First look: Hotel La Compania del Valle's massive spa, curated artwork and nature access will draw Hyatt loyalists to Panama
Editor's Note
- This brand-new Hyatt property is set amid a lush natural landscape that is becoming popular among nature-lovers and wellness-seeking travelers.
- Once completed, the on-site spa will be one of the biggest — and one of the most exciting and architecturally interesting — spas in the region.
- There are colorful canvases and massive sculptures everywhere you turn, making the property feel more like an open-air art museum than a hotel.
Hotel La Compania del Valle provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and were not subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
Just two hours from Panama City, the town of El Valle de Anton, a popular weekend getaway spot among locals, sits within a volcanic crater. The lush valley is home to rushing waterfalls, hiking trails, chirping birds — and now a brand-new hotel with a massive spa. The best part? It's bookable on points.
Hotel La Compania De Valle's stone buildings and tile roofs look like they have always been there, nestled beneath the surrounding mountains. But a walk around the hotel's grounds reveals modern sculptures and curated art installations of all different styles, as well as three restaurants that highlight health and local ingredients. And, once construction on the more than 18,000-square-foot spa finishes in July, this Hyatt hotel is sure to put Panama on the map as a nature-centric wellness destination like its northern neighbor, Costa Rica.
First impressions
As soon as I entered the lobby, I knew the hotel would be a treat in terms of design and contrast. The space is serene: think natural light, calming instrumental music, a casual dining area and windows overlooking a pond full of ducks and lily pads. But it's also funky, with bright patterned floors and ceilings, deep blue velvet furniture and a huge wooden sculpture of human faces.
The front desk sits right beside a coffee bar, so a staff member took my order and prepared an iced latte for me while I checked in. I then headed for my room, strolling leisurely through the halls, sipping my coffee and examining all the artwork along the way.
The rooms
The hotel’s 70 guest rooms and suites highlight outdoor space and offer views of either the mountains or the pools. So, upon entering my mountain-view king room, I breezed straight past the modern bathroom and four-poster bed to reach the balcony, where I found a huge daybed as well as a wooden table with chairs. It was separated from my neighbors’ balconies with wooden walls, offering a nice private place to enjoy the sunset. (The balconies are covered, which is a key feature if you're visiting during the rainy season.)
Back inside my 375-square-foot room, I found a chair with a small table, a well-stocked minifridge, a Nespresso coffee machine and plenty of places to store my luggage and hang my clothes. The bed and its linens were luxurious, and when paired with the room-darkening window shades, allowed for a great night of sleep.
The bathroom was light and bright and had all the amenities I expected, including a hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, tons of towels and Molton Brown products. It also had some extra special touches I didn’t anticipate, such as a towel warmer, a jetted bathtub and a window that I could turn from opaque to transparent with the flip of a switch.
There were a few small things I felt were missing from the room, namely an iron and some kind of deadbolt on the door — a safety feature I always look for as a solo female traveler. These easy updates would take the room from great to excellent.
During my visit, I also had the opportunity to tour one of the hotel's suites (pictures above). I can confirm that they offer an elevated experience with a European flair, thanks to plush furniture, large living spaces, chandeliers and thoughtful artwork.
Dining at La Compania del Valle
The three hotel restaurants — Tiempo, Terra and Fuego — serve inventive dishes that draw inspiration from nature.
Tiempo
The open-air restaurant Tiempo is attached to the lobby and is open from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Guests can come here to sip coffee, watch birds float in the adjacent pond and enjoy a breakfast buffet brimming with eggs, fruits, pastries, juices and some Panamanian classics. They can return later for dishes with international flavors like ceviche ($14), pork pad Thai ($22), chicken tikka masala ($19), prawn pasta ($24) or an amazing creme brulee ($10).
Terra
Terra sits in the middle of all the hotel's action, and it serves a full vegetarian menu alongside views of the hotel's large outdoor gathering space. Its inventive, Mediterranean-inspired dishes — such as tomato tartare, mushroom risotto and basil panna cotta — will surely impress even the most hesitant vegetable-eaters. Note: There may be some changes to the menu as the restaurant is still in the first phases of opening, but you can currently select a three-course dining experience for $39 or a four-course experience for $46. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Fuego
After a light lunch at Terra, those in need of a hearty dinner can find it at Fuego. This is the spot for steak lovers, wine enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys an entertaining dining experience. One of the rooms has an open kitchen concept, so diners can watch through the smoke as the chefs grill up all kinds of meat and seafood. Grilled short rib ($40), sirloin carpaccio ($12), provolone cheese dip ($16), grilled octopus ($24), salads ($10 to $14) and an array of international wines round out the menu here. It's open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Amenities and services
- Service: Everyone I met in Panama was warm and friendly, and the staff members at Hotel La Compania del Valle were no different. As with any newly opened hotel, it takes a bit of time to find a flow, but if this valley hotel is anything like its sister property in Panama City, I know everything will be polished very soon.
- Pools: The hotel has two large pools situated beside each other, one heated and one not. There are plenty of loungers around the pools, as well as interesting sculptures to look at while relaxing.
- Fitness: There is a well-equipped fitness center by the lake, next to the spot where the hotel plans to install pickleball courts. There are also many ways to stay active outside of the hotel, such as by hiking the famous India Dormida trail or taking a bicycle tour around town.
- Cultural events: The hotel plans to bring live music and performances into its outdoor theater-esque event space sometime in the future, according to a representative. I would also like to see the hotel implement some sort of informational tour for guests to learn more about the artwork, which is such a draw.
Spa
When it opens in July, the more than 18,000-square-foot Elysium Spa will be a destination in and of itself. It's set to offer state-of-the-art treatments, a saltwater pool, sound healing therapies and sensory experiences. The inside will offer a dimly lit, almost cave-like atmosphere, and the architecture will be reminiscent of a Roman bath house, with its stone archways and marble columns; plus, the rooftop lounge area will provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You don't have to be a guest to use the spa, so it's sure to become a popular draw for city dwellers or anyone in the area looking for a bit of relaxation.
Location and logistics
El Valle de Anton is about a two-hour drive (75 miles) from Panama City. The roads to get there are nicely paved and would be fine to navigate in a rental car. Otherwise, a private transfer from the city to the valley will likely cost between $75 and $100 one-way.
The closest airport to the hotel is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), and Panama's flag carrier, Copa Airlines (which is also a Star Alliance member), offers nonstop flights there from various U.S. cities. Hotel La Compania del Valle can provide transportation from the airport to the hotel upon request. If you're interested in spending a few days Panama City before heading to the valley, consider booking La Compania's "Experience Both Hotels" package: It offers preferred rates for a stay in the brand's city hotel and valley hotel, and the package includes a private transfer between the two (in addition to other perks).
What it costs to stay at Hotel La Compania del Valle and how to book
Hotel La Compania del Valle is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, so you can book this Category 5 World of Hyatt property directly through Hyatt’s website using your points. I stayed in a king room with a mountain view, which costs $300 to $350 per night (or 17,000 to 20,000 points per night), depending on the day of the week and time of year you stay. If you opt for a larger suite, prices can climb to between $600 and $2,000 per night. At the moment, there are no points options available for booking the suites.
If you are a World of Hyatt member and you stay here before September, you can enjoy a “grand opening offer” which includes breakfast for two at the restaurant Tiempo.
When booking a stay at Hotel La Compania del Valle, you’ll want to use a credit cards that earns points for Hyatt stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits for every $10,000 spent each calendar year.
Accessibility
The accessible room at Hotel La Compania del Valle has two queen beds, a roll-in shower, emergency strobe lights, a strobe-light smoke detector, a cordless phone, wide doorways, a lowered thermostat and light switches, and a lowered peephole and door latch. Unfortunately, there is only one accessible room on the property, so finding availability could prove difficult.
The property's elevators are fast, and the hallways are wide. However, there is no pool lift, and some of the stone pathways around the pool area could be difficult to maneuver if you have mobility issues.
Bottom line
El Valle de Anton has long been a popular vacation spot for Panamanians, but the opening of this new La Compania hotel and spa is sure to attract wellness-seeking travelers and Hyatt loyalists from around the globe. Although the spa, pickleball courts and a few other amenities aren't ready quite yet, it's still worth visiting for a relaxing rainforest getaway full of art and delicious food — just be sure to book another stay once everything is open.
Related reading:
- Best Panama Canal cruise excursions from Colon and Panama City
- Why this new luxury hotel in Panama should make you excited about Sofitel
- The best time to cruise the Panama Canal
- From city sanctuaries to desert retreats, these are the best luxury hotel spas for every type of traveler
- The best all-inclusive wellness resorts and packages for a postholiday reset
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.