Page 15 - Panama Review

WALDORF ASTORIA, PANAMA CITY REVIEW
“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” - (Aristotle)
I would be remiss if I did not start this review by first taking time to acknowledge these 13 Waldorf Astoria staff employees, who served to make the stay for my wife and I, the most pleasurable experience we have ever encountered at a hotel in over 35-years of marriage.
I have quietly introduced you to Sujei, the front desk representative, or as I refer to her, the “Director of First Impressions.” She gave us excellent direction to the hotel. However, being the man that I am, I did not listen. There was not a moment of interaction that we had with her when she did not greet us with her beautiful smile and warmth.
Then there are the bellman, the carriers of the bags and luggage. Will, Harold, and Oliver. They are more than just bellman. These are the guys that can point you in the right direction around the city and where to go for the best bang for your buck.
I will never forget my main man Victor. Victor is the hotel’s version of the Swiss Army Knife. He does it all. A Jack-of-all-trades. If you need it, Victor will take care of it or tell you where it can be retrieved. He’s security for the hotel where behind that steely demeanor is the heart of a caring and compassionate man, who is also very fun- natured.
I really had a fond affection for the guys who poured the drinks and kept our spirits high, so-to-speak, the bartenders, Luis, Alonso, and Gary. Luis would help me with my Spanish and I would help him with his English. Whenever we would get stuck or lost in translation, he would point to my phone and I would go to my Spanish app to get us speaking each other’s language. Alonso would really make a great presentation of the drinks with his special artistic creativity. My guy Gary not only makes a great Margarita, he also can give you a history lesson of Panama. I enjoyed my conversations with Gary regarding the wonderful people of Panama and getting to understand the lay of the land. Bottoms up fellas!
Our day could not get off on the right foot without a visit to the Brio for our breakfast where we were wonderfully waited on by Jose and Milena. Jose made sure that my wife’s coffee was made to her persnickety specifications. Milena always greeted us with great enthusiasm, the utmost professionalism, and a great infectious smile that would light up the entire dining area.
14