Hotel Riu Plaza Panama

Stolen Money: Broken Trust Let me start by saying the food was good, and many of the staff were friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, my overall experience deserves only one star because of how a theft from our room was handled. My family chose this hotel for a short vacation in Panama. This wasn’t my first hotel stay, and I’ve even worked as a housekeeper during summer jobs overseas, so I understand how housekeeping procedures work. On Tuesday morning, we left our room to spend the day exploring Panama and returned around 7:30 p.m. It never crossed my mind that I needed to immediately check my purse. Later that night, I wanted to buy a sweet treat downstairs, only to realize that US$100 was missing from my purse. We reported it immediately, and the hotel told us an investigation would be conducted. On Wednesday evening, we were told there were no updates. Then, on Thursday morning, while we were checking out, we were informed that security footage showed the housekeeper had entered our room. We were also told she did not exceed the allotted cleaning time for a stayover room and that, when questioned, she denied knowing anything about the missing money. That explanation did nothing to reassure me. It doesn’t take long for someone to remove money from a purse, and I wouldn’t expect anyone responsible to admit it. The end result was that my money was gone, no one was held accountable, and I left feeling that the investigation accomplished nothing. What disappointed me most wasn’t just the missing money—it was how helpless and dismissed I felt. I left this hotel with no confidence in how guest property is protected or how theft complaints are handled. My advice to anyone considering staying here is to be extremely cautious with cash and valuables. After my experience, I personally would not feel comfortable leaving them in the room. Before my stay, I had also seen other guests report missing valuables, including claims involving the in-room safe. I can’t verify those reports, but after what happened to me, I have no confidence in the hotel’s security measures. And before posting the standard response saying you’re “sorry for my experience,” I’d rather see meaningful action. An apology means very little when a guest reports money missing from their room, leaves without a resolution, and feels no confidence that anything will change. This incident completely spoiled what was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation. I expected far better from a hotel that promotes itself as a place where guests can relax and enjoy their stay.

I had an excellent stay at Hotel Riu Plaza Panama! From the moment I arrived, the staff was warm, welcoming, and always ready to help. The room was spacious, spotless, and very comfortable, with everything I needed for a relaxing stay. The breakfast buffet was outstanding, offering a wide variety of fresh and delicious options each morning. The hotel's location was perfect, making it easy to explore Panama City, shop, and visit nearby attractions. The facilities were well maintained, and the overall atmosphere was professional, relaxing, and enjoyable. Every member of the team made me feel valued as a guest. I highly recommend Hotel Riu Plaza Panama to anyone visiting Panama City. Thank you for making my vacation such a memorable and enjoyable experience. I look forward to staying here again!

**Review: Riu Plaza Panama City** I recently stayed at the Riu Plaza Panama City and overall had a very nice experience. The hotel is solid, with a great location that makes getting around easy. It’s close to both Multiplaza and Albrook Mall, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby if you want to head out. You can also just dine at one of the hotel’s own restaurants, where the food is great. The breakfast buffet deserves special mention—it’s one of the best I’ve seen. They rotate food themes (Mexican, Chinese, and others), and the variety is genuinely impressive. Service throughout the hotel was good, exactly as you’d expect from a Riu property. The pool is fine but could use a bit more fun. It’s a straightforward square shape with no dedicated kids’ section, so it feels a little basic. That said, the restaurant by the pool is very good and makes up for it. Pricing felt reasonable for what you get. One minor downside: my room on the 9th floor could use some renovation. Small details like the desk and mirrors are starting to show their age and make the room look a bit dated. Nothing major, but noticeable. All in all, a comfortable stay with strong food options, a convenient location, and good value. I’d stay again.

The hotel lobby is GORGEOUS! The rooms are good. No issues there. They do offer a pretty nice breakfast buffet. I would say the service could be improved. Not horrible but a lot of the staff seem inconvenienced by our presence. It is a fine stay but you might get more bang for your buck elsewhere.