Tuesday, April 17, 2018

STYLISH HOTELS - PANAMA CITY / PANAMA

By Eva Fydrych

Tantalo
Hotel / Kitchen / Roofbar

Artwork at the rooftop terrace (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)



Welcome to Casco Viejo!

If you are travelling to Panama City soon, don't miss one of the most interesting districts in the city and its super fashionable hotel / restaurant / rooftop bar, Tantalo

What's so special about it? Well, basically everything from the trendy interior design and sweeping views of the city to excellent breakfast options and best strawberry mojitos in the whole Casco Viejo.

Tantalo Hotel is not just a place to sleep, but most of all a hip venue where  depending on the night and your mood as well  you can socialise, eat, drink, dance, listen to the music, watch a body painting show, or sample delicious cocktails with a group of friends. Its rooftop bar features unique graffiti art and is always full of well-dressed people, both locals and tourists. 


"Tantalo Roofbar is the pulsating heart of Panama City’s social life. Open 7 days a week, featuring musical performances from around the globe, the bar is an inviting space to mingle with locals and guests alike. With the sparkling Panama City skyline as the backdrop and panoramic views over the Old Quarter’s architectural gems, you’ll soon see why this is THE place to be." - Tantalo


What makes Tantalo so popular is not only a broad range of amenities it offers, but most of all excellent customer service and friendly, unforgettable atmosphere they managed to create. Well done, guys!



Restaurant (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)



Location, Location, Location

The historic district of Panama City, Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe), is an up-and-coming neighbourhood and should definitely be on every traveller's list. It is one of the most visited areas in Panama City by both tourists and Panamanians seeking an authentic atmosphere, unforgettable dining experiences, and historic buildings boasting a variety of architectural styles.

Founded in 1673, Casco Viejo was built following the destruction of the original city, Panama Viejo in 1671, when the latter was attacked by pirates. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Casco Viejo location means unlimited dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities within the walking distance. Some of the nearby attractions include: Plaza Bolivar, Plaza de Francia, La Iglesia de San José, La Iglesia de Santo Domingo, El Teatro Nacional, The Panama Canal Museum, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Presidential Palace, Club de Clases y Tropas, and El Mercado del Marisco.



Artwork by Rolo De Sedas, Casco Viejo



Interesting Facts

Tantalo Hotel opened in 2012 as part of community revitalization in Casco Viejo. The property offers 12 conceptualized rooms, each an expression of local vibrancy and design innovation. Colourful guest rooms feature flat screen 40“LED HD TVs, Bluetooth speakers, trendy furniture (those red armchairs!), and unique custom artwork.


"Throughout the facility, local items have been upcycled into furniture, flooring and décor. Rooms are sound-insulated using material constructed with recycled newspapers and phone books that hold cool air in and keep pests away. Tantalo conserves energy by using key-card activated electricity in each room and toilets that dual flush. The staff recycles beer and beverage bottles and maintains the 827 modular recycled plastic receptacles of live plants on the green wall with reclaimed rainwater from the Lounge’s skylight." - The Tantalo Group


Recommended room: 12 - Be Color! by Argentinian artist Pabliu Lucero.



Be Color! by Pabliu Lucero (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Photo courtesy of Tantalo Hotel

Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

Photo courtesy of Tantalo Hotel



Stylish Address

Located at Avenida Central, between 11th and 13th Streets in Casco Viejo, Caliope Restaurant & Bar, offers one of the most inventive gastronomical experiences in Panama.


"The localvore restaurant offers a monthly rotating menu of international fusion cuisine. Head Chef Martino Pace, formerly of the Michelin-starred Le Calandre in Padua, Italy, prepares inventive dishes using traditional Panamanian ingredients in a novel way, truly embodying 'Cusina sin limitadas' (Cuisine without Limits). Caliope is the first high-end restaurant in Panama City, offering elegant cuisine in a fun, high-energy, casual setting, boasting 84 seats with access to a breezy internal terrace, open kitchen, two-story green wall and a sophisticated NYC-caliber cocktail menu." - The Tantalo Group


Tried & tested! The food is excellent and the unique location of the restaurant – in one of the oldest, still-functioning theaters in Casco Viejo – makes the whole experience simply unforgettable. Recommended dessert: La Sorpresa, an excellent mixture of flavours and textures (filled chocolate sphere, mascarpone cheese mousse, crumble and vanilla cream with cardamom).



Dining at Caliope (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Photo courtesy of Caliope



Why Panama?

Vibrant Panama City has a bit of everything - from excellent restaurants to shopping, night life, art galleries, and historic sties. It is also one of the best places in Latin America to learn Spanish. Read about my experience here

Places like Bocas del Toro, San Blas Islands, Taboga Island or Isla Grande are the ultimate holiday destinations for people seeking picture-perfect beaches and lots of sunshine.




View from the Roofbar (Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Green wall at Tantalo Hotel

Bar at Tantalo Hotel

Time to party!

Strawberry mojitos

Unique decor (Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Hotel exterior (Photo courtesy of Tantalo Hotel)



Explore the City

  • Biomuseo - Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, the Biomuseo is his only work in Latin America and the tropics.

  • Fashionable Balboa Avenue and its surroundings - "The city’s newest park area is the Cinta Costera, which runs along the busy waterfront boulevard Avenida Balboa and is lined with palm trees and features views of the Bay of Panama and Casco Viejo. The park is a great walking and jogging route." - liveandinvestoverseas.com

  • Panama Canal "The Panama Canal only took ten years, $382 million and a near miracle to complete. From conception to construction, the project changed hands several times over the course of 400 years, resulting in a magnificent final product that over 13,000 ships conveniently pass through each year." - princess.com

  • Albrook Mall - The largest shopping mall in Latin America with over 700 shops.

  • Multiplaza Pacific Mall - An upscale downtown mall featuring over 300 shops including the most important brands from Europe and North America, restaurants and a cinema. 

  • Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) - "The Museum of Contemporary Art is much more than a Collection of Art; it is a place for everyone to enjoy, to learn and to investigate art in general and to investigate Panamanian art especially." - MAC

  • Weil Art Gallery - "This upscale gallery showcases a range of remarkable paintings and sculptures, as well as handicraft of local and international origin. It includes pieces crafted in the 21st century by the indigenous Wounaan, Embera and Guna tribes of Panama – a powerful statement on the confrontation between modernity and tradition." - theculturetrip.com

  • Casco Viejo (also known as Casco Antiguo or San Felipe) features beautiful Panamanian architecture: colourful buildings, picturesque cobblestone streets, and several religious landmarks. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1997.

  • Fortaleza Tour - "A tour around Casco revealing hidden stories about life in the historic district before before its urban resurgence & neighborhood revitalization, guided by ex-gang members. This out-of-the-box tour ends with local food and drink, fried fish and a tasty mojito." tantalohotel.com

  • Metropolitan National Park - The only protected area in Central America that is located in a city. MNP is home to a rich biodiversity: there have been recorded about 284 species of trees, 45 species of mammals, 254 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.

  • Ancon Hill - "Panama City’s highest point is a symbol of sovereignty for all Panamanians. A place with plenty of nature that invites for a nice hike or a drive, with a 360 view of the new city, the old town, the America’s Bridge, and the Canal locks." - tantalohotel.com



Exploring Panama City (Click to enlarge)



What We Like

  • Unique guest rooms
  • Colourful artwork featured in the hotel 
  • Vibrant atmosphere
  • Great customer service
  • Stunning rooftop terrace
  • Variety of events
  • Great dining options
  • Excellent cocktail list
  • Casco Viejo location
  • Private balcony
  • Simple and functional bathroom
  • Walk-in shower



Instagram Diary

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Location

Tantalo Hotel & Roofbar is located in the historic Casco Viejo district, Panama City’s cobblestone centre, brimming with colonial-era landmarks and bougainvillea-filled plazas lined with cafes and bars.

Cathedral Square is just a 2 minute walk. Panama Canal is a 15 minute drive away. Tocumen International Airport is a 45 minute drive – with airport shuttle services available for an extra charge.
Source: Tantalo



Photo courtesy of Google Maps (Click to enlarge)



Tantalo Hotel

Calle 8 Este con Avenida B
Casco Viejo, Panama
+507 262-4030



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*Special thank you to Tantalo for hosting Fashion Studio Magazine in February 2017.


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