Disappointment is an understatement for my recent experience. My friends and I are enthusiastic fans of HRC and visit them frequently around the world. I have collected shot glasses and t-shirts from more than 50 HRCs. This year we were excited about our first stay in a Hard Rock Hotel to celebrate New Year’s Eve abroad. We booked a flight from Europe to Panama and reserved a room about 2 weeks before our arrival directly on the hotel’s website. As there are worldwide lockdowns due to Covid-19, we sent an email asking if all amenities like pool, bars, rock shop and restaurants, would be open. We received no answer. Then our flight changed and I wanted to inform the hotel that we will arrive one day later. Again, no answer from anyone. After some research, I found the self-service option on the website and was able to change the booking on our own. I was rather surprised by the lack of response as this wasn’t the level of service that I expected from a brand like Hard Rock. Then things got worse. Two days before our arrival, we received an email that said “Your trip is coming up, time to get excited”. So we were relieved that we received any form of contact from the hotel and boarded the long haul flight to Panama, confident that we had a reservation. During our layover in the Netherlands, just a day before our arrival, when we were already on our way, we received another email that said “We can understand that your plans have changed” and our booking was cancelled. I answered directly that we hadn't changed our plans and we were already on our way. Again, no response! We tried to call several times, but only reached an answering machine saying "we cannot reach any of the staff“. As we were already en route, we flew to Panama City and took a taxi to the hotel - only to find out that it was completely closed. Imagine traveling half way across the world and upon arrival, you find out that the doors closed, the computer monitors at the reception counter were covered in sheets and a security guy rudely told us to leave the area of the hotel because it’s closed! With no internet available (as we didn't have a local sim card), we had to scramble to find another hotel nearby... all during a full lockdown in a country we've never been to and don't speak the language. To say we were panicking is an understatement. I must say that the dismal way that the HRH Panama City handled our reservation and left us without a place to stay at the worst possible time is extremely disappointing. I understand that Covid has last minute effects around the world, but I feel that we should have been informed immediately upon the hotel's closure. It could have at least given us time to make alternative arrangements.…
The hotel entrance, foyer, restaurants and public spaces are amazing. The young lady at the concierge desk was super friendly and very helpful. The rest ranged from disappointing to disgraceful. Disgraceful -- being told on arrival that our room was ready but as it was only 1pm and check in was 3pm it would cost us $80 to get access. Disgraceful -- our room had a shower but no bath. I asked reception if there were rooms with baths as my wife doesn't do showers, yes sir we have loads of rooms as the hotel is only at 30% occupancy -- cost $270 a night. The room we had, the bed was uncomfortable, the shower leaked (reported but never fixed in the three nights we stayed), generally the room was uninspiring for such an aspertional brand. We ate in the steak restaurant on the first night, food was very average and breakfast each morning was disappointing. The rooftop bar was OK -- lacked atmosphere as there was no one around. I could go on. We were on a central America tour and were really looking forward to this stop over -- wished we'd stayed someone else.…
Whilst the entrance and most public areas are very impressive; the staff helpful and professional; the management really do need to get a grip of processes. Despite booking in advance and attempting every day during my visit (3 nights) no one was able to get my name attached to my room. Very annoying when attempting to add anything (like food) to my room account. The rooms are tired and the bathroom capsule in the room too small. Considering the size of the room it would have been good to sit on the toilet and be able to close the door. The location was about a 40 minute walk from the old town.
Lots of cheaper options in the area to stay but the view, the food and the rooms are outstanding. Worth a stay if you've never been to Panama. Breakfast was awesome hotel located close to all major points of interest.
Great room, spacious, comfortable beds, good storage. Large bathroom with brilliant shower and plentiful supplies. Excellent breakfast buffet with additional eggs station. Plentiful choice of juices, fruits, meats and cheeses, pastries and other hot dishes. Nice pool area, but liable to get busy which can lead to shortage of sun loungers. Covered walkway to shopping mall and Hard Rock Cafe. Nice bakery and restaurant adjacent to hotel. Tourist hop on / hop off bus from outside the mall. One Negative....'Save The Planet'.......ditch the plastic straws from all bars please!!
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