Panama City hotel

My husband, Norman, and I found a gem of a hotel in Panama City. We stayed at the three-star Hotel Bahía Suites (Calle 31 con Justo Arosemena; phone 011 507 225 8578), in the Calidonia area of Panama City, Aug. 24-Sept. 1, 2010.

Our queen standard room, $69 per night, included a fabulous full breakfast served in the rooftop restaurant with its panoramic view of the city, the Casco Viejo and the Bay of Panama. King standard rooms cost $79 per night.

Although the décor, furniture and linens were very basic, the hotel was the cleanest place we’ve stayed in all our travels. Not just the sheets were changed daily but the blanket as well. Even the bedspread was washed during our eight-night stay. Our room was always spotless, and so were the hotel’s public areas.

The hotel staff treated us like family and were helpful with all of our needs, including tourist information.

We had phoned the hotel manager, Mr. Caros Ledo, and arranged transport for us from the airport to the hotel. After our late-night arrival, a driver with a sign met inside the airport, and the ride in the private van cost $11 per person — certainly cheaper and more convenient than finding a taxi at the airport.

We do not recommend walking around the hotel area at night. Cheap taxis are available just outside the hotel entrance to whisk you away to shows, cafés, malls, casinos, etc., for $2-$4 a ride. You are not expected to tip the taxi drivers.

The rooftop restaurant at the Bahía Suites prepared freshly cooked meals until 11 p.m. The food was so delicious and the menu so varied that we ate a lot of our meals there. Soups, sandwiches and salads ran $3-$4 and entrées, $5-$9. A fabulous “mixed grill” of steak, pork, chicken, potatoes and salad cost $15 for two.

The rooftop also included patio dining, a swimming pool, a bar and two computers.

Our experience at the Bahia Suites was not defined by our basic room décor but by the service, the wonderful staff and an obviously good manager, Carlos Ledo.

CINDY TARNOFF

Saltillo, MS