Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Set on the waterfront in the historic district, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama City provides five-star comfort in an exquisitely restored 1917 landmark. Featuring lavishly designed colonial-inspired interiors and local artwork, this glamorous hotel offers a unique blend of French flair and Panamanian spirit. The 159 luxurious rooms and suites combine traditional bed frames and antique-style bathroom fixtures with modern amenities. Many boast balconies and ocean views. The centerpiece of the property is the capacious pool deck overlooking the Pacific, complete with a poolside bar. Guests can work out in the ocean-facing fitness centre, available 24 hours, and be pampered with KOS Paris facials and mind-body treatments in the tranquil spa. Overseen by Michelin-starred chef Lorenzo Di Gravio, on-site dining includes the seafood-focused Caleta Restaurant, an elegant café and pâtisserie, and Ammi Skybar, a sprawling rooftop hot spot with DJs, a ceviche bar and panoramic vistas. Visitors are a short walk from top attractions in Casco Viejo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – such as the Canal Museum and the centuries-old Metropolitan Cathedral. Event facilities comprise three modern meeting rooms and the grand Carnaval Ballroom, which can seat up to 200 people and showcases the seaside setting through banks of windows.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Accor Hotels.
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At the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, guests have consistently enjoyed the luxurious amenities, with spacious rooms offering ocean views and a hotel atmosphere that melds comfort with sophistication. The cleanliness of the hotel, including immaculate rooms and bathrooms, is frequently commended.
While service generally receives high marks for warmth and efficiency, there has been the occasional report of poor service. The hotel's location in the historic Casco Viejo is particularly appreciated, although opinions on the hotel's value for money do vary among guests.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Elegant
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Luxurious
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At the end of Avenida A in Panama City’s historic area lies the Sofitel Legend. It’s a long, narrow, slow moving drive full of expectation. The arrival does not disappoint, as the hotel facade emerges rather startlingly against a brilliant blue sky. The spell continues with a seemless check-in, and banter from the porter on the way to our room. The porter is dressed in tropical chinos and the obligatory Panama hat. The room does not disappoint - slightly smaller than I had envisaged, but with all the basics, including a chaise, desk/table, minbar, fluffy slippers and bathrobe. The light switches took a little getting used to, similar to many of the more recently constructed hotels we have stayed in. Pictographs on the switches helped, but there was no master on/off switch that we could readily discern.
Our partial ocean room view allowed us to see the tidal movements and on one windy afternoon, hear the choppy waves crashing on the rocks beneath us. We stayed 5 nights on a Panama stopover with COPA Airlines on our way to BA.
The included breakfast was fresh, plentiful and beautifully presented. The option to take breakfast on the terrace, rather than the restaurant, was taken up on a few mornings. The air conditioning in the restaurant, and in the public areas generally, was far too cool (i.e.cold) for my tastes.
The pool was the perfect temperature, and poolside service generally attentive. On one ocasión there were quite a few groups of people in the pool and on the lounge chairs, and the bar staff were unable to keep up with the demand for fresh towels and drinks from the bar.
The bathroom included a separate WC cubicle, adjacent to the large shower room (no bathtub), with satisfyingly high water pressure that I get to experience all to rarely. The usual bathroom amenities were available - toothbrush, comb, body lotion and the like. There’s an in-room safe, plenty of hanging space in the wardrobe and an umbrella for use when the brief sun showers interrupt the flow of the day.
The public areas of the hotel are exquisitely decorated. The location is excellent, near to numerous heritage sites, and Uber is an easy way to travel to more distant attractions, such as the canal.
A few niggles. We were telephoned three afternoons in a row from guest services wanting to know whether everything was ok with out stay, which I found a little intrusive (my afternoon nap was interrupted!). My partner ordered the same breakfast every day but the presentation was different on each occasion - sometimes the eggs arrived on toast, sometimes with grilled tomato (or not), and sometimes with a small green salad (or not). Full marks for creativity to the chef, but it was odd. And then there was the matter of timing. On day 1, we received all the breakfast selections together - coffee, juice, fruit plate, pastries and eggs, leaving little room on the 4 person table for anything else; on other days they were staggered, but not in any meaningful way. By day 3 the coffee arrived first-up, and by day 5 we just went with the flow. That said, the food quality for breakfast was of the very high standard you would expect from a 5 star hotel.
Overall, our stay was an expensive indulgence, worth the time and effort of a layover from NYC to BA.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Business trip, 7 nights at the end of August. Last Sofitel Legend, sixth I think. So beautiful, brand new! Superb location in old Panama on the first line of the sea. Superbly restored old building, a beautiful Francocololial-Panamanian mix. No false grades during the week. Very professional team, always smiling and available (special mention to Annette at the front desk). Restaurant, high level breakfasts and meals. SPA very well managed with real professionals massage and treatments. Full and modern gym. Rooms rather well soundproofed, incredible water pressure: ask for sea view and if you can take room with balcony. Roof top and secret room (for elite members) nice. A very nice experience, very high level of services without falling into the chichis of a palace. Undoubtedly the best Inn in Panama City.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stayed for one night and we had a fantastic experience. We want to go back as soon as possible. Everything was trully EXCELLENT! Amenities, service, food, drinks! All beyond our expectations. The temperature in our room which is very important to us was perfect, the bed was super comfortable and cozy and the quality of items provided in the room, as basic as the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel is from a very high quality brand.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at the Sofitel Legend in Casco Viejo for 2 nights. I can only say good things about this hotel. The building is beautiful, the room we stayed in was very large and comfortable with a beautiful view. The service was A1, from the greeters at the door, the front desk personnel (especially Jesus, who was one of the best front desk attendants I have ever encountered), the cleaning personnel, the spa personnel (Rosa Maria gave me the best pedicure!), Caleta's waiters.... and so on! I will definitely stay at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo every time I go to Panama City. We had one minor problem with the room smelling musty and they helped us immediately and offered to move us to another room (which we didn't).
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow amazing service, all the staff went above and beyond expectations. Probably one of the top three hotels in the world we have stayed at. Rooms were spotless, bathrooms exceptional, view from the patio with a glass of wine as the sun went down, very memorable. You truly get what you pay for , at an average of $500.00 a night , breakfast included , is actually good value. Would not hesitate to come back.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:If not already become an Accor ALL PLUS Voyageur subscriber, you will get 20% off all hotel stays...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo is an absolute gem in historic old Spanish Panama City, with a touch of French elegance that only Accor does best. The public space and interiors are grand and spacious, yet somehow also very cozy and intimate. My room was large and comfortable, beautifully furnished. I can’t say that I once thought “I miss my own bed” while there. The bathroom was absolutely gorgeous with delightful toiletries from Diptyque (swoon!) The amenities were perfect, although I booked with perks and I had a bit extra love thanks to that. Drinks at Mayda Bar (Mezcal Mule), dinner (clay crust-steamed fish and a mango pavlova) and breakfast (cinnamon waffles) at Caleta, latte and snack at Vera Cafe were all delightful, although most were almost too pretty to eat. The staff at all stations were polite, kind, and often would go beyond to be helpful, especially the butler team, who communicate with you directly to ensure that all needs are met. I was probably supposed to be patient and let them do their job, but I’m a fiercely independent traveler and at times I accidentally kept going. Also worth noting, all staff members were impeccably dressed, from the front door to the bartender and everyone in between. (Honestly, I kind of wish the Sofitel had a gift shop where you can buy the dresses that female staff members wear. I need these dresses in my life this summer!) Regrettably, I did not make it to the other bars or the spa. When you stay at the Sofitel Legend, you need to stay an extra day just to fully enjoy what a remarkable hotel it is. Next time, I will definitely book a longer stay. There will absolutely be a next time!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very nice hotel that is part of the short list of Sofitel that reaches the status of Legend to highlight their exceptional character and their historical dimension. The situation is remarkable at the fortified tip of Casco Viejo, a magnificent vestige of colonial Panama. The room was quite nice with a very nice perspective. The architectural organization allows to have a more or less full view from one room to another, the sea is never far. The breakfast is very nice, served on the terrace beautifully wooded and with a very attentive and professional service. The pastries are succulent, which is exceptional outside France. They are served out of the oven slightly warm in a great culinary refinement. In the late afternoon, the concierge offers a lecture of about an hour on the history of the hotel and the Panama Canal. This is very interesting and well documented, it should not be missed under any circumstances. The staff is attentive and seeks to satisfy guests with great kindness. Most certainly the best hotel in Panama, far removed from the big, impersonal and charmless American machines that line Balboa Avenue downtown. Recommendation full, we will happily return.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is top notch - we had stayed in the Hyatt compania for the first leg of our journey in Panamá city (which was also great), but decided to give the Sofitel a try on the last leg after returning from adventures in boquette, San blas, etc. We have stayed at a range of 5 star hotels before but this one wows with its beautiful architecture, views and interiors, especially the gorgeous use of unique tiles. Loved our room, which was so spacious and well laid out with an amazing huge washroom and great balcony. Nice touches like macaroons and cookies sent up each night on check in. Really really liked the pool, with the glass wall to the ocean (this was a huge step up from the pool at la compania). Location is perfect in casco Viejo and we were universally charmed by the lovely staff who tried their very hardest. Although the hotel has only been open for a few weeks, it was a pretty seamless expirience and felt very polished. Restaurant was good, solid but not exceptional - definitely the highest restaurant prices we saw anywhere in Panamá but to be expected I guess. We DREAM of coming back here - a "destination hotel" in a "great destination", so big winner for us.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Other at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Responded 11 Jan 2023
Bonjour Escape18995793531, Thank you for such a beautiful comment and for taking the time to share these words! We are really flattered that you have loved our French 'Joie d Vivre' and the sublime of Panamanian culture. We are looking forward to welcome you again in your next visit! We will be sharing these lines with all our team; we are sure that it will cause great emotion and huge smiles. Merci, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
here i booked a suite room with a balcony facing to nice view of city . Room is a good size and bed is heavenly comfy. we stayed there four nights good location in the old town easy each yo all cafes and restaurants i first would like to thank to our butlers who did their utmost to please us during our stay plus do their best to try to cover the minor problems that guest may face during stay. now when we come to the negative sides of the hotel; 1) breakfast is limited alacart that you can not have whatever you want after Cartagena Sofitel’s open buffet disappointed . 2) lay out of the outside dinning is very limited and one side of the table with a bench other-side has chair where a person sits on the bench has difficulty eating and also smoke free even an open air . 3) first day there was a hot water problem during showering then fixed. Again as said above positive side is the butlers AngeliqueBecerra, Mr.Gonzales, Francisco Harrison they did their best to assist us in 4 days stay.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Other at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Responded 5 Mar 2024
Hello Gurhan33, It is always a pleasure to receive feedback. We appreciate the time you dedicated to share your comments with us, and we will share it with our team. I am sure that this feedback will serve as an encouragement to all of our staff as we strive to continuously improve the quality of our services. As part of our commitment with sustainability, our Executive Chef designed the a la Carte Menu for breakfast with a variety of options to choose according to your preferences, contributing to the reduce of global food waste. We manage a non-smoking policy in all areas, including common spaces, according to the Panamanian law regulations about Tobacco, it is prohibited in closed spaces, as well as in crowded open spaces. We apologize about the inconvenience with the shower, we are making sure to follow up properly to avoid any inconvenience in the future regarding to this situation. Thank you for the opportunity and we are looking forward to welcoming you back in the future. Have a beautiful day, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Team
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OMG, when you arrive at the Sofitel Legend you are greeted by at least 2 door people. Alfredo, Maria,Katherine or Carlos who have the kindest smiles and escort you into the beautiful lobby. At the front desk Annette and Denisse were most helpful and lovely. My housekeeper, Ina, was always available and my room was spectacular, especially the bed and pillows. The conceirge team of Keyla and Miriel are knowledgable and a wealth of local information. Miriel contacted two tennis centers and 3 golf clubs for me. They are amazing! At the spa, Nazeli, is patient explaining all the spa options. I bumped my head and she was helpful with first aid. At the coffee shop, Luis and Jesus make a delicious cup of Panamamian coffee with a smile and a big thanks. The pool is outstanding and the staff of Yullisa, Gabriel and Ricardo are quick with a towel, water and any other request. They make luxuriating by the pool a blessing. When I am on vacation eating great food and umbrella drinks are a must. The Sofitel bar and restaurants do not disappoint at all because the food and drinks are delicious but the bar and wait staff are outstanding, Ricardo, Anthony, Orlando, Fatima, Ana Builtrago, Fatima, Juan Carlos, Iveth, Delia, Dario, Shaun and Michael are the best at their craft in my travels. I enjoy Panama but I love the staff at the Sofitel Legend. I will be back because of their kindness and beautiful personalities.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:The best hotel option in Panama.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry to be so tardy in response. I don't log onto here very often. We had an oceanfront room that looked over the old city, across the bay. They didn't have a suite available with that view when we were there. I'm sure the oceanfront rooms on the other side would be good too. Not keen on the interior rooms above the pool. hope you enjoy, it is a spectacular hotel. cheers. Larry
There are more places to choose from in the Panama City area.
PRICE RANGE
₹28,204 - ₹40,116 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PanamaPanama ProvincePanama City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
159
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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