The Crown Plaza Hotel leaves a lot to be desired. It was given a good review in Frommer's Panama, but it was the worst hotel I have ever stayed in. It actually has potential, but is very badly managed. They are NOT able to accommodate a non-smoker. I requested a non-smoking room upon booking and was told no problem. The hotel basically takes a smoking room and cleans it and says its okay. I asked to be switched to a room that did not smell like an ashtray and finally, we had success. About two hours after we were in the room, it was time to take showers and get ready for our dinner reservation. All I can say is this:
The shower did not work. It took the maintenance worker 45 min. to figure out that he couldn't fix it so another room switch. This room only had a hole in the bathroom wall about 7"x2" where the vent was so that was a lot of fun. Room service was ordered, but never delivered. When the room was made up, no coffee, no shampoo, no towels. But, she did make the bed. Do NOT stay here! You will be sorry.

I spent 8 nights at the Crowne Plaza while attending a small international biology conference hosted by the University of Panama. Attendees were from as far away as Thailand and South Africa.

The hotel provided an excellent meeting room, although I still wonder why microphones and public-address systems never seem to work very well. A separate room was used for buffet lunch, which was different every day. I heard lots of praise and no complaints. Breakfast, also included in the conference package, was well-attended, with plenty of fruit, local yogurt, cheese, meat dishes, waffles, and omelets available. The omelet-maker was particularly personable.

The three internet-connected computers at the "business center" were available cheaply from early morning to 9 pm.

My room was on the fourth floor facing the building's front side, which meant it had a balcony, unlike others on higher floors. Street noise, which didn't seem bad before bedtime, seemingly became a racket afterward. The noise-sensitive might ask for a room facing the rear (which would also bring a nice view of the El Panama Hotel's lovely pool), albeit there was a big event with fireworks on that side one evening. The otherwise-quiet air conditioning system came on with a cracking sound.

The room was in excellent condition with only minor wear and tear. Decor was rather conservative and sedate. The corridor was repainted during my stay; in fact, the entire hotel seemed well cared-for. The fourth-floor pool is small and adequate for social purposes, but not for swimming laps or contemplating palms.

The Crowne Plaza shares its block with the El Panama Hotel (and its casino) and the Wyndham hotel-casino. El Panama occupies the largest space and has a gorgeous pool with plenty of greenery and a design that eases entry and exit while damping waves.

The immediate surroundings of the hotel block include a useful convenience store, a nice "cafeteria" with outdoor seating across from the Wyndham (try the ceviche, served in sundae glasses and visit with the Indian ladies selling molas on the sidewalk), Italian/pizza just uphill from the Wyndham, a spiffy El Rey supermarket on Via Espana near the pedestrian overpass, and the wonderful Madame Chang Chinese restaurant a short walk away. Via Espana is not at all friendly to pedestrians (awkward sidewalks), but the area remains lively well into the evening.

The gingerbread Catholic church across the street tolls its bells at 6 am and 7 am, a good time to enjoy the morning coolness. The church also has fireworks, for weddings.

Breakfast was included but it was so bad, I ate out and paid.
Towels missing almost everyday, old rooms at a premium price.
Forget it.
Never again.

I booked at the Crowne Plaza Panama City from 5/27 to 6/3 because I am a Priorty Club member, and because of some personal recomendations I have recieved from friends who have stayed here. I've stayed at a number of hotels in Panama City, and I have to say this was the greatest disappointment. This is because I simply expected better from Crowne Plaza Hotels, or from a Motel 6 for that matter. I would have never expected what happened after I arrived.
To be fair: They are really good about getting guests in the door, not so great about keeping them. The staff were welcoming, polite, and were very efficient. I had a meeting at 9am was able to check in, drop off the bags, return a rental car and get to the meeting all within a half hour's time.
It went downhill from there. The welcome was worn out by the smell of cigarette smoke in the corridor on the 10th floor (non smoking) and by the worn carpet runner that is theadbare in some places. The mildew in the bathroom was one of several indications that the property is declining. I found it particularly tasteless the fact that the hotel sells a card similar to a phone card with a scratch-off pin just to connect to the Wi-Fi Internet. I had to move my laptop to the lobby to check email since there was little to no signal in the room. I had been told at check in that the breakfast was complimentary which I thought would explain why we just walked into the restaurant without being greeted and served ourselves. There were no greeters, no menus, just "help yourself" to food, coffee, beverages. Yet the price was $12.50 per person.
I checked out of the Crowne Plaza after one night despite it was a huge inconvience, not because I didn't want to pay for Internet access or breakfast. It was simply because of the way I was treated by the individual who presented himself as the hotel's manager. In short, I was told to leave if I thought I could do better elsewhere. I couldn't believe my ears, the manager was not accommodating. I even asked if I could change the nightly rate of the room. There are too many hotels in the Panama City for under $150 per night to be disrespected and treated rudely. My point is, the way I was spoken to by the manager, however who made me feel unwelcome was enough to send me packing to the competition.
I love Panama and the Panamanian people. I chose not to let this one individual ruin my favorable impression of this country and hospitable people and the remainder of my time there.

Follow up. I have contacted the Crowne Plaza customer service via 800 number and written (exactly as I have here) to them in hopes they can address some of these problems and better serve customers in the future. I have not, after 7 days, received a reply.