Tryp by Wyndham Panama Centro

TRYP Panama Centro
offers 92 rooms and suites in a distinctly modern and metropolitan setting in
the heart of Panama City. The entrance from the street is small and unassuming
-- you might even pass it by if you didn’t know where to look. Inside the
style is shiny and current, featuring an active atmosphere and an eclectic
mix of guests, including business, international, tourists, and families. The contemporary
lobby’s decor presents a simple, modern style that utilizes bold geometric shapes, such
as the large circular lighting fixtures and seating areas. The primary color
palette includes bright reds and blues, and there are lots of mirrors.The property displays a busy, urban feeling that’s
reflective of lively Panama City -- especially in the bustling lobby where many
people are coming and going at all hours. The highlights of this hotel include the comfortable rooms and the great views from the rooftop pool. At night, drinks
are available at the rooftop bar where the skyline of Panama City lights up.This property falls under the TRYP by Wyndam brand; however, it is not related to the larger and swankier TRYP hotel at the Albrook Mall,
which has separate ownership. It definitely feels like a generic chain hotel
at times, with uninspired artwork and little, if any, local influence. Overall,
this is a good business hotel for those on a budget, however, considering amenities like meeting rooms, a gym, and the rooftop pool.

As the name implies, TRYP Panama Centro is located in
central downtown Panama City. It’s situated on the edge of a neighborhood known
as El Cangrejo, just north of the city’s busy financial and banking district.
The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of many dining options, as well as bars
and casinos. Shopping areas are close by; the popular Multicentro mall
and the waterfront are a bit far for walking, but only about about seven minutes away by
taxi. While the financial district is more of a concrete jungle of high rises,
the quaint historic Casco Viejo can be reached by a 15-minute taxi ride. The
international airport is about a 30-minute drive away -- although it can take longer if there's traffic.

The 92 rooms at Tryp Panama Centro include a few different
kinds of suites, including a Family Suite with bunk beds and a Fitness Suite -- a specialty of the Tryp brand -- which comes with a treadmill right in the room.The rooms and suites are sleek with clean
lines, and a minimalist approach that fees fresh, and the furniture all looks
brand new -- if a bit IKEA-esque. The overall style of the rooms features warm, neutral tones like
taupe, white, and dark wood furniture. There are abstract modern art pieces placed
around the room that add pops of color, but overall they have a pretty generic, chain-hotel
fare -- albeit an upper-mid-range one.Amenities like iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers come standard in every room. The floor-to-ceiling windows
provide great views of the city. The modern bathrooms are small but updated with
stylish sinks, granite counter tops, and walk-in showers.The premium rooms are a bit larger and include the addition
of sitting areas with sofas. There are a few spacious Executive Suites that each feature a separate living room area and two full bathrooms. Premium rooms and
suites also include additional amenities not seen in standard rooms,
like bath robes, sewing kits, combs, and razors.

In the back of the lobby, the hotel’s bar and restaurant
called The Gastro Bar at 5-0-7, displays a similar modern decor style as the
lobby, featuring bold colors and geometric-style furniture choices. A large
panoramic color photograph of the Panama City skyline, in all its shiny modern
glory, adorns one wall. However the space has no windows and is rather dim and uninspiring. The
restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast consists of a
typical continental buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, toast, cereals, and a
few hot items as well. The small restaurant can get crowded at busy times like
breakfast.One of the biggest highlights of the hotel is the rooftop
pool and whirlpool. Located on a high floor, the medium-sized rectangular
swimming pool and elevated hot tub feature panoramic views of the
surrounding skyline. There are several lounge chairs surrounding the pool,
though the deck can fill up quickly during peak times. The rooftop also features a
poolside bar, which is open in the evenings, and happy hour is a popular event.
Guests enjoy drinks by the nicely lit pool and admire the lights of the city as
night falls.Also on the top floor with great views of the city, there’s
a nice fitness room with modern machines (although they don't have personal TVs). Next door to the gym, a sauna
and steam room are available for all guests to use -- but there are no formal spa
facilities or services here. There’s a small business center consisting of two
computers in the middle for the lobby for guests to use. A few different meeting
rooms of various sizes are available, as this a popular hotel for business
guests as well as for local meetings or small conferences.