Grand Decameron Panama, A Trademark All-Inclusive Resort

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5609 reviews

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  Hotel,lost our luggage

  The hotel lost our luggage. At the airport our luggage ( 2 suitcase) were mislabeled by the hotel employee. The tag was #1903 room . We went to the bath room when we got to the hotel. When the bellboy or the bus driver put our luggage back in the bus when I got back our luggage was not with the other luggage in the lobby 3 with all the other luggage. I went to see the bell boy to ask him if our luggage as in our room he said yes no problem. Our room wasn’t ready until 16h30. And they told us our room was 4903 but it wasn’t t ready yet so they gave us an other room witch was 4606. I said the bell boy told us our luggage was in room 4903. They called the room or someone and our luggage wasn’t there. I be waited probably a good 30-45 minutes while the people at the front desk were making phone calls to find our 2 pieces of luggage nothing was happening then. My wife had a panic attack not knowing were our luggage was. She decided to walk at the lobby 2 and 1 ( witch is about 750 m from lobby 3)to see if our luggage was there The hotel employee was no help what so ever I couldn’t understand what was going on . We didn’t have any clothes other than our jeans and sweat shirt since we flew from Canada. So the employees at lobby 3 didn’t t do anything for us but phone calls that didn’t t do any thing. My wife witch was pretty mad and disappointed saw a rep from Air Transat witch was leaving the lobby 1 after his shift was over. So he took care of our big problem. He managed to find our luggage witch was put back on the bus by the hotel employee and our luggage was on the bus 2 hours away from the hotel . We didn’t have no clothes , no toothbrush, or any hygiene product or sunscreen etc. Our luggage arrived at the hotel that night at around 21h00 we had to stay in our room waiting all that time. At that time the front desk called so we could get our luggage . We work very hard to go on vacation we trusted your hotel , at the airport we were told our luggage was going to be safe and not to worry. It is the worst service I got at the hotel and this first day almost ruined our vacation.

  Mar 06, 2025
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  Disappointing

  The staff were amazing. This was our second trip to this same resort which is something that we never do. We had asked for the same room as we had last time but that didn't happen. We moved twice in the 11 days that we were there. We upgraded to the Plus which we really liked. The adult pool for Plus guests had a couple of times that it was abit much. With a group of women who obiviously drank from the time they arrived, the security tried to get them to leave. They were loud and very disrespectful. A couple of the young women were so drunk before 11 am that they were throwing up. They finally left only to come back a couple of hours later with a boombox playing as if they owned the place. The security was on it quickly but had to get reinforcements to get them out of there. The food wasn't as great as the last time. The rooms are dated and we had a dehumidfer in the room that we had to empty at least 4 times a day. It was very loud when running.

  Mar 05, 2025
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  Dominican without getting sick.

  Like staying in the Dominican but without the worries about getting sick. Water is potable. We had an inclusive plus room with a great view because it was elevated. We did need to walk up and down a 2 story ramp to get to the beach, pools and restaurants though. Room was clean and the shower was hot. (Rainfall shower head) The staff was very friendly. The staff’s English was moderate but Google translate filled in any gaps. The food was very good and the a La carte restaurants provided a good variety. Lots of pool chairs and beach chairs with shade. Bar staff were attentive and drinks were as strong as requested. Bring a tumbler as open drinks are not allowed near the pools. There are 2 nice bars up the beach (Nicos and Coko Blue). We went ATVing for an hour with a guide and really enjoyed it. They have nightly entertainment by lobby 1. Both children and adult focused. Airport and golf course are minutes away. Very safe with very visible security.

  Feb 28, 2025
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  BEWARE ROYAL DECAMERON RESORT PANAMA CENTRAL AMERICA (RIO HATO)

  BEWARE ROYAL DECAMERON RESORT PANAMA CENTRAL AMERICA! A+++ TO: All waiters, waitresses, drivers, cleaners, bell boys, cooks, mechanics, bar tenders, maids, life guards, electricians, pool cleaners, beach vendors, ,towel exchangers, cashiers, sanitation workers, admission staff, security guards, restaurant bookers, lawn/grounds workers, police, fridge stockers, telephone operators , even the iguanas all paid a very intricate roll to make our stay enjoyable. They were all outstanding! They were always smiling, helpful and very accommodating! NO COMPLAINTS! Disrespectful, Callous Management!!!! We'd been promised in emails that we'd receive a special gift for our 23 years of patronage. All we got was aggravation! Every other staff members were wonderful no matter their job or status. We booked our Executive Plus 2 month trip as soon as we returned from a month trip there in January-February 2024. We and our travel agent had repeatedly requested the same end room we had just vacated. It was still vacant on our arrival in December 2024, but we were placed in a middle one on the top third floor of a different building. Through no fault of our own, we ended up having 5 different rooms in our first 6 weeks there, in 3 different buildings. We were never offered any compensation not even an apology or a bottle of Champagne for our 23 years or inconvenience! Room #1: Uninhabitable with a dehumidifier that had to be emptied at least 4 times daily. The “bucket full”” and “clean filter” lights were flashing on our arrival. The filter had to be soaked in our sink overnight to be able to scrub the filth off. The patio door lock and security chain were both broken; the bathroom window was located in the shower up over 6 feet high; the patio couldn't be used, as there was no ceiling and a tree directly in front shed on it constantly the toilet sounded about ready to quit, etc. etc. Room #2: Air Conditioner broke and couldn't be repaired. Room #3: Water was running out of air conditioner and bathroom flooded from ceiling leaks on arrival. Room #4: Safe needed battery changed 3 times in 2 weeks. Then the building had to be evacuated for remodeling! Room #5: The perfect room we had requested in the first place! If we'd gotten it on arrival, we'd never have had to move at all! Twice we had only 1 hour advance notice to pack up our 2 months worth of belongings. One move, we had no notice at all. We found out accidentally on our way to dinner, as that was suppose to be our time to move again. During all these moves, my 83 year old sister had a bad case of heat stroke and refused to be hospitalized, as she was a retired R.N. Of 50 years and knew what the treatment was. The following are just some of the negativity we endured with Management: #1: Mobility handicapped guests being placed on top floors. #2: A couple who had been moved 3 times during their 11 day stay.10: #3: A drug deal in progress that we reported to security with photos of the transaction, but no follow up. #4: Restaurants that were nearly empty turning away guests at the door if they didn't have prior reservations. #5: A huge guest in army fatigues molesting and repeatedly trying to drown a woman in a pool he'd just met and had been served too many alcoholic drinks too. When we reported it, the man was finally stopped, frisked and arrested by police. #6: 44 rowdy obnoxious behaving weekend only guests were allowed to invade the small bar pool in the upgraded section, all in the pool at one time. Us long-term guests left the area. #7: At the same small bar pool, a rowdy group of at least 40 people, from all over the resort, held a noisy birthday party on the pool deck directly behind our chairs with yelling, singing, cake, gifts etc. #8: My 83 year old sister got a bad case of heat stroke. She had to be wheeled in a wheel chair to our taxi. The resort wouldn't allow the taxi to come on the resort to drop us off at our nearby building. Instead, she had to be practically carried down the stairs to wait for their own vehicle. Thankfully their driver generously helped her right to the door of our room. #9: Guests had mutinied the 1st time it was tried, but it happened again with no warning also. We booked our pool chairs at 5 A.M. , a security guard watching and not saying a word to us. After breakfast, when the guests went to the pool to use their reserved chairs, we found all the chairs had been stripped of everyone's belongings and taken to the furthest lobby away. We all mutinied and are never returning to the Decameron. We said only the towels were their property, therefore our belonging were theft. #10: We gave a generous goodbye tip to a waiter we've known for years. This was not because of his great service, but as a personal thank you, as he always greeted us with a smile, respect and kind words. The restaurant manager followed him and had our gift relinquished to him “to divide among the entire restaurant staff”. #11: At one of our last meals, I ordered , as I always do there, an amazing meal that comes with 2 large chicken beasts. The same restaurant manager took the order as usual. Instead, I got 3 dried up burned chicken wings that were inedible. When I complained to him about the discrepancy, the manager replied, “Sometimes the chef has to ration portions”. I told him to tell the chef that this time he was very successful! #12: Guests were openly smoking and vaping in full view of the no smoking/no vaping signs undeterred, unless another guest complained. #13: Our Christmas turkey dinner reservation was refused on Christmas Day. “This is normally a Buffet restaurant, those with reservations must wait in line with everybody else.” It was raining and the line was enormous, so we were redirected to another restaurant without turkey. We had a hamburger! #14: The hair and manicure/pedicure salons are still openly advertised in both lobbies, although neither have been in existence for over 2 years. We suggested in person that management should grant us 2 free weeks at a different Royal Decameron because of our 23 years, 5 different rooms, lack of replies to our emails and calls there, no gift as promised and all the inconvenience we endured with their thoughtlessness. Of course, as usual no reply! The 25 year old resort is in dire need of upgrading. Each room should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected that nothing is broken and everything works. There are problems in pathways, multi stairs and concrete gutters that cause handicaps. The routes for transportation vehicles are too narrow and eventually with further tree growth , they would be impassable unless smaller vehicles are used. Also how safe are the 25 year old balconies? To management we were garbage. Adios Royal Decameron! Lorraine Bristol Carole Valliere

  Feb 27, 2025
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  4th Times A Charm

  I’m grateful for my 4th visit to Panama. Didn’t know if it would happen! The room was not the same as in previous stays… a corner room in behind another room. Our balcony looked right into our neighbors shower when sitting on it (awkward a couple nights when trying to relax on balcony saw more than the view) but I have to acknowledge all that is great! The staff that work in the restaurants and bars you are what helps to make this trip great. Kelvin and crew Thank You! You Rock! To the staff at the a la carte plus section. WOW. The service I received for breakfast and lunch was amazing. I really did try to learn and speak Spanish. Gracias muy bueno. The food was so great! Spanish coffee in lobby 1! Is a must for me. Our regular guy who made the best Spanish coffee and whiskey sour has been reassigned but we were still happy to see him around the resort working in different departments. Loved all our a la cartes. Except Italian. Sorry the restaurant was so hot. The weather and beach are also factors in choosing where to go. We love the heat and being able to walk so far on the beach. We are looking forward to coming back next year and if anyone has any tips to help with the room choice please let me know. My email is mbeam75@hotmail.com.

  Feb 26, 2025