Bienvenidos, Maria Yolanda Traslaviña – Panamonte’s New/Old General Manager
The Panamonte Inn is very pleased to welcome Maria Yolanda Traslaviña back!
Maria Yolanda, a native of Medellin, Colombia, has lived in Panama since 1995. She holds an MBA degree and specializes in the economics of tourism. In the late 1990′s, Maria Yolanda was the General Manager for the Panamonte. For the past few years, she has been in Panama City, managing various hotels and teaching economics, business administration and tourism courses at university. Now, she returns to the Panamonte Inn & Spa, again as General Manager.
Maria Yolanda has an engaging smile and warm manner. She invites conversation and is lively in her responses to questions.
“This is like returning home,” Maria Yolanda beams. “Doña Inga and Charlie Collins are family to me. I am very happy to be back in Boquete, though it has certainly grown and changed since I was here before!”
The Panamonte Inn & Spa has been growing over the past several years. An extensive remodel has been completed, new rooms and suites built, new services implemented. Maria Yolanda intends to keep the growth momentum going, poco a poco.
“Our goal is to create value,” she emphasizes. “For our clients, of course, but also for our employees, our providers and the Boquete community. We are a team here, and I, “ she laughs, “I am the coach!”
Maria Yolanda explains her vision for the Panamonte. “We are not the Marriott. We are a small, luxury hotel that specializes in personal service. We give attention to the details. Many of our clients return again and again. We remember what their preferences are—what they like for breakfast, how they like their drinks, where they like to stay. For new clients, we go out of our way to insure that their visit is comfortable, meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.
“A big part of the Panamonte is our dining room and our food. We buy local and organic whenever possible. We prepare our foods to the strict standards set by Charlie Collins. And this is a very high standard! Our goal is to serve delicious foods, perfectly prepared.”
Charlie and Maria Yolanda intend to continue bringing special food and wine festivals to guests. In August they featured Malbec wines and the cuisine of Argentina. In September the sounds of Spanish guitars and the click of canastas and Flamenco dancing shoes will celebrate the tastes of Spain.
“I am very proud to be back and to collaborate with the Collins to keep the tradition of the Panamonte alive. We are known throughout Panama and Latin America as the preferred place for special visitors and clients. We want to expand that awareness to visitors from around the world. ”
The Panamonte and the Boquete community wish her well and look forward to becoming reacquainted. Bienvenidos, Maria Yolanda.
