Something old, something new perhaps best describes Panama - the latest “hot spot,” for honeymooners in search of sun, sand, culture and interesting things to do....all at affordable rates. This country located at the crossroads of two oceans and two continents, has been dubbed the “paradise between two seas.” In recent years, it has become the most visited destination in Latin America and it is quickly becoming a favorite honeymoon haven.

While its original claim to fame was the Canal, Panama City has morphed into a sophisticated metropolis with a treasure trove of recreational options luring travelers from all over the globe.

By day, shopping beckons with goods from around the world while chic restaurants, trendy, boutiques, Canal tours and sojourns into the capital city’s quaint neighbors offer plenty of other options. When night falls, restaurants, nightclubs, discotheques and casinos offer a totally different vibe.

Honeymooners in search of the romantic side to this charming city should opt to stay in Casco Viejo, where Panama City was established in 1673 after the original settlement was sacked by the infamous pirate Henry Morgan. Situated at the mouth of the Panama Canal, the colorful neighborhood -declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 - has been rehabilitated from a once dilapidated colonial area of town into an artsy cultural cornerstone with massive cathedrals, bougainvillea studded balconies and narrow cobblestone streets winding past remnants of the area’s history.

This city within a city harks back to a kinder, gentler age and nowhere is this more apparent than at two sister- hotels located here, which lend new meaning to the title: “boutique” accommodations.

Built as an apartment building in the 1930s, Las Clementinas houses six beautifully decorated “chambers” all with a fully equipped kitchen, AC, satellite TV, and separate living room. Think “private home,” when checking in … not “hotel.” A rooftop terrace offers a view of the city skyline while the Secret Garden tucked into the base of an ancient fort promises a hidden hideaway for honeymooners in search of a “quiet moment.” The Palm Garden offers an “oasis” for cool drinks and light snacks. The onsite Café dishes up local fare while the Lobby Bar is a favorite place to “meet and greet.”

The nearby sister property, the Canal House – built in 1893 - has a luxurious guest house feel with sleek wood floors, stylishly exposed brick walls and plush beds. With only three individually designed rooms, along with a library and living-dining room (shared by all three) it is tucked into in a genteel colonial mansion on a quiet street in this historic neighborhood.

Both hotels offer a marriage of the old and the new, while allowing honeymooners the intimate feel not readily available when staying at a hotel.

For more information visit: www.lasclementinas.com or www.canalhousepanama.com