Panama Hotel and Suites

Shock and awe is the best way to describe checking into the Panama Hotel.

Unless you’re nostalgic for college dorm life, this is probably not the experience you’re looking for. The room is barely larger than the bed itself, the bathrooms are shared, there’s no air conditioning during a Marin summer, and the only “cooling system” is opening the door—which simply lets hot air flood the room.

The poor person at the front desk was genuinely kind and helpful, but you get the distinct impression they have this same conversation multiple times a day. There appears to be an upsell to rooms with private bathrooms that isn’t obvious when booking, leaving many guests with an unpleasant surprise at check-in.

To top it off, it’s a walk-up, parking is a scavenger hunt thanks to extensive construction, street parking is scarce, and you’ll likely circle the neighborhood before finding a spot. The surrounding area feels tired and isolated, and I’d personally avoid leaving anything visible in your car.

I can appreciate historic hotels, but “charm” here seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting—apparently meaning old paint, worn carpets, squeaky floors, and a maze-like layout that feels like it was expanded well beyond any reasonable footprint. It reads less like curated character and more like deferred maintenance rebranded.

It also felt like the description may have been written by a broker who should have known better. When you say “charming,” you don’t usually mean cracks in the walls, questionable upkeep, and a layout that makes you wonder how it’s even operating. Walking in, there was even a city permit posted that gave the impression the building is operating under strict limitations—almost as if it’s acknowledged to be pushing capacity and safety boundaries.

Given the parking situation alone, it’s hard to imagine how long-term residents or guests are meant to manage comfortably. It feels less like a boutique historic stay and more like an overflow hotel of last resort.

Between the tiny room, shared bathrooms, lack of air conditioning, parking headaches, and overall experience, the reviews simply didn’t match reality for me. I’d recommend spending a little more elsewhere unless your goal is to relive freshman-year dorm accommodations.

We’ve enjoyed the Panama for years! It has such character and personality! The staff is terrific.

sweet rooms and nice staff

Very nice room

The location was charming

The rooms were perfect and Eno took good care of my family once again. I live in Gerstle Park and when we have big family get-togethers and I can’t accommodate everyone the Panama hotel is my home away from home.

Tried to cancel a one night stay to visit granddaughter and grandson. Got a call about stomach flu and hotel refused to cancel it. Worse yet, didn’t respond to calls to speak to manager. Over $200 for a senior citizen is tough. Their policy is 72 hous (saw that later). We have family in San Rafael who i warned against booking at the Panama.
Language issues also were difficult.

Historical. Beautiful. Quaint. Ridiculous. Old school. Fun. Funny.

Nada me gustó el lugar

The only good thing I liked was the flexibility of the staff

Geweldig personeel. Heel vriendelijk en behulpzaam.
Heerlijk balkon. Goede plek.

Very casual hotel without staff at night. It is in a residential neighborhood with beautiful trees and big houses.