Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[Paesano63]

I have stayed at the Hotel Las Vegas and Veto Casino for about 2 years, 10 trips in all, frankly the Las Vegas Suites were a bit run down, yeah the suites are large but overall not very nice. So i switched the the Veneto my last 6 stays, but the price kept increasing from 79 a night to 119 my last stay in February. Then the Veneto closed for a week and reopened with rates starting at $149, so I started looked for alternatives. I will try to Hotel Milan. My reservation is at $38.50 a night, I will arrive on saturday April 14, and I'll post a review when I return late April.

Also, with a 10 year property tax empemption, I'm glad I'm buying a apartment (estimated completion October 08) my last Veneto bill was $2, 000 for a two week stay. (taxes and extra person fee). My carrying (dues plus uitliities) cost on the apartment with be $200 a month. Since I go down so often, the apartment is justified. And its 3 blocks from the Veneto.

[BaitAndSwitch]

If anyone is in the area, let me know. I'd be glad to buy you a drink.

[Free Sex]

Free here,

Yes, the hotel is very nice for the price he payed, at that time I think $28 a night. If I were you, I would for sure stay there. Just get the whole guest policy thing worked out BEFORE you bring anyone over.

[Superman06]

Thanks for the insight. I'll probally do my reservations at the start of June. Sounds like a popular hotel for the budget traveller, like myself. Other than the strange visiting policy, I take it your friend liked staying there?

[Free Sex]

Free here,

All I can say is MAKE SURE you book in ADVANCE. The hotel itself is centrally located and always seems to be booked!! So get your room way in advance. The rates should be listed on the site. I did have a slight problem with them once. My friend, a MALE, was staying at the hotel. I went to pick him up one afternoon and they WOULD NOT let me go upstairs to get him. BUT during the evening I had no problem going up to his room, somewhat weird. I say that to say just MAKE SURE you explain to them you will be having guest, and discuss the fee, if there is one.

[Superman06]

Anyone have any opinions on Hotel Milan located at Calle Eusebio A. Morales? There rates appear to be very reasonable and they get pretty good reviews on Trip Advisor. I'm also wondering if they are chica friendly(Trip Advisor makes no mention of that! lol). I'll be visiting Panama City the first week of August and also hope they have reasonable air conditioning.

[Majagualo]

Keep in mind that Carnaval in Panama runs from 17 February until the 21st, for a week before and after those dates, finding a Hotel without a reservation is going to be extremely difficult.

Majagualo

[Member #2041]

Elusive,

There are a few hotels literally RIGHT across the street from The Veneto. Also many that are walking distance (one block or so), BUT I would not call them "upscale". The closest "upscale" hotel that is walking distance from The Veneto is The Marriot. A relaxed walk will take you about 10 mins maybe. Actually The Crowne Plaza hotel is about a small walk closer to The Veneto BUT not as "upscale" as the Marriot. Not to mention The Marriot is connected to The Royal Casino, close to Habanos (See the Panama City Forum), and Champs (pretty good food) which is inside the hotel. If I were you, I would go with The Marriot.

FREE!!!!

Directly kitty corner from the Veneto (around 40 meters walk door to door) is the Las Vegas Suites - a perfectly decent, guest friendly place, which had a kitchenette (fridge, microwave, hot plate, sink) in the room. Their base rate is $50/night, but if you book 7 days, it's down to $35/night, and you can get a corporate rate down to $30/night. Quite a decent bargain. A bit nicer is the Torres de Alba Suites, on one of the other corners of the same intersection, but that's more like $75/night. I've heard that Torres de Alba Suites is very nice. It certainly appears to be very nice, but I expect that the service level is more like an upscale serviced apartment suite than a full service 4* hotel. Again, this is around 40 meters from the Veneto entrance. The Crown Hotel & Casino (NOT Crown Plaza) is around 2 blocks from the Veneto, and has it's own Casino, but it's a notch below that of the Veneto. The Crown Plaza is also in the same neighborhood.

None of these are quite as nice or anywhere near as expensive as the Veneto or Marriott. There are another 3 or 4 places within a block of the Veneto down the same street as the Las Vegas Suites, ranging from $35/night to $70/night. Among these were the Hotel Milan and the Sevillas Suites, still a short (1 block or so) walk to the Veneto Casino. I can't speak to the girl-friendliness or quality of any of these other than the Vegas Suites, but I certainly felt that the Vegas Suites was excellent value and quite conveniently located. I would suggest that, if you wish to use the Veneto Casino as your base of operations, the best choices are either Torres de Alba Suites or Sevillas Suites, or, for the more frugal budget, the Vegas Suites.

[Elusive]

For Champs, do you mean "Champions, as in White Castle knockoff burgers?

Elusive,

There are a few hotels literally RIGHT across the street from The Veneto. Also many that are walking distance (one block or so), BUT I would not call them "upscale". The closest "upscale" hotel that is walking distance from The Veneto is The Marriot. A relaxed walk will take you about 10 mins maybe. Actually The Crowne Plaza hotel is about a small walk closer to The Veneto BUT not as "upscale" as the Marriot. Not to mention The Marriot is connected to The Royal Casino, close to Habanos (See the Panama City Forum), and Champs (pretty good food) which is inside the hotel. If I were you, I would go with The Marriot.

FREE!!!!

[Free Sex]

Elusive,

There are a few hotels literally RIGHT across the street from The Veneto. Also many that are walking distance (one block or so), BUT I would not call them "upscale". The closest "upscale" hotel that is walking distance from The Veneto is The Marriot. A relaxed walk will take you about 10 mins maybe. Actually The Crowne Plaza hotel is about a small walk closer to The Veneto BUT not as "upscale" as the Marriot. Not to mention The Marriot is connected to The Royal Casino, close to Habanos (See the Panama City Forum), and Champs (pretty good food) which is inside the hotel. If I were you, I would go with The Marriot.

FREE!!!!

[Elusive]

I will be in Panama for a Poker Tournament at the Veneto the 13th onward for a week or so. The Veneto is sold out, can anyone refer me to a decent upscale hotel within quick walk to Veneto?

[BKKguru]

Greetings!

I will be visiting Panama City from February 14 onwards. I speak basic Spanish; I am quite experienced having travelled to South America and South East Asia.

I have not booked my Hotel yet. Would love to hook-up with a fellow member(s).

~BKKguru

[LookingToSwing4]

Experienced in Costa Rica, Thailand and the US, but never been to Panama. I arrive on Dec 28 and depart New Years Day. I am staying at the Venento and hear there is plenty to keep me busy in the general area. Nice to know there is some talent parked-out in the bar downstairs. LOL

I am wondering if there are any experienced Panama experienced mongers that will be in-town during that timeframe and available to share your experiences? I will gladly buy lunch/dinner and drinks if someone is interested.

[Ocean Traveler]

thanks for the offer fantasy, sorry i didn't get it in time.

we went fishing out of pedaci. there is a decent guide who lives across from the gas station. his panga was $50 a day plus gas. it all worked out to $90 per trip.

the motel across from the bank is nice and the ac works.

we brought our own fishing poles but there is a nearby scuba shop that rents them for $50 per day (too much).

billfish are out of season but we had fun. i may try to get back around christmas when fishing is better. don't bring lures, buy the rapellas that are active locally at the scuba shop.

watch out for a speed trap coming into las tablas! the guy must be trying to make his car payment, etc. he stopped me but let me go for free after a bit of chatting.

good luck,

ot

[Fantasy]

I know a beach tout from Cartagena named Billy, He might come up and show you around!!