Family Fun in Rio Mar Panama
Submitted: June 22, 2012
Stayed: May 2012
Rio Mar is a sentimental place for us that we have visited and surfed at many times. We watched the Rio Mar community being built and were a little skeptical about disrupting the raw beauty of this once isolated beach. But, when we saw this vacation rental we thought why not give it a try and stay right at the point of so many fond memories for us. Now we have many more!
The listing description for this apartment is very accurate. The amenities and pools are spectacular! There is not a big crowd yet as they are still developing so most days are VERY quite. However, one should know that there is current construction going on for the new tower being built next store. This unit is not within eyeseight of of the other tower so it wasn't a concern for us but you will hear the noise during the weekdays until 4pm or so.
But, if you venture down to the beach or beach side pool you wouldn't even know it was going on.
Customer service on behalf of the owners was excellent! I had some initial trouble with the internet password and they called me long distance immediately to fix the problem.
The decor is modern and luxurious.
The kitchen is spacious but the oven doesn't work well and the sink faucet splatters water. (minor complaints)
I would've liked for there to have been more beach side activities, they had surfing class only one Sat. We have a toddler so more stuff for her would've been great. She loved the beach, hunting for crabs and there's a nice, small playground except it's on a dangerous hill so you have to be careful with little ones.
The restaurant didn't have much variety, if any. Some days they were out of a lot of stuff but some days there was no one in sight so I could understand why they wouldn't over stock. But the drink options are great and there's a gorgeous deck next to the pool where you can view a romantic sunset...wish I had the chance to do so without the baby.
The front desk staff are very friendly and we always felt very safe and secure.
We would not only recommend this apartment in Rio Mar to family and friends but we would love to have the chance to stay there again ourselves!
Owner's Response: Dear Victoria S,
we warmly appreciate your wonderful review- and especially as you were our very first guests! We ourselves fell in love with the place- we loved especially the open design of the living room and terrace and the beautiful grounds; we congratulated the management on having maintained and created such a beautiful setting, because many of the builders on the coast raze everything and then plant a few bushes and call it landscaping!
I want to address some of your very useful criticisms- as I said yours was our first rental and the stove was brand new,
and should have worked perfectly. Dismayed to hear it didn't and we'll see to it right away with the management. Regarding the activities, these will grow at Riomar in the coming year as the apartments are taken, but in the meantime there is a residential community just 2 kilometers down the road (where we live) called Playa el Palmar where plenty of surfing lessons are available, beautiful beaches as well as a very pleasant restaurant on the ocean. 10 km farther on is Coronado with many facilities- golf, tennis, horseback riding etc.And a couple more km down the road is Gorgona where sailing and fishing trips are available. I thought- I hope!- we had tod you about this in the details about the Riomar properties. And, by the way, if one doesn't have a car taxies are cheap and plentiful to get to these two towns. Thank you for having left the apartment in such impeccable condition and we look forward to meeting you if you come back in the Panamanian summer 5Dec.-March) when we e there.
Alain
Helpful votes: 5/5
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