El Otro Lado is truly a hidden gem. We had high expectations and it beat them all. The hotel is amazingly decorated, very warm and comforting; it feels like you are in a museum but it's warmth makes you feel at home. The location, Portobello a small fishing town, is beautiful and secluded with plenty of marine life, flowers and... More

I just cant play it cool with El Otro Lado.It's impossible for the jaw not not to drop as calm,urbane,dry but amazingly helpful Jim gently ushers you round the fabulously designed houses and restaurant/bar shortly after the short boat ride from Portobelo. The retreat nestles discretely at the waters edge and although there is considerable flair and audacity in the... More

Well that may not be saying much, but this is a very nice restaurant by any Panamanian standards. We ate lunch, a 3 course set meal with no choices. It was fine and certainly excellent value at around $30 a head. You need to book a few hours in advance because it's such a small outfit and also find a... More

El Otro Lado was a disappointment. We felt like could be a nice place, and is certainly in a beautiful setting, but right now just isn't the relaxed and private retreat we had hoped it would be. The one thing I assume won't change, and which visitors expecting a 'private retreat' should know, is that two of the houses, the... More

This was one of the most unique and beautiful properties I have ever stayed at. From the moment you get off the boat that picks you up in Portobelo, you enter a beautiful property with a spectacular view of Portobelo bay, exotic and lush flora and fauna with artwork greeting you in every pathway. The room (Sun House) was designed... More

What a breathtakingly beautiful place the EOL topped only by its exquisite personal service. The appointments are all first rate, food excellent, the top notch service is individual and personal in a jungle waterfront setting that frankly makes the many other places we have visited in Panama now seem not so impressive anymore. Our deep appreciation to Jim Peeples, his... More

We visited El Otro Lado for a couple of days during a 3.5 week visit to Panama over December / January, visiting Boquete, Panama City, and the Bocas Islands. Portobelo is a unique and special visit, made so for us by Jim Peebles and the retreat. We returned to Panama City via Colon and the Canal railroad which added another... More

My husband and I took a trip to Panama, which spanned December 20, 2012, through January 3, 2013. We stayed at El Otro Lado Retreat on the following four nights: December 28 through 31. You can see my reviews of the other hotels as well as the tour company that helped us plan our trip. We were very pleased with... More

The title of this review was spoken to me by my girlfriend every morning while we were at El Lotro Lado, and I can’t say that she was wrong. El Otro Lado is a very special place, and a hotel that you’ll have a tough time finding similar anywhere else in the world. The hotel’s name in English means “the... More