glass of wine before boarding my flight. The next flight was easy with another good meal service of lentils and polenta. Upon arrival in Panama customs was a little backed up, and it took around 45 minutes to get through. I had booked the hotel car service for $38.00. The driver was waiting for me with a sign and it was a brief twenty minute trip to the Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center.

     I checked in and was upgraded to a Royal Corner Suite on the 7th floor. The suite had a bathroom off of the entry, a large living area with television, sofa and dining table, as well as a bar area, and in the bedroom a large king bed, the desk, and the master bathroom with a shower and massive jaccuzzi tub.

     I decided to head out right away on a long walk. The sidewalks are a little tricky since they disappear in places, since it is so hot most people cab it everywhere and they do have UBER but I was trying to get over all of the flying. I walked by three large high end shopping malls and massive office and condo towers all with amazing architecture. After an hour I turned around and headed back through some of the residential areas and restaurants.   It was so hot so I lasted two hours but had to get back into the AC.

     Once back at the hotel I had a shower and headed up to the beautiful Club Lounge on the 15th Floor. Wine and beer are provided, you just need to ask, and a few hot and cold items are put out as well as some dessert options. After all of this I was exhausted, so instead of checking out the in-hotel Casino I headed to bed.

American Airlines Lounge DFW D Gates

American Airlines Lounge DFW D Gates- First Class Dining Section

American Airlines Lounge DFW D Gates

American Express Centurion Lounge DFW

American Airlines 767-300 First Breakfast

American Airlines 767-300 First

American Express Centurion Lounge MIA

American Airlines 737-800 Business Meal

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Royal Corner Suite

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Royal Corner Suite View

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Royal Corner Suite Welcome Gift

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Royal Corner Suite Master Bathroom

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Club Lounge

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Lobby

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Cafeteria Restaurant

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Shops

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Bar

Sheraton Panama Hotel and Convention Center Casino

Saturday, April 16, 2016

A week in Panama on a points run! Day 2 - Vancouver to Dallas

     I was up early the next morning, heading right down for a workout in the small gym before a sauna and a shower and then went to the Club Lounge for a quick breakfast before I checked out and made my way to the nearby train station at the Yaletown Roundhouse and took the Canada Line train to the airport in a quick 24 minutes.

     Once I was at the airport it was a short walk to the US Security checkpoint. The area was completely empty so I did not need the faster Nexus line. It was a quick trip through, though shoes, laptop toiletries all need to come out/off. Then it was right through Global Entry and onto the basic Priority Pass Lounge. It was 10:30 am and the lounge was quiet, transitioning from breakfast to lunch foods. At 11:00 am self-serve wine and cocktails were put out along with lunch items. The best thing about the lounge is the beautiful view over the Immigration area. I was surprised when friends happened to show up on their way to Palm Springs for Coachella. This made the time fly by quickly, and with a few extra cocktails.

     At 12:30 pm I boarded the American Airlines 737-800 flight to Dallas. The flight was good, though I was surprised that no tablets or inseat screens were available, just small overhead ones that played one movie and some television shows during the flight. No pre-flight cocktails either as with my last few Delta flights, but the service and meal were quite good. It gave me a chance to work and write.

     Upon arrival in Dallas, my first time in Texas, it was an easy pick up at the A gates with the Sheraton Dallas Fort Worth Airport Hotel shuttle bus coming to get me. A quick ten minute trip to the hotel and I was checked in. No suite upgrade here either, but I was planning on a quick snack and passing out early. There was a nice welcome amenity of fruit and cheese which I had before checking the Club Lounge offerings which were excellent, and the attendant was charming and wonderful. I had a glass of wine here while catching up on work before heading to bed early.