Panama City

[QUOTE=Mfins;1716770]Ummm yeah, okay, Anyway, My point is I am not going to waste even one minute, or one breath, or one brain cell trying to convince a taxi driver that the fare is $3 when he asks for $5. I pay the $5 exit the car and smile.

When A Cabbie, actually asks me for the correct fare of $3, I am so shocked and grateful that I give him a twenty and tell him to keep the change.[/QUOTE]LOL! I've also had this shocking experience but I only throw a 5. I don't screw around with singles in Panama. Sorry to be ruining it for others.

I am going to Panama for the first time. Does anyone know if the Hyatt Place in Panama City is chica friendly and if so is there a fee? If the Hyatt is not good is there another hotel you would recommend? I am looking for a nice "western style" place to stay, preferably a 4 or 5 star hotel or condominium complex.

Thanks in advance to all who respond.

[QUOTE=MrHC;1716993]I am going to Panama for the first time. Does anyone know if the Hyatt Place in Panama City is chica friendly and if so is there a fee? If the Hyatt is not good is there another hotel you would recommend? I am looking for a nice "western style" place to stay, preferably a 4 or 5 star hotel or condominium complex.

Thanks in advance to all who respond.[/QUOTE]Check my hotel recon as a guide for hotels. Most high to medium high scale hotels arent chica friendly.

[QUOTE=GauntMan;1717132]Check my hotel recon as a guide for hotels. Most high to medium high scale hotels arent chica friendly.[/QUOTE]Can you put a link to your post on hotels. I'm looking for a new chica friendly spot, since I'm nervous about booking with Veneto again (lack of maintenance, chica fees last year, ongoing rumors of closing).

[QUOTE=MadVillian;1717174]Can you put a link to your post on hotels. I'm looking for a new chica friendly spot, since I'm nervous about booking with Veneto again (lack of maintenance, chica fees last year, ongoing rumors of closing).[/QUOTE]Just spent a week in the Veneto. Other then customer service being shit as it is in most places I went in Panama, it was business as usual with the chicas. This was my third trip to Panama.

Can't say I like Panama much and doubt that I will go back. Had a much better time in Colombia.

[QUOTE=MrHC;1716993]I am going to Panama for the first time. Does anyone know if the Hyatt Place in Panama City is chica friendly and if so is there a fee? If the Hyatt is not good is there another hotel you would recommend? I am looking for a nice "western style" place to stay, preferably a 4 or 5 star hotel or condominium complex.

Thanks in advance to all who respond.[/QUOTE]This question comes up a lot in the Panama forum. Which hotels are chica friendly and which are not. As a general rule, any hotel that is 3 stars and up or over $75 a night is not chica friendly. Many that are under $75 also are not chica friendly but by rule anything over that is a no no. Yes there are a couple of exceptions but not many and the rules seem to change with who is working security / reception at the particular time you return to the hotel with your new found date.

Not in MR HC's case but, Most of the questions about hotels start off by saying, " I am staying at the blah blah hotel" is it chica friendly.

I know sometimes one's company is paying for it or someone else made the reservation but, if all possible ask before paying or making a non refundable reservation. There are not many countries I recommend renting a condo when visiting but, Panama is def. One of them. There are a ton of condos for short term rental on VRBO at a reasonable price. Most are centrally located and it takes the guess work out of the Panama Hotel scene.

[QUOTE=Mfins;1717267]This question comes up a lot in the Panama forum. Which hotels are chica friendly and which are not. As a general rule, any hotel that is 3 stars and up or over $75 a night is not chica friendly. Many that are under $75 also are not chica friendly but by rule anything over that is a no no. Yes there are a couple of exceptions but not many and the rules seem to change with who is working security / reception at the particular time you return to the hotel with your new found date.

Not in MR HC's case but, Most of the questions about hotels start off by saying, " I am staying at the blah blah hotel" is it chica friendly.

I know sometimes one's company is paying for it or someone else made the reservation but, if all possible ask before paying or making a non refundable reservation. There are not many countries I recommend renting a condo when visiting but, Panama is def. One of them. There are a ton of condos for short term rental on VRBO at a reasonable price. Most are centrally located and it takes the guess work out of the Panama Hotel scene.[/QUOTE]It still amazes me that aggressive guys who know how to negotiate with a working girl, can handle a cabbie and are world travelers become sissy little pansies when it comes to a hotel. It's simple. Make a reservation for 2. No where does it state in any hotel policy that the second person has to be related, a spouse a friend for at least 9 years or a business associate. The second person can be anyone you want. Have I had situations in the past with over zealous security guards? Yes! But I always win why? Because I'm the paying guest and I did nothing wrong. Agreed, sometimes I had to speak to a manager and point out that one plus one equals two and in that simple scenario it is hard to argue. Obviously you are going to be discreet and hopefully upscale for the 4 or 5 star hotel your staying in, but don't allow anyone to tell you what you can or cannot do. Understand?

[QUOTE=Agee19;1717378]It still amazes me that aggressive guys who know how to negotiate with a working girl, can handle a cabbie and are world travelers become sissy little pansies when it comes to a hotel. It's simple. Make a reservation for 2. No where does it state in any hotel policy that the second person has to be related, a spouse a friend for at least 9 years or a business associate. The second person can be anyone you want. Have I had situations in the past with over zealous security guards? Yes! But I always win why? Because I'm the paying guest and I did nothing wrong. Agreed, sometimes I had to speak to a manager and point out that one plus one equals two and in that simple scenario it is hard to argue. Obviously you are going to be discreet and hopefully upscale for the 4 or 5 star hotel your staying in, but don't allow anyone to tell you what you can or cannot do. Understand?[/QUOTE]So I did exactly as you said. I registered a 'ghost guest'. At Veneto. When I checked in they said where is the other person? I said catching a later flight. They said fine. No problem but when she does arrive she needs to register. Whe I registered they asked for my passport so I am guessing the same would have been true for her.

[QUOTE=Hobbiest1;1717547]So I did exactly as you said. I registered a 'ghost guest'. At Veneto. When I checked in they said where is the other person? I said catching a later flight. They said fine. No problem but when she does arrive she needs to register. Whe I registered they asked for my passport so I am guessing the same would have been true for her.[/QUOTE]Exactly. You have to register your guest and she has to show an ID, but that's that. 3 weeks ago the same thing happened to me at the Waldorf Astoria. I checked in, gave my passport and they asked where is guest #2. I said arriving later. When she came she showed her ID at reception, they made a copy and told us to have a pleasant evening. Simple. The next night, if there is a new guest, repeat the process. No where does it say that the same guest has to be with you every night. Follow the rules but, Remember! You are the paying guest! Don't allow anyone to bully you. If you make a reservation for 2 you are allowed 2. Period.

[QUOTE=Hobbiest1;1717547]So I did exactly as you said. I registered a 'ghost guest'. At Veneto. When I checked in they said where is the other person? I said catching a later flight. They said fine. No problem but when she does arrive she needs to register. When I registered they asked for my passport so I am guessing the same would have been true for her.[/QUOTE]And that is the way it happens 95 percent of the time at the nicer hotels. Age19 I think is still a rookie, clueless, or is a budget traveler who does not stay in the finer places, or he would have understood the way things work at the nicer accommodations.

Does anyone know if El Panama is chica-friendly?

Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=LuckyStrike;1717914]Does anyone know if El Panama is chica-friendly?

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]Give them a call then you will know for sure!

[URL]http://www.elpanama.com/contact-information-en.html[/URL]

Reservations: (507) 215-9182.

Toll Free: 1-877-567-9436.

Fax: (507) 269-4179.

[QUOTE=Agee19;1717378]It still amazes me that aggressive guys who know how to negotiate with a working girl, can handle a cabbie and are world travelers become sissy little pansies when it comes to a hotel. It's simple. Make a reservation for 2. No where does it state in any hotel policy that the second person has to be related, a spouse a friend for at least 9 years or a business associate. The second person can be anyone you want. Have I had situations in the past with over zealous security guards? Yes! But I always win why? Because I'm the paying guest and I did nothing wrong. Agreed, sometimes I had to speak to a manager and point out that one plus one equals two and in that simple scenario it is hard to argue. Obviously you are going to be discreet and hopefully upscale for the 4 or 5 star hotel your staying in, but don't allow anyone to tell you what you can or cannot do. Understand?[/QUOTE]Its just not that simple in panama. Sorry.

A Colombian / Cuban working girl can be spotted by the local Panamanian Hotel Security guard or receptionist from a mile a way. Even if she is dressed conservitavley. You can argue to your hearts content but, they know what is up. A simple give away is the John speaks no spanish your date speaks no english where as the hotel receptionist speaks both. In addition they are usually 20 years old where you are 40 and over. However, none of that even matters the Colombians, dress different, talk different act different, look different and the hotel workers know it. If it is a female hotel receptionist even worse. She knows what you are doing, resents the fact that the Colombiana's are selling there bodies in her country and are jelous that your date is better looking than she is.

Also, the rule of booking the room with 2 people is fine however 9 times out of 10 that person must Register at the same time you do when checking in. There name must be on the Reservation or Check in Card when you check in. Not the next night or the night after. Also, even if you register her and get away with it the first night what are you going to say the next night when you bring a different girl back with a different name?

With all this being said, Hotel occupancy is down in panama and Hotels are relaxing policies a little.

So who cares about hotels being chica friendly or not, why not stay in an apartment using Airbnb and come and go as you please with whomever you want?

[QUOTE=OldParr;1717564]And that is the way it happens 95 percent of the time at the nicer hotels. Age19 I think is still a rookie, clueless, or is a budget traveler who does not stay in the finer places, or he would have understood the way things work at the nicer accommodations.[/QUOTE]Old Parr, I completely agree with you but, Agee19 might be the exception to the rule. He said he stayed at the Waldorff Astoria. Interestingly enough that is probably one of the top 5 luxury hotels in Panama. Along with the Trump etc.

Once you get past the Marriotts, Hiltons, etc and go up to the next level of Luxury those hotels are surprisingly lax when it comes to guest policy. I guess they figure if your paying this much to stay here go ahead and do what you want we are not going to hassle you over something trivial. Also, those hotels do not have many male guests that are bringing back pros. So there really isn't a need to have a policy in place and they are noton Patrol late at night looking for it.

All it takes however is for an incident to happen like a loud argument between a John and a pro over payment. Or a lamp being broken by a drunken guest and his lady of the night, and the hotel will quickly implement a strict guest policy. Thoses hotels do not want any problems or to be associated with that.