Waldorf Astoria (Panama City)/Casco Viejo

My lodging in Panama was at the Waldorf Astoria. For those familiar with The Waldorf Astoria be it in Panama or any other location around the world…I need not see more…But for those who may not have had the opportunity to stay at the Waldorf, allow me to paint a brief picture with broad brush stroke (I may go into greater detail later)…The Waldorf Astoria is part of the Hilton Hotels collection…however, The Waldorf Astoria sets a standard for luxury…there are no mid-tier Waldorf’s, there are no Waldorf’s with decent customer service, or mediocre accommodations and amenities…it’s luxury at its finest every step of the way…accessible and pleasant concierge service (check)…elegant hotel interior (check)…comfortable beds and linen (check)…soothing and rejuvenating spa appointments (check)…fully stocked mini bars (check)…robe and slippers (check)…pool and jacuzzi (check)…top shelf bar (check)…decadent food and 24 hour service (check)…I’m sure I missed something, but guess what The Waldorf Astoria didn’t so (check)…if you stay anywhere else when in Panama City, you’re selling yourself short. (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ptytpwa-waldorf-astoria-panama/)

San Felipe/Casco Viejo

The San Felipe area also known as Casco Viejo neighborhood is one of the premiere tourist areas of Panama City. A peninsula located southwest of the city center…littered with nightclubs, boutiques, souvenir shops, and attractions it offers amazing waterfront views from rooftop restaurants. Churches and historical monuments can be seen as walk the streets…plaques referencing their history inform you of battles that took place in the Old City which was founded around 1519. I highly recommend visiting this area for a night out…Selina Casco Viejo Panama City & Cowork (https://www.selina.com/panama/casco-viejo-panama-city/) was a perfect spot for dinner and drinks…on the bottom floor is a gift shop, selling miscellaneous products that are locally made…including colorful socks (I have a bit of sock fetish)…after checking in you are directed to an elevator on the back side of the room…exiting the elevator on the top floor you walk out onto the rooftop terrace, outlined in decorative lights and foliage. The restaurant and bar are complete with swimming pool, open/closed air seating and even room to dance. It should also be noted that Selina is a hotel designed for workspace, perfect for travelers and digital nomads. Give their website a good look…they have several locations around on several continents! Lastly, the food and drinks were on point. I ordered shrimp tacos (I probably eat shrimp or fish tacos 3 times a week…no kidding)…but the star of the night was the moon (technically the moon isn’t a star…a star is gaseous and has to have the ability ignite itself; whereas the moon is a solid mass and requires light from the sun and cannot ignite itself or produce its own light)…on this night there was an orange moon, also referred to as a “harvest moon” (oftentimes caused by the moon being low on the horizon as it makes its path through earth’s atmosphere)…whether you ascribe to metaphysical beliefs or not, it was undeniably a gorgeous background sitting over the Atlantic.