New Hotel in Panama: Santa Maria Luxury Collection

A new and contemporary hotel just open doors in Panama City this month.  The beautiful Santa Maria Golf & Country Club.

The Santa María Hotel is a luxury hotel by the Starwood brand, as part of their Luxury Collection.  Located within the Santa María Country Club near the international Tocumen airport.

The hotel’s 182 accommodations allow the stunning city and golf course views, many from balconies. Feel at home with a coffeemaker, wireless High-Speed Internet Access, and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Restful sleep is ensured by one king-size or two double Luxury Collection beds. Bathrooms clad in Italian marble offer refined amenities and bathrobes.   Suitable for both business and leisure, each Executive Suite includes a separate living area for meetings or casual gatherings. Two exclusive Deluxe Suites are distinguished by the best views of the golf course from outdoor terraces.

Balance and wellness are the goals of our world-class spa, whose 600 square meters include five treatment cabins, a Turkish bath, a steam room, a beauty salon, a relaxation area, and locker rooms. Yoga and Reiki sessions are held outside.

For more information on rates, special discounts and Events, contact our office at info@ecocircuitos.com  or for incentives info@discoversublime.com

Information about las Clementinas Hotel

We would like to inform you that one of our hotel favorites, Las Clementinas has officially informed us that they are no longer offering breakfast in the restaurant located in the hotel. The hotel and restaurant are operated by different companies. Guests staying at Las Clementinas are now having breakfast at Tantalo`s which is approximately 2 blocks away, approximately 5 minute walk. Las Clementinas will continue to offer early breakfasts when prearranged.

The hotel has communicated with us that they will be building a kitchen that will serve hotel guests, but currently they do not have a timeline on this. We will keep you updated.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

EcoCircuitos Team

Cala Mia lodge in the Gulf of Chiriqui

This boutique hotel is located on the tip of an island in the Chiriquí province, 15 minutes by boat from Boca Chica and on the border with the nearly unexplored Chiriqui Marine Park, which provides habitat for birds, monkeys, dolphins, turtles and much more.  Each of the 11 individual air-conditioned bungalow suites with their thatched roofs have a “rancho” rest area, hammocks and big sofas for relaxing and generously designed bathrooms with hot water showers. With the ocean being never more than 10 meters away from your bungalow enjoy the cool evening breeze while looking out on the Pacific and the surrounding nature.
The restaurant, located on the highest point of the peninsula, offers stunning views of the surrounding area, while you treat yourself to one of the exquisite Mediterranean style dishes. Many of the ingredients are directly grown on the hotel’s organic farm. Meet other visitors around the big table in the evenings to revive age-old customs of storytelling and companionable silence as you watch the sun set.
Pamper yourself in the spa located on an adjacent islet accessible by a suspension bridge or enjoy the infinity pool on the shore. The hotel offers half and full day tours for the exploration of the nearby areas.

New Hotels opening in Panama

Waldorf Astoria Panama

A number of exciting new Hotels, among them several well known brands, are opening for business in Panama this year:

The recently open JW Marriott Panama is located within the Buenaventura resort community, 80 miles southwest of Panama City on the Pacific coast.   This premier luxury resort in Panama offers elegant accommodations and suites set amongst lush gardens and a lagoon with vistas of the Pacific and five restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, a spa, a chapel, meeting space and a beachfront clubhouse with an infinity pool and waterfront butler service.

The Waldorf Astoria Panama, Latin America’s first Waldorf Astoria Hotel, located in the trendy Calle Uruguay section, will be less than 15 minutes from the International Airport and walking distance of the waterfront park on Cinta Costera, as well as the banking and central business district. The 130 room luxury Hotel is scheduled to be open in March.

Another big brand expected to open in Panama City this year is the Hilton Panama, expected to receive guests from September onwards. With 347 guest rooms and suites, Spa, Casino, Fitness and Business Center, this centrally located Hotel will offer the typical Hilton Quality to both business and leisure travelers.

Close by M. Gelabert regional Airport and connected to Latin America’s greatest shopping center Albrook Mall, the opening of new TRYP by Wyndham in June will add new possibilities for visitors. The contemporary hotel with its versatile design, rooftop infinity pool and over 300 rooms will be a great new opportunity for the discerning modern traveler.

A premier boutique hotel in Panama’s Casco Viejo will be The American Trade Hotel, a 50 room hotel being built in the former headquarters of the American Trade Developing Co.. Designed by architect Leonardo Villanueva Meyer in 1917, the building is often referred to as Panama’s first skyscraper because at its time it was the country’s tallest building and only the second to have an elevator. The current structure was built in two phases: a first floor begun in 1917 to house the Banco Arias Feraud and The American Trade department store (both owned by the great, great grandfather of one of the current developers); and the upper stories in 1920, which were American Trade Developing Co.’s offices and luxury apartments. Opening is expected at the end of this year.

Ecocircuitos is already having rates and is looking forward to working with these new venues this season, to be able to keep offering their guests the best experience possible.

Canopy Bed & Breakfast Grand Opening!

The Canopy Tower Family is proud to announce the opening of its newest venture, the Canopy B&B!   Located in the quaint, historic town of Gamboa on the Panama Canal, and just a 15-minute drive to world-famous Canopy Tower or a 20-minute walk to Pipeline Road, the Canopy B&B offers a quiet retreat from big-city life or a fantastic base from which to explore Soberania National Park. Be among the first to experience the peaceful and serene environment that defines the Canopy B&B!

Located in a restored canal house dating back to 1937, the B&B is just a 15 minute walk to the world famous Pipeline Road-perfect for nature lovers! The B&B is just a 45 minute drive to Panama City, giving opportunity to enjoy exquisite cuisine & shopping, a variety of tours, beautiful beaches and so much more! Also, located right on the Panama Canal, Gamboa serves as an historical landmark and a chance to view the canal up close and personal!
For more information and reservations on this great B&B, please contact us at info@ecocircuitos.com

 

New 5 Star hotel: Trump Ocean Club International Hotel Promotional Room Rate: $254.00 **

Rising seventy stories above Panama Bay along Punta Pacifica’s pristine peninsula, Trump Ocean Club® International Hotel & Tower Panama unites exclusive amenities, innovative accommodations and the signature services of Trump Attaché™. Destined to become Central America’s next architectural icon, its sleek design evokes a majestic sail fully deployed in the wind, and it is the tallest and largest building in Latin America.  Further distinguishing Trump Panama is a private beach club accessible by resort catamaran, where you can play a round of golf at the 18-hole golf course, a yacht club, and renowned designer shopping. The 13th-floor deck features three radiant pools with waterfront dining and adjacent three-story high sky lobby. Staying true to Trump’s unmatched reputation for excellence, every aspect of the tower has been designed to showcase the direct ocean views, and each of the 369 hotel rooms and suites are exquisitely furnished in an elegant, cosmopolitan style. From the international casino to gourmet dining, this is opulence at its absolute finest.

**For reservations made until July 31, 2011.

Panama Expedition 7 day adventure from $740.00

Experience the contrasts of Panama in this great itinerary, which combines historical tours, rainforest, paddling the Canal´s Gatun Lake surrounded by tropical rainforest, 2 nights in El Valle mountain town at Los Mandarinos SPA and lodge and a beach tour at the Pacific side of Panama with an option of a surfing class. For complete information and complete itinerary please contact us at info@ecocircuitos.com

Free Insurance for Panama Tourists

As of January 17, tourists entering Panama through Tocumen International Airport will have what the Tourism Authority is calling free insurance.

The insurance provides insurance for 30 days, Salomon Shamah, Tourism Aurthority head, had said in a press conference. The government signed a two-year contract with Assicurzioni Generali for $8 million.

“The idea of a medical emergency insurance for tourists who visit us is to raise the quality of what is offered to the people who come to Panama,” said Shamah.

Tourists and Panamanians living abroad will receive a booklet that includes a removable card with insurance details. The benefits include coverage of up to $20,000 to repatriate the tourist’s dead body, $7.000 for a week of hospitalization, $2,000 for dental emergencies, $3,500 for legal services, up to $40,000 in air ambulance service and $500 to $1,000 for drug prescriptions.

According to Panamanian authorities, around 1.05 million visitors entered the country through Tocumen between January and November 2010, representing 70 percent of the 1.5 million people that enter Panama through the various ports of entry.

The $2 charge for the insurance is already included in the $40 airport taxes paid by all travelers.  You as a traveler upon arrival contact the Tourism Bureau kiosk to activate your insurance.

Limitations and Exclusions: 

Pre-existing medical conditions (including pregnancy); nature’s phenomenon, extreme sports, suicide; attempt of suicide, insured’s participation in crime or other offenses; beneficiaries falling to fulfill the Republic of Panama’s migratory laws; accidents, under illegal drugs effects or proven drunkenness, or if accident is caused on account of the insured’s fault or serious negligence; situations provoked, caused or produced because of hostilities, actions or was operations or foreign enemy invasion (being the war declared or not) or of civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection or other incidents or offenses against the country’s internal security or terrorism, insured’s participation in crimes or other offenses; death caused by accident on commercial (covered according to the Dirección de Aeronáutica Civil) or private aircraft; loss, material or moral damage and/or loss or profits.

For more information or immediate assistance call: 204-9300/800-2312

Special promotion for green season

8 DAYS ADVENTURE FOR $1080.00

Adventure program includes: all transfers in private, 3 nights at boutique hotel in Panama City, domestic flights, 2 nights adventure in Boquete/Finca Lerida, 2 nights adventure in Bocas del Toro and more! For more information, please contact info@ecocircuitos.com