Nestled on the serene west side of Isla Grande, The Ordovician Hotel is a haven of peace, refined tropical luxury, and gracious care. My husband and I were seeking a relaxing escape—but what we discovered was a level of attention, warmth, and comfort that far surpassed our expectations.|From the moment we booked, the service felt tailored and personal. The hotel staff—thank you, Yohan—reached out to us in advance to coordinate everything down to the finest nuance. Upon arriving at their private parking facility, we were warmly welcomed by name, guided to our parking spot, and swiftly escorted to the hotel’s boat for a smooth, scenic crossing to the island.|As we stepped off the boat, a golf cart was waiting to whisk us to the check-in office. There, we were offered a refreshing tropical drink that instantly set the mood—joyful, elegant, and full of intentional warmth. From the outset, everyone knew our names and made us feel like long-anticipated guests. To our delight, Rick and Loan, the owners, were on-site and visibly involved throughout our visit, ensuring that every moment was handled with grace, authenticity, and care.|We stayed in the Peacock Room, a beautifully designed space overlooking the pool, one of the restaurants, and the shimmering beach beyond. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a handwritten note on a stunning, handmade card from Vietnam—an intimate and heartfelt gesture. The bedding was plush and luxurious, the towels thick and cloud-soft, and the bathroom amenities of unmistakably high quality. Every aspect of the room, down to its calming scent, reflected meticulous curation—a seamless blend of global elegance and the spirit of local Panamanian artistry.|As Panamanians living in New York, we were especially moved to learn how deeply committed the owners are to employing, uplifting, and celebrating Panamanian talent throughout the hotel. It was genuinely inspiring to see such thoughtful integration and investment in the community we love.|And the culinary journey? Truly unforgettable. Every dish we enjoyed—from breakfast through dinner—was a celebration of flavor, marrying Panamanian tradition with Asian finesse. The freshness of the farm-to-table produce and the impeccable quality of the proteins were unmistakable. Each bite was inventive, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.|As if the food and service weren’t enough, the amenities took our retreat to another level. One of the most memorable highlights was our outdoor massage on the yoga deck—where, face down, we could see the ocean gently lapping beneath us. It was nothing short of magical. The entire resort feels designed to awaken the senses and create space for deep restoration—of body, mind, and spirit.|Afterward, we embraced the sauna and cold plunge—a rejuvenating ritual that left us completely refreshed. And the hammocks, perfectly strung under shaded palapas, beckoned us to rest, sway, and take in the sounds of the sea.|We loved it so much, we extended our visit by an extra day—we simply couldn’t bring ourselves to leave.|In every way, The Ordovician Hotel is a masterclass in elevated, heartfelt luxury. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to feel. We left renewed, reconnected, and already dreaming of our return.||A special shoutout to the extraordinary team at The Ordovician Hotel:|To Chava, our vibrant and knowledgeable tour guide, whose enthusiasm brought the mangroves and Isla Mamey to life;|To Sebastián, our gracious server, who welcomed us with sincerity and could recite every ingredient in each artfully prepared dish;|To Chef Stiven, whose passion and culinary mastery infused every plate—we truly tasted the soul in his cooking;|To the evening turndown staff, who prepared our room each night with gentle care and left the most delightful cookies on our bed;|*And finally, to Loan and Rick, whose heartfelt stories, presence, and unwavering dedication made us feel not like guests, but like part of their unfolding journey in hospitality and philanthropy.||We learned so much from you both. Your vision radiates through every detail of this extraordinary place.|This was the beginning of our 14-day adventure through Panama—and it set the tone perfectly: elegant, soulful, and...
Read moreJuly 9-12, 2025 Nestled on the serene west side of Isla Grande, The Ordovician Hotel is a haven of peace, refined tropical luxury, and gracious care. My husband and I were seeking a relaxing escape—but what we discovered was a level of attention, warmth, and comfort that far surpassed our expectations. From the moment we booked, the service felt tailored and personal. The hotel staff—thank you, Yohan—reached out to us in advance to coordinate everything down to the finest nuance. Upon arriving at their private parking facility, we were warmly welcomed by name, guided to our parking spot, and swiftly escorted to the hotel’s boat for a smooth, scenic crossing to the island. As we stepped off the boat, a golf cart was waiting to whisk us to the check-in office. There, we were offered a refreshing tropical drink that instantly set the mood—joyful, elegant, and full of intentional warmth. From the outset, everyone knew our names and made us feel like long-anticipated guests. To our delight, Rick and Loan, the owners, were on-site and visibly involved throughout our visit, ensuring that every moment was handled with grace, authenticity, and care. We stayed in the Peacock Room, a beautifully designed space overlooking the pool, one of the restaurants, and the shimmering beach beyond. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a handwritten note on a stunning, handmade card from Vietnam—an intimate and heartfelt gesture. The bedding was plush and luxurious, the towels thick and cloud-soft, and the bathroom amenities of unmistakably high quality. Every aspect of the room, down to its calming scent, reflected meticulous curation—a seamless blend of global elegance and the spirit of local Panamanian artistry. As Panamanians living in New York, we were especially moved to learn how deeply committed the owners are to employing, uplifting, and celebrating Panamanian talent throughout the hotel. It was genuinely inspiring to see such thoughtful integration and investment in the community we love. And the culinary journey? Truly unforgettable. Every dish we enjoyed—from breakfast through dinner—was a celebration of flavor, marrying Panamanian tradition with Asian finesse. The freshness of the farm-to-table produce and the impeccable quality of the proteins were unmistakable. Each bite was inventive, vibrant, and deeply satisfying. As if the food and service weren’t enough, the amenities took our retreat to another level. One of the most memorable highlights was our outdoor massage on the yoga deck—where, face down, we could see the ocean gently lapping beneath us. It was nothing short of magical. The entire resort feels designed to awaken the senses and create space for deep restoration—of body, mind, and spirit. Afterward, we embraced the sauna and cold plunge—a rejuvenating ritual that left us completely refreshed. And the hammocks, perfectly strung under shaded palapas, beckoned us to rest, sway, and take in the sounds of the sea. We loved it so much, we extended our visit by an extra day—we simply couldn’t bring ourselves to leave. In every way, The Ordovician Hotel is a masterclass in elevated, heartfelt luxury. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to feel. We left renewed, reconnected, and already dreaming of our return.
This was the beginning of our 14-day adventure through Panama—and it set the tone perfectly: elegant, soulful, and...
Read moreThis was the second stop on our 40th wedding anniversary reunion tour of Panama. We vacationed as a family in Isla Grande back during the 90s. In the 90s we compared our stay to being on Gilligan’s Island. In the words of my Queen, we were transported to Fantasy Island now. The owner Rick and his wife Lewan have left no stone unturned. From the moment Chava greeted us after our two-hour trip from Panama City to the Ordovician welcome center we were treated like VIPs. On the boat ride over to Isla Grande we reminisce when we were last here over 27 years ago. Seeing the expression on my Queen face was priceless for me. The entire resort staff went above in beyond to make our stay special. The room decoration for our 40 was exquisite from the swans made of towels, rose peddles on the bed and to top it off, a handwritten note from the owners. I’m a dude from West Philly not much into ingratiating but I must admit it that pulled on my heart strings a little just seeing my Queen giddy about that note. We had a great room with a view of the entire resort but team Ordovician upgrade our room they didn’t have too but did –Thank you! Each meal was amazing, and the service was awesome and the cocktails. I truly do not have enough superlatives to use, to describe how the staff made our 40th the best! We’ll be back and use their website to book: Ordovician Beach Resort. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for helping make our 40th wedding...
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