Radisson Decapolis Hotel Panama City
Posted by Lee on September 7, 2009
Given a choice I prefer to stay in Boquete Panama, it’s cool and quiet on Jaramillo. However occasionally there is a need to go to the big city, there is only one big city in Panama, Panama City. Usually, if I need to stay overnight I stay in a low brow hotel like the Las Vegas or Milan. Nothing fancy about either of them, but they are clean and in a busy district with late night diversions.
On the suggestion on a friend, I decided to try upscaling to the Radisson Decapolis. The Decapolis is located on Avenida Balboa at the Multiplaza Shopping center. Staying at the Decapolis in Panama City is like staying in an international class hotel anyplace in the world. The guests are a melange of people transiting the city for tourism and business. The one thing they have in common is they can afford the tariff and want to have a safe, secure, comfortable venue for retreat.
The lobby is bright and cheery and sports a large bar that also serves sushi.
The basic standard room I took, had two double beds and was clean, bright and very pleasant. Like most international hotels it lacked anything to let you know what country you were visiting. It is like McDonalds, regardless of the location the food is just about the same, some local differences, but not too much.
One of the selling points for my visit was that the value would be there, I am frugal. Breakfast was included in the rack rate, a nice buffet and custom prepared eggs. I tried breakfast three times, I preferred the Eggs Benedict, below, to the other options. Their attempt at Huevos Rancheros did not remind me of anything I had with that name in Mexico or Arizona.
The rooms include a safe, mini bar and free wired internet. Bring your cable because using theirs adds $10 to the bill. Wireless is available at a fee.
Here is the economic breakdown if you are interested.
Rack rate $149 plus tax per night
Breakfast is valued at $15 and included. It is probably worth close to that in many locations but in Panama I usually spend about $3 for all I can eat.
The give you $20 bar credit also. A rum Abuelo cost $5 and Beer $3.75. These are higher prices than my usual haunts but reasonable in a high end hotel.
If you are a gambler they also give you $25 in matching faux funds for their casino.
They do honor the jubilation discount so the bill for a night tallies like this
$149.95 plus tax becomes $114.73
Less $15 for breakfast
Less $20 drinks
Make it $79.73 a night. I should add they have a discount plan with many stores in MultiCentro. I did not do any shopping but if for example you shop for furniture at Conway the brochure says you will get 10% off. That might make your stay at the Decapolis a real deal.
Comments
6 Responses to “Radisson Decapolis Hotel Panama City”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
I thought the jubilado discount was 50% off M – R and 30% off on weekends. I’ve noticed inconsistencies at the various hotels in Panama in applying the discount as prescribed by law. I’ve received 50% off at many hotels but as little as 10% off at others.
The law says 50% monday – thursday and 30% on weekends.