A Family-Friendly Panama City Hotel Full of History and Fun

On a trip home from Ecuador, my family spent three fantastic nights in Panama City thanks to Copa Airlines’ stopover program. Because we didn’t have much time in the city, I spent a lot of time looking for a hotel not only centrally located but also fun and would help immerse us in Panamanian history and culture. I found all of that and more at La Compania Casco Antiguo.

The storied hotel is a living history museum just steps away from Panama City’s Plaza Mayor and a few blocks from the old town’s waterfront. The hotel consists of three distinct buildings from different eras in Panama’s history: a French wing dating back to the 1700s, a Spanish wing dating to the 1600s and a former American bazaar built in 1904. While my husband and I appreciated the hotel’s nod to Panama’s complex past, my kids found other aspects of the hotel more enticing.

Between exploring the Panama Canal and venturing into the Panamanian jungle to see monkeys, my kids enjoyed the hotel’s surprisingly family-friendly amenities. One of my kids’ favorite parts of the trip was swimming in the hotel’s rooftop pool. Since returning home, my son hasn’t stopped talking about the hotel elevator, which felt like stepping into a time machine, offering mini-lessons about Panama on demand with the touch of a button. My kids also loved La Compania’s spacious and verdant courtyard. We all loved the hotel’s spacious rooms, perfect for families.

When it is time to eat, La Compania boasts five on-site restaurants. While all can accommodate families, my kids were particularly excited about the Mexican and Italian restaurants.

My entire family agrees staying at La Compania made our trip to Panama City so much better!