Panama city - Marriott or Radisson Decapolis
 

Has anyone stayed at either one of these properties. If so, which one would you recommend and why?
Thank you.
Paul

I have stayed twice at the Marriott and will return again in November. Great hotel. Excellent location and a great staff and facilities. You can walk everywhere, Multicentro and Multiplaza Malls, Via Espana and the Rey Supermarket and movie theater (First run US movies in English for $2.00 Tons of restaurants all around also. You can't go wrong with the Marriott.

Thanks patw - I've read something about a noisy night club downstairs into the early hours of the morning. Any comments about that?
Also, what should one expect to pay for a taxi from airport to hotel?
Thanks.
Paul

I never heard a noisy nightclub. I am really sensitive to noise also. There is a casino that is next door and they have a band/club but you cannot hear it at all.

Taxi to the airport: Do not get it from the porters at the door to the hotel as you will overpay. Walk onto the street and probably 10 feet away from the hotel and get a cab there. It will be approx. $20 to the airport.

We will be there again over Thanksgiving.

Thanks patw for all your good advice. It's been decided - Marriott it is.

I would say that patw's pushing it a bit with the easy walk to Multiplaza and even Multicentro from the Marriott. Multiplaza would be a good 30 to 40 minute walk and you need to know which way to go as the route isn't direct. Multicentro would be about 15 minutes.
Decapolis is slightly newer but way more hip than the Marriott - great bar with nightlife especially Thursday and Friday - super sushi bar and it's right next to Mulitcentro for shopping, food court, casino and cinemas - 5 to 10 minutes walk from there gets you to the Calle Uruguay restaurant/bar district. 20 minute walk from there to Multiplaza.
Also, during certain hours traffic around the Marriott can be at a standstill whereas even during peak hours the traffic on Balboa in front of Multicentro keeps moving even if slowly.

My take on the two (having been a senior manager in hotels the past 18 years and in Panama for 9) Marriott if you want consistency, have Marriott rewards, want a cookie cutter room with decent service. Decapolis if you want hip decor, more active scene, and it's should be slightly cheaper than Marriott.

Hope this helps,
Andrew

I guess it depends on what you think of as walking distance. I live in the NY metro area and walk everywhere. We enjoyed the walks to/from both malls. That being said I can see that if someone is from Los Angeles and drives everywhere they may not be inclined to walk to/from the Marriott to the Malls.

I was actually considering the Sheraton (which use to the Caesar something) but I really like being able to get to Via Espana and all the great restaurants in the area of the Marriott within a 5 minute walk (especially Bistro Ten)
Pat

Thank you both for your comments. I am actually just passing through Panama City and spending only one full day & one night ( unfortunately) so my needs may be different than if I were staying there for a while.
Your insights are very helpful.
Thanks again.
Paul