I spent my first night in Panama at a hotel in the heart of the historic district. The stay made me fall in love with the country in less than 24 hours.

Monica HumphriesJun 1, 2024, 17:36 IST

The exterior of the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I spent my first night in Panama at the five-star Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo hotel.
The property had luxury amenities and was located in the heart of Panama City's historic district.

A bellhop opened the door to the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, and I was transported out of Panama City's humidity and into a chilly hotel lobby brimming with excitement.

Enormous vases of hydrangeas filled the center of the room, and a mosaic map of Panama City stretched across one wall. People bustled in and out of the lobby, heading out for tours of the Panama Canal or to the infinity pool a floor below.

When visiting Panama City, it's a mistake not to explore Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Panama City's historic district.

And if you stay anywhere in the neighborhood, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo is the place to go.

Moments after landing in Panama, I was off to my hotel for the evening: the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.

The courtyard at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After a 30-minute drive, I arrived at the white-washed building at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The exterior of the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The building plays an important role in Panama City's history. It has welcomed guests like Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II.

The exterior of the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Bellhops grabbed my bags, opened the hotel doors, and ushered me into a lobby.

The entrance to the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Inside the air-conditioned lobby, I checked into my room. I spent one night in a luxury queen room that cost $339.

The lobby of the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

With my key in hand, a bellhop guided me to my room.

The entrance view of the author's room at the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Inside the bedroom area, a queen-sized bed called my name.

A view of the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Attached to my room was a living area.

A second room adjoined the hotel's bedroom area. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Outside my hotel window, I had views of both the ocean and Casco Viejo.

The view from the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The highlight of the room was easily the bathroom.

The interior of the bathroom in the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

At 5:30 p.m., I headed back to the lobby, where guests can join a tour of the property each evening.

Rows of historic images line the hotel's ballroom.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The tour ends with a dance performance and candle ritual.

Dancers perform in the Sofitel Legend's bar every evening.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I continued wandering around the property, which has five restaurants and bars, a spa, a pool, and a fitness center.

A restaurant at the Sofitel Legend.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I had enough time to squeeze in a quick dip in the hotel pool.

A view of the infinity pool at the Sofitel Legend in Panama City. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

And, of course, I had enough time to explore the pool bar.

The hotel's pool bar.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Finally, I watched the sunset from the hotel's lush courtyard.

The sunset at the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

By the time I woke up the next morning, I was already missing the courtyard. I grabbed a cup of coffee and spent the morning outside.

The author at the Sofitel Legend hotel.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

And while Sofitel is a highlight of the neighborhood, Casco Viejo is home to much more.

A tree-covered walkway in Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I wandered around the area's half-dozen historic squares.

The Casco Viejo neighborhood in Panama City. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I tasted Panamanian foods for lunch at Fonda Lo Que Hay.

Fonda Lo Que Hay is one of Casco Viejo's popular restaurants.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

And I got lost in the historic streets.

A street in Panama City's historic district. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

One evening wasn't enough, but Sofitel was the ideal launching point for a week in Panama.

The author in her hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I was treated to luxury, dove into the city's history, and fell in love with the beauty of Casco Viejo — which was the ideal foundation to continue exploring all that Panama had to offer.

The courtyard at Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I was treated to luxury, dove into the city's history, and fell in love with the beauty of Casco Viejo — which was the ideal foundation to continue exploring all that Panama had to offer.

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I spent my first night in Panama at a hotel in the heart of the historic district. The stay made me fall in love with the country in less than 24 hours.

Moments after landing in Panama, I was off to my hotel for the evening: the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.

After a 30-minute drive, I arrived at the white-washed building at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The building plays an important role in Panama City's history. It has welcomed guests like Albert Einstein and Queen Elizabeth II.

Bellhops grabbed my bags, opened the hotel doors, and ushered me into a lobby.

Inside the air-conditioned lobby, I checked into my room. I spent one night in a luxury queen room that cost $339.

With my key in hand, a bellhop guided me to my room.

Inside the bedroom area, a queen-sized bed called my name.

Attached to my room was a living area.

Outside my hotel window, I had views of both the ocean and Casco Viejo.

The highlight of the room was easily the bathroom.

At 5:30 p.m., I headed back to the lobby, where guests can join a tour of the property each evening.

The tour ends with a dance performance and candle ritual.

I continued wandering around the property, which has five restaurants and bars, a spa, a pool, and a fitness center.

I had enough time to squeeze in a quick dip in the hotel pool.

And, of course, I had enough time to explore the pool bar.

Finally, I watched the sunset from the hotel's lush courtyard.

By the time I woke up the next morning, I was already missing the courtyard. I grabbed a cup of coffee and spent the morning outside.

And while Sofitel is a highlight of the neighborhood, Casco Viejo is home to much more.

I wandered around the area's half-dozen historic squares.

I tasted Panamanian foods for lunch at Fonda Lo Que Hay.

And I got lost in the historic streets.

One evening wasn't enough, but Sofitel was the ideal launching point for a week in Panama.

I was treated to luxury, dove into the city's history, and fell in love with the beauty of Casco Viejo — which was the ideal foundation to continue exploring all that Panama had to offer.