This Hotel Marries Historic Charm and Modern Luxury – In An Unexpectedly Trending Travel Destination
Long known for its gleaming skyscrapers and modern shopping malls, Panama City, Panama is writing the next chapter of its history – by rescuing its past. Located in the heart of Panama City’s historic Casco Antiguo neighborhood, Hotel La Compañía is helping put Panama on the map for travelers searching for both historic charm and modern luxury.
Hotel La Compañía
After years of faithful restoration of some of the most historic landmarks in the Casco Antiguo neighborhood of Panama City, Hotel La Compañía is now a gem of the neighborhood and part of an increasingly exciting moment for travel in Panama.
Historic Foundations
Hotel La Compañía is located on the site where the Jesuit religious order settled after the 1671 destruction of the original Panama City by pirates, among them the infamous Captain Henry Morgan. Spanish, French, and American influences transformed the site over centuries and are now an integral part of Hotel La Compañía’s design.
A Faithful Restoration
Historic details are found everywhere throughout the hotel, offering the perfect marriage of luxurious modern amenities with the unmatched charm of the space’s rich and varied history.
Tranquil Retreat
The hotel’s lush central courtyard shows off the different historic and cultural influences and styles that make the property so unique while offering guests the feeling of a retreat from the city.
One-of-a-Kind Touches
Guests will delight in the hotel’s faithful preservation of stunning historic details throughout the property, found everywhere from the hotel’s numerous restaurants and bars to its luxurious guest rooms.
French Colonial Style
Image Credit: Hotel La Compañía.
Luxe rooms reflect the variety of historic influences in the building’s three wings. The French Colonial wing was built by Jesuit priests in 1739, and is now home to rooms that transport guests back in time with an enchanting mix of old and new.
Spanish Colonial Inspiration
The hotel’s Spanish Colonial wing is even older, dating back to 1688 after Jesuits settled here following the destruction of the original Panama City in 1671. Rooms in this wing contain one-of-a-kind historic details with luxurious furnishings.
Beaux-Arts Beauty
Modern and comfortable Beaux-Arts rooms in the hotel’s American wing give new life to construction dating back to 1904.
Gastronomic Highlights
Hotel La Compañía is also home to five different restaurants and two bars where visitors can enjoy a variety of cuisines and dining experiences, bringing new life to the culinary scene in Panama’s Casco Antiguo.
A New Destination for Foodies
From French modern cuisine at the hotel’s premium restaurant, 1739, to Peruvian Nikkei cuisine at quirky, cool Hari’s, gastronomy is a highlight of a stay at Hotel La Compañía.
Exilio Bar
An order of exile by King Carlos III of Spain in 1767 against the Jesuits who occupied these buildings is the foundation for the hotel’s now-beloved Exilio Bar, one of the best places to enjoy a cocktail in Panama City.
Diverse Cuisines
The variety of cuisines available at Hotel La Compañía means guests would barely have to leave the hotel to experience some of Panama City’s best cuisine. Luigi’s exemplifies Cucina Povera, or the cuisine of the people, with simple yet high-quality local ingredients.
Rooftop Retreat
Don’t skip one of the spaces that many guests call a highlight of the stay: the hotel’s rooftop pool and the Capella Rooftop bar.
City Views
Whether you’re here to relax and cool off on a hot afternoon or enjoy a cocktail, the incredible views of the hotel grounds and beyond make it a must-visit spot.
Historic Heart of Panama
Incredible views of the Casco Antiguo await. Catch glimpses into the heart of the neighborhood and of its most historic monuments from a lounge chair by the pool.
Capella Rooftop
It’s the perfect spot to end a day exploring the Casco Antiguo neighborhood and the rest of Panama City’s impressive attractions while sampling some of the hotel’s signature cocktails.
The Place To Be in Panama City
From a historic monument to the buzziest new destination in town, Hotel La Compañía exemplifies a new side of the city that is quickly transforming Panama into one of the region’s most appealing destinations for visitors. It’s a destination you won’t want to miss.
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.