First look: Lodge La Compania del Valle’s large spa, intriguing paintings and entry to nature will draw Hyatt loyalists to Panama.

Lodge La Compania del Valle offered TPG with a complimentary two-night keep in order that we might get an inside take a look at the lodge and its facilities. The opinions expressed under are fully these of the creator and weren’t topic to assessment by the lodge or any exterior entity.

Simply two hours from Panama Metropolis, the city of El Valle de Anton, a preferred weekend getaway spot amongst locals, sits inside a volcanic crater. The plush valley is residence to speeding waterfalls, mountain climbing trails, chirping birds — and now a brand-new lodge with a large spa. The very best half? It is bookable on factors.

Lodge La Compania De Valle’s stone buildings and tile roofs appear to be they’ve all the time been there, nestled beneath the encircling mountains. However a stroll across the lodge’s grounds reveals trendy sculptures and curated artwork installations of all totally different kinds, in addition to three eating places that spotlight well being and native substances. And, as soon as building on the greater than 18,000-square-foot spa finishes in July, this Hyatt lodge is certain to place Panama on the map as a nature-centric wellness vacation spot like its northern neighbor, Costa Rica.

First impressions

As quickly as I entered the foyer, I knew the lodge can be a deal with by way of design and distinction. The area is serene: assume pure gentle, calming instrumental music, an informal eating space and home windows overlooking a pond filled with geese and lily pads. However it’s additionally funky, with vibrant patterned flooring and ceilings, deep blue velvet furnishings and an enormous picket sculpture of human faces.

The entrance desk sits proper beside a espresso bar, so a employees member took my order and ready an iced latte for me whereas I checked in. I then headed for my room, strolling leisurely by way of the halls, sipping my espresso and analyzing all of the paintings alongside the way in which.

The rooms

The lodge’s 70 visitor rooms and suites spotlight outside area and provide views of both the mountains or the swimming pools. So, upon getting into my mountain-view king room, I breezed straight previous the trendy toilet and four-poster mattress to achieve the balcony, the place I discovered an enormous daybed in addition to a picket desk with chairs. It was separated from my neighbors’ balconies with picket partitions, providing a pleasant personal place to benefit from the sundown. (The balconies are lined, which is a key characteristic for those who’re visiting throughout the wet season.)

Again inside my 375-square-foot room, I discovered a chair with a small desk, a well-stocked minifridge, a Nespresso espresso machine and loads of locations to retailer my baggage and grasp my garments. The mattress and its linens have been luxurious, and when paired with the room-darkening window shades, allowed for an ideal night time of sleep.

The toilet was gentle and vibrant and had all of the facilities I anticipated, together with a hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, tons of towels and Molton Brown merchandise. It additionally had some additional particular touches I did not anticipate, resembling a towel hotter, a jetted bathtub and a window that I might flip from opaque to clear with the flip of a change.

There have been a couple of small issues I felt have been lacking from the room, specifically an iron and a few type of deadbolt on the door — a security characteristic I all the time search for as a solo feminine traveler. These straightforward updates would take the room from nice to wonderful.

Throughout my go to, I additionally had the chance to tour one of many lodge’s suites (footage above). I can verify that they provide an elevated expertise with a European aptitude, due to plush furnishings, massive residing areas, chandeliers and considerate paintings.

Eating at La Compania del Valle

The three lodge eating places — Tiempo, Terra and Fuego — serve ingenious dishes that draw inspiration from nature.

Tiempo

The open-air restaurant Tiempo is hooked up to the foyer and is open from 6:30 a.m. till 10:30 p.m. Visitors can come right here to sip espresso, watch birds float within the adjoining pond and revel in a breakfast buffet brimming with eggs, fruits, pastries, juices and a few Panamanian classics. They will return later for dishes with worldwide flavors like ceviche ($14), pork pad Thai ($22), hen tikka masala ($19), prawn pasta ($24) or a tremendous creme brulee ($10).

Terra

Terra sits in the course of all of the lodge’s motion, and it serves a full vegetarian menu alongside views of the lodge’s massive outside gathering area. Its ingenious, Mediterranean-inspired dishes — resembling tomato tartare, mushroom risotto and basil panna cotta — will certainly impress even probably the most hesitant vegetable-eaters. Observe: There could also be some modifications to the menu because the restaurant continues to be within the first phases of opening, however you may presently choose a three-course eating expertise for $39 or a four-course expertise for $46. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. till 10:30 p.m.

Fuego

After a light-weight lunch at Terra, these in want of a hearty dinner can discover it at Fuego. That is the spot for steak lovers, wine fans and anybody who enjoys an entertaining eating expertise. One of many rooms has an open kitchen idea, so diners can watch by way of the smoke because the cooks grill up all types of meat and seafood. Grilled brief rib ($40), sirloin carpaccio ($12), provolone cheese dip ($16), grilled octopus ($24), salads ($10 to $14) and an array of worldwide wines spherical out the menu right here. It is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. till 10:30 p.m.

Facilities and providers

• Service: Everybody I met in Panama was heat and pleasant, and the employees members at Lodge La Compania del Valle have been no totally different. As with every newly opened lodge, it takes a little bit of time to discover a circulation, but when this valley lodge is something like its sister property in Panama Metropolis, I do know every part shall be polished very quickly.
• Swimming pools: The lodge has two massive swimming pools located beside one another, one heated and one not. There are many loungers across the swimming pools, in addition to attention-grabbing sculptures to have a look at whereas enjoyable.
• Health: There’s a well-equipped health heart by the lake, subsequent to the spot the place the lodge plans to put in pickleball courts. There are additionally some ways to remain lively outdoors of the lodge, resembling by mountain climbing the well-known India Dormida path or taking a bicycle tour round city.
• Cultural occasions: The lodge plans to convey stay music and performances into its outside theater-esque occasion area someday sooner or later, in accordance with a consultant. I might additionally wish to see the lodge implement some type of informational tour for company to study extra concerning the paintings, which is such a draw.

Spa

When it opens in July, the greater than 18,000-square-foot Elysium Spa shall be a vacation spot in and of itself. It is set to supply state-of-the-art remedies, a saltwater pool, sound therapeutic therapies and sensory experiences. The within will provide a dimly lit, virtually cave-like ambiance, and the structure shall be paying homage to a Roman tub home, with its stone archways and marble columns; plus, the rooftop lounge space will present panoramic views of the encircling mountains. You do not have to be a visitor to make use of the spa, so it is certain to turn into a preferred draw for metropolis dwellers or anybody within the space on the lookout for a little bit of leisure.

Location and logistics

El Valle de Anton is a few two-hour drive (75 miles) from Panama Metropolis. The roads to get there are properly paved and can be advantageous to navigate in a rental automobile. In any other case, a non-public switch from the town to the valley will seemingly value between $75 and $100 one-way.

The closest airport is Tocumen Worldwide Airport (PTY), and Lodge La Compania del Valle can present transportation from the airport to the lodge upon request. Should you’re keen on spending a couple of days Panama Metropolis earlier than heading to the valley, take into account reserving La Compania’s “Expertise Each Accommodations” package deal: It presents most popular charges for a keep within the model’s metropolis lodge and valley lodge, and the package deal features a personal switch between the 2 (along with different perks).

What it prices to remain at Lodge La Compania del Valle and guide

Lodge La Compania del Valle is a part of The Unbound Assortment by Hyatt, so you may guide this Class 5 World of Hyatt property immediately by way of Hyatt’s web site utilizing your factors. I stayed in a king room with a mountain view, which prices $300 to $350 per night time (or 17,000 to twenty,000 factors per night time), relying on the day of the week and time of yr you keep. Should you decide for a bigger suite, costs can climb to between $600 and $2,000 per night time. In the intervening time, there are not any factors choices obtainable for reserving the suites.

If you’re a World of Hyatt member and also you keep right here earlier than September, you may take pleasure in a “grand opening provide” which incorporates breakfast for 2 on the restaurant Tiempo.

When reserving a keep at Lodge La Compania del Valle, you will wish to use a bank cards that earns factors for Hyatt stays, in addition to one which probably presents automated World of Hyatt elite standing for value-added advantages. These embrace:

Accessibility

The accessible room at Lodge La Compania del Valle has two queen beds, a roll-in bathe, emergency strobe lights, a strobe-light smoke detector, a cordless telephone, vast doorways, a lowered thermostat and light-weight switches, and a lowered peephole and door latch. Sadly, there is just one accessible room on the property, so discovering availability might show troublesome.

The property’s elevators are quick, and the hallways are vast. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a pool raise, and a few of the stone pathways across the pool space might be troublesome to maneuver when you’ve got mobility points.

Backside line

El Valle de Anton has lengthy been a preferred trip spot for Panamanians, however the opening of this new La Compania lodge and spa is certain to draw wellness-seeking vacationers and Hyatt loyalists from across the globe. Though the spa, pickleball courts and some different facilities aren’t prepared fairly but, it is nonetheless price visiting for a calming rainforest getaway filled with artwork and scrumptious meals — simply make sure you guide one other keep as soon as every part is open.

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