Hotel Riu Plaza Panama - Breakfast Plan

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5156 reviews

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  A problem about ice but everything else was great.

  This hotel was awesome, clean, great amenities, super nice staff, great location, large rooms, great views. However, I was told that Ice was available on the 29th and 31st floors. I was on the 30th. The catch is that the key will only allow you to get to your floor. If you aren't on the floors with the ice machine you have to go to the snack bar in the lobby and get ice or pay $5 for them to bring the ice to you; both of which I find ridiculous and inconvenient. This needs to be rethought and fixed.

  Oct 18, 2026
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  An Unforgettable Experience at Riu Plaza Panama – Exceptional Hospitality!

  I honestly don't know where to begin because our experience at Riu Plaza Panama was nothing short of exceptional! From the moment we arrived until the moment we checked out, we were treated with such kindness, professionalism, and genuine hospitality that I felt compelled to share our experience. We stayed for one night after arriving directly from the airport. Initially, we experienced some confusion during the payment verification process. I had originally booked and paid using Apple Pay, which generates a different digital card number from the physical debit card for security purposes. Upon arrival, we were asked to provide a bank statement showing the transaction, along with identification such as a driver's license or passport. At first, I felt uncomfortable and confused about why the physical card needed to match the digital card when, by design, they have different numbers. However, after the process was explained, I came to understand that these additional steps were taken to protect guests and prevent potential fraudulent transactions. What initially felt frustrating turned into a sense of reassurance and appreciation for the hotel's commitment to security. Now, let me tell you about MARIO at the front desk, because he truly deserves special recognition! I genuinely wish I had recorded our interaction so others could witness the extraordinary level of customer service he provided. His patience, kindness, professionalism, and calm demeanor were simply remarkable. He took his time explaining everything, never made us feel rushed or uncomfortable, and turned what could have been a stressful check-in experience into one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We had traveled to Panama for a wedding, but we also wanted to spend some time at a hotel of our choice to celebrate my husband's birthday. His birthday had been the day before, but because we both work in the medical field and had gone directly from work to catch an early morning flight, we hadn't had the opportunity to celebrate properly. Without us ever expecting such generosity, Mario went above and beyond! Not only did he accommodate us with an early check-in, but he also upgraded our room and placed us on the beautiful 32nd floor! As if that weren't enough, he surprised us with champagne, fresh fruit, and a delicious brownie cake in celebration of my husband's birthday. I cannot fully express how much that thoughtful gesture meant to us. After working, traveling, and arriving exhausted, being welcomed with such warmth and generosity made the entire experience incredibly special. Mario didn't simply provide customer service; he created a beautiful memory for us. That is something money cannot buy, and I will always be grateful. Our wonderful experience continued at Studio 50, the hotel's Asian fusion restaurant, where we enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal. Our waitress, Genesis, was outstanding! She was incredibly sweet, attentive, helpful, and professional. Her kindness and excellent service made our dining experience even more enjoyable. She absolutely deserves recognition as well! The following morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel's buffet, and once again, everything exceeded our expectations. The food was delicious, the variety was wonderful, and the service was incredible. The lovely lady who assisted us after we were seated was exceptionally attentive, and the entire breakfast staff demonstrated the same level of hospitality we had experienced throughout our stay. What impressed me most was the consistency. From the front desk to the restaurant and breakfast buffet, every interaction reflected genuine care for the guests. It is rare to experience this level of service across an entire hotel, and Riu Plaza Panama absolutely delivered. I have stayed at different hotels, and I can confidently say that it will take a very, very special hotel to surpass the experience we had at Riu Plaza Panama. Although our stay was only one night, the memories and the way we were treated will stay with us for a very long time. To Mario, Genesis, and the entire Riu Plaza Panama team: THANK YOU! Thank you for making us feel welcomed, appreciated, safe, and genuinely cared for. Thank you for turning a simple overnight stay into such a meaningful celebration for my husband and me. We will absolutely return, and without hesitation, Riu Plaza Panama will be our first choice whenever we visit Panama again! Five stars simply aren't enough for the hospitality we received! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  Oct 17, 2026
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  Will never come back!!!

  Poor service, very crowded, doesn't coutesy offer late check out, no way to file a complaint. Will never come back and definitely recommend this hotel to anyone.

  Oct 16, 2026
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  Extraordinarily long checkin

  5 star hotels shouldn’t take 24 minutes to checkin. We had checked in online, entered the checkin queue at 1507 then were finally handed keys after 1530. The manager seemed more interested in counting receipts than helping her staff. Again, even by RIU slow check in standards this was very poor.

  Oct 14, 2026
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  Always a pleasure to stay here

  I stay in Hotel Riu every year when I come to Panama for work. It is modern, it is clean, the rooms are spacious, and it has the best breakfast buffet in the entire city. The people are friendly, and the bar is well stocked. Really everything you could ask for in a hotel.

  Oct 14, 2026