Playa Bonita, Republic Of Panamá – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and developer Bern Hotels & Resorts have officially unveiled The Westin Playa Bonita Panamá, the first Westin to open its doors in the burgeoning destination. In addition to being ranked as the number one travel destination for 2012 by The New York Times, top travel outlets like Fodor’s and Travel + Leisure have also recognized Panamá as one of this year’s top emerging hotspots, noting the destination’s dynamic range of offerings, from rainforest adventures to cosmopolitan city escapes rife with cultural flavor and old-world charm.
The gentrification of Panamá City’s renowned historic quarter, Casco Viejo, has contributed to the region’s panache; the once crumbling Unesco World Heritage Site has become a hotbed of art galleries, cafés and stylish boutiques. Just outside the city, experiential travelers can hike through the rainforest, visit indigenous villages, and snorkel waters off the golden shores of the Pacific Ocean.
A luxury beach oasis, The Westin Playa Bonita Panamá breaks through traditional barriers of design to create an inviting juxtaposition of Panamá’s unspoiled landscape along with cosmopolitan appeal. Flanked by rainforest and a pristine stretch of Pacific shoreline just 20 minutes outside Panama City, the 100 million dollar Westin Playa Bonita is a secluded escape featuring 611 luxury rooms and suites, six fine dining restaurants, four bars and an ultra chic, open-air VIP Lounge on the 19th floor, which boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, rainforest and Panamá Canal.
Unprecedented in the Republic of Panamá, The Westin Playa Bonita also features 62,000 square feet of meeting and event space comprised of 22 multi-purpose spaces.
“The unveiling of Panamá’s first Westin hotel is one of the most exciting developments the destination has seen in decades; one that is sure to redefine the country’s travel industry,” stated Herman Bern, President of Bern Hotels and Resorts. “The Westin Playa Bonita offers an exclusive luxury experience, which truly captures Panamá’s natural beauty and modern appeal. Featuring top-of-the-line accommodations and cutting edge amenities in the beautiful up-and-coming destination of Panamá, The Westin Playa Bonita will cater to a wide range of sophisticated international guests, whether they’re traveling for business or pleasure.”
“We are delighted to launch our first Westin Resort in Panama, a destination that is seeing significant growth in both the tourism and business sectors,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, president of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Latin America. “The Westin Playa Bonita is a magnificent hotel and we are proud to have it join our portfolio of hotels in Panama. The hotel will feature Westin’s signature offerings and services which global travelers have come to expect and enjoy, and the opening of the Westin Playa Bonita will give travelers and Starwood Preferred Guests another perfect resort destination to discover and enjoy in the diverse country of Panama,” he added.