This hotel could have been very nice. It is right on the Panama Canal, however most of the inside on the first floor is " under renovation" and has paper covering the holes in the walls, one working machine in the so called fitness center, business center is closed and their are some computers for guest use in an empty room. Worst of all was that the only dining
option was a TGIF Fridays that was packed and loud. with no car, you are stuck!
The pool ran out of towels and we had to go back to the room to get some from there?
The management said the work on the inside of the hotel would be done in 6 months, but there was no evidence of work going on when we were there.

This is the only hotel on the Panama Canal, in the city. That said, it is not close to the city center so if you want or need to be in the center you will spend some time in traffic getting to and from. For us it was perfect. It's in a quiet and serene area. The sun sets over the canal, by the pool. There are lots of birds and no traffic other than boats. It's a quick and cheap taxi ride to Albrook Airport, Casco Viejo, Amador Causeway and even downtown as long as you catch a real yellow taxi (private cars charge a lot more...it was $18 to go downtown by private car, and $7 to get back in an old taxi). The hotel is still under construction and doesn't look to be done in the next couple months. But it did not impact us much at all. The hotel is basic and clean. It is not glamourous. The breakfast is very good and included. The canal view rooms are awesome. Garden view not so much, although you can always just go hang out at the pool by the canal. You can walk safely from the hotel to the causeway and back if you are feeling ambitious. There is a slight sewage smell, but if you are in downtown, Casco Viejo, on the causeway or just about anywhere in Panama City on the waterfront, you will smell even stronger sewage. This is one thing the city has not sorted out and it has nothing to do with the hotel.

We read some of the reviews about the place being under construction, so before we booked our 7 night stay I emailed them and asked when the construction would be finished. We wanted to book the last week in December 2011 and would want a suite on the top floor. They wrote back and said all construction would be done in October 2011 and that they would reserve a suite on the top floor for us if we prepaid, which we did. When we arrived not only was the construction no where near done, we did not get a suite on the top floor even though we prepaid and were promised it. The suite we got was terrible and maagement would do nothing for us! At the rate they are going the construction will not be done by next October. Avoid this hotel like the PLAGUE!

We stayed there for 8 days at the beginning of December. We had a 3rd floor ocean view room and were very pleased. Friendly staff, great breakfast and a gorgeous view from our balcony. Having said that, you are isolated from the rest of the city. Other than the Fridays restaurant and the Balboa Yacht Club (get their bucket of beer for $9.00) there is no other place to eat within walking distance.
Cabs from the hotel charge double of what you can get if you walk out to the main street and hail a cab from there, and you definitely need a cab to get anywhere. I would recomment this hotel if you are looking for a great view, but if you want to get around without paying for a cab you may want to choose another hotel.