This month, American Express Travel has asked us to contribute to their #Journeymakers campaign in an effort to encourage travelers to acknowledge and thank those special people that have made their journeys unforgettable. It wasn't long for us to think of a handful of incredible individuals who have greatly impacted some of our most recent adventures. Let's start with where it all began! Our first trip abroad together was on our honeymoon to Panama... In true newlywed fashion, we were glowing with excitement, expectation, and curiosity towards our first adventure together.
Our first stop was the American Trade Hotel in Panama City. When we arrived, our jaws dropped. Fixated on all the incredible details of this hotel, the bellhop Moroni gathered our luggage and slowly guided us to our rooms. As we walked us to our room, he told us about the hotel’s history, things we needed to know during our stay, and asked about us. We quickly felt welcomed by his warmth, hospitality, and quirky sense of humor.
During our four days in Panama City, Moroni greatly influenced our stay. On our first day, he recommended we explore Casco Viejo. We wandered the streets for hours, in awe of the historic quarter filled with beautiful restored buildings. Later that afternoon we stopped by the hotel when our stomachs were rumbling and Moroni pointed us towards The Fish Market. Saying these were the best fish tacos we ever had is an understatement. As foodies, this meal was one of the highlights of our honeymoon, and we are so so thankful for Moroni’s recommendation.
Aside from guiding us towards amazing restaurants each day, Moroni really made us feel at home. If we were sitting in the hotel lobby or sipping on coffee in the lounge, he would come by and ask us what we did that day. It did not seem forced or fake, but rather a genuine interest in finding out how we were enjoying our stay. It was easy to see that Moroni loves Panama and loves people. This love allows him to be an incredible asset to the American Trade Hotel. While the hotel was one of our favorites in the world, it was Moroni that made it truly special. He made this first stop of our honeymoon unforgettable, and we look forward to returning someday to visit him!
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