Athena and I have become swimming pool connoisseurs. We know what works for families and what doesn’t. The Westin Playa Bonita Panama boasts four breathtaking beachfront pools overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a private white sand beach. Here are five awesome reasons why Westin Playa Bonita is a pool lovers paradise:
1. Depth Matters
Unless I want to spend hours playing on the pool stairs, there needs to be a shallow end for children to play. Athena can’t swim yet and a shallow, toddler waist-deep section lets her feel comfortable and I can relax.
At the Westin Playa Bonita, the shallow section seems endless and it’s clearly marked to show children the “no-go” zones.
2. Location, location, location
I love when the family-friendly pool is located close to the hotel. Who wants to trek across a resort with a wet child that just got out of the pool or a child that needs to go to the potty? No one!
This is the pool view from my room at Westin Playa Bonita. Obviously, if you can see it this clearly from the room, the location is working for us.
3. Let’s Keep it Clean
The pool could be designated for toddlers and actually in my hotel room, but if it’s dirty I’m not swimming in it.
The pool was so spotless it looked new. Not even a leaf floated on the glass-like water and the bright blue bottom looked like someone scrubbed ever inch with a toothbrush. I was more than impressed; I was in awe.
4. I Don’t Really Like Kids
While it’s difficult for me to understand, some hotel guests would rather not swim with children splashing, yelling, and having fun. Ok; have it your way.
With four beachfront pool options, every guest can enjoy their dream pool. I chose the middle road and went for the pool with some families and a few adults as well. I love the sound of a child laughing and you can be certain to find that when they are playing in a pool.
5. Bathing in Chlorine Really Isn’t for Me
Swimming is much more enjoyable without the worry of the potential health risks from bathing in chlorine. In a world full of pesticides and cancer-causing agents, we don’t need to add to the worries by swimming in chlorine.
All of the pools at Westin Playa Bonita are freshwater. I didn’t feel grimy when I got out and even though I went under water several times, my eyes weren’t burning.
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When I saw the photos of Westin Playa Bonita, the first thing I noticed was the pools. A good swimming pool can make or break a family vacation. Many of my favorite family vacation memories take place in the pool. It’s rare for me to return to a destination or or a resort because there is just too much out there to explore and see but I can’t wait to come back to Westin Playa Bonita with my family. The pools are Carter family approved.
What would you say makes a great pool?
***This trip is sponsored by Westin Playa Bonita but all thoughts, ideas, and options are my own.***
Bucket List Publications 
These pools are beautiful, and I totally agree with you on the clean pool. i wonder if they are using the salt system instead? We were trying to put a pool in our back yard here in Vegas but couldn’t afford it yet. One option was the salt system instead of chlorine. Cheaper and better than stinky chlorine!! Your little lady will have a wealth of great memories with her family, so awesome! And totally priceless…
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A salt system is definitely less chemicals on your body. Have you decided to wait until you can do that or did you go with chlorine?
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What a great looking resort! I would love to take my kids to Panama. I even had a whole itinerary planned out. Are you going out to any of the islands? I had wanted to go to the Pearl Islands as part of our itinerary. I hope you have a great time- can’t wait to read all about it!
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The driver was talking about the Pearl Islands this morning. With only four days, I just didn’t have time but I look forward to returning soon. When you go, you really should consider the Panama Canal boat tour with Gamboa tours. It was amazing to be so close to the monkeys and even riding on the canal was cool. 🙂
Have you chosen a date?
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I wanna be a swimming pool connoisseur! I have a walk-in shower… But, it does have endless hot water!
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Wow, those pools are awesome! Yes, every vacation we’ve ever taken, we check out the pools first. My kiddo’s number 1 request is a nice pool. We love the hotels with an outside pool, and inside pool and a hot tub. Those are nice. We will have to put this place on our bucket list for sure!
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There really wasn’t any need to have an inside pool here but the pool situation is very important to us. Now that we have a toddler, it’s the first thing we consider. 🙂
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Looks like an amazing spot Lesley with lots of choice with or without kids.
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Glad to see the Westin rooted in reality: children are special, important people, and they remind us of the beauty, joy, and essential goodness of innocence in our kind.
Child shunning is a form of self-hatred, anti-humanism, anti-civilization, age-discrimination, and ageism. It is also blasphemous toward the Cosmos, God, or whatever higher ethos you may subscribe to. The hypocrisy of child-hatred is that everyone was a child once, and benefited most from those who were good to them. Those who did not have a happy childhood should especially appreciate the need to reverse that sorrowful history as an opportunity to triumph over it.
How tomorrow’s adults care for tomorrow’s seniors will have much to do with how today’s adults treated them as children. Sobering, isn’t it?
That said, I like clean, saline swimming pools too.
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I’m so glad you were able to take Athena with you this trip! It sounds like you’re having a really good time. This looks like a really beautiful resort! ❤
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Freshwater AND gorgeous. Who would have thought pools could be this stunning and pleasing to the eye. Wow.
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This looks so inviting…
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I would like to visit this place 🙂
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This looks amazing! The perfect oasis for a relaxing getaway. Do you have any advice on how I could get sponsored for my own travel/adventure blog?
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The Planet D is a great resource for getting sponsors. They have a media kit and lots of advice on their site. Here’s their site – http://theplanetd.com/
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Thanks! I’ll definitely check it out
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Seems like an idyllic place for a family to enjoy the Pacific Coast of Panama … great review!
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It was on the Pacific but one of the cool things about Panama is that there is access to both the Pacific and the Atlantic/Caribbean. I think most hotels are on the Pacific side though. Have you been before?
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If you ever get a chance the community of Boquete is lovely. I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks there this summer. Looking to go back soon.
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Wow its gorgeous, I just went to the one in westin singapore! It’s gorgeous but pales in comparison with the one you have!
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