Casco Viejo Panama City, Panama
Opened
2013
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Heritage SocialOutside the door
Restored neoclassical clubhouse
It operates like a cosmopolitan social club open to the city, where breezy communal spaces host morning coffee and late-night music.
“The four-story, 50-room building fronting the Plaza Herrera has been given a Havana-inspired makeover... by the team behind the Ace hotels.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Custom Mexican weavings and Bertoia chairs accent floors milled from sunken canal timber.
Notable
The 1917 neoclassical facade once housed a department store and later street gangs.
Notable
Live jazz and tango performances at The Club draw travellers and neighbourhood locals.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler, Wallpaper* and AFAR.
they’re a perfect mix of old and new: weathered wood, antique and modern furniture, retro colors and occasional balconies alongside Frette linens, plasma screens, and throwback-style tiled bathrooms
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Plaza Herrera sits right outside the doors, and Casco Viejo's cocktail bars and historic churches are a short walk away.
The rooms
Tall windows look out over the old quarter or the bay, and Jardin suites open onto private courtyard gardens.
The rooftop pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A fourth-floor plunge pool sits on a dark timber deck looking out across Casco Viejo's terracotta rooftops.
The gym
Striped white tiles and mirrored walls line a compact fitness room equipped with treadmills and free weights.
Restaurant
The Dining Room
Mirrored columns and potted palms line the dining room, where menus focus on local seafood and seasonal Panamanian produce.
the hotel brims over with nostalgic touches. To cap things off, all 50 rooms are finished with reclaimed hardwood floors, stocked with Aesop amenities and showcase beautiful vistas
The Lobby Bar
The white marble bar serves cocktails inspired by 1920s Panamanian sporting clubs, surrounded by patterned encaustic tiles.
At the table
Tiempos brews single-origin Panamanian coffee at a teal counter. In The Club, drinks are served beneath exposed brick arches.
How it began
The original builder's great-great-grandson helped lead the restoration of the property, once the tallest building in Panama City.
“The American Trade Hotel occupies a stately property on Plaza Tómas Herrera, complete with 50 minimal-chic rooms and suites outfitted in Frette linens and custom, reclaimed-wood furnishings.”
Panama City
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.