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El Otro Lado
CANADA
PANAMA
ISRAEL
SAUDI ARABIA ICELAND IRAN
VIETNAM
you h av e to he a d to pir at e cou n t ry to r e ach el o t ro Lado—a 110-hectare hideaway on Panama’s Caribbean coast. Barely 90 minutes’ drive from Panama City, this is the place where British FRANCE and Spanish pirates battled for bounty centuries ago. Today, though, travelers M E X I Cgo O for the treasure of solace. Originally built as a private residence, El Otro Lado is a group of CAMBODIA four villas shrouded in rain forest, reached only by boat from historic PANAMA GHANA INDIA Portobelo town. Although each villa is individually designed, they all share a visual DNA—whitewashed interiors enlivened by contempoPERU NEPAL rary furniture, stark black-and-white photography and Latin-Caribbean painting. Relax on a palm-fringed beach lying SaI short hop away or N G A P Oboat RE by the resort’s infinity-edge swimming pool. Then dine on ultra-fresh NDONESIA ceviches washed down with potent mojitos. BackI in the pirate days, KEN YA both Christopher Columbus and Sir Francis Drake fought A U for S T Rcontrol ALIA of the Portobelo region. A few nights at El Otro Lado and it’s easy to understand why. Visit www.elotrolado.com.pa. —dav idN EkW au fm aDn ZEA LAN
AU R O R A F I E R R O
“Good morning, we’re in paradise!” ! The title of this review was spoken to me by my girlfriend every morning while we were at El Lotro Lado, and I can’t say that she was wrong. El Otro Lado is a very special place, and a hotel that you’ll have a tough time finding similar anywhere else in the world. The hotel’s name in English means “the other side,” and true to name it sits on “the other side” of the historic ruins and city of Portobello. This means that cars can’t get to the resort – you’ll be picked up from Portobello by boat, and boats will be your only means of transportation while you’re at the hotel. This is not a bad thing, in fact, it’s kind of incredible as these boat rides all occur within one of the most beautiful ports in the world (Christopher Columbus even felt so when he named it Portobello – or beautiful port). Speaking of incredible, the hotel is fully sustainable; meaning that the food they serve is grown/ sourced locally (many fruits/ vegetables are grown onsite), 95% of the staff are local from Portobello (they take a boat into work each day as well), and most of the beautiful art and furniture in the rooms and public areas of the resort are made onsite by local artisans. Of course like everything about El Otro Lado, these pieces are also unique and beautiful. Our room was the Sea House – one of four private villas that make up El Otro Lado. To call it spectacular would be an understatement. It was full of local art and color, views to die for, private seating areas overlooking both the pool and nearby forest, and every type of accoutrement one would expect from a 5-star resort. But then there’s the service. Other hotels may say that they offer personalized service, but with only four rooms everyone at El Otro Lado knows who you are. This means that when you order anything, food, drinks, scuba diving excursions…there are no checks to sign, no receipts to keep – the staff simply knows who you are and bends over backwards to make sure your needs are met. They even go so far as to send a waiter with you when you take their boat to the beach who makes sure your beach chairs/ towels are set, lunch is served, and you’re never without a Panamanian beer if one is so desired.
Speaking of food, there aren’t any restaurants per se in Portobello, so all meals will be prepared by the in-house gourmet kitchen. Considering that the ingredients are local, the food is simply amazing, and served on fine china with gracious hospitality. In sum, if it hasn’t come across already, El Otro Lado is a unique world-class retreat that is unlike any hotel I’ve ever stayed in before. There is no question I’ll be coming back at some point in my life, and you should experience it for yourself as well.
“Wow. A magical place. Worth every penny.” We stayed at EOL over 4 nights in November. The "design" hotel is a gorgeously decorated retreat in Portobelo bay in the Caribbean. We loved every minute of our stay. The beaches just a short boat ride away from the hotel are stunning and our room was a spacious and well-appointed relaxation pad. EOL is managed by Jim Peebles, an American who impeccably catered and cared for us during our entire stay. Meals are excellent and the staff is gracious and friendly. This was the perfect vacation. I could not have asked for more.
“WOW - blown away by this incredible place” What a breathtakingly beautiful place the EOL topped only by its exquisite personal service. The appointments are all first rate, food excellent, the top notch service is individual and personal in a jungle waterfront setting that frankly makes the many other places we have visited in Panama now seem not so impressive anymore. Our deep appreciation to Jim Peeples, his excellent staff and crew - and to the Countessia who shared her wonderful property with us commoners. The staff "gets it here". I had read many glowing reviews of this 4 villa resort - but frankly those reviews paled in comparison with reality. It's extremely difficult to concentrate on work now thinking about this place. I'm saving up for the next trip. BTW: the Sun House is the place to be. We enjoyed a personal excursion to a remote private beach with staff member Luis and a wonderful sunset river mangrove cruise complete with feeding sloths! I cannot wait to go back to this wonderfully private retreat
“Best Part of the Trip!!!” El Otro Lado was the highlight of our Trip!!! We have travelled all over the world, and the stay at El Otro Lado was probably the best that we have ever experienced. The staff was amazingly friendly and helpful. The food was to
die for; fresh out of the sea and wonderfully prepared. And, the facility is gorgeous; perfect Caribbean relaxation with the beauty of the water. Lastly, we kayak and swam in the gorgeous Caribbean water. What an opportunity to get away in luxury and enjoy the sea! I will be doing this again as soon as possible!!!! I recommend El Otro Lado above any other trip that you are considering!!
“Si conoce el paraíso, has ido a "El Otro Lado"” Ya van tres veces que voy y siempre he tenido una experiencia sin igual. Tanto en Pareja como con mi familia siempre fue un gran plan. Atención sin igual, muy buena comida, paisaje y decoración que inspira en todo sentido. Si va pida una caipirosca de maracuyá en mi nombre, no se va a arrepentir
“PASIÓN PERPETUA” Viaje exótico hasta la bahía donde arribaron los piratas hace siglos, desborde de encanto, diseño, intimidad, privacidad...delicados majares en vajilla inglesa en medio de la selvática montaña. Cabañas que se ajustan a su necesidad aunque es mejor para parejas, piscina sin fin, música de Gladys Palmera de fondo permanente, saboreando un cairina de maracuya, ofrecidos por joe el gerente y sur propietaria Aurora que han hecho de este lugar un sitio especial para celebrar su aniversario. Me dieron de sorpresa los bailes Congo de la zona interpretados por los niños dela fundación de Portobelo.