Panama City’s Hotel Riu Plaza Panama Reopens After Major Renovation: A Fresh Urban Haven For Business And Leisure Travellers

Published on December 11, 2025

The famous Hotel Riu Plaza Panama has gone through the most extensive renovation ever and is now unrecognizable. The hotel has been officially reopened in October 2025 and is now featuring new guest rooms, new restaurants, an updated pool and common areas and modern meeting facilities. The transformation is a plus for both frequent travellers and business visitors as it brings in contemporary comfort while the hotel’s urban energy remains unchanged.

What the Renovation Entails

Refreshed Guestrooms: Modern Comfort Meets Warmth

Every corner of the hotel has been touched, most noticeably the guestrooms. The newly renovated rooms feature a modern aesthetic, with neutral tones, warm materials and indirect lighting to foster a sense of calm and sophistication. The redesign aims to balance style with functionality: furnishings have been optimised for longer stays, workspaces made more practical, and entertainment and connectivity systems updated for the modern traveller.

As per the official hotel listing, the property still offers over 600 rooms across 34 floors, each with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, satellite-TV, a mini-fridge, coffee machine and lounge area. Executive rooms and suites continue to provide enhanced benefits including private check-in/out, concierge services and access to exclusive amenities.

Dining Venues Reimagined: From Breakfast to Cocktails

The hotel’s dining landscape has also been transformed as part of the renovation. Signature venues such as Ibiza (the hotel’s breakfast and all-day restaurant) and Studio 50 (the lobby bar and sushi lounge) have been completely redesigned. Ibiza now sports contemporary furnishings and improved spatial flow, ideal for both bustling breakfast services and relaxed daytime dining. Meanwhile, Studio 50 has been reworked to serve as an elegant and vibrant social hub, blending lounge ambience, mixology and after-work conviviality. According to official communications, these changes reflect a deliberate shift toward a versatile, urban-style hospitality offering.

Pool, Common Areas and Event Spaces: A Modern Urban Oasis

One of the highlights of the renovation is the transformation of the pool area. The outdoor terrace has been redesigned with contemporary furniture and a refined aesthetic, inviting guests to unwind against the backdrop of Panama City’s skyline. Snack and beverage service now complements the new layout, reinforcing the pool’s role as a leisure retreat for business travellers and holiday-makers alike.

Common areas from corridors and lounges to the lobby have also been updated to ensure a cohesive, modern ambiance throughout the hotel. New materials, colour palettes and textures tie the interior together, delivering an elevated urban-hotel experience.

In parallel, the hotel’s 23 conference rooms, capable of hosting more than 1,300 people have been upgraded with enhanced audiovisual systems, improved acoustics and refreshed furnishings. With the revamped spaces, Riu Plaza Panama is better positioned to host corporate events, conferences, product launches or social gatherings.

Why This Matters for Travellers and the City

The freshly renovated Riu Plaza Panama offers a compelling proposition for both business and leisure travellers. Its location on Calle 50 con 53 Este in the Urb. Marbella area, places it in the heart of the financial district, with easy access to major shopping centres such as the nearby Soho Mall and to city metro via the Iglesia del Carmen station and Via Argentina station.

For business travellers, the newly upgraded conference and meeting facilities along with high-speed internet, a full business centre and corporate-ready amenities make the hotel a more efficient and comfortable choice than before.

Meanwhile, for urban holiday-seekers, the rooftop views, refined public spaces, poolside retreat and rejuvenated dining venues create a welcome contrast to the often hectic pace of Panama City.

Moreover, the renovation reflects broader trends in urban hospitality: travellers increasingly demand multifunctional spaces, seamless technology, and a blend of comfort, design and convenience. By aligning with those expectations, Riu Plaza Panama positions itself as a modern urban landmark in Panama’s capital.

What Guests Can Expect Day-to-Day

• Room experience: Free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, mini-fridge, coffee and tea-making facilities, seating area and well-designed workspaces; executive rooms and suites add perks like private check-in/out and concierge services.
• Dining & leisure: On-site restaurants (Arts, Tastes, Ibiza), a sushi lounge and poolside bar/snack area; a full buffet breakfast; 24-hour room service and takeaway options are available.
• Fitness & wellness: Gym, spa and wellness centre, spa and turkish bath options, outdoor pool with lounge seating and sun terrace.
• Business & events: 23 conference rooms, fully equipped business centre, meeting facilities for up to 1,300 guests, ideal for conferences, corporate retreats and private events.
• Location benefits: Central location in financial district, walking distance to shopping malls and public transport; easy access makes exploring the city convenient for tourists and business travellers alike.

A Revival Worth Noting

At the entrance of the hotel, returning guests and new visitors alike will probably notice the small touches: the gentle hum of understated lighting in the lobby, the soft tones of wood and warm fabrics in redesigned rooms, the welcoming clink of glasses at the re-envisioned Studio 50.

An upgraded Riu Plaza Panama is an ideal hotel for a frequent traveller, no matter if he or she comes for business or relaxation. The hotel combines the comfort of its location in a city that feels like home with the novelty of modern design and facilities. The renovation, thus, is a positive sign that Panama City is beginning to regard itself more and more as a destination that can attract both business and leisure urban-style tourists from all over the world.

Image Credit: Hotel Riu Plaza Panama