Step inside a luxury Panama City resort attracting business travelers with its exclusive, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and high-end dining

Duncan McGowan, the president of Punta Pacifica Realty, told Business Insider that there are two neighborhoods Panama’s wealthy residents gravitate toward.

The first is the Ocean Reef Islands, a private neighborhood built on two manmade islands in the Pacific. The second is Santa Maria.

McGowan said that while Santa Maria is a relatively new neighborhood in Panama City, it’s quickly become one of the city’s most expensive places to live.

That’s partly due to its proximity to the Costa del Este neighborhood, which is filled with international businesses and offices. McGowan said many people who work in Costa del Este live in Santa Maria.

The neighborhood has everything from single-family homes to impressive condominiums designed by Fendi. While real estate can range in price, McGowan said property typically ranges between $3,000 and $4,700 a square meter.

Opened in 2018, The Santa Maria Hotel and Golf Resort is a five-star, 182-room hotel.

The hotel has welcomed familiar names like Morgan Freeman and Canada’s national soccer team. Due to its location near the airport and Costa del Este, the hotel also attracts plenty of business travelers.

I originally booked a deluxe king room with city views. The deluxe room, the most basic accommodation at The Santa Maria, cost $340 for one night.

An Uber driver dropped me off at the entrance to The Santa Maria, and immediately, I felt like I was stepping inside a tropical oasis.

A centerpiece of lush bromeliads filled the entryway. Tucked in other corners were tropical plants like monsteras and palms.

Staff members waited to check guests in at two ornate wooden reception desks. Here, I was told I received a complimentary upgrade to an executive suite, which typically costs $570 after taxes and fees.

I grabbed my key and headed for the elevator.

I had spent the morning envisioning my night in a standard-sized hotel room. I figured there’d be just enough room for a small mini fridge and coffee maker. If I were lucky, I’d be able to squish my luggage into the corner of one room.

But size was no complaint in the 893-square-foot suite. Two rooms — a living area and a bedroom — made up my expansive home for the night.

I stepped inside a large entryway. Here, I discovered a half bath, which was largely unnecessary for one person. However, it would’ve been great if I hadn’t been alone.

Next to the bathroom was a coffee bar area. Inside the cabinets was a mini fridge, and on top was a coffee maker and some glassware.

The living area had enough seating for four people. I stretched out on the couch and eyed the magazines on the coffee stand.

As I flipped through The Business Year’s Panama edition, I thought the hotel was clearly appealing to a certain traveler.

The suite’s bedroom was accessible through a sliding door. Once again, the room was shockingly large.

At the center of the room was a king-sized bed with a pillowtop mattress and comfy duvet.

To the left of the bed were a chair and a side table. Adjacent to them were the suite’s second TV and second dresser.

Both rooms in the suite had floor-to-ceiling windows facing the back of The Santa Maria’s property.

The blue hues of the pool were contrasted by the vibrant green of the hotel’s golf course.

Across from the windows were two more of the suite’s rooms. I had a walk-in closet, where I found the third and final dresser.

The other door led the the suite’s full bathroom.

The marble bathroom was the most luxurious part of the suite. I could stretch out in the large bathtub or soak underneath the room’s rainfall showerhead.

The suite had other traditional hotel amenities like a hair dryer, robes, alarm clocks, and access to 24-hour room service.

The Santa Maria is home to two restaurants, the Mestizo Restaurant, which serves international cuisine, and the fine-dining Grill House FSH & STK.

The hotel is also home to the AQVA Pool Bar and an in-house coffee shop.

While I didn’t dine at The Santa Maria, McGowan said Mestizo has earned its reputation as one of the best brunch spots across Panama City. Each Sunday, the hotel offers a brunch spread for $65. And if you can’t make it for Sunday brunch, Mestizo often has live jazz performers and other evening events.

Guests can book services like massages, facials, body scrubs, and manicures.

Nicklaus Design, the global golf firm founded by American golfer Jack Nicklaus, was the designer behind the course at The Santa Maria.

The 700-acre space includes 18 holes, a lighted putting green, and a driving range.

The course is available to private members who live in Santa Maria and hotel guests. A two-year membership at the club will set golfers back $10,700. Or, for the committed golfer, a lifetime membership costs $50,000.

While I’ve never set foot on a golf course, I can confidently say I’m a pro at lounging.

Instead of opting for the green, I headed to the pool. Earlier, the front desk told me the hotel was completely booked, so I was shocked to see only a few others lounging by the pool.

As I stepped into Panama’s humidity, I expected to go on a long walk admiring the neighborhood’s mansions and skyscrapers.

But Santa Maria’s residents live in a gated neighborhood, and since the hotel is just outside the gates, I wasn’t granted entrance into the rest of the neighborhood.

I did see one new shopping center and the neighborhood’s country club, but there weren’t many other shops, restaurants, or businesses within walking distance.

Luckily, The Santa Maria had everything you could need for a one-night stay.

While I felt more immersed in Panama’s culture and history at other Panama City hotels, The Santa Maria was a relaxing way to end my Panama trip. During my one-night stay, I felt transported to a manicured, luxury property that I never needed to leave.

There were moments I felt far away from Panama City, but thankfully, the city’s skyline in the distance was a constant reminder of the beautiful city I had just explored.