Review: Crowne Plaza Panama Airport

I made the mistake of trying to do some quick sightseeing during a ~7 hour layover there many years ago. I knew Panama City traffic was bad but wow did I underestimate it, especially as I arrived during rush hour. I got to see about 3 things and hardly stepped foot out of the car. Good to know there is a reliable hotel by the airport for any evening layovers.

Did you get elite welcome points AND the voucher or just the voucher?

@ DaninMCI -- Yep, also got the points. 🙂

This is why IHG is such a frustrating loyalty program. Who really wants to stay 75 nights at a Crowne Plaza with rooms like that? Talk about basic. I'm pretty sure the average Best Western has a nicer room. IHG has some nice properties but, on the whole, so many of their brands are way past their prime.

I tried to check into this airport once at 3AM and was treated horribly. The woman working was very irritated that someone would show up at that time. She didn't understand IHG loyalty program and was demanding payment despite the fact I had booked the room with points. The next day the staff was friendlier but the wait at the front desk is VERY long.

Panama City is a polarizing place: you love it or hate it. I'm a hater and would certainly prefer a bland airport hotel like this than repeat my misadventures in town, so thank you Ben for the write up.

I've been told that getting out of town into the countryside can be nice, but of course that means days rather than hours.

However, in general I’d avoid spending a night near Panama Airport. Panama is an interesting enough country that I tend to think it’s worth having a longer stopover and going into town if you can. Alternatively, Copa Airlines has an efficient route network, so you should almost always be able to connect same day. Of course in my situation this hotel did the trick, and sometimes passengers deal with irregular operations, where an airport hotel is useful.

Very useful information, especially regarding the suggestion to have a longer stopover in Panama City and go into town.

The relevance for me is that just yesterday I purchased a $600 package to spend 5 nights at a Hilton Grand Vacations resort in St. Maarten (SXM). When I checked how I would get to SXM flying with UA (points or cash), I found out that all options would involve a stopover of many hours at Panama City airport (PTY). Options that would work for me would be EWR-PTY on UA, and PTY-SXM on Copa. Therefore, I was wondering precisely whether it might not be best to just include Panama City as an actual stop before proceeding to St. Maarten, and maybe do the same on the way back if another long stopover would be necessary (I did not check). Maybe I should also check booking the flights directly with Copa...

I am leaning toward spending a day or two in Panama City, where I have never been and may enjoy doing limited sightseeing, going in or on the way back as well...

How about the upgrade? With the new loyalty program, I think you are eligible?

I was in Panama City once 15 years ago for a few days. I do not feel the need to return. I did hire a driver to get a mini tour of the city and see the canal. If you're interested in canals and locks that would be worthwhile.

Panama City def has enough to see you fill a 1 or 2 day trip. It is much more interesting(and modern) than many central American cities.

A couple of things stand out to me in Panama:

1. Modernity. The food scene is impressive by any standard. Really inspired restaurants and great cocktail bars.

2. The ghost towers. There are high rise towers all over the place. You'll think you're in Miami, and they're all mostly empty. Any hotel downtown is likely just taking up the bottom portion of a high rise that is mostly unoccupied.

It's 100% worth two nights. The canal alone with worth the journey. Just visiting the Miraflores Locks is truly unforgettable (almost emotional) experience.

Have flown Copa many times to Panama from El Salvador. Always have enjoyed Casco Viejo, walks along Cinta Costera, Carnival and excellent restaurants. Taxi's are not for faint of heart. Pencil in a couple days vs a layover visit to the city.

You’re the King Ben! Thanks for the detailed review, especially considering you checked in at 9pm and out at 3am. Many bloggers wouldn’t get as detailed pictures of the room, let alone the pool and gym. You absolutely deserve the next five star, non point hotel review (which will be equally as detailed)! Keep up the good work. This is precisely the reason why I always go to your blog for a referral link when applying for a new card/account.

for those readers who are apt to sleep early and sleep for long hours, this research published today may be of interest
Results from a population-based study of almost 2000 older adults, all of whom were free of dementia at baseline, showed that risk for dementia was 69% higher in those who slept more than 8 hours daily vs 7 to 8 hours daily; and it was twice as high for those who went to bed before 9 PM vs at 10 PM or later.

@Rico: Panama has changed a lot over the last 15 years. If you get back now, you will find an entirely different place. I went there fpr the first time about 15 years ago. Back then it was a place I had to go to, now I sometimes go there for a vacation.

The wall mounted AC is really substandard for a Crowne Plaza ... anyhow, for a layover like this, I would definitely go to the city, or at least to Costa del Este (e.g. Westin), which is fairly close to the airport.

Panama has horrible roads so doesn't surprise me that the suspension was shoddy.

that has to be the most depressing hotel room ever. wow. $120/night for that? RIP OFF