candipinki

My family and I are planning a trip to Panama in June of 2009. We are trying to decide between Playa Blanca and Decameron. Has anyone been to one or both that can help us decide? Our group consists of 18 people with three kids ages 4, 8, and 10 and the rest of us are adults from 20 to someone in their 70s.

Any help would be great!

zog

Well, i have been to Decameron and it was good enough for 3 days. Wouldnt go for any longer than that though. But it suits all ages. Plenty of entertainment and a late disco. pool and table tennis and shows.

GordonS

Hi candipinki,

My wife and I recently spent 2 weeks at the Decameron. While there we visited (but did not stay at) Playa Blanca.

The Decameron is a very large complex - now nearly 1 km long after recent additions. Lots of nice pools and activities. We've stayed at nicer All Inclusives, but this one was nice for the 2 weeks we were there. While there we explored Panama a bit, using Decameron as our 'base'. The food wasn't quite as nice as other places but adequate and fairly varied. Someone told us that it had been purchased by an American company recently and that the attention to details had slipped a bit. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our stay there and felt that we were well treated.

Playa Blanca is newer and perhaps a bit more subdued. Fewer facilities and things happening but clean.

So it depends if you want a lively, bubbly place or a quiet vacation.

If you read the reviews on Trip advisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g2...on-Hotels.html

or
http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortrev...panrevind.html

There you will find people who are happy and people who are frothing at the mouth because they're so mad about the bad things they experienced.

Try to average out these comments. Our experience in reading reviews is that every resort has good and bad points. If you are looking for bad things, you will inevitably find them and if complaining about them makes you happy, you will be smiling.

If you look for the good and positive things, you'll find a lot of them too.

Just go and enjoy and look for the good stuff!

(the above probably didn't help your decision making much did it?)

__________________
Gordon and Randy,
Canada

jwr2001

I have stayed at Playa Blanca twice and I have eaten at Decameron. The food at Playa Blanca is excellent. Decameron, the food was only average. Playa Blanca is more of a relaxed atmosphere.

CerritoTropicalTaboga

It really depends on what you want. Decameron was fun, had lost of activities and is HUGE. Food so-so but plenty of it. Playa Blanca is smaller and more subdued - a somewhat higher level of service and facilites. For kids who want activities, I lean toward Decameron.