Panama is the sleeper destination of Central America, transited by crowded cruise ships but rarely a place that cries out for a dedicated visit. That may be about to change with the opening of the Hotel La Compañía in spring 2022 in Panama City.

The setting is noteworthy, with a location in the heart of the city’s most historic and vibrant cultural district, Casco Antiguo, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The bones of the 88-room luxury hotel dates back to the 17th century and it’s been restored and reimagined as a sort of living museum, focusing on various eras of design, architecture, and art. When it opens, it will be part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and the brand’s first hotel in Central America.

Lobby at Hotel La Compañía

Luxury and restored grandeur are keywords, but what Hotel La Compañía may do best is offer a look into the city’s multi-layered colonial past. The hotel was originally built in the 17th century and became a Jesuit mission before undergoing additions and repurposing. Thanks to a team of architects, designers and historians engaged in the restoration, the reborn property will offer “a design-focused experience centered around three distinct chapters in the hotel’s rich history – Spanish Colonial, French Colonial, and Beaux Arts.”

Situated alongside the majestic ruins of a 300-year-old church, “the hotel will be a romantic blend of old and new, where the design, craftsmanship, and cultural influences come to life with modern touchpoints.”

Bar at Hotel La Compañía Debuts in Panama

The location in Casco Antiguo, the city’s treasured historic district, gives it enormous appeal. It lies across the street from the Church of San Jose, and is part of a revitalization of the old city, a project that has been ongoing since the 1990’s. The compact historic district has become a popular destination because of its colonial architecture and its restaurants, sidewalk cafes, bars, nightlife and cultural attractions. It’s a city within the city, a place ideal for strolling. Like Cartagena, it could well become a long weekend destination for Americans.

Hotel La Compañía features a lot of local history, both in its architecture and in the curated collection of more than 1,600 original photographs and custom works of art that will adorn the walls of the hotel’s guestrooms as well as public spaces.

The will be 88 luxury guestrooms and suites individually designed to reflect the Spanish Colonial, French Colonial, and Beaux Arts styles found throughout the hotel. The French Colonial wing dates back to the original building built by Jesuit missionaries in 1739. The Spanish Colonial wing is traced back to 1688 while the American Beaux-Arts wing was once a luxury department store constructed in 1905.

There will be two bars and five restaurants in the new hotel, including a family-style Italian restaurant and a steakhouse with an underground wine cellar that dates back 300 years. The rooftop pool and bar offer a remarkable vantage point to observe the thriving Casco Antiguo neighborhood and get a spectacular 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and Panama City.