Staff was very friendly, the hotel very clean and check out their breakfast room excellent . Location is perfect and close to restaurants and shopping malls. There are available taxis outside the hotel to take you on any adventure

I really enjoyed my stay at the Hotel Riu Plaza Panama. The overall ambience of the hotel was very inviting. The staff was very friendly, helpful and accommodating.

1. Arrival
Nobody helping with the Suitcases, you need to carry them yourself, even to the Room
Front Desk is ok, Registration quick but lack of information what can cost you easily 80$ or more or even a divorce - see No. 2 Guests and Data Protection
2. Guests and Data Protection
I booked a double room as I have not been since a while in PTY and wanted some privacy and time with a friend. Arriving in RIU I knew that my employee will leave next day to Italy and brought her a gift. We had Dinner together after wanted to give her the gift but we were stopped at the elevator to request -registration- ? Even telling the security she just will receive a gift and leave he insisted, so she showed the ID. No word from the front desk woman and after receiving the gift, 20 min later she left home.
Next Day when my friend arrived to check in, the receptionist told me I have to pay 80$ extra. I told her that I booked a DBL Room. The receptionist said, there is already a woman in your room registered and who checked in yesterday??? I told her that nobody checked in and I am alone in my room but she respond - sorry Sir you checked in MRS............ ! Yes, no joke, she really mentioned the name of my employee and without been informed, she checked her in. First of all this Hotel violate the privacy and did an offense against the data protection. Never ever I experienced this in a Hotel that a name is mentioned to a third person without hesitating. My friend already annoyed and I am speechless I paid the 80 $ but immediately said to myself this is the last time they will see me and I was a frequent guest in this Hotel in the past.
3. Breakfast
I went to the breakfast only once even included in the room rate but when I was asked bz Kirsey at the desk for my room number - attention - she asked me if I am in the room with MRS ............ YES no joke - again they mentioned the name of my employee and luckily I went to breakfast alone. This is insane!
Asking for a Capuchino the waiter said EXTRA charge, well, even that the choice of the breakfast is good, the noises and the battle at the Buffet is hard to work with but assume this is if the Hotel is full booked, seems they like to come all at same time to eat, I was there around 9am.
4. Executive Lounge
Previously and this is why I had chosed the Hotel, the lounge was open until 8PM and had a variety of food to offer so that, if you like to stay in the Hotel, you do not need
to go out for Dinner or order room service. This time the Lounge closed at 5PM so you cannot really enjoy unless you have your breakfast there but with just fruits, some cheese, ham and Marmelade.
5. Front Desk Manager
On the Day I checked out I felt that I had to report this, not only about the charge of 80$ but the way they published the name to my employee to my friend did not let me leave in peace. Andi, the front desk manager was not there so the one who was on duty came and he at least apologized. Telling all problems he mostly agreed and that the receptionist may have act wrong but here I would have expected the refund of the money I paid and at least a bit more then SORRY .
6. Conclusion
As business men I like a certain standard (luggage to take care of) and I like confidentiality. A Hotel should not easily give out names and if you do not want to get into an embarrassing situation, better chose another Hotel next time there are plenty new ones and the rates are nearly same. For me its clear that it was one of the worse experiences I had so next time will try another one.