Casa Del Horno Hotel in Panama City

I’ve just returned from a week in Panama and I must say that I am more than impressed. We stayed in the old part of Panama City known as the Casco Viejo. What an amazing mix of everything! The fantastic architecture ranges from literal ruins to the meticulously restored. One encounters people from all walks of life – the poorest to the wealthiest and everybody in between. This amazing UNESCO World Heritage site is a bee hive of workers involved with restoration work on virtually every block.

We chose to stay at the charming Las Clementinas Hotel. It has it all: very spacious rooms (apartments, actually) that are tastefully decorated and with wonderful linens to boot. Our room had great views, but if you find yourself without, just head up to the spectacular rooftop terrace. From here, one can see the mighty growth that the central districts of this city are experiencing. High rises are in surprising abundance. It is clear that Panama has arrived, and with an economy that is still booming, there seems to be no end in sight.

I love the style of antoher hotel pictured above that just opened in the Casco Viejo known as Casa Del Horno. It is as chic as anything I’ve seen in any city around the world, but is decidedly “Panama Modern” with its beautiful Calicanto walls and clean lined furnishings. While there, we enjoyed a fantastic restaurant, L’Osteria. If you go, you must check it out – not only for its haute Italian cuisine, but for the sophisticated décor as well. It was so good that we went twice.

If you’re tempted to buy or rent a pied-a-terre while in the Casco, I can highly recommend contacting Clara at Arco Properties. She’s got the pulse on everything that is going on here. Clara is an expat that knows her business, lives in the neighborhood, and she is clearly enamored of her fast changing territory. Careful, her enthusiasm is contagious! 

Muchas gracias para may nuevo amigos en Casco Viejo!