Waldorf Astoria Expands into Latin America

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Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of Waldorf Astoria Panama, the first Waldorf Astoria property in Latin America.

Designed by Miami-based Ba-Haus/KNF, the hotel is located on Panama City's Calle Uruguay and offers 248 guest rooms and 4,600 square feet of meeting space, according to a company press release. The hotel is strategically located steps from "Restaurant Row," 20 minutes from the Panama Canal and 10 minutes from historic Casco Viejo.

"Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts are committed to a presence in landmark destinations around the world so Panama is a perfect venue for our brand's entry into Latin America," Hilton Worldwide global head of luxury & lifestyle brands John T.A. Vanderslice said in a company press release.

Falling in line with industry reports predicting an uptick in Latin America investments, hotel chains like Sonesta and Starwood Hotels also opened Panama properties in key locations during the first quarter of 2013. 
 
Starwood's second Westin Panama opened in January in Panama City's financial center with 218 rooms and 14,460 square feet meeting space. It is Starwood's seventh hotel in Panama, considered "Latin America's fastest growing market and a strategic business hub," co-president Osvaldo Librizzi said in a release.

Panama "is experiencing an influx of foreign investment and large-scale infrastructure improvements, including the soon-to-be-completed enlargement of the Panama Canal," Mr. Librizzi noted.

Sonesta's first location in Panama, the 304-room Royal Sonesta Hotel & Casino Panama, opened last month, a few miles from Tocumen International Airport.