Back from Panama and here's my report you wanted.  If it's too long just cut it to your liking.
PANAMA  WWW.GAMBOARESORT.COM  on The Panama Canal
We flew out of Rochester, NY (less than 30 minutes) to Syracuse, NY (sat l hour) then to Atlanta, Georgia and onto Panama.  We arrived after dark.  They charge $5.00 each to enter .  Our shuttle (22.00 each, each way) was waiting with Edwin our guide, a college student who was a walking encyclopedia, truly amazing.  A 40 minute speed through the city got us to the two  year old 30 million dollar resort 25 miles away from the airport.  We oooed and ahhed at it's beauty.  For all the details go to the above site.
All my fears were quickly gone.  The water was fine, the people were friendly and 75% spoke English.
It was the beginning of the rainy season.  Our rain came in the afternoon or at night.  It was fun to see the black rain clouds move across the Rainforest.  >From what we heard at times it rains all day and all night.  The people are happy for this because the canal needs the water.
The resort has two expensive restaurants.  It's a 5 star resort so it's understandable and worth it.  For instance, the 18.00 breakfast buffet included at least eight fresh fruits, cereal, milk yogurt, rolls, danish, scrambed eggs, bacon and more.
The rooms are varied, ours had two double beds, a refrigerator, TV, radio, balcony with hammock.  The bathroom had only a shower.  With the high humidity of Panama who wants to sit in a hot bathtub? 
Snacks and drinks in the room were outrageous. $4.50 for a tiny can of Pringles and $5.00 for 6 oreo cookies for example.
The Resort has a Spa with unbelievable choices including a 7 hour Bride's Dream $200.00.
The Gamboa Resort has varied tours with varied prices.  We took advantage of two.  One was a boat trip out to Monkey Island where we passed tall freighter ships and got to see all kinds of monkeys.  A white faced one actually hopped into our boat where Jose, our guide, and my husband fed him bananas.  The other tour was conducted by our shuttle driver Edwin.  I had read a few books about Panama and the canal and also used the resort's library to learn more.  Edwin rattled on about facts and dates while waving his both hands, yelling to friends as we traveled.  The traffic was so fast.  No one obeys the nonexistant speed limits and everyone budges while beeping horns as they go.  We said many times, the shuttle fee was well worth it.  Included in this tour was a tour of the Panama Canal.  It was facinating.  It's huge and a miracle it's in existence.  The locks open quickly and the ships, 6 inches on either side, go through quickly,  The Panamanians treasure the canal.  The ones we talked to wouldn't think of moving away.
If you're a nature buff the Gamboa Rainforest Resort is for you.  You can feed a crocodile at the marina restaurant.  You can see beautiful birds, butterflies, a snake exhibit of captive varities of colorful snakes, all kinds of strange animals and  the Harpy Eagle which is the bird on the Panama coins. 
Panamanians use American money.  It's interchangable with theirs.
>From our room the view was the Chagres River and Rainforest.  The rainforest is quickly disappearing, so we decided to see it.  There are many groups trying to save the Rainforest even various children's groups.
On our flight back we had a nice breakfast, as good as the meal coming in.  Another $20.00 each to depart Panama.  We were happy to see security checking bags carefully.  We felt very safe.
When you're old and grey, visit the US,  while you're walking and breathing well see the world, especially Panama.
You can find this resort on www.skyauction.com for a great price.  Jude Scheepsma