Recent posts by Bebbie | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

We had been that other route before, with a hired taxi, but……saying that, I saw a different aspect of it. It was a more interesting ride too because we were able to grab the first seats in the bus….unobstructed view.

Oh I am stoked about going.

Never minded until this past trip in July. Bridge of Americas was backed up with traffic, so our bus driver decided to go another route – over the Centennial Bridge. Obviously others had the same idea…traffic was heavy and slow going. Took well over three hours to get to the resort. Would of driven straight through but some passengers needed to go to the washroom. (And of course others to have a smoke.) Kudos to the guide though…think we were stopped no more than 15 minutes and we were all on our way. We were the first bus to leave the airport, but the last to arrive. Didn’t pay this time to go another route. In fairness, besides the heavy traffic – there was quite a bit of road construction going on.

	eeeefarm: Loved the link to Galeones steps to the beach. After seeing that I realize where we frequent (Royal Decameron in Panama) the steps are nothing there in comparison.

Well, after planning a trip to Las Vegas, we decided instead to book Royal Decameron. Great price came up (sure hope it doesn’t drop drastically now) and we just had to hop on board. Not looking forward to the long commute between the airport and resort, but sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. Time at the resort will be well worth it. We’ve been in November before so we know what we can expect weather wise. But with the weather changing globally who knows. They are flying Air Transat. Wish it was Copa Airlines.

Had a fantastic time, as usual.

Was quite impressed with Copa Airlines and if given the opportunity, would be more than happy to fly with them again. Attendants were ‘attentive’, food was good. Surprised that you could have a ‘drink’ at no charge. More legroom, which is a bonus. Plenty of room to store your carry-on under the seat in front. But really no need there was lots of room in the overhead bin for everyone. Majority of passengers were Latinos. All messages were done in Spanish and then English.

Just booked (this past Friday evening)which will be our seventh trip to Royal Decameron. Leaving Toronto Friday morning July 18, departing Panama Friday night July 25. Booked through Nolitours who are using Copa Airlines. We’ve never flown on Copa, so that will be a new experience for us.

Well got to get back to packing.

	Sue, the Husa is closed – it’s under new ownership. Doesn’t reopen until the beginning of November, under the name of Gaviota La Estrella. Not sure who will be selling packages to that resort other than Nolitours.

Fantastic time we had. Sad to say that Husa has been sold, closed until the end of October. Supposedly opening under the name of Gaviota La Estrella Resort. Not too sure if the name Gaviota will be part of the resort name as that company owns ALOT of resorts. Zen, didn’t see one employee with a name tag on. That is something I think would be a plus. Not sure who the people are that you referred to. From here on in, I am going to ask. Met our housekeeper Ana. Only know her name because she left us a couple of notes. Talked to the guy who filled our fridge – no name. There was Alberto who worked the pool bar on the Beach side. Really wish I had gotten names of employees. From the server in the a la carte to the cooks. They all made our trip. Met a wonderful server at the Theatre and she also worked the lobby bar – Daily. Our eight year old grandson was nuts about her. She was fantastic. We were at this resort last year and things weren’t all that great there. What a world of difference this time around. Bonus:

You know this was the first time in all the years we have travelled that we got exactly what we asked for. We requested adjoining rooms, Beach Side, Building 9 or 10 (we got 10). Had asked for second floor, got third, but that made sense. We paid for an upgrade to oceanview (not direct) which would put you on third floor. If we were on the second we would of been looking at mangroves.

Must agree with Zendudette, the 90 minute ride from the airport goes by quickly. We’ve done it in the daylight and at night. Worth every minute for the final destination.

Imagine GG that you have done your research on CSM, and know that there is an clothing optional beach by Sol. Just saying.

	Have to count on the honesty of people. And they are out there. Unfortunately not in our case.

Do hope the camera is returned to it’s rightful owner. Our grandson last year at Husa, Cayo Santa Maria, either left his camera in the lobby or dropped it while we were walking to our rooms (a vehicle came up behind him and scared him which resulted in him running off the path) – the first day there. As soon as we realized it was missing we went right back to the lobby to see if it was turned in. Nope. Went a few times through out the week – no luck. His camera was in a bag with the battery charger. Posted it on another forum, but no luck.

The weather in July last year (2013) was fantastic.

Hardly any rain. Rained a couple of times when we were having lunch, didn’t last more than 5 minutes and it was just a light rain. It was mentioned that it was drier than usual. But as we all know the weather seems to be changing world wide. Definitely would consider going back at this time of year again. We returned for our sixth time in November (2013) and encountered more rain. A few days, it was like the heavens opened up and poured for about half an hour to an hour. When it rains, you have to get out of the water. Wondered why, then I realized, often with the rain came thunder. Probably didn’t want to take a chance of lightening.

Once again, wouldn’t be adverse to returning in November. Still able to swim in the ocean and pools, they were warm.

	We’re booked. Four of us – my husband, daughter, her eight year old son and myself. We stayed at Husa about the same time last year, hope the weather is just as good as it was then. Looking forward to seeing that beautiful beach.

We always reserve our seats ahead of time and take two aisle seats – across from each other, front half of the airplane. If it’s offered we will pay the extra for priority boarding so we can be assured of getting an overhead bin in our area. Most airplanes we have been on, the aisle seat, has a very small area to store your belongings under the seat ahead of you. Could not fit a regulation size roll on under it. So you can imagine if you didn’t book priority, the upper bins would no doubt be filled by the time you got on the airplane, because they load people on from the rear to the front.

If it’s Air Transat and they have the two seat configuration at the back, we will pay the extra to sit there, together.

Looking forward to seeing the review. We’ve been to Panama several times, six times to Royal Decameron and once to Playa Blanca. Love the country, but a change of scenery (meaning try another resort) interest me.

Yes there is the disadvantage of that long two hour ride, but so worth it. If only that airport would open to international flights. So many rumors going around when that is going to happen.

We have a friend who bought a home in the mountains last year and graciously offered us to stay with her, but we do prefer to be on the beach.

Interesting hearing through her, that it isn’t all that easy to settle in Panama for good. So many loopholes to go through.

	Hi Will, been awhile since I’ve seen you here. Take it all is well. Still traveling. That is great.

We used this deal recently. (Stayed over Jan 22.) Bought it last year when it was offered at a rate of $75. It’s a fantastic price. We didn’t get to take advantage of the breakfast because of our flight time. Will say, when we got there the girl at the front desk asked if we wanted to be upgraded to the Quiet Zone. Of course we said yes. She said it’s a much nicer room. Well quiet just means no early housekeeping. We were on the side of the building that is next to a flight path. Talk about noisy. No way were the windows insulated. Wow! My husband loves watching airplanes. We have stayed in other hotels where we ask for a room so he can watch airplanes. So hearing them is no issue………until we stayed here. It was unbelievable.

For that price though, I would consider it again. Just use earplugs.

	In less than two weeks we will be heading back to Panama, staying at Royal Decameron. Fifth time to this resort. We have never been there at this time of year. Looking forward to see how it is different.

	Wow, a new look. Is this permanent or temporary? Threw me off for a moment. Has a nice look to it.

	Dax and Jimbo – you got it! Why oh why do people still eat it, even if it doesn’t look right? Or even worse doesn’t taste ‘right’.

	Another fantastic vacation. Hired a private guide and spent time off the resort. What a great country. Was hoping to hook up with another Cdn. who retired there, but it didn’t work out. Perhaps next time.

Not to minimize the very real danger of food-borne diseases, but my observation from many trips to many places is that the guests are their own worst enemies. Agree with you on your last posting here. People are so quick to blame the resorts, no matter what country you go to, when they get sick. Not taking in to consideration what they may of picked up from another guest. Whether it started on the airplane (People don’t cancel vacations because they are under the weather) or to the serving spoons as you mentioned. Let alone the three items you mentioned, there is also the fact that people when they get to the tropics they see fresh fruit and they go hog wild. Sure it tastes a lot better, but moderation please. Your tummy will rebel.

Just returned from visiting our travel agent. Nolitours came out with two room choices after we booked. Gardenview Room and Room. Being that we have been there before we know exactly what they have done. Room is any of the buildings along the shoreline. Gardenview Rooms are the buildings built back away from the shore. We were reassured that we will get the Room designation because we booked before there were two choices. If for some reason we get the Gardenview Room we will be refunded the difference. Wondering how they will do that? At this time there is a difference of $150/person. Several weeks ago it was only $25/person.

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