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All 4 Santa Catalina B&Bs / inns »

On The Reef

Calle al Estero | follow signs after coming up to hotel area, Santa Catalina, Panama
Hotel amenities
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17 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
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Date Rating
KSKLindenHills
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
3 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed February 7, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

First class pretensions only. For $110/night, I expected some graciousness and at least a cup of coffee. After a five hour drive, we were not allowed to even see the room until we paid in full. We resisted their insistence that we pay for the full intended five nights. The room lacked basics: soap, bath mat, clock. Dinner was not... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
February 9, 2012

Exactly. We got rules like everywhere else. They are up on our web page. We hosted our share of super famous people this summer and they actually wrote some of the great reviews before this one... so what can I say? I told this lady quite clearly what the rules where before she arrived. She was difficult from the start.... More

lilalylle
San Jose, Costa Rica
1 review
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 17, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We spent the new years at On the Reef in Santa catalina Panama. What a place! I lived in the far east and I am an avid traveler. This place is fantastic! The small hotel is directly in front of the wave so you can watch surfers catching waves all day. Hawaiian size waves makes Catalina a special place. On... More

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bozo70
bozeman, Montana, USA
Reviewer
4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 2, 2012

On the reef is the nicest and by far the best place to stay in Catalina. Secluded and private, it sits high above the reef on the rugged and beautiful coastline, looking out over the world class surf break that made Catalina famous. The house is elegant, stylish and comfortable, with three clean, air conditioned rooms and a beautiful wrap-around... More

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Ricardo C
Panama City, Panama
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 19, 2011

Santa Catalina Panama - On The Reef - First Class in the Third World. So read the article in Long Board Magazine years ago . I am a Panamanian surfer and Stand Up Paddle Surfer and I travel the world to surf and compete. From Hawaii to California to Peru. I have stayed in many Surf Hotels around the world... More

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lilpinkbird
Emeryville, California
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews
7 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed December 9, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

We were so excited to stay here, after reading good reviews on Tripadvisor, but when we arrived, it was a whole different story! The owner was gone. The normal staff was gone so only a new maid who didn't speak any English was there. It was also only upon arrival that we found out we wouldn't be able to have... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
December 29, 2011

Our facilities are unique . We are in the best posible spot in Catalina. Other more positive reviews offer a better description of our fine establishment. Suite #1 is the only room in Catalina trully ocean front. Its full most of the year. Designed by award winning architect Alfredo Boza and right in front of the point. Tons of pictures... More

Pnasrallah
Sao Paulo, SP
Reviewer
4 reviews
4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 11, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

If you are going to Santa Catalina, this is a must stay. For real surfers the hotel is true to it´s name. It is on the reef facing this perfect wave. For beginners, the hotel is walking distance to the beach. The owners make sure you feel right at home. Breakfast is great! The view from the hotel is fenomenal.... More

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perlashatz5
Panama City, Panama
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This is the best place to stay in Santa Catalina. My husband and I arrived late at night, after driving for almost 7 hours we finally got to our destination feeling super hungry and tired. The owner and his wife greeted us with our room already set up and his wife made us delicious turkey sandwiches before going to a... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
April 1, 2011

Thank you Perla. This year we upgraded our oceanfront deck, restaurant and bar. As you know we are right on the Point and have a unique location in front of the famous wave. We have experienced an increase in bookings and more and more people from Europe and California. Check new pics - We have uploaded hundreds of new amazing... More

pappichulo
San Juan, Puerto Rico
1 review
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 9, 2010
1
person found this review helpful

The beds where awesome and the air-conditioning very good being in a warm climate this was key to a great night sleep. The service was friendly and very attentive @ all times. The food was really good and the margaritas they made from scratch where refreshing. Being a two time world masters surfing champion and avid traveler this would be... More

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Cesar15
Panama City, Panama
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed June 26, 2010

This hotel is a big up grade from the other hotels in the area, rooms are decorated with good taste and have clean confortable beds. With only 3 rooms it's more a boutique hotel. It's also strategicaly located with an excelente view of the surf and swim channel to the waves. There's also great diving and spearfishing in the area... More

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AQUAMANpanama
Panamá City, Panamá
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 15, 2010

My wife and I dive regularly at home and abroad. Even in remote areas, we always go for the best. This time, we wanted to go back to the last bastion of virgin diving in our country; the island of Coiba. In our previous trip there, we had had to settle for less than adecuate accomodations since most hotels cater... More

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