Five Small Hotels In Panama

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(offshorewave.com) I recently had friends visit me in Panama on very short notice and they had a very hard time finding accommodations. I spent the better part of a day trying to arrange a place to stay for them in Panama City. I came across five small hotels that are not that well known and might have space if you find yourself in Panama without a place to stay. All of the hotels are in quiet parts of the city, far from the nightlife of downtown Panama City, and small. If you want to be close to Panamanian nightlife, then none of these hotels are for you. If you like quiet small hotels, then look into these hotels.

• Inn On The Canal

The Inn on the Canal is located in the former Canal Zone in the small town of La Boca. This is a small Bed & Breakfast that has basic rooms for a decent price. The neighborhood is quiet, if a little far from Panama City and the airport. The hotel is located right at the mouth of the Panama Canal. There is a good view to the Bridge of Americas. If you plan to stay at the Inn then be sure to rent a car; taxi service here could be a little irregular and expensive: ask the management at the Inn about transportation. There is a small restaurant called La Boca that is located not too far from the Inn; this is a good place for a beer and fresh fish. The Causeway is also not too far from the Inn. I would recommend this place to anyone who doesn’t mind a basic room and likes to stay at a small Bed & Breakfast. Parking Available. Click Here to see web site.

• Amador Ocean View

This hotel is located on the Causeway; the Causeway is a water break that extends out into the Bay of Panama. This hotel has great views of both the Panama Canal and Panama City. And in the Summer (December-March) there is a constant cool breeze blowing across the Causeway. Every room at the hotel has a balcony so you can sit and watch the ships go through the Canal or look across the bay to Panama City. This is also a good place to people watch. There are all kinds of restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops on the Causeway. If you stay at this hotel you will have a wide range of restaurants to choose from: seafood, Italian, American, Panamanian food can be found on the Causeway. The downside here is the distance from the city. The taxi ride is very expensive so I suggest you rent a car if you plan to stay at this hotel. Parking is available. Click Here to see web site.

• Hospedaje Casco Viejo

Located in the historic district of Casco Viejo, this small hostel has great charm and location if you want to stay in an historical setting. I visited this small hostel when it first opened and loved the layout of the place. Great little place with an indoor courtyard and classic Spanish tiles. I recommend this place if you like to stay in very basic quarters. It’s a hostel, not a hotel. This is a place to stay if you are young, bohemian and like roughing it when you travel. The rooms are fine and the place is very clean and safe. Its just not polished like a hotel. You can walk all around Casco Viejo from here and there are plenty of great restaurants and bars especially in the area around the French Embassy. Don’t rent a car if you plan to stay here: no parking. Click Here to see web site

• Albrook Inn

This small hotel which was formerly officer quarters for air force pilots is located in the quiet neighborhood of Albrook - formerly a U.S. air force base. The advantage of the Albrook Inn is that it is located near the domestic airport. So if you plan to catch a second flight within Panama, then this is a good place to stay. The larger rooms have fridges and other appliances. The Inn is located a little far from Panama City; you should rent a car if you plan to stay here. Parking is available. The Panama Canal, Gamboa, Causeway and the highway to the Pacific beaches are all close, so the Albrook Inn has a very good location if you plan to go sight-seeing. Stay here if you want a quiet place that’s small in size. Click Here to see web site.

• B&B La Estancia

Try to stay at the B&B La Estancia in Panama City; it’s has one of the best locations in the City. This small B&B is located in the Quarry Heights neighborhood of Panama City. Quarry Heights is located on the side of Ancon Hill, which rises over Panama City. This is the neighborhood where the U.S. generals lived in Panama City when Southcom was stationed in Panama. Lots of greenery and the neighborhood is quiet. The B&B is clean and well run; everyone that I’ve talked to really liked their stay here; it’s small so you might find it hard to book but it’s worth a try. Click Here to see web site