Panama Hotels & Resorts

Dreams Delight Playa Bonita Panama

KM 7 Road to Veracruz, Playa Bonita, Panama
TEL:+507 211-8600
Website

Visited: December 2016

What I Liked...(and the BUT's)...

Rooms are decent-sized and each room has a terrace or balcony
Resort is not too big so it is easy to find everything
Most staff are happy to serve and are trying their best.
Beds and pillows were probably the most comfortable and cosy that we have found in most all inclusive resorts were have visited.
Air conditioning everywhere worked extremely well.
The view of the ships and the tide in the afternoon is mesmerizing. Best view was sitting at the grill for lunch each day.
Grounds are very pretty and well kept.
We had an issue with our reservation when we arrived to check in (late at night) and they handled it properly - gave us the room type we ordered for the night and said they would figure out the rest the next day.
No towel cards needed. Beach towels are stacked everywhere and anywhere and you can grab as many as you like.
No wristbands.
'Adults-only' pool was quiet and clean.
Wine list was decent. American favourites, Chilean and Argentinean classics. Prices were all reasonable.
Dining in the wine room was a treat. Set up for up to 8 guests, they only take one reservation at a time. They only require that you purchase a bottle of wine for your table of approximately $50 or more...BUT there were very few bottles over that limit and th majority we're tween $40 and $45 but they still accepted our wine order.
A la carte meals at Bordeaux and Portofino were both plated beautifully and offered the best dinners at the resort. They share the wine room and kitchen so the special wine room dinners could be ordered from either menu.
Coffee is fantastic! I was very pleased that there was a coffee shop open almost all day.

What I Didn't Like So Much...

Although our check-in issue was resolved quickly, there was no communication of what as happening or the problem itself for almost an hour. They talked around us for a while like we weren't there.
No bell men helping with bags at the late check-in. Even though there were two men standing at the entrance when our bus pulled up. Two suitcases and two carrying were manageable for us, but we are used to being spoiled by staff assisting us whenever we arrived or departed. Our bags are heavy sometimes so any extra set of hands helps!
On the first day, we were approached by staff about a "presentation" for their club. Later at same afternoon, I received a phone call in our room from the VIP lounge asking if I wanted a presentation. There were always two staff members hovering in the lobby to approach new visitors. I, personally, understand the concept but when I say No the first time, I don't like to be hounded again afterwards.
There was no buffet option for dinners. One or two restaurants occasionally offered semi-buffet options (soup and salads are buffet and entrees are a la carte). Their sushi restaurant was set up every few days in the same space as the snack bar, which was tucked out of site and not easy to find. Fussy eaters should still not have a problem here...plenty to eat!
We attempted to eat at Oceana for a seafood dinner, but were dismayed that only a few options featured seafood...and when they were, it was only shrimp. The two fish entrees we ordered were both barely warm to the touch. We obviously went back to the Bordeaux and Portofino restaurants for the rest of the week - and they were always superb!
Only a handful of staff have a basic grasp of English. This was more difficult than usual compared to other countries we have visited. So, miscommunication and incorrect requests happened often or resulted in group staff discussions way from us to attempt to figure out what we were asking.
Rules are not enforced. Smoking is banned in the entire country except for designated areas. Guests who smoked were never approached to butt out. Kids occasionally visited the adult only pool. Men with inappropriate attire were allowed to dine in the restaurants requiring formal dress. I am guessing that since they just reopened, their priority is to not rock the boat whatsoever.
Late arrivals with Sunwing do not get any priority or VIP treatment as promised with the upgrade. The resort keeps minimal staff on site that late and we barely received a verbal we,come let alone a welcome gift, a service guide, a newsletter or anything in our room. (I believe it is up to Sunwing to ensure the resort can offer what is described. It didn't look like they were even aware of what we were promised.)
Robes were provided, as per our room description, but when we asked for slippers, we received one pair that were torn and obviously pre worn.
Towels in in the rooms' bathrooms were hit and miss. We hand to use the facecloths instead of hand towels most days and once we were given beach towels instead of bath towels. (Oh well...we were never without!)
The spa boasts a hydrotherapy circuit. A day pass for this circuit is $85 and VIP guests are allowed one circuit per person per stay. It was nice, but consisted only co-Ed access to the standard showers, a steam shower, a sauna and a 4-6 person whirlpool. Luckily, we were the only guests there at the time...WAY too small for us. (Yes, I am shy! lol)
Entertainment in the evenings is almost non-existent. Live music starts at 9pm at the lobby bar and occasionally they show a family movie in one of the lounges.
The gift shop does not have many local souvenirs other than clothing and some jewellery. I couldn't even find a bottle of Abuelo rum to buy, let alone a decent-sized hat.

NOTE: If you plan to fly to Panama - take note of the flight time AND which airport you will be arriving to. The airport we used was 1 1/2 hours away and does not have any shops or restaurants onsite. We had to leave for our departure 30 minutes earlier than normal to allow for a quick detour to a convenience store to allow travellers to buy food or snacks to take with us. For a 3 hour airport wait prior to departure AND with a late-night flight, it can make for a VERY long evening!

I had a quick chat one evening with their Food & Beverage Manager, Alejandro, and even though he asked me for suggestions on how to improve or for any other comments, I realized quickly that any negative views of this resort had nothing to do with the food and beverage offerings. They were all SO good! Aside from the one not-so-good dinner, the rest of the week's offerings were well-plated, well-seasoned and overall well-made. (Kudos to Chef Marvin and his team!)

I had some thoughts to share at the end of the week about the change in what an all-inclusive resort offers today for value - click here to check it out!

Overall, I think we still arrived here too early in their transition from a Secrets to a Dreams.

Although they are two resorts in the same parent company, it seems that they started from scratch with an entire new group of staff - which is why the training seems to be needed more than usual.

Confirmed with one of the staff last night that YES - they indeed started with an entire new staff! It is obvious that many are just learning how to serve effectively and efficiently and with a basic grasp of English.

I would suspect, however, that the kinks will be evened out and things will be top notch by Spring 2017.

Stay tuned, folks!