Hotel California Panama

The staff were extremely helpful, and the place was very good.

On a dark desert highway, with the cool wind in my hair, I spotted a light and decided I had to stop here for the night. The mission bell made me wonder if this would be a great place or a bad one. At the desk, a woman showed me to my room, and I thought she said “welcome to the Hotel California,” like in the song, though I might’ve misheard. There was plenty of room, any time of year, mirrors on the ceiling, which felt a little odd, and pink champagne on ice, a first for me. Someone mentioned being a prisoner there, but I didn’t think much of it. Everyone was so friendly that I hurried for the door, and the night man just said, “relax, be careful.” Really nice people!

If all you need is a clean, basic room with air conditioning and none of the fancy extras, this works well. The price is great, and the staff are always friendly. It’s near a major grocery store, parks, restaurants, and the financial center. The subway connects to the bus terminal and airport for local destinations, and taxis to Tocumen International Airport are available.

The room was basic and clean, and fine for a one night stopover. There were towels and bars of soap, plus hot water in the shower. I could’ve used a shower mat, since the bathroom floor got slippery afterward. The Wi-Fi worked well. The windows are plastic shutters, and one was missing in our bathroom, so we had to keep the door closed to keep mosquitoes out. There wasn’t a view from the room, but the rooftop terrace looks out over the city. The neighborhood is urban, on the edge of Bella Vista. You can get to Plaza Terraza for food and drinks, Hostel 33 for an inexpensive breakfast, and the Supermercado Rey for groceries or a pharmacy in less than a ten minute walk. The place is on a busy street, so rooms aren’t quiet, and the walls are thin enough to hear other guests. The hotel bar and restaurant were closed, though they served coffee in the morning for $1.50. There’s also a small gym and a little jacuzzi style pool on the roof, with an outdoor shower. The receptionist at check in was a bit frosty at first, but the morning receptionist was nicer.