Inside a 5-star hotel in Panama City's richest neighborhood, complete with 2 infinity pools and a Louis Vuitton-inspired speakeasy

Monica HumphriesJun 12, 2024, 00:17 IST

The author at the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>I spent a night at the JW Marriott in Panama City's richest neighborhood.</li><li>The five-star hotel is in a building formerly known as the Trump Ocean Club.</li></ul>Moises Muñoz, the international sales manager at the JW Marriott Panama, put it perfectly when he said I wouldn't need to leave once I arrived at the five-star hotel.The JW Marriott Panama is located in The Ocean Club building in the heart of Punta Pacifica, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/punta-pacifica-panama-richest-neighborhood-photos-2024-5">Panama City's richest neighborhood</a>. Between the building's attached businesses and the hotel's amenities, I had everything I needed.I could access infinity pools, a spa, a gym, and a handful of restaurants without leaving the Marriott property.Without stepping outside the 70-story building — where the hotel is located — I had even more dining options, salons ready to cut hair, manicurists waiting for clients, cigar shops, and a casino taking up the top two floors of the high rise.After one night, it was clear that the <a target="_blank" class href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=794e3c9a324b612eaa866b9a1d752f6bec846faded154da734631281dfea767e&postID=665f598d074e87bb00eaea17&postSlug=jw-marriott-hotel-panama-city-richest-neighborhood-punta-pacifica-2024-6&site=bi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriott.com%2Fen-us%2Fhotels%2Fptymj-jw-marriott-panama%2F">JW Marriott Panama</a> was unlike any hotel I've visited. Take a look.

The 70-story building is located in Panama's rich Punta Pacifica neighborhood.

An aerial view of the manmade islands in Panama City.Didier Marti/Getty Images

From the skyline, the building is hard to miss.

Panama's Punta Pacifica skyline.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I told locals I was staying at the JW Marriott, but to them, the building is better known as the Trump Ocean Club.

The exterior of the JW Marriott Panama, a five-star hotel in Panama City's Punta Pacifica neighborhood.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

On my second night in Panama City, I headed to Punta Pacifica for a night at the JW Marriott.

A view from a balcony at the JW Marriott Panama. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

While the building is 70 stories, 24 make up the Marriott. The rest are businesses, condominiums, and a casino.

The Punta Pacifica neighborhood in Panama City.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I arrived at the building and headed to Marriott's lobby on floor 12.

The lobby of Punta Pacifica's TOC building.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

There, I was handed a key to my executive suite.

The hallway leading to the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I was taken aback by the suite's size as I stepped inside.

A view of an executive suite at the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The open-concept room had an area with a stunning bathroom.

The open-concept bathroom in the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

A tub faced Panama's horizon and sunset.

The room's large tub.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Adjacent to the bathroom was a living area with a loveseat and desk.

A living area with a loveseat and desk in the author's hotel suite.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Nearby was a table, minibar, and balcony.

The suite had room for a dining table and minibar.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The balcony offered a bird's-eye view of the neighborhood.

A bird's-eye view from the author's balcony. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Back inside was a king-sized bed.

A view of the open-concept bedroom and bathroom at the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I was settling in during golden hour, which meant the entire room was lit in warm sunlight.

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

After dropping off my bags, I joined Muñoz for a property tour. We started by exploring the businesses in the downstairs area of the building.

A real-estate business at the bottom of the building. Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Then, we headed back upstairs to the Marriott. Here, a bar is the first thing that greets guests.

A bar at the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Also on this floor are the hotel's lobby and a speakeasy.

Cava 15 in the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

A floor away was the hotel's spa and gym, accessed by the entire building.

The gym in the building.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

The hotel is also home to a few restaurants, including one serving Panamanian cuisine.

The Masi restaurant in the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

On the 13th floor, guests can take a dip in one of the hotel's two infinity pools.

The pool at the JW Marriott Panama.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Near the pools, Marriott's elite members can accessive an executive lounge.

The executive lounge at the hotel.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After our tour, I headed back to the infinity pool to catch the last few minutes of the sunset.

The Punta Pacifica neighborhood in Panama City.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Then, I spent the rest of my evening dining at Masi.

The outdoor area of the Masi restaurant.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

Finally, it was time to sleep. I hopped into the large king-sized bed, and before I knew it, the morning sun was creeping through the room's curtains.

Only a handful of condos have lights on across from the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

After packing my bags and checking out, I said goodbye to the Marriott and one of the prettiest pools I've swam in.

The Punta Pacifica neighborhood in Panama City.Monica Humphries/Business Insider

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Inside a 5-star hotel in Panama City's richest neighborhood, complete with 2 infinity pools and a Louis Vuitton-inspired speakeasy

The 70-story building is located in Panama's rich Punta Pacifica neighborhood.

From the skyline, the building is hard to miss.

I told locals I was staying at the JW Marriott, but to them, the building is better known as the Trump Ocean Club.

On my second night in Panama City, I headed to Punta Pacifica for a night at the JW Marriott.

While the building is 70 stories, 24 make up the Marriott. The rest are businesses, condominiums, and a casino.

I arrived at the building and headed to Marriott's lobby on floor 12.

There, I was handed a key to my executive suite.

I was taken aback by the suite's size as I stepped inside.

The open-concept room had an area with a stunning bathroom.

A tub faced Panama's horizon and sunset.

Adjacent to the bathroom was a living area with a loveseat and desk.

Nearby was a table, minibar, and balcony.

The balcony offered a bird's-eye view of the neighborhood.

Back inside was a king-sized bed.

I was settling in during golden hour, which meant the entire room was lit in warm sunlight.

After dropping off my bags, I joined Muñoz for a property tour. We started by exploring the businesses in the downstairs area of the building.

Then, we headed back upstairs to the Marriott. Here, a bar is the first thing that greets guests.

Also on this floor are the hotel's lobby and a speakeasy.

A floor away was the hotel's spa and gym, accessed by the entire building.

The hotel is also home to a few restaurants, including one serving Panamanian cuisine.

On the 13th floor, guests can take a dip in one of the hotel's two infinity pools.

Near the pools, Marriott's elite members can accessive an executive lounge.

After our tour, I headed back to the infinity pool to catch the last few minutes of the sunset.

Then, I spent the rest of my evening dining at Masi.

Finally, it was time to sleep. I hopped into the large king-sized bed, and before I knew it, the morning sun was creeping through the room's curtains.

After packing my bags and checking out, I said goodbye to the Marriott and one of the prettiest pools I've swam in.