Gamboa Rainforest Resort

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  Gamboa Rainforest Resort Review

  We stayed 3 nights in the main hotel, in a river view room.
  
  Room- after staying in a rustic cabana in San Blas, having a/c and hot water with good pressure, was heavenly. Our room was very attractive, in good condition, the patio was clean, the only issue with the bathroom was that the shower tiles could use some additional squirts of tilex.
  
  Service-- the staff at the front desk and the restaurants were friendly and provided good service for the most part. The only hiccup was one afternoon we ordered food at the pool and I think they forgot the order, as we noticed the couple next to us got their food (and they had ordered after us), so we had to have the staff order it again. We also had an issue with the safe not opening, but maintenance came in less than 10minutes, (ended up battery needed replacing).
  
  Pool- on Sunday, it was packed, Monday it was completely dead. Even on Sunday, though crowded, the waitresses were circulating frequently.
  
  Food- average. Breakfast was included in our stay, and was a quite extensive buffet. For lunch we did the buffet once ( I think it was $22 or 24 plus drinks), we ate at the pool a couple of times ( club sandwiches, burgers, <$10 including fries/drink), ate in the bar one night ( most items <$10), and off menu in the restaurant (less than buffet cost). We stopped at a grocery in Panama City and bought a 2 pack of one liter water bottles for <$2 and a couple of smaller bottles for 39cents to avoid paying the high mark up.
  
  Activities- its kind of set up not for those who want to explore on their own, but finding and being able to walk on your own to the marina, or to the nature trail was not difficult, even though not really clearly marked on their map. Free activites included morning nature walk, evening truck ride, kayak, bicycling. The only paid excursion we did was Monkey Island. We had tried to book it in advance for our preferred day before we left the US, but could never get through to anyone, so when we arrived, the only thing available was for that afternoon.
  
  Overall, I found it a bit overpriced, but the room and setting are beautiful, and the pool area was very nice

  by janeq, 11/18/09
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  Luxury Living in the Rain Forest

  The Gamboa Resort is a truly unique property - you are RIGHT in the Rain Forest. The rooms were a little humid, but nicely appointed, and the lobby was not air-conditioned so it was a bit warm some nights. We took the aerial tram up to catch some incredible views of the Canal. Ate lunch overlooking the Canal up close with turtles and crocodiles. Just amazing.

  by Fiascone, 6/22/09

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