We stayed at the Bristol for 4 nights in April. It was our 1st time to Panama City. Restaurant in the hotel was excellent - food was so delicious and creative. We dined with Panamanian friends who are in the know and world travelers and it's one of their favorite dining spots in Panama City. They insisted that we try the restaurant's version of a Panamanian classic "Quatro leche" - a flan-like custard, like creme caramel in a way - delicious. The separate bar was a nice spot to have a drink before dinner...and went there after dinner on another night with live music.

Service at the hotel was very good. Our room, a junior suite, was comfortable, clean with fresh fruit upon our arrival and nice marble, spacious bathroom. Quiet sleeping.

The gym is small, but sufficient and I was able to check emails in their small, but efficient business center.

The location was convenient to nearby restaurants (which were fabulous...I would recommend dinner at the hotel restaurant as well as lunch or dinner at The Market and La Postina...all were fantastic...great atmosphere and food/wine). Both THe Market and La Postina are a 3 minute cab ride (10 min walk) from the hotel...although walking around Panama City can be challenging due to the lack of sidewalks in some places!

Only drawback for us (we were here on vacation and visiting friends in Panama) was that there wasn't a pool/outside area at the hotel because it is tucked into the business district of the city. We wanted to spend some relaxing time in a chaise by a pool/go for a swim after a morning visiting the Canal and touring the old city, but the hotel doesn't have this amenity - and I called to see if there was a reciprocal membership with (for example, the Intercontinental which is right on the water with a pool), but they do not offer any arrangement like this. To be in a tropical locale on vacation with beautiful weather and palm trees, etc and not have access to the outdoors at the place you're staying was a drawback for me. I left this comment for the hotel...to consider setting up an arrangement whereby guests at the Bristol could have the right to use the pool/facilities at a nearby hotel/club...even the option to pay for access?!

But, if the pool situation doesn't matter, you will be comfortable and enjoy your stay at The Bristol.

The Bristol is a relatively small and very comfortable hotel in a good location in Panama City. Our room was spacious and clean. The bed was particularly comfortable. Used dishes left outside the door of our room were removed very quickly (to us a sign of attention). Fresh fruit in the room every day was appreciated (and unusual -- more often such amenities are offered just for the first night). Breakfasts were ample (both variety and amount of food served) and well prepared. Dinner in their Las Barandas restaurant was world class and excellent value. The staff try extremely hard to be helpful. Unfortunately in our experience they didn't always get it right: we asked for wake-up calls on three mornings and only received one (so be sure set the alarm clock provided in your room); also, when we asked for directions to a restaurant we were advised to take a taxi, then found out that it was a three minute walk from the hotel along a well-lit and busy street. Overall we can recommend the hotel highly, particularly if you can get the corporate rate, which also makes it a bargain.

We were directed to the Bristol for a night stay from Coral Lodge who gets a rate of about 225...
Very much like a typical Ritz Carlton Experience, soft beds, mahogany furniture. Loverly ambiance, a bit stogey, but that is what you asked for. If you need help with reservations and trvel they are helpful, but for the most part we needed little. It did seem stange to have my "butler" wander by for help and I felt guilty that we did not need help except for ice! This resort is not for someone who wants to party- go to the decapolis for that, but for a quet relaxing stay, honeymoon or for help, they are really the best...no pool though

My sister booked the stay at the Bristol for me via Tropical Discoveries. Thanks to Ken (at Tropical Discoveries), I was able to get a room at the Bristol two days before arriving in Panama.

My knowledge of the Bristol was limited to the recom. of the agent, so unlike some of the other persons who have written their reviews, I had no prior knowledge of what to expect.

From the inception of my arrival, I was greated by friendly, curtious staff who switched me to a non smoking room at request (Thank you Danilo). I was provided with warm and friendly service throughout my stay by ALL of the staff and was advised of some of the better tours to go on while in Panama city. I had the pleasure of dealing with many of the other clerks at the front desk (including Bernadio) who provided exceptional service!! These gentlemen did everything from booking my tours and arranging drivers to providing me with brochers and personalized maps to get to some areas in the city.

I stayed on the 4th floor and found the room to be exceptionally clean, spacious and asthetically pleasing.

While the food in the hotel was a little pricy, this is no exception to any other hotel that I have stayed at in the 25 other countries that I have visited!

I found some of the reviews about hidden prices a little unfair. Perhaps these readers should spend a little time reading some of the literature that the hotel provided. These clearly outline the prices. A word of caution to other persons who stay in any hotel (STOP AND READ !!!) As an adult, if you don't see it written, ask a question. It is a hotel for the love of God. If it is wrapped, sealed or not included in your covered charges in your room fees.... then you are going to have to pay!!!

I would recommend this hotel!