Pampered In Panama

Indulge in nourishing treatments at The Spa at The Santa Maria Hotel.

- Kimberly Krol

MY EXPERIENCE IN PANAMA came full circle as I lay on the massage table at The Spa at The Santa Maria in Panama City. As I snuggled into the plush bed and prepared for my 90-minute Cacao & Coffee Santa Maria treatment, I reflected on the fact that, just a day before, I’d spent my afternoon tasting both chocolate and coffee. Now I prepared to experience their therapeutic benefits in a decidedly different way.

Opened in February 2018, The Santa Maria, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Golf Resort, epitomizes an urban resort.

In addition to the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, the hotel boasts a thoughtful design complemented by handmade items highlighting Panamanian culture, Mestizo and Ocean Prime dining outlets, an outdoor pool with city views, event space and, of course, the spa.

As the culture of Panama is evident throughout the resort, so, too, it is incorporated into the spirit of the spa, where treatments blend indigenous Panamanian healing traditions and local ingredients. The spa offers a personalized experience for each guest. But before bliss could be achieved at the spa, a different sort of euphoria awaited in the form of a chocolate and a coffee tasting.