Riande Urban Hotel

We stayed for seven nights, and I'd give the hotel 3/5. The location is handy for reaching places around the city. We mostly took taxis and used the metro once. The reception guys were friendly and calm with us, and while the pool was too cool for me, my boyfriend did swim. The worst part was the cockroaches. We killed two or three small ones in the bathroom almost every day. One time after a shower, I reached into my bag and found a huge orange cockroach inside. I threw the bag down and killed it, but it was horrible, and after that I felt disgusted staying there. There was no drinking water when we arrived, so we had to buy bottles at the restaurant for $2 each. The breakfast never changed, and by the fourth day I was tired of it. The buffet wasn't big, and the breakfast area was small enough that we waited in line for 10-20 minutes a few times. Staff sometimes seated couples at tables where people were already sitting without asking first. We stayed in line because we didn't want to share a table with strangers.

The location was fantastic, and the staff provided outstanding service. Algis at the front desk, the bellmen, and housekeeping were all great. The rooms were clean, but dated, dark, and small, with no refrigerator or washcloths. The air conditioner didn't work, and the faucet hardware looked like it was from the 60s or 70s.

The rooms are spacious and laid out well, and the hotel is in a very convenient part of El Cangrejo. Restaurants, supermarkets, banks, and clothing shops are all a short walk away. Breakfast is usually included, which helps since most places in Panama don't open until around 9 a.m. The downside is that the selection barely changes, so after more than three nights it can get repetitive.

Looking for a quiet stay? This place won't suit you. Every Saturday there's a pool party with extremely loud music that carries on until 4 a.m. Reception puts up a sign saying it's a one-time event, just as they did the week before. Don't believe it. The staff confirmed that loud music happens every Saturday, and sometimes Fridays too. Terrible experience!