Best Room At... Hotel La Compañia
The oldest of the buildings that comprise Panama City’s Hotel La Compañia dates back to the 17th century, but the most recent chapter in the structure’s existence is much younger.
“Everything started about 10 years ago,” says general manager Fidel Reyes. “The building was basically in ruins, and the idea was to try to recover it.” Doing so involved restoring three landmarks—the hotel’s Spanish building (dating back to 1688), it’s French building (1739), and its American building (1904)—and combining them to create the property, which boasts 88 rooms and suites, five restaurants, two bars, and bustling lobby and garden areas where visitors and locals alike congregate throughout the day. “We wanted to keep the character of the buildings but also offer modern conveniences,” Reyes says. “To keep all those bricks was difficult, but we brought in experts from Panama, Colombia, and Nicaragua. It wasn’t easy, and it took us about four and a half years of construction to put together all the different styles.”
It was worth the effort. Hotel La Compañia is a chic and lively hub for the Casco Viejo neighborhood and Panama City—which is, at the moment, a booming tourist destination—at large. Guests might check in for a quick stay before heading to the country’s famed mountains or the surf spots along its specific coast, or can stay longer and explore the city, which is home to excellent dining, shopping, and museums.
Here, Reyes shares the details about his own favorite room and where to find the most exciting part of the property at any time of day.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
You can be here for tourism or for business, it doesn’t matter, we serve all kinds of customers. So, really, the best room is the one that serves your needs; for a family, that might be a series of rooms that connect, for a couple it could be a junior suite. If you want to visit like a real VIP, though, the one to take is the Presidential Suite.
How much does it cost per night?
The starting rate is $2,500 per night.
How would you describe the guests and the vibe at the hotel?
The mornings here are very relaxing. People love to sit in the restaurants and look out at the garden—especially if they’re visiting from someplace that’s cold. By lunchtime, however, we are buzzing; there are guests, locals, people coming in from the neighborhood, and even other hotels. At night things really pick up, we have five restaurants and two bars, and things always feel alive. Late night, everyone goes to Capella, up on the roof, and ends their evening looking out over the city.
What feeling about Panama City do you hope to impart to guests?
Panama City has a lot to offer. It’s in the center of the Americas. During the day, our guests love to go sightseeing, to visit the Panama Canal, or experience the city. There are incredible restaurants and wonderful shopping, especially in the Casco Viejo neighborhood around the hotel—the churches, the museums, the coffee shops, the music. In a very small place, there’s a lot of richness.
What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?
Casco Viejo can offer you great entertainment and adventures without leaving the neighborhood. The whole experience within walking distance of us is amazing. If you have only a few hours in town, I’d say enjoy it.
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