Located about 80 minutes away from Panama City lies a magical resort nestled among lush tropical gardens and a pristine beach. I pulled into the Spanish Colonial styled hotel and was instantly greeted with smile, picture perfect decor, and an open-air lobby. Eye-catching handicrafts from indigenous Panamanian tribes were used as the accessories in the lobby which gave the hotel a trendy, yet ethnic vibe.
This sprawling resort is fresh out of a renovation, making it an ‘Autograph Collection Hotel’ as of December 2017. There are 118 beautifully appointed guest rooms as well as 4 luxurious suites. Also on property is an 18 hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, indulgent Corotú spa, and 5 incredible oceanfront pools to lounge in.
Aside from lounging pool or beach side they also offer a variety of activities for travelers looking to explore outside of the hotel. With a little help from the accommodating concierge, they can set up for you activities such as snorkeling, fishing, hiking, surfing, water rafting, rum tastings, and so much more. Also located on site is horseback riding, a small zoo, and any water sport you can imagine. They also offer the occasional ‘Interactive Artisan Workshop’ where they bring locals in to create something unique to this beautiful country.
The Buenaventura is home to some pretty spectacular food and cocktails. You can pick from a variety of options whether you’re wanting Panamanian fare from Asa’o and Pesca’o or Criollo, Japenese food and martinis from Tai Kai Sushi, beach side BBQs at El Faro Beach Club, or tapas at Caña Bar- you’ll be sure to be satisfied to the max. Buenaventura is also home to the incredible Palapa Bar where master mixologist is whipping up classic cocktails with a Panamanian flare and trust me, you’ll definitely have more than one!
After a long day of leisure there’s no better way to end the day than by swan diving into an over-sized plush bed. I had the best sleep ever in that ultra comfortable bed, waking up to the sounds of the jungle outside. The bathroom housed a deep soaking tub (that I took full advantage of) as well as a luxurious shower. My bedroom was large, had a great balcony, and was very nice.
This hotel is the essence of Panamanian coastal elegance and luxury. The staff (aptly wearing Panama hats) were attentive, kind, and eager to please. The sprawling resort is the perfect way to unwind or to just get out of the city for a long weekend. It’s one that I highly recommend and can’t wait for you to see for yourself!
***For more information or to make a reservation click here***
