Tryp by Wyndham Panama Centro

TRYP Panama Centro offers 92 rooms and suites in a distinctly modern and metropolitan setting in the heart of Panama City. The entrance from the street is small and unassuming -- you might even pass it by if you didn’t know where to look. Inside the style is shiny and current, featuring an active atmosphere and an eclectic mix of guests, including business, international, tourists, and families. The contemporary lobby’s decor presents a simple, modern style that utilizes bold geometric shapes, such as the large circular lighting fixtures and seating areas. The primary color palette includes bright reds and blues, and there are lots of mirrors.

The property displays a busy, urban feeling that’s reflective of lively Panama City -- especially in the bustling lobby where many people are coming and going at all hours. The highlights of this hotel include the comfortable rooms and the great views from the rooftop pool. At night, drinks are available at the rooftop bar where the skyline of Panama City lights up.

This property falls under the TRYP by Wyndam brand; however, it is not related to the larger and swankier TRYP hotel at the Albrook Mall, which has separate ownership. It definitely feels like a generic chain hotel at times, with uninspired artwork and little, if any, local influence. Overall, this is a good business hotel for those on a budget, however, considering amenities like meeting rooms, a gym, and the rooftop pool.

As the name implies, TRYP Panama Centro is located in central downtown Panama City. It’s situated on the edge of a neighborhood known as El Cangrejo, just north of the city’s busy financial and banking district. The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of many dining options, as well as bars and casinos. Shopping areas are close by; the popular Multicentro mall and the waterfront are a bit far for walking, but only about about seven minutes away by taxi. While the financial district is more of a concrete jungle of high rises, the quaint historic Casco Viejo can be reached by a 15-minute taxi ride. The international airport is about a 30-minute drive away -- although it can take longer if there's traffic.

The 92 rooms at Tryp Panama Centro include a few different kinds of suites, including a Family Suite with bunk beds and a Fitness Suite -- a specialty of the Tryp brand -- which comes with a treadmill right in the room.

The rooms and suites are sleek with clean lines, and a minimalist approach that fees fresh, and the furniture all looks brand new -- if a bit IKEA-esque. The overall style of the rooms features warm, neutral tones like taupe, white, and dark wood furniture. There are abstract modern art pieces placed around the room that add pops of color, but overall they have a pretty generic, chain-hotel fare -- albeit an upper-mid-range one.

Amenities like iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers come standard in every room. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide great views of the city. The modern bathrooms are small but updated with stylish sinks, granite counter tops, and walk-in showers.

The premium rooms are a bit larger and include the addition of sitting areas with sofas. There are a few spacious Executive Suites that each feature a separate living room area and two full bathrooms. Premium rooms and suites also include additional amenities not seen in standard rooms, like bath robes, sewing kits, combs, and razors.

In the back of the lobby, the hotel’s bar and restaurant called The Gastro Bar at 5-0-7, displays a similar modern decor style as the lobby, featuring bold colors and geometric-style furniture choices. A large panoramic color photograph of the Panama City skyline, in all its shiny modern glory, adorns one wall. However the space has no windows and is rather dim and uninspiring. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast consists of a typical continental buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, toast, cereals, and a few hot items as well. The small restaurant can get crowded at busy times like breakfast.

One of the biggest highlights of the hotel is the rooftop pool and whirlpool. Located on a high floor, the medium-sized rectangular swimming pool and elevated hot tub feature panoramic views of the surrounding skyline. There are several lounge chairs surrounding the pool, though the deck can fill up quickly during peak times. The rooftop also features a poolside bar, which is open in the evenings, and happy hour is a popular event. Guests enjoy drinks by the nicely lit pool and admire the lights of the city as night falls.

Also on the top floor with great views of the city, there’s a nice fitness room with modern machines (although they don't have personal TVs). Next door to the gym, a sauna and steam room are available for all guests to use -- but there are no formal spa facilities or services here. There’s a small business center consisting of two computers in the middle for the lobby for guests to use. A few different meeting rooms of various sizes are available, as this a popular hotel for business guests as well as for local meetings or small conferences.