panama

Waldorf Astoria Announces First Latin American Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts has announced its first hotel in Latin America, The Panamera, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, will open the second half of 2011 in Panama City, Panama. The new hotel will be located in the tourist-friendly Calle Uruguay area of Panama City. The tower will have 130 guest rooms, 118 luxury residences, a 1,200-sqare-foot fitness center, a 2,500-square-foot spa, an outdoor swimming pool, 4 600 square feet of meeting space and more than 9,000 square feet for food and beverage options. The hotel is already under construction and slated to open in the second half of 2011.

Tags: panama, panama city, panamera turbo, waldorf astoria, WaldorfAstoria

Geisha Coffee

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Michael Nagrant writing for Serious Eats directs us one of the priciest coffees in the world and this one doesn't have to pass through the digestive system of a small fuzzy animal. Geisha coffee is a made from the fussy Geisha varietal which is grown in Boquete, Panama at the plantation Hacienda La Esmeralda. The varietal doesn't produce a lot and must be pampered in order to thrive. At Hacienda La Esmeralda, the berries are hand picked, depulped and then dried on patios and in mechanical dryers. Negrant tasted the coffee at Intelligentsia, a boutique coffee roaster in Chicago and calls it "a paradigm shifting cup" with notes of lemon and honey. The beans retail for $55 a quarter pound.

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Tags: cofeee, cofeee beans, CofeeeBeans, geisha coffee, hacienda esmeralda, intelligentsia, panama

Ten Best International Retirement Spots

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

International Living has just compiled their Global Retirement Index for 2006, which lists the most popular overseas destinations for retirees. Their criteria are strict and take into account the following: real estate prices, special benefits for retirees, cost of living, safety and stability, health care, climate, culture & entertainment, and infrastructure. Topping the list, for the sixth year in a row, is Panama, which boasts beautiful landscapes, warm weather and a low cost of living that enables retirees to make the most of their retirement. Malta comes in second, a popular choice with a "perfect" climate and no property taxes. The rest of the top ten include: New Zealand, Uruguay, Mexico, France, Romania, Argentina, Malaysia, and Ecuador.

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Tags: estate, malta, panama, retire, retiree, travel

Trump Takes On Panama

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Here a Trump, there a Trump, everywhere a Trump, Trump, the Donald has been zipping around the globe lately planning massive projects. The latest is the Trump Ocean Club, international Hotel & Tower, in Panama City, Panama. The $220 million project, will include a 65-story condominium tower with 300 co-tel units and an additional 500 condo units, a casino and private beach club on Contadora Island. The Trump Ocean Club will also include a yacht club, spa, gym, and business center. It's the first Trump project in Central America. The Trump Ocean Club, Panama will be located in the Punta Pacifica area of Panama City and is expected to be completed in 2009.

Why Panama? Panama is seen as a good place to retire due to a low cost of living, great weather and good medical facilities. It has been rated as one of the best places for retirement or a second home because of the safety and beauty of the country.

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Tags: condo, cotel, donald trump, DonaldTrump, hotel, panama, project, real estate