Gus R.
Google
I wanted to love Panza Verde. At first glance, the property looks charming and has an upscale aesthetic. However, once you look past the surface, the experience was deeply disappointing and stressful due to pretentious management and outdated facilities.
Management & Service:
The biggest issue here is the attitude. The management was consistently rude and condescending throughout our stay. Hospitality is non-existent.
• Nickel-and-Diming: We were shocked when family members (who were staying at the hotel!) were told they had to purchase drinks just to sit and listen to the live band in the common area. It makes zero sense to treat paying guests this way.
• The Check-Out Ordeal: We were made to wait while staff checked our room—a practice usually reserved for budget hostels, not "luxury" boutique hotels. They then falsely claimed a towel was missing and charged us for it. We absolutely did not take it; it felt like a petty scam to squeeze more money out of us.
The Rooms & Facilities:
The hotel is dangerously poorly lit. You can hardly see where you are walking at night. This lack of lighting also seems to be a convenient way to hide the state of the rooms.
• While they look nice at a glance, the details are old and outdated.
• The bathrooms did not feel clean, and given how dark it is, it’s impossible to tell how well they are actually maintained.
Amenities & Location:
• Welcome Drinks: The "welcome drink" ticket is a joke. It is strictly limited to specific (cheaper) options, even though most drinks are priced similarly. It felt cheap rather than welcoming.
• The Speakeasy: Don't let them talk you into visiting their "speakeasy." It is a cramped room with a poor alcohol selection—nothing special at all.
• Location: The hotel is quite far from the main area of Antigua. It is an inconvenient location compared to other options.
Verdict:
Panza Verde is trying very hard to portray itself as an upscale hotel, but it is a rip-off. Between the hostility of the staff, the cleanliness concerns, and the location, you are much better off booking one of the many other beautiful hotels in Antigua that actually respect their guests. Do yourself a favor and stay elsewhere.