Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
None of the six guest rooms are alike, except that all contain early-20th-century antique
furnishings. The veranda is perfect for a morning cup of coffee or an afternoon sundown-
er.
Bocas Paradise
INN $$$
( 757-9546;
www.bocasparadisehotel.com
;
Calle 1; d/ste from US$66/110; )
On the wa-
terfront, these upmarket rooms have brocade beds, carved hardwood furniture and little
balconies with wooden loungers. Installations are shiny new and the bathrooms are quite
spacious . Perks include kitchenettes and minibars. The onsite restaurant is a huge hit
with expats - think comfort food and apps.
Hotel Gran BahÃa
HOTEL $$$
( 757-9626;
www.ghbahia.com
;
Calle 3; s/d incl breakfast from US$73/80; )
This historic
Bocas landmark was built in 1905 by the United Fruit Company to serve as its local
headquarters. Though it isn't a standout, some careful restorations have revived its ori-
ginal splendor. Second-floor rooms are considerably more attractive than the ground-
floor counterparts, with wicker furniture, safe boxes and original oak floors. Service is
professional if a little aloof.
Hotel Bocas del Toro
INN $$$
$$$
( 757-9018;
www.hotelbocasdeltoro.com
;
Calle 2; d incl breakfast from US$129; )
A
fine getaway, this three-story waterfront house is decked in comforts, with spacious hard-
wood rooms that feature firm beds with luxuriant linens, warm decor and seafront bal-
conies. Perks include great service, travel-agency assistance and kayak rentals. There's
also a deckside restaurant-bar and spa treatments are available. American-run, the hotel
is a member of APTSO, Panama's sustainable tourism alliance.
Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge
CABIN $$$
$$$
( 612-1088;
www.puntacaracol.com
;
s/d incl 2 meals US$374/430)
A poster child for Carib-
bean luxury, Punta Caracol has a handful of exquisite cabins perched on a boardwalk
over warm waters. Two-story thatched cabins feature king-sized canopy beds, big sky-
light windows and soft lighting. There are solar panels and local renewable materials
used in construction, but everything eco stops there, since the resort is built on a reef.
