T+L’s Hotel Review of The Ordovician Resort in Panama

As I stood on the powdery beach of the new Ordovician Resort on Panama’s Isla Grande, where the glassy Caribbean waters lapped against dense jungle pulsing with wildlife, I couldn’t believe the area had largely remained under the radar for so long. This is the kind of idyllic place where swaying palms and cool breezes temper the sun’s heat, and the sea, brimming with marine life, provides all the entertainment you need.

The resort—founded by retired tech engineers Loan and Richard “Rick” Hill—opened last year in the province of Colón along the country’s northern Caribbean coast. The Hills and their team, which is overwhelmingly composed of local residents, reimagined the former Coconut Grove Lodge into the area’s first luxury retreat, with overwater suites, a private beach backed by lush rainforest, and farm-to-table dining. The project has not just transformed the beachfront, but also added infrastructure to support the island far beyond the resort’s walls. 

The owners have added their own touches to the remote shoreline. Six-time grandparents, they designed a sandbar-encircled lagoon to give families a calm, pristine place to splash and enjoy water sports. (There is even an enclosed platform just off the beach, where kids can build sandcastles.) My favorite place to swim and lounge was a short walk away, on the other side of the Ordovician’s pier, where a jetty created a tranquil, emerald expanse perfect for floating peacefully on the surface.

But make no mistake, this is an adventurer’s destination, too. Since coral-filled waters collide with biodiverse land here, days shift seamlessly from fishing and snorkeling to spotting macaws and hiking through untouched jungle. The resort operates a wide range of off-site tours, including excursions to hidden islands, historic ruins, and the Panama Canal. 

A passionate diver, Rick Hill’s most treasured amenity is the dedicated dive center that opens on February 1. It’s no coincidence he chose to open the resort where the ocean’s depths are warm and teem with marine life. Conditions are ideal for both novices and well-seasoned scuba divers, and guests can enhance their diving by exploring a nearby coral cave or learning to spear invasive lionfish. 

Below, my complete review of Ordovician Beach Resort.

The Rooms

The 47 guest rooms and suites are housed in buildings, wrapped in tropical flowers, where unobstructed ocean views anchor the spaces. Inside, jewel-toned accents dot the crisp white-and-blue palette, mirroring the surrounding landscape. Nature is woven into the interior spaces through lacquered-tree headboards designed by a local artist, floor-to-ceiling windows, and fresh orchids.

Every building is themed around an animal, with hand-painted mugs, hand-stitched pillows, stained glass, and other artisanal elements reinforcing the motif. Meanwhile, the works of Panama City-based artist Nereida Villarreal provide additional pops of color.

I stayed in a Pearl of the Sea overwater guest room, which had an outdoor tub, a glass-panel floor to spot marine life, and a terrace with steps directly into the water.

Food and Drink

The Ordovician has three restaurants, each leaning heavily on ingredients grown on the resort’s grounds. The on-site farm yields a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs—from several different types of tomatoes to wing beans, lemon cucumber, Hawaiian papaya, and romaine lettuce.

The Shell bistro serves poolside breakfast and lunch of Panamanian and international flavors, including duck bibimbap and shrimp skewers with yogurt and mint sauce. Similarly, the more formal El Acuario offers a menu highlighting Japanese, Vietnamese, and Caribbean fare. For tapas and pizza, head to the oceanfront Rick’s Café Americain, which pays homage to the fictional joint from the 1943 classic Casablanca.

Hailing from the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama, mixologist Aquilino Kantule draws inspiration from his Indigenous Guna heritage. The result is an extensive menu of fruit-leaning cocktails and mocktails. My favorite was Yolany on the beach, a blend of passionfruit, strawberry, lime, and tequila. Every cocktail is garnished with edible flowers from the farm.

The Spa

Ordovician Spa is a wellness sanctuary with an overwater wellness platform for massages, yoga, and meditation, a sauna, and a cold plunge.

My massage started with a cup of tea and a foot soak in water infused with sea salt, herbs, and lemon slices.

The beachside gym features modern cardio equipment and free weights. Guests can also book personal training sessions.

Accessibility

The resort has four ADA-compliant guest rooms, each featuring roll-in showers with grab bars and stair-free path entrances. All bars and restaurants are also wheelchair-accessible.

How to Book

The Ordovician is not part of any points-based loyalty program.

Nightly rates at Ordovician Beach Resort start from $385.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.