Summary
We love rock n’ roll. If you read our about us page, you’ll know that Dave and I wanted to be rock stars. We moved to Vancouver to pursue our music careers. Alas, our dream didn’t come true, but we do love living the life of a travel blogger.
We often feel that we get to live like rock stars without all the drama that comes from being famous. Nowhere had we felt more like a rock star than our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis.
Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis Experience
Our trip to Panama was meant to be a relaxing one. It had been a long time since we’d taken a vacation that wasn’t filled with sightseeing and adventures.
The Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis was just the ticket. Located in the heart of Panama City, it’s a resort that provides a luxurious, all-inclusive vacation with options to explore local attractions.
Staying in a room on the 36th floor, we had an epic view of the Panama skyline. We didn’t realize that Panama was so modern; it totally reminded us of Dubai, but the great thing is Panama is less expensive than Dubai.
Modern Panama
The skyscrapers had the look and feel of the Middle East with their intricate designs. There’s even a replica of the Burj Khalifa. It’s owned by Trump, so I can only imagine how many Panamanians were affected by the hotel’s construction.
Needless to say, we didn’t visit it but focused on enjoying our time at the better located and far more fun Hard Rock Megapolis!
The Hard Rock Hotel Panama is a Music Museum
The moment you walk into the lobby, the tone is set with classic rock music echoing through the speakers, while memorabilia hangs on the walls.
When you stay in a Hard Rock hotel, it feels like staying in a rock n roll museum. Forget going to Cleveland, you can relish your rock n roll hall of fame experience right at the hotel!
Amplified Package at Hard Rock Hotel
We ordered the amplified package that was ready for us when we entered our two-bathroom suite. The amplified package at the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis includes a Fender guitar of your choice waiting in your room, along with picks, pedals, and headphones – designed not to disturb your neighbors.
All you have to do is choose from the menu of guitars and call down to the front desk; your instruments will be waiting for you. Dave and I enjoyed strumming out a few of our favorite 90s tunes. However, if you don’t play, there’s no need to worry – the Hard Rock channel offers tutorials on your TV!
After playing for a solid hour, we decided it was time for dinner.
Dining at the Hard Rock Panama
The Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis features five restaurants and five bars, and we managed to eat at all of them!
On our first night, we opted for sushi at Soy. After a long flight, nothing beats a light yet comforting meal—and sushi does the trick. We loved the setting of sunken tables and the feel of sitting on floor cushions complete with an Asian theme.
Add a bottle of Asahi beer, and you feel like you’re in Asia! Other delightful dinners included delicious beef at Tauro and relaxing fusion lunches at Caio. Breakfast was equally impressive; the cheerful omelet chef could whip up your favorite breakfast while striking up conversations in multiple languages!
I adored the variety of cheeses available and the Mimosa bar was a delightful start to the day, because who can be in a bad mood with some bubbly?
Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis is Huge
It took us a couple of days to familiarize ourselves with the vast layout of the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis. With multiple nightclubs, juice bars, and coffee shops on various floors, every stop on the elevator was a new adventure!
We discovered seven floors solely dedicated to unique experiences, unveiling hidden gems each day.
One of our favorite features was the Rock Spa. As we have visited many spas, we always appreciate something unique. The Rhythm & Motion massage is the world’s first immersive music-centric spa experience. As soothing mellow rock music plays, the amplified vibrations ripple through the massage table, providing a perfect compliment to a deep tissue massage.
Additionally, one of the trendiest spots in Panama City is located at the Hard Rock Hotel Megapolis. The Bits Bar is found on the 64th floor, offering stunning panoramic views of the city alongside expertly crafted cocktails.
Exploring Panama: Canal and Old Town
Even though you can spend an entire vacation in the hotel, it’s highly recommended to get out and explore Panama.
The Hard Rock offers tours around the city through Luna Tours in the main lobby. We opted for a Panama Canal and city tour with Luna Tours, which was an extraordinary experience onboard our private coach.
The Panama Canal is hailed as an industrial wonder of the world. It’s a fascinating journey through the museum and canal to understand the construction triumph of the early 20th century.
Considering the severe hardships faced by workers, including diseases and extreme heat, it’s an awe-inspiring industrial marvel.
Old Town Panama
A trip to the old town is essential. The Hard Rock Hotel is merely a half-hour walk to Old Town, or you can easily take a $6 taxi ride (Hint: Walk to the corner to catch a taxi and save money!).
This area is fantastic for shopping, dining, and exploring historic churches and cathedrals of Panama City.
Luna offers informative tours of Old Town and newer attractions like the Mercado Nacional de Artesanias and the Marina.
Don’t spend all your time in the hotel—you’ll miss out on so much!
Moreover, the Megapolis is attached to a shopping mall featuring several name-brand retailers.
Staying at the Hard Rock
When we realized we had left some dressier shoes behind, we took advantage of the nearby shopping.
The Hard Rock Cafe is located within the mall. Surprisingly, it isn’t attached to the hotel, but it’s just a short indoor walk to the café, where we relished our usual club sandwich paired with a pint of beer.
The staff here exhibited some of the liveliest energy we’ve ever encountered, dancing on the stage and warmly welcoming every guest. They even took song requests for the DJ, contributing to a spirited atmosphere.
The Tragically Hip deserves a place in Hard Rock Hotels: Read, The World Can Learn a Thing or Two from Canada.
We maximized our time enjoying the Hard Rock amenities. Our spacious room provided a perfect refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. The infinity pool was a welcome escape from the heat, and the many bars gave us opportunities to meet new friends. My only complaint is that this Hard Rock Hotel didn’t feature enough classic rock music.
Not so Hard Rock Hotel Anymore
Throughout our stay, we found ourselves listening to a lot of Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and various other pop artists. Although Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Aerosmith were displayed on the TVs, the sound was muted, allowing pop music to reign supreme.
This definitely detracted from the experience for us. After all, it’s not called the Hip Hop, Soft Pop, or R&B Hotel; it’s the Hard Rock, and we want some good old-fashioned rock and roll!
For more information on the Hard Rock Hotel Panama, visit the Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis for details.
