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All 5 Santa Catalina B&Bs / inns »

On The Reef

Calle al Estero | follow signs after coming up to hotel area, Santa Catalina, Panama
Hotel amenities
On The Reef
4.0 of 5 stars 20 Reviews
9 April 2012 -
CraigMoss75
28 March 2012 -
KPGChesterton
 
 
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20 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    14
    3
    0
    3
    0
Date Rating
Birmingham
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 April 2012

Ric was a fantastic host and we really have nothing but plaudits for our stay in Santa Catalina. Myself and my partner are not surfers, and choser to stay in Santa Catalina for a relaxation, a bit of diving off Coiba and the fine beaches in the vicinity. The accomodation at On The Reef is just lovely, the rooms are... More

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Chesterton In
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 March 2012

We arrived one day early and our hotel didn't have a room for us for the night. We ended up here and what a treat it was. The room was the best that we had stayed in S. Catalina (we changed to the hotel that we booked). There was a nice group of people staying there and it was quite... More

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Panama City, Panama
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2012

My boyfriend and I researched well before we travel. We came to Catalina after reading many reviews on different hotels . We visited every single one before we checked in at On the Reef. Its true that they have the best possible spot. We learned that Michael Douglas had just left when we arrived. I don't usually travel to be... More

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Minneapolis, Minnesota
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

First class pretensions only. For $110/night, I expected some graciousness and at least a cup of coffee. After a five hour drive, we were not allowed to even see the room until we paid in full. We resisted their insistence that we pay for the full intended five nights. The room lacked basics: soap, bath mat, clock. Dinner was not... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
9 February 2012

Exactly. We got rules like everywhere else. They are up on our web page. We hosted our share of super famous people this summer and they actually wrote some of the great reviews before this one... so what can I say? I told this lady quite clearly what the rules where before she arrived. She was difficult from the start.... More

San Jose, Costa Rica
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We spent the new years at On the Reef in Santa catalina Panama. What a place! I lived in the far east and I am an avid traveler. This place is fantastic! The small hotel is directly in front of the wave so you can watch surfers catching waves all day. Hawaiian size waves makes Catalina a special place. On... More

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bozeman, Montana, USA
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 January 2012

On the reef is the nicest and by far the best place to stay in Catalina. Secluded and private, it sits high above the reef on the rugged and beautiful coastline, looking out over the world class surf break that made Catalina famous. The house is elegant, stylish and comfortable, with three clean, air conditioned rooms and a beautiful wrap-around... More

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Panama City, Panama
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 December 2011

Santa Catalina Panama - On The Reef - First Class in the Third World. So read the article in Long Board Magazine years ago . I am a Panamanian surfer and Stand Up Paddle Surfer and I travel the world to surf and compete. From Hawaii to California to Peru. I have stayed in many Surf Hotels around the world... More

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Emeryville, California
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 December 2011
2
people found this review helpful

We were so excited to stay here, after reading good reviews on Tripadvisor, but when we arrived, it was a whole different story! The owner was gone. The normal staff was gone so only a new maid who didn't speak any English was there. It was also only upon arrival that we found out we wouldn't be able to have... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
29 December 2011

Our facilities are unique . We are in the best posible spot in Catalina. Other more positive reviews offer a better description of our fine establishment. Suite #1 is the only room in Catalina trully ocean front. Its full most of the year. Designed by award winning architect Alfredo Boza and right in front of the point. Tons of pictures... More

Sao Paulo, SP
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 March 2011
2
people found this review helpful

If you are going to Santa Catalina, this is a must stay. For real surfers the hotel is true to it´s name. It is on the reef facing this perfect wave. For beginners, the hotel is walking distance to the beach. The owners make sure you feel right at home. Breakfast is great! The view from the hotel is fenomenal.... More

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Panama City, Panama
2 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 March 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This is the best place to stay in Santa Catalina. My husband and I arrived late at night, after driving for almost 7 hours we finally got to our destination feeling super hungry and tired. The owner and his wife greeted us with our room already set up and his wife made us delicious turkey sandwiches before going to a... More

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Ricardo Espriella, Owner at On The Reef, responded to this review
1 April 2011

Thank you Perla. This year we upgraded our oceanfront deck, restaurant and bar. As you know we are right on the Point and have a unique location in front of the famous wave. We have experienced an increase in bookings and more and more people from Europe and California. Check new pics - We have uploaded hundreds of new amazing... More

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Additional Information about On The Reef

Calle al Estero | follow signs after coming up to hotel area, Santa Catalina, Panama
Price range (per night):* 102 AUD

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