Villa Caprichosa

Beautiful boutique hotel with gorgeous views and stellar service. Food at the hotel was the best on the island. The owner Diane has created a beautiful space for rest and relaxation. Her staff is attentive and kind. We highly recommend and will return.

My parents brought us here to stay in the Crown Jewel room, which is incredible. I believe it’s the only room with a private swimming pool. The hotel is gorgeous. The views are breathtaking. We were met with champagne upon arrival! Our room was so clean and welcoming. My only complaint is we couldn’t get the hot water to work in the showers. Otherwise, it was an incredible stay. So peaceful, private, and relaxing. All of the staff were so helpful. The hotel will take you back and forth into town, if you want, for an extra fee. You can also pay $25 to get early check-in, which I highly recommend.

All in all - totally not worth it. If you've been in 5 star hotels around the world- you will be disappointed. If this is your first trip ever- you'll be happy, I imagine. It's a made look like boutique hotel, but the material and curtains hanging everywhere are not very clean, nor is this place suited for people with allergies. Very worn down. No actual locks on the doors, and even if you're walking in "your room" half naked in the middle of the night- don't be surprised if some people will be there, without your consent, - no knocking on the door, just sneaking in, covering couches outside "in case it rains". Imagine the angst and horror... Quality of sleep - not good. As right next door, there are roosters who start "singing " at 4 am and keep continuing their concert till about 6 am. The view - you see the sea, with many "parked" oil tankers. They do have a decent food selection. But even before you're halfway done eating- they'll come in to "collect " the plates... It's like - you think we will steal them?, paying 400 some dollars a night, we can afford our own plates lol! Filtered water is provided (not mineral, just purified and bleached). No spoons, and no selection of glasses or cups. Kind of cheap way, like in a gas station - you have a wooden stick to stir your coffee. No cream for coffee. You have to go buy it at the local grocery market. Pool is cleaned every day but it has pretty high chlorine level. If you book a room with a pool - forget about Privacy at all - there are people right above you who stare at you once in a while.

I booked this after reading so may great reviews. We had 3 final nights of our trip and wanted to stay somewhere relatively close to PC, so this fitted perfectly. It is a relaxing special place to stay. No need to leave apart from strolling down to the seafront/beach area and back. The views are fabulous, constantly changing watching the ships at a distance waiting to go through the Canal, from sunrise to sunset. Food is very good too, we ate here all 3 nights, plenty of choice. The barman is an excellent mixologist, recommend you try his spicy Panama Mojito. Staff are very professional. Particularly want to thank Arturo who picked us up from the Taboga Express, he was welcoming, friendly, efficient, helpful, professional, nothing was too much trouble and he happily answered all our questions which covered a broad range of topics!! Finally, can't not mention Diane, owner who created Villa Caprichosa with great flair and taste; she is around all the time, hence professional efficient staff I'm sure. She is utterly charming and interesting to chat to. She kindly showed us the extension/new villa next door which I believe will open soon..... so more guests can enjoy the charm and hospitality of this special place.

I knew nothing of Panama and how I came to be here is kismet. After a week in bustling Casco Viejo we wondered how can we easily get out of the city and see some Island life? Boca del Toro an hour flight…. Isla Contardo only 1 ferry a day which makes it impossible to meet flights home. With 4 ferrys a day … Taboga was chosen Literally drawn to book here and so grateful I did. To visit and stay in something so magical that was dreamed up by a famed Interior Designer that is world traveled and engineered in her dream like design work is worth the visit. Greeted personally by staff at the ferry and driven up the hill to the Villa. Friendly staff welcomes you with a cocktail. Owner and famed interior designer Diane Burns personally welcomes guests. What a treat to hear her life story and the 15 years she has spent making every detail this splendid burst of perfection. Every way you turn your eyes in every room and public space is out of a magazine. Hidden Gem suite pictures do not do it justice. Queen bed with trundle sofa and private bathroom on main side with dinning settee and patio. Secondary bedroom with even cozier trundle and under trundle if bedded with private bath and kitchenette adorn the entry to completely private pool and patio. Just fabulous. Food is remarkably better than anywhere in town. Although we did venture for some change in a 5 day stay. Breakfast is free and scrumptious. I know if you’re looking for the road less traveled with exceptional accommodations and service…. This spot will not disappoint

A very luxurious resort in the middle of nowhere. The resort was very pretty, but service did not live up to the reviews. There was really nothing to do on the island outside of the resort I would recommend only for relaxation. The staff was attentive only when the owner was around when she wasn’t there, the staff could care less. I was expecting someone to pick us up at the ferry, and I had to search for the right person and vehicle. It was very stressful.

We’ve never been to the French Riviera or at a coastal villa in Italy or Greece. But we think we came close at Villa Caprichosa on Taboga Island, a 30 minute fast ferry ride from Panama City, Panama. Our hostess Diane and her amazing team made our visit something truly special, from the time they picked us up at the ferry dock, to the time they dropped us back off again. We didn’t feel the need to leave to visit the public beaches of Taboga. Who would? We had our own pool, a veranda overlooking the ships steaming to the Panama Canal, a world class restaurant (the best Key Lime pie we’ve ever had and we’ve been going to Key West for 20 years) and the kind of hospitality one can only find on a small island where the owner of the villa doesn’t talk about her employees, but her “family.” Visiting with Diane was beyond special and, just walking about the villa, it’s easy to see why Diane and her work have been featured on the cover of Architectural Digest. We stayed in the Champagne Diamond suite. We had breakfast on the veranda. Lunch and dinner in the restaurant, personally pampered by Margie, Gabriel, Joseph and the team. Another lunch with Diane in the Crown Jewel suite with it’s 180-degree view of the island, the bay, the canal and Panama City. It just doesn’t get any better than this. We will be back. The visit was like being in a waking dream.

We have had a wonderful life of travel around the world. This might just be our favorite place ever! Our room, the Crown Jewel, is so beautiful, comfortable, and well-appointed that we just didn't want to leave. There is an Italian influence that I would summarize as having a sophisticated yet somewhat bohemian flair. If you haven't been to the Amalfi Coast this is a great facsimile. It is filled with beautiful frescos and hand-hewn finishes that have been expertly realized. Pay special attention to the glorious floors throughout, they are very special. Although antiques are used everywhere they are never stuffy, they add to the unique ambiance in an artistic way. Diane, the owner, is a gifted interior designer and a dear hostess who cares deeply about her property and her guests. The entire place is an experience that the discerning will appreciate. As sophisticated as it is we did not find it to be ostentatious at all. The staff is quite extraordinary, especially for this part of the world. They will happily set up for private dinner service in the suite which is so special. We will return.

Amazing and cozy Hotel. Room was fantastic , clean, great sea and island view. The overall place was welcoming, from the staff to management. Fully bilingual staff (English/Spanish). Breakfast was so good, and overall food. If you are in Panama take a few extra days to stay at this hotel, it’s quite close to the city by ferry.