We at Travel Off Path recently treated the new pioneering flight from San Diego to Panama City via Copa Airlines, a historical performance in the making for 12 years, according to mayor of San Diego, Todd Gloria.
With their popular Stopover programTravelers have the chance to spend as long as a full week in Panama before they venture on some of my favorite destinations that used to be a headache to reach before Copa saved the day – Honduras, Guatemala and Brazil.
Among the lively miracles of Casco Viejo (old city), the stunning never-ending skyline reminiscent of Dubai, and both Caribbean and Pacific Shorelines, as well as hidden by the UNESCO secured cities, Panama not only deserved my stamp of approval, not only as a stopover, but your central America front tribe.
Of course, every seasoned traveler knows the choosing of a destination one thing, but choosing where to stay is a different conversation complete.
One glance at Hotel La Compañia Answer that question very quickly.
Welcome to Hotel La Compañia: Panama City’s Remarkable Revival
If you have followed us on Travel Off Path in recent months, you have probably noticed that I personally have been a globetrotting -thesis from San Jose, California to Panama.
As such I say without exaggeration: My stay in Panama City is one of my favorite in all my recent trips – A really unique hotel that has been masterfully transformed.
Targeted ruins are now like a 5-star hotel that feels more like at home than in a place where you are not allowed to touch anything.
Every careful detail is goal-oriented, whether they are different aromas in every corner of the building, dedicated wings of Spanish, American and French flair, or centuries-old stone walls, rustic wooden ceilings and surprisingly spacious rooms equipped with aesthetically rich residues of Bygone times.
The best of all – Old Town Panama City is practical. Walk past the friendly reception personnel, outside the lobby doors are always open for you with a smile, and you are beaten with paved streets, pastel squares and elegant cathedrals – and of course some souvenir shops to buy a mandatory “Panama hat”.
Hyatt’s Unbound Ownership was opened in 2022, but you would never know. The grounds are spotless and seems as if it was open yesterday, even with indispensable touches of his 300+ years, because the original Jesuit convention already dates in the 1680s.
The hotel itself nowadays feels like a modern hotel (well, except for the elevator that serves as a time machine), but next door is a stunning background of Jesuit ruins that are now often used for wedding receptions.
However, the gates open to the public on Sundays for a local traditional market, which means that an unforgettable photo is, even if you cannot make room for a new artwork in your hand luggage.
Travel tip: I strongly recommend viewing the Capella roof for tasty cocktails and sweeping a view of not only the preserved ruins, but also the mix of Panama City of towering cathedrals and the rising skyline.
Turn the clock back during dinner: no telephones allowed!
As if Hotel La Compañia did not offer a trip back in time, simply by staying here, around the corner of the hotel site beyond the viewing area Villa AnaNamed after Ana Mercedes Arias, who was not shy for Weelde and her passion for life.
Surprises await every floor of this awesome mansion of 1920, whether it is a cigar bar on the roof, quirky speakeasy, or the star of the show, the restaurant itself, supported by chef Patrice Jaumon, who proudly told me that their plates were “made with love”.
If that is the secret ingredient for the sensational perfectly manufactured Caipiroskas, a good portion of duck confit dumplings and equal parts of juicy and crispy sucking pig that adorned my lips, then someone gives me a hug because I need more love in my life.
I would like to show you photos as proof of how wonderful this meal was, but to return to Ana’s life for life, Villa Ana believes that the best experience is to enjoy a meal with loved ones without conversations Lull Escapes or Doom-Scrolls and Right in Digital Oblivion.
This was my first ‘digital detox’ meal, but will certainly not be my last. Good wine, good food and even better company made for a really memorable evening, while my phone enjoyed a break of my thumbs, locked up at the hostess stand.
There are 5 restaurants on the spot in Hotel La Compañia. In my opinion, Villa Ana was all against them with a good second being 1739A French modern concept that is actually in the hotel, just past the lobby and a hidden wine cellar (ask for it!).
I could give the nod above Villa Ana 1739, but they are 86’d escargot, which is about as much as Mexican restaurants that have no chips and salsa.
Although my order of lamb chops was flawlessly executed, concluded with a better selection of wine than Villa Ana, the overall experience to lock our phones was really unique and borderline if we are glued to the ‘gram in travel mode.
However, there is one secret place that you need to know. Tucked away in the rear corner of El Sanctuario is La Panadería, a great place to feed to your morning with freshly made Empanadas and that for lattes.
Wereld wonders at the door: let Ancon Expeditions guide you
A step outside the lobby of Hotel La Compañia and you have been brought back for centuries along a maze of stone streets with a range of colorings.
While my journey -ego sometimes gets the best of me to find hidden gems myself, I really enjoyed it to leave Ancon Expeditions Take the reins on an insightful walk through the heart of Casco Viejo.
For sample size I never learned what you think Is a “Panama hat” not one at all. They are for tourists. The locals rocks a completely different style.
Our guide Nico Guerrero could not have been more useful to guide ourselves not only in Panama City, where we could score behind the scenes to score access that the ins and outs of the world-famous Panama Canal learn, but also a large tour (including samples) of the most expensive coffee in the world-you must participate in the Geisha -experienceKnown as the “Champagne of Coffee”.
Each bean is picked by hand one by one by farmers, which results in a taste so in -depth, you can never go to Starbucks again.
My personal favorite excursions was much further than the historic streets and towering skyline.
Witnessing the Panama Canal from first hand and realized how ingenious it was, brought me back to my first visit to Paris, where I already decided that I would not be impressed by the most famous attraction of the city. Needless to say that I was wrong …
The best part was the boat trip through Gatun Lake and Run-Off Waterwegen, including close-up encounters with wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and crocs, as well as massive ships that all the Temu-Rommel we order.
Although, if there is one place on the route, I wanted us to have more time to spend, it is the city of Portobelo secured by the UNESCO, a secret village on the remote Caribbean coast of Panama with roots tied to the journey of Christopher Columbus.
As more travelers discover the magic of Panama, Portobelo has to surpass their wish list with its fascinating mix of history, unique Afro-Caribbean culture and natural beauty, including apparently unaccepted coasts, perfect for snorkeling, where I look dull, no Sharks.
You can pick up the Ancor Expeditions shuttle at Hotel La Compañia with timely precision and safe driving methods.
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