Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo

The hotel stands on Calle Primera Oeste in the San Felipe area, on the waterfront edge of Casco Viejo in Panama City. The Panama Canal Museum is a five-minute walk away, the visitor centre at the Miraflores Locks is about 30 minutes by taxi, and Panama City’s domestic airport lies roughly 7.5 km off.

The Sofitel Spa works with the French skincare brand KOS Paris and is open daily from 9am to 7pm. It has a double treatment room for couples, a Vichy shower that follows an aromatic scrub, and a relaxation room looking out to the ocean. The Legendary signature pairs a four-hand massage with ocean-drum sound therapy, and Mineral Miracle combines Himalayan salt stones with a KOS facial. Massages, wraps, facials and manicures complete the menu.

Five venues range from a creative restaurant to a rooftop bar, and breakfast is served daily with a Panamanian and French spread that includes carimañolas, tamales, eggs cooked to order and French pastries.

• Caleta — creative Mediterranean cooking with tropical and multicultural accents, seasonal local produce and shellfish, served in a room of mahogany panelling and leather banquettes; a private dining room on the second floor offers a tasting menu
• Ammi Skybar & Grill — a rooftop bar with six terraces and views over the city and the ocean: a ceviche bar, pizzettas, sharing plates, robata-grilled skewers from an open kitchen and cocktails
• Mayda — the lobby bar opening onto the Plaza Courtyard, for afternoon tea, cocktails, oysters and small plates
• Cafe Vera — a vintage-style café with coffee from Panama’s highlands, pastries, croissants, sandwiches and gelato
• Pool Bar — a shaded poolside bar beneath the Plaza terrace for light dishes, tropical cocktails, craft beer, fresh juices and smoothies

In-room dining offers Panamanian and French-inspired dishes.

An infinity-edge pool on the pool deck faces the Pacific, with shaded loungers, a recliner set in the shallow end and a bar for juices and cocktails. The hotel has no beach.