Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6059 reviews

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  Not for accessible guest

  If you have any mobility issues this is not the venue for you. Not all restaurants are accessible and even the group check-in from Air Transat is in a non accessible location. Towels not readily available, you were lucky to have some. Making reservations for dinner was Mission Impossible first in line and only seats available at 8pm. Too many kept for the + guest. The good side is they had coffee available in the early morning, before anything opened.

  Feb 02, 2026
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  Not for older/mobility issue guests Don't let your Travel rep tell you different

  The Good Stuff; We did not chose PLUS and still feel it wouldn't have been worth the added cost Beautiful location close to the airport. Transfers were seamless.The grounds are well kept. The beach and the pools were well maintained. The food and drinks were amongst the best we've had at any resort. The rooms were kept clean,filled the fridge with water daily,We had clean towels whenever we asked.Hot water in the shower wasn't an issue. We loved the pool on the upper level. They played a good variety of music, it wasn't as busy as the bigger pools and the bartenders were great. The lifeguards were friendly and always on the lookout for dangerous stuff. A few kids at this pool but not many. We didn't find the bugs too bad at night.We loved all of the a la cartes. The food was top notch,flavourful and well presented. Kinda felt spoiled like I was in a gourmet restaurant. The buffets were typical styles of food. We ate there for breakfasts and one lunch because we ate at the beach snack bar most lunches. The chicken wings were really good. The staff is friendly and try to speak English so we tried to speak a bit of Spanish. We always found a way to communicate with each other. The night entertainment was ok. Good kid show and the movies on the beach with popcorn was fun. Plusses: Clean Rooms, Good Food/drinks/Clean pools/ Lots of towels/water in room The Bad: Check in was confusing. Rooms weren't ready until well after normal check in. AirTransat rep gave unreliable info about booking a l cartes. Was a small issue the first day. The lobby 1 coffee bar seemed chaotic in the morning as guests were trying to get coffee and there was no where to sit because the guests looking to book a la cartes sat at the tables waiting their turn to do so. I think a better option would be to move the a la carte booking to another location like the small meeting room across from it. The STAIRS. Don't let anyone make you believe this resort is easily accessible for older people or people with wheelchairs/walkers/strollers for kids It's NOT. There are a few ramps but they are steep and there is no where to stop and sit on the way up. There really wasn't anywhere to just sit down and enjoy the stuff around you unless you were sitting in a lounger by a pool or sitting in a lobby. A few park benches along the walkway would have been a nice touch and a place to sit if you had to walk a long way. The only benches they had were under the maps and the slats were so far apart it was not comfortable. We didn't ask for a lower unit as that is where all the noise and action was.The shuttle is a joke. They need to have actual stops along the routes instead of calling to book it. One never arrived at all. Lounger lottery is alive and well here. The 6am towel lounger hogs were out in full force. We've had that issue at every resort aside from Ocean Coral in Mexico. If you left towels or items on a chair for more than 1 hour the life guard came around and removed them. If you had personal items you had to ask for them. Pay for your towel. It stopped that nonsense. Other resorts should do it too. At the small pool there weren't enough loungers but we sat in the bar chairs at the side of the pool where it was shady so not a big deal at all. Not enough loungers at the other pools either. Parents: your 3 year old doesn't need his own chair to pile his floaties on. I think the resort is big and the stairs are an issue for most people. Even younger guests were commenting on it. It's more geared for young families/singles/young couples. Would I return. If the price is right I might but I doubt it.

  Jan 30, 2026
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  A NIGHTMARE HOTEL: DENIED CHECK-IN AND STRANDED WITH NO HELP

  This hotel is an absolute disgrace, and its management should be ashamed. We had back-to-back, confirmed, prepaid reservations with no gap in our stay: +First booking: Dec 28 – Dec 31 +Second booking: Dec 31 – Jan 1 We were scheduled to remain at this hotel continuously through New Year’s. What actually happened: Due to missing a connecting flight on Dec 27, we did not arrive until Dec 28. After finally landing, we then drove an additional two hours to reach the hotel. It was late, we were exhausted, and we went straight to the hotel, planning to eat after checking in. Instead of being welcomed, we were told at the front desk that we could not check in due to an alleged issue with the number of guests on the reservation. We immediately contacted Booking.com, who confirmed the reservation and corrected the guest information through the official system. Critical detail: Changing the number of guests did not change the price at all. Booking.com confirmed that the rate was exactly the same for one or two guests, with no additional charge. Despite this, the hotel refused to honor the reservation and attempted to charge us more than $200 per night above the original prepaid rate in order to stay. This inflated nightly rate was not reflected anywhere in Booking.com, was not supported by any written policy, and was demanded verbally at the front desk only. No receipt, revised confirmation, or documentation of any kind was provided to justify the increase. When we refused to pay an amount that was never valid or authorized, we were denied check-in. Front desk behavior — hostile and unacceptable: That night, Jesus and Cesar were at the front desk. Jesus was openly rude, hostile, and dismissive, with a nasty and aggressive attitude throughout the interaction. He showed zero professionalism, no empathy, and no interest in resolving anything. His behavior toward paying guests was completely unacceptable. Cesar, who was introduced as a “supervisor,” spoke little to no English and was unable to communicate effectively. It became clear that he was not from reservations or management, but from security, and had no authority to resolve the issue. Bringing him out felt like a deliberate stalling tactic rather than an attempt to help. We stood in the lobby for nearly three hours, repeatedly explaining the same situation while staff provided conflicting explanations and absolutely no solution. After hours of waiting: +We were flat-out denied check-in +The room was never occupied +No alternative accommodations were offered +No urgency, empathy, or accountability was shown We were forced to leave the property late at night, exhausted, hungry, and stranded. We then sat in our car for approximately 45 minutes searching for another hotel. Nearby hotels, including RIU, showed no availability online or over the phone. We drove there anyway, and despite showing no availability, they unexpectedly had two rooms available once we arrived. The next day — escalation blocked: The following day, after already checking into another hotel, we returned to this property to speak with management. We were stopped by security at the gate and initially denied access, despite having reservation and another booking for $680 that they stated they will not refund. After running past security toward the front desk and demanding to speak with management, we finally got to speak with Carlos. Carlos did not assist us at all. He stated that he could not help, refused to address the issue, and directed us to contact a corporate email in Colombia instead. He also provided lies stating that the reservation was cancelled due to 3 guests when that wasn't true. He offered no resolution, no refund, and no access to a manager. False reporting and refusal to refund: The hotel later told Booking.com that we were denied check-in because they were “overbooked.” This explanation does not match what we were told in person, and we have video footage of the front desk interaction that contradicts this claim. Despite denying us service, the hotel is now hiding behind a 72-hour cancellation policy to keep over $680 for a room we were never allowed to use. This was not a cancellation — it was a denial of service, and keeping the money is unjustifiable. Bottom line: This hotel: Does not honor confirmed reservations, Attempts to impose unauthorized and inflated charges, Leaves guests stranded late at night, Provides conflicting and false explanations, Uses security to block access to management, Deflects responsibility to an unreachable corporate email, Shows zero accountability The pattern is clear: deny service, pressure guests for excessive additional money, waste hours of their time, then hide behind policy to keep the funds. This is unethical, unprofessional, and unacceptable. This experience caused extreme stress during what should have been a special holiday. If you value your money, safety, or peace of mind — DO NOT STAY HERE.

  Jan 27, 2026
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  Great Beach, Great Staff, Solid Stay

  One of the biggest advantages of the Grand Decameron is its location. The resort is less than a 10-minute shuttle ride from the small local airport, making arrival quick and easy after a long travel day. We arrived later in the evening due to flight delays. Check-in staff were friendly, though there were no welcome drinks and the open-air lobby was quite warm. Registration could have been faster, but it was acceptable. This resort may not be ideal for guests with mobility issues. The property is large, spread out over multiple levels, and involves steep stone staircases and uneven walkways. We chose to carry our luggage down to the beach level rather than use the shuttle. I had an ocean-view room on the second floor and was very pleased with it. While the building numbering can be confusing, the room itself was clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with two double beds, a newer TV, working blow dryer, plenty of hot water, and a lovely ocean-view balcony. Housekeeping was exceptional and very attentive, with fresh bottled water provided daily. The à la carte restaurants were underwhelming compared to the buffet. Portions were small, selections limited, and overall flavor did not match the buffet quality. Due to gluten and dairy restrictions, desserts were not an option for me in these restaurants. The buffet was excellent, with a wide variety of fresh salads, fruits, hot dishes, seafood, fish, eggs, yogurt, granola, and occasional gluten-free meringue cookies. Service was efficient and friendly. For a quieter experience, the smaller Pacifico buffet was a great option. There are multiple pools throughout the resort, including quieter upper-level infinity pools. The pools and beach were clean and well maintained, with attentive lifeguards on duty. The beach was beautiful, with calm, shallow water ideal for swimming. Chairs at the main pools and beach do fill up early, so reserving spots in the morning is recommended. Bars were clean and well run. I don’t drink alcohol, but the virgin mojitos were excellent. The staff across the entire resort were outstanding, friendly, polite, and helpful, and this was one of the highlights of the stay. My only other concern, unrelated to the resort itself, was the behavior of some local guests, which at times felt unwelcoming in walkways and lineups. Resort staff, however, were consistently kind and respectful. Overall, the Grand Decameron offers a great location, beautiful beach, strong buffet dining, clean grounds, and exceptional staff. I would rate this resort 4 out of 5 and would consider returning for a relaxing beach vacation close to the airport.

  Jan 19, 2026
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  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly......

  Grand Decameron Playa Blanca, Panama The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly We stayed there for 2 weeks in December 2025 Reception: disappointing. Our flight was 1 h late. Got there at 4:30 pm and the room wasn’t ready. Were sent to walk around for another hour before we got the key. Didn’t receive a map or information about the resort, as restaurant open hours, for instance. We figured it all out during our stay. Room: decent size 2 double beds plus a sofa, small bathroom. Our room was clean, no problems. We got enough soap, shampoo and conditioner. Some nights the water was turned off. Problems with getting towels every day. It took us 3 days until we got all necessary towels, every day had to call reception about it. After that, we just gave up on calling reception and some days used the beach towels after showering. No umbrella, iron or coffee maker. There is only a small fridge that is empty. Nothing in it. Will get one water bottle daily besides your TV. Resort: big and stunningly beautiful. The first owner did a great job designing it. Unfortunately, it changed owners about 18 months ago. Many villas, many of them provide ocean view rooms. 4 big pools and 2 small ones. 2 water slides in not so great condition. Some people got scratches on their backs. Entertainment: not great. During the day, in the mornings, is mostly stretching, yoga and aqua fit. In the afternoon, the only thing I saw was dance lessons between 4 pm and almost 5 p.m. At night, it starts at 9:30 and, as others mentioned, it’s mostly in Spanish, and the focus is on dancing. On the beach, there are 2 movie showings, one at 7 pm (cartoons) and one at 9 pm. There is also popcorn available. Nice activity, specially for families with kids. There is no beach volleyball. In 25 years of travel, this was the first time we encountered this. Beach towels sometimes were not available for change at the end of the day. Food ans service: This were HUGE problems. Many reviews mention this but they don’t give any details. I will. Please see attached pictures. First of all, there are 3 big buffets. They all serve exactly the same menu at all 3 meals. Tables are not set and there are no table cloths, not even for dinner. You pick your own cutlery, napkins, etc and sit at a clean table, if you can find one. If not, you use a napkin and clean one for yourself. That was the case even for Christmas dinner and New Year’s! Breakfast: the best meal of the day because it has eggs(boiled, scrambled, omelets, fried). Otherwise, very poor. Rice, some boiled tomatoes and/or zucchini, beans, or other vegetables I don’t know (see pictures). Some mornings, there was a protein dish: porc ribs they called it, chicken wings. It happened only 3 times during our stay. Leftovers were warmed-up on the grill and served at lunch as one of the dishes. Other items: cereals, cold cuts (2 types) and cheese(2 types), fruits, french toast and waffles. Leftover waffles sprinkled with some chocolate syrup became part of the dessert offering at lunch every day. Lunch: 2 types or rice (white and another color), the leftovers from breakfast, whatever there was (not only the protein), 2 soups (the best were chicken and beef tail, but they weren’t available every day). Also the same boiled vegetables and another stew with mostly bones in it (see pictures). Usually there were some roasted porc and chicken cold and very dry dishes. Some very sad looking hamburgers and hot dogs (available all day). The hot dogs were a dish in the morning, at lunch and at dinner cut differently but the same. Rice pudding and leftovers from breakfast, fruits. The fruits were average. Watermelon and melon without any taste. Pineapple and papaya were generally good. Pineapple was the most popular among tourists, so when it finished, it wasn’t replenished. Dinner: 2 soups, 2types of rice (white and a different colour than the one at lunch), hotdogs called sausages, beans, maybe fish some days, and other local vegetables. On the grill, the leftover chicken or porc from lunch being warmed up and getting dryer, if that was even possible. A couple of nights there was some fresh beef being grilled on the spot. For a couple of nights, besides the cold cuts and cheeses (same as in the morning and lunch), there was a small plateau with smoked salmon that finished in less than 10 minutes. It wasn’t replenished. Another couple of dinners there was some prosciutto. Same story. Once gone, it wasn’t replenished. Desserts: same rice pudding and fruits as always, and a few more biscuits (see pictures). A la carte restaurants: there are 7, one being closed every night. We didn’t like the menu because some dishes were the same as the buffet. However, some other tourists liked some of them. The only good one was the steakhouse but it is almost impossible to get a reservation. Interestingly enough, they have an app for reservations but it doesn’t work. So you have to go at 7 am to the lobby bar. There is a long line and order numbers, and you might be there for an hour or so. When your turn finally comes, you will either not be able to get a reservation at all, or you will get one at 9 pm. I tried twice. The first time, I was there at 7 am, got number 12, and at 7:40 am , when my turn came, I got a reservations at 8:30 pm. The second time, I was there at 6:30 am and got number 22, which I gave up and left for the day. I decided that this was a game I didn’t want to play. In conclusion, the resort is beautiful and has a lot of potential, but the interest seems to be only on getting as much money as possible with at least service they can get away with. When I went to talk to the management about what a 4 star resort should be (because that what we were sold) they told me that this is not a star rated resort. This absolutely explains the quality of food, the lack of service and the empty fridge. See below/attached, the response of the management. And, by the way, there is no star posted anywhere in this resort....not on bracelets, not on entry, not on.....

  Jan 13, 2026