I booked the Aloft Panama City Hotel for $94.91 + taxes on a Starwood Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) rate (see How to Find a Starwood Best Rate Guarantee) which meant I would earn an additional 2,000 Starpoints after the stay was completed. I didn’t have a tough time finding the hotel even though I rented a car in Panama.
Introduction to Panama City
LAX Flagship Lounge at American Airlines Terminal 4
American Airlines MIA-PTY 737-800 Business Class
My Experience Renting a Car in Panama City
Aloft Panama City Hotel Review
The Sights and Sounds of the Panama Canal
The Sights and Sounds of Casco Viejo in Panama City
Panama City Airport Tocumen Royal Saloon Airport VIP Lounge
Panama City Airport Tocumen Airport Club Lounge
American Airlines PTY-MIA 737-800 Business Class
I parked in the parking structure of the hotel which was complimentary for guests of the Aloft Panama City. It was a multi-level parking structure and I had a hard time finding the exit due to the lack of signage. I eventually found a door that said “Aloft”, but it actually took me to the lobby through the hotel’s kitchen!
The lobby was huge and had plenty of seating. Now, I’ve stayed at many Aloft hotels such as the Aloft San Francisco Airport (SFO) and the Aloft Bogota, but this one definitely takes the cake in décor.
There was even a pool table and a business center located in the lobby area.
In addition, there was a wxyz bar also located in the lobby area.
The front desk agent apologized for the lack of signage in the parking structure. I kindly asked her if there were any suites available and she said yes (score!). I’ve never stayed at an Aloft Suite since many Aloft properties don’t have suites. Furthermore, I wasn’t even supposed to be entitled to a suite upgrade as a Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum member because the complimentary suite upgrade benefit is excluded at Aloft and Element hotels. I informed the agent that I would like breakfast as a Platinum amenity and she handed me a breakfast voucher.
Here’s a video I took of the Aloft suite:
The suite contained an L shaped living room which had a sofa, circular seating area, and a small dining table with two chairs.
The bedroom consisted of an executive desk, two queen sized beds along with a tableside alarm clock.
A welcome amenity of fresh fruits was placed alongside the table.
The room also contained a coffee maker, two complimentary bottles of water, and an in-room safe.
The bathroom had two double basin sinks with bliss bath amenities.
The shower area had shower gel and shampoo 2-1 (shampoo and conditioner combined) dispensers on the wall.
The best part about the room was the amazing views of the Panama City skyline.
Breakfast was held in the lobby area with communal tables.
The breakfast buffet spread consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and carimañolas.
There was also deli meats, assorted chesses, bread, muffins, pastries, cereal, fresh fruit, and yogurt.
Beverages included coffee, tea, and orange juice.
I had a little bit of everything from the hot selections which was delicious. The only Panamanian thing about this breakfast was the carimañola which is like an empanada, but made with yucca and stuffed with beef.
Even though I had a hard time finding the entrance of the hotel from the multi-level parking garage, I had a fantastic time at the Aloft Panama City. For less than $100, I got a suite upgrade, free internet (which was blazing fast), free parking, and free hot breakfast which can’t be beat. The lobby décor was top notch and it could easily be mistaken for a W hotel. I highly recommend visiting the Aloft Panama City if you’re looking for a hotel in Panama since they take good care of SPG Platinum members and did I mention that the internet was BLAZING fast?