The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, Panama City

I had the opportunity to stay at the Santa Maria for ten days in early December. Although, no stranger to Panama City, this was my first visit to this particular resort. I was not disappointed. From the moment I arrived, I was treated like family. The staff couldn’t have been more friendly or accommodating. No request was deemed impossible. As a Bonvoy Titanium member, I was upgraded to a lovely suite for the entire duration of my long stay, quite a feat seei g as the hotel was very busy with holiday events and experiencing high occupancy levels. My companion and I were most thankful. I travel extensively, and as a result, I am often treated quite well due to either my status or my relationship with the property itself. That said, the Santa Maria excelled on so many levels. The quality of the F&B, for example, was world class. In fact, David, the Executive Chef, originally from Spain, had worked in Nice and elsewhere to bring a level of culinary excellence to Panama that was far above the norm. His breakfast buffet, brunch, lunch and dinner selections were outstanding on both flavor, quality, portion size and presentation. It truly was difficult trying to keep trim. Thank goodness the gym was just adjacent. The property itself was not only sizrable, overlooking a beautiful golf course, but beautifully landscaped and maintained. The swimming pool was refreshing and we never had difficulty finding a lounger either in the sun or shade. The gym was well equiped and the view from the treadmills and stair climbers was inspirational. While the surrounding area was largely residential, it was never an issue getting an Uber to one of the mega malls or the downtown core. They were plentiful, fast, and inexpensive. Truthfully, we only left a couple of times, as we enjoyed the property so much. By the time we left, almost all the staff knew us by name. Of course, with such a stellar experience, I know I'll be back.

The property itself is clean and well maintained. The rooms were comfortable and clean, the golf course is genuinely wonderful, and the staff we interacted with were friendly and courteous. From a facilities and hospitality perspective, this is an attractive resort. However, our stay was overshadowed by a serious security incident that occurred immediately adjacent to the hotel. During our visit, an armed robbery involving multiple gunmen took place near the property. Weapons were drawn, guests fled for safety, and a security guard was injured and taken hostage during the event. While we are grateful that we were not physically harmed, the proximity and severity of the incident were deeply unsettling. What was most disappointing was not only the incident itself, but how it was handled afterward. There was no proactive communication or follow-up from the hotel, and the event was later described in a way that did not align with what we personally witnessed or learned from local shopkeepers. This created concern that serious security events may be minimized or not clearly communicated to guests. For a property positioned and priced as a premium resort, expectations around guest safety, transparency, and post-incident communication are understandably high. While the amenities and staff deserve credit, the lack of visible engagement and clear communication following such a serious event materially affected our sense of safety and trust. Because of this, I believe it is important to share this experience so future guests can make informed decisions.

Loved, loved, loved my stay at this property! It is well kept and beautifully maintained. The spa was amazing! The food is delicious. And I think the best part about this hotel is the staff! Everyone you meet is so pleasant and welcoming. Makes you feel right at home. If you’re indecisive about where to stay because of the plethora of options Panama City has to offer, look no further. It’s a little further out from the city, but Ubers are super cheap and reliable so makes it easy to get around. I highly recommend!

We loved our stay at the Santa Maria. I was hesitant to book this at first with 3 kids under the age of 6, but the resort does such a wonderful job catering to families. From kid cabanas near the kid pool, free ice cream, and pool activities for the kids, they definitely show that kids are welcomed! We look forward to returning to the property again on our next trip to Panama!

My husband and I stayed at this hotel for 5 days, and we had an incredible experience. It was easy to see why this is a 5-star hotel, as we had a 5-star experience. The reception desk, led by Lourdes, was incredibly courteous, professional, warm, and helpful. The concierge, Kevin, was hospitable and on point with suggestions for what to do in town. Our room was comfortable and beautifully maintained, and housekeeping went above and beyond with thoughtful touches like water bottles on the nightstand at night and chocolates. The bar and restaurant staff at Mestizo were fantastic, as was the food. They had many gluten-free options, which was pleasantly surprising for someone with a gluten allergy. Overall the kindness of the staff and the quality of service made our stay truly memorable. Thank you to Lourdes and Kevin for making our time in Panama so special! We can't wait to return.

During my stay at the Santa Maria Hotel & Golf Resort, I had an issue with a spa appointment that left me quite disappointed. However, Spa Manager Nizka Graell completely transformed the situation. Her professionalism, warmth, and genuine commitment to guest satisfaction were exceptional. She handled everything with care, attention to detail, and a sincere desire to ensure I left with a positive experience.||Thanks to Nizka and her team, what began as a negative moment turned into a reminder of what outstanding customer service looks like. I truly appreciate her dedication and highly commend her for the excellent way she managed the situation.

Stayed here for 4 nights, and would say it is a great hotel. The rooms are great, bed is very comfortable, and food and public areas all excellent. Above all the staff all through the hotel are some of the very best, most polite and friendly staff I have come across in any hotel. They are exceptional. Highly recommended and a very short drive from the centre of Panama.

We have switched from Le Meridians and never regretted it. The rooms we spacious, clean, water and coffee supplies daily. The breakfast buffet is truly royal and supposed to be the best in Panama. We did not visited the steak house, but the other restaurant is great for dinner too. Outdoor full light pool and kiddie pool, sadly no Jacuzzi. The golf course is immaculate and well laid out, although there is a construction and or around back 9 and number 16 is shortened from par 5 to par 3. Would be good to know ahead. The staff was fantastic during the stay and helpful to fulfill every wish. Special shout to Katherine Rowe, front desk manager, she was absolutely fantastic. Highly recommended!