Do you like dolls? Do you love the color pink? Do you have a kid who does? Or have you ever wondered what it would be like if Barbie dolls ran a high-rise Central American hotel?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may want to book a Panama vacation (or perhaps a strategically timed business trip). The Hilton Panama, one of Central America’s newest luxury hotels (and one of my personal favorites in Panama City), has teamed up with Mattel to introduce the Barbie Room, a guest room that aims to satisfy fans of — you guessed it — Barbie, that legendary doll that continues to populate countless children’s rooms around the world.
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The Central American nation of Panama is witnessing an unprecedented construction boom that’s brought thousands of new hotel rooms — and dozens of new hotels — to the region’s offerings. But no Panama hotel accommodations are quite the same as the Barbie Room, which aims to bring “glamour, fun and fantasy to life, with all the elements of a Barbie-themed paradise.”
What exactly does that mean? Well, for starters, guests booking this special room will be welcomed to the hotel with an oversized Barbie display, which serves as a backdrop for one of many photo opportunities. The room itself, which took four weeks to design and complete, features Barbie items that supposedly aren’t found anywhere else, with decor, bedding, movies, toys and — oh yeah, dolls. You’ll also see Barbie-themed touches in the room’s furniture, games, toiletries and costumes, while the changing room and runway provide space for Barbie fans to model their own fashion statements.
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In case it’s your kids staying in the room — and in case you need a break from all that glorious pink — the Barbie Room has a connecting deluxe room for other family members.
Even if you can’t get availability with this one-of-a-kind Barbie Room, Hilton Panama can still connect you with a bit of the ambiance, with an array of Barbie-themed activities available to all hotel guests. Hilton Panama executive chef Germán Ghelfi has created a Barbie-inspired menu, while the Eforea Spa salon at Hilton Panama welcomes guests with a special Barbie beauty package. You just might feel like a living doll by the time you leave.
The room is available only through August 15, 2016; for information and reservations, visit www.panama.hilton.com (but call the hotel at +507-280-8000 to make sure you get the room, as it’s hard to find on the site).