Blu Hostel

Good price for a short stay, and the rooms were clean.

For the price, it worked for me, and that's the main thing this place has going for it. The room was clean and quiet, with a comfortable bed, a big room, curtains, a nightstand, a closet, a chair and a couch. The new AC was freezing, and there was a TV that turned on, though I couldn't get it to show anything. Maybe they'd get it working if you asked. I had to take off a star for the cold showers. I've spent a few years living in the Philippines, though, so I can handle just about anything. If they raise the price, I'd say no thanks.

I moved into this building in March 2025 and am leaving in September. The location in El Congrejo is pretty good, with lots of things within walking distance, but I wouldn't stay here if I had the money to go somewhere else. I got most of what I needed, but the experience was poor, and the building badly needs new management. In my view, the staff reflect leadership that's extremely unsatisfactory. There are greedy people doing business here, and the building reflects that mindset. I wish everyone well in their endeavors. The cleaning lady was the only staff member who seemed nice. The rest of the service was terrible. Staff were often on their phones, inattentive, and unprofessional, and it took a long time to get proper help with the many issues I raised. I'm African American, and I felt I was treated differently, though I've also seen Caucasians treated the same way here. I've seen plenty of bad service in Panama City, but this place was worse. When I first arrived, there was no hot water for three days, even though I brought it up more than once. Two stove burners still didn't work when I was leaving in September. There was an ant problem and internet trouble; eventually I found out there wasn't a router in my room. That made me wonder how the staff couldn't know, and I thought they must not check rooms before someone moves in. Later, when I accidentally left my key in my room, the desk didn't know whether there was a spare, which also suggested they don't have a process for checking rooms after tenants leave. I agreed to pay $650 a month. I wouldn't have chosen this place first, but as an entrepreneur in a vulnerable position, I didn't have many options. Two months into the agreement, they began charging extra for debit card use, even though that wasn't mentioned in our WhatsApp written agreement. When I moved out, they also tried to keep $20 of my $120 deposit, saying there was a hotel room cleaning fee. That didn't make sense to me and wasn't in the agreement, which wasn't a contract, just a written exchange on WhatsApp.

We had a very satisfying visit, and I still recommend the place. It's quiet and clean, the employees are really kind and happy to answer questions, and the price is good for what you get. The location is convenient too, near the metro, most city buses, and lots of restaurants. The street is a little dirty, though. A couple of things kept it from five stars: the pillows are completely worn out, and the kitchen and fridge are both tiny. There aren't enough dishes or utensils, and there's nowhere to sit and eat properly.