The Radisson Royal Panama is one of those world-wide franchise hotels that commands higher room prices than many of us customarily pay but, in doing so, offers the peace of mind that an established brand can bring you in countries with histories of political instabilility or where you're not sure of tourist amenities. You expect a quiet room, comfortable bed, hospitable bar, quality dinner, and security.

Early on, I learned that Panama City now has political stability, tourist-safe sidewalks, very hospitable people and all sorts of superb restaurants and hotels, some just as comfortable and secure but less expensive than the one I chose.

Still, I’ve no regrets about staying at this Radisson. It’s in a central location: immediately adjacent to Panama City’s World Trade Center and within a few blocks of most of the important banks. It’s perhaps a ten-mintue walk from the waterfront. It’s a modern --- some might call it ‘ultramodern’ --- mid-rise hotel with 112 rooms and 16 suites spread out in a gentle s-curve-shaped building perhaps half-a-hunrded meters tall. I had a very large double-bedded room, with an executive-sized desk with three phone jacks, a computer data port, and safe, For recreation, there was a midsized TV with computer-game controller and free movies.

An in-house health club, open to all guests, offered a fully-equipped gym --- which I didn’t use --- and a Jacuzzi which I did use but found to be only lukewarm and relatively anemic in terms of water-power. The large outdoor swimming pool had no curfew: If I wanted to swim long after dark, and float on my back looking up at tropical stars, no one would hassle me.

The hotel was suffering from a very low ocupancy rate when I was there. One of the principal restaurants was closed, and the bar was also closed during much of my stay; drinks could be had only through Room Service. One could, however, have drinks served at poolside or in the poolside restaurant rather than drinking alone in the room.

There were some service glitches at that one still-open restaurant, but otherwise, employees at this Radisson were attentive and acutely customer-aware. They wanted to make me welcome. Service at the front desk was crisp and efficient, I’d rate bell staff well above average, and the petite Panamanian woman attending the health club was a gem. I was here on a frequent-flier coupon that entitled me to a rate of just $87 per night; the normal rate would have been $165. At my reduced rate, I felt I got FAR better service than I’d paid for. Even paying the full ‘rack’ rate, I would probably consider the Radisson Royal Panama a hotel to return to.

However, the Intercontinental, little more than a mile away, is a formidable competitor for both my dollar and my recommendation.