Panama Hotel
Panama Hotel descritpion
In Seattle’s Historic District, this hotel features an on site café. Pike Place Fish Market and the Seattle Arts Museum are within 20 minutes’ walk of this Seattle hotel. Free WiFi is offered in all rooms.
Offering free bath toiletries as well as complimentary bottled water, every room includes bathrobes and access to a shared bathroom at Panama Hotel. Sinks are in all rooms. There are separate men’s and women’s bathrooms provided in the hall.
A free continental breakfast is provided to all guests daily at Hotel Panama. Styled like a coffee house atmosphere, the Panama Hotel Tea and Coffee House offer a restaurant and full bar on site.
Kobo at Higo Gallery and Wing Luke Museum are within 5 minutes’ walk of Hotel Panama. Sea-Tac Airport is 20 minutes’ drive from Panama Hotel.
International District is a great choice for travelers interested in coffee, markets and scenery.
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Facilities of Panama Hotel
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not needed) and costs USD 15 per day.
Services ：Vending Machine (drinks) | 24-Hour Front Desk | Baggage Storage | Laundry | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for Panama Hotel
Review 1：Bad bad bad. Bad location. Bad room. Bad experience with attendant. Arguments and sirens all night long. Old hotel with shared bathrooms down the hall. Booked a double room for me and my son only to find they had booked one bed. Moved us to a room with two beds BUT the $109 hotel room became a $150 room!!! How does that happen? Did I mention the bathrooms are down the hall? Did much better at a vastly better hotel on the way back for much less! Will not repeat this experience.
Review 2：Such a great piece of history! Owner has meticulously kept the Panama Hotel in it's heritage state and can answer any questions you have about the property. Beds are amazingly comfortable, too:)
Review 3：Everything about the place was lovely and beautiful. I loved that it kept its old charm as an historic hotel. Although it is quite spendy it is quite a deal for being in the middle of downtown Seattle.
Review 4：Considering the State's drought, I was disappointed that I couldn't adjust the strength of the tub/shower water flow. It was either full-on or off, no in-between. Also, the shower head was not the low-flow variety.
Review 5：If you like to be catered too and need many amenities this may not be the place for you.If you just need an affordable place to stay from where to explore Seattle this is it.Location is excellent, right in the middle of international district.Japanese and chinese restaurants nearby.Three blocks from light rail, two blocks from Dim Sum King,a few blocks further down is the Asian Market & Grocery and many bakeries.The hotel was built in 1910 and is a Seattle Historical Landmark. Many Japanese left their belongings at this hotel prior to their displacement in WWII. Some were never able to return.The furniture is old but usable, the lamp in my room was a turn of century lamp. No TV,radio,phone,showers or bathroom in rooms. Showers and bathrooms are out in hallway.But they do have wifi :-) For a single male is fine,i do not recommend it for families with children or females traveling alone.Jan the owner was very kind to show us the old Japanese baths that are still in the basement.
Review 6：The staff are excellent at the Panama. Love the Tea rooms as well - very unique place to stay, with a lot of atmosphere. On a practical note, great location for International district, within walking distance of downtown, and beside light rail.
Review 7：No really "bad" experience. Yes, the toilet and shower are down the hall and shared. I didn't have to worry about that as there seemed to be no one else on our floor. No real horror story...but, it reminded me of the hotel in American Horror Story...Hotel....lol.
Review 8：It was a very "unique" property. Not everyone's cup of tea. Very old school, not the usual cookie cutter, every amenity in your room type of hotel. I've read many reviews and knew what to expect. I carried my roller bag up the steps as the owner came down to make sure that I wasn't scuffing the leather covered steps trying to pull my bag up each step. The gentleman that checked us in was very cordial and was every part the balance to the lady. Enjoyed the stay.
Review 9：A little noisey outside at night (we're from the country), and a little dusty inside.
Review 10：The history and authenticity of the hotel. The owner graciously took time to give us a tour of the Japanese baths and explained thesinificance of the pictures decorating the tea house .
Review 11：We liked the friendly people that worked there. They were very helpful. The breakfast was lovely and it was a close walk to the train station and pioneer square. The rooms were very unique.
Review 12：The history of this place is amazing. You have to appreciate that this is a historic landmark and is part of the countries history. The owner is passionate about the building and its history. She was very kind and hospitable.
Review 13：Did not like the shared bathrooms (though, we obviously knew that going in). Turned out to be an issue in the middle of the night when someone got up to use them and woke everyone up unlocking the 4 noisy locks on the door. Also, after a long day of walking and exploring the city we came back to the multiple flights of stairs..not exactly what you want to deal with, but now I'm just being picky. Another thing, staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, but also seemed really disorganized. The offices looked like they were straight out of Hoarders and it made me almost nervous giving them my cc information.
Review 14：Love that we got real coffee and pastries in the morning, and it was delicious. I liked how the building was historic and unique. Sheets were clean and bedding was warm and comfortable.
Review 15：The staff were just wonderful, and them along with the owner have kept this beautiful place alive in an evolving, fast changing city. Would come and stay here again.
Review 16：The staff were rude at times, the photos are misleading, the walls are paper thin, and EVERYTHING is "antique". People were loud and there is a shared bathroom that a drunk woman passed out in so I couldn't get in to use it during my stay. All around, a pretty bad experience.
Review 17：It was close to the light rail station
Review 18：Bad, bad, bad part of town. Lots of drug activity across the street. A couple outside screamed at each other for two hours at 2am.
Review 19：The owner was really knowledgeable and kind. Enjoyed talking to her about the site history.
Review 20：The plumbing could be improved. Hot water took a long time to come in. Sinks were not really adequate.
Review 21：We enjoyed the museum like atmosphere. The room and the bedding were lovely. The tea room downstairs was very full of atmosphere and character.
Review 22：Ok toilet are shared but this bring you some fun !
Review 23：An amazing welcome after full day driving by Jan amd her fellows ! Extreme recommendation for this hotel. Do not hesitate to book it asap ! In addition you will stay in authentic place of Seattle downtown and for sure love breakfast with french croissant aux amendes and coffee
Review 24：common bathroom - but it is just such kind of building; poor breakfast but in wonderful place (Hotel Panama tea and cofee)
Review 25：Old furniture, good location, very nice possessor
Review 26：very tired but the owner has taken on a great project to save some Seattle history. no bath or toilet in room. super squeaky bed in room 3.
Review 27：awesome historical character.
Review 28：Wifi doesn't work very well
Review 29：Nice staff. The hotel is a beautiful historic building that the owner cares for as a piece of art.... Walking distance from downtown. Clean.
Review 30：No room cleaning or taking trash out . By the end of our three day stay, trash is over flow. Shower and restroom outside the room on the hall way... Inconvenience!
Review 31：Location
Review 32：Just all those stairs after an uphill walk from the train station--we got a little lost, lol!!!
Review 33：Brooke and Chi were both very helpful, fantastic and knowledgeable, and Brooke even gave us a wonderful private tour of the bath house, while Chi voluntarily carried our heavy luggage up all those stairs! really wanted to see everything about this wonderful historic hotel!!! Many thanks for sharing!!!
Review 34：The basic facilities of the old hotel became frustrating after a fewdays. Poor wifi, limited power outputs, shared bathrooms. The novelty ofthe old rooms wore off a bit and it felt more creepy than interesting.One member of staff we spoke to may or may not have been a ghost inhindsight. Stanley Kubrick might have been the interior designer for thehallways... Red Rum!
Review 35：The staff were super friendly and amazingly helpful when we needed toleave a day early, cancelling the final day and giving a full refund -not many places would do that now. It's got a fascinating historyand the rooms feel like you're stepping back to another time. Thefree breakfast was a welcome bonus in the excellent tea room downstairs.
Review 36：I have never experienced such a disappointment with a reservation on booking.com. I say this because this is a hotel In the way you would expect. This place does not even had bathrooms in the rooms! And beds date from 1910, meaning you are definitely not going to have any rest. Also, it's overpriced.
Review 37：the location.
Review 38：Noisy streets but wanted window open for fresh air. No screens . Garbage pick up at 5am. (Not your fault! )
Review 39：Pretty easy walk to my fav chinese and easy to century link and pubs . In the other direction. . Perfect central locale.
Review 40：The washrooms were shared and in the middle of the night it seemed like the hallways were from the shining
Review 41：Continental breakfast at the tea house beside the hotel - the pastries are very tasty! Great variety of drinks and teas
Review 42：Night porter was weird, we got in late and he spent like an hour talking to us when we just wanted to go to bed and to sleep. Mocked us for struggling with 4 50lb bags. Oh well. Bed was uncomfortable and small, and creaky.
Review 43：free water, free breakfast (in a really cute little cafe with heaps of different choices of tea, coffee, hot choc etc - we had white hot choc and gold assam tea along with our large danishes)
Review 44：Being an historical hotel, all the equipments (beds, sinks, showers, etc.) are old and relatively obsolete. The windows are not well isolated, so you can hear noises from the street (people, cars, airplanes, etc.) . The bed isn't really confortable.
Review 45：Historic hotel. The staff was really nice. The breakfast cafe has a nice atmosphere and good coffee offer. Not far from downtown (walking distance).
Review 46：I believe it was the Chinese cleaning lady that woke me up talking to someone on the telephone outside my room!
Review 47：Location was great. Short walk to the stadium.
Review 48：I used to live at the Panama 20 + years ago. Being there brought back so many great memories. I love the hotel and neighborhood so much. Jan and her staff are incredible. I will be back again. I won't wait for another 20 years though.
Review 49：cleanliness not always ok, bed non so comfortable
Review 50：location close to the centre and main attractions, great experience in historical hotel, staff, low price for the area
Review 51：The area we walked through towards Downtown and the Pike St Market was quite rundown.
Review 52：The building has an interesting history, anyone staying here should investigate its' past. We arrived by train, and the hotel was a short walk from the station. The coffee shop next door was also well preserved.
Review 53：There was coffee stains on the wall and blood stain on the blanket. The room was smelling, not appropriate for anyone with respiratory issues. The blind was not easy to pull for privacy, wardrobe has old news paper used to line the shelf. Carpet felt as if it was not vacuumed. The price is ok for the area ($126/night for September). Breakfast is not served until 8 am, so I did not get a chance to eat since I had to leave at 7am to be on time for my conference. Although it is an old hotel but not an escuse not to give it a face lift. It should be called a Youth hostel not a hotel.
Review 54：nothing in particular except the chance to attend a conference.
Review 55：Bed was uncomfortable; location was very noisy, no elevator and bags had to be carried up 2 flights of stairs; door to adjoining room had large gap in it; toilets and showers pretty decrepit.
Review 56：Historical property convenient to railway station
Review 57：Loved the historic aspect. Great coffee/tea shop. But up a full flight or two of stairs and no elevator - if that's a problem (heavy suitcase, etc.).
Review 58：A few things were less than satisfactory:1 - proprietors got into an argument while we were checking in about which room to give us / charge us for 2 - squeaky, not firm mattress (hard because this is somewhat of a subjective preference but it was insanely soft) 3 - occasionally had to wait for other guests to finish in bathroom to use, shared toilet difficult esp. for ladies 4 - breakfast setup not very conducive to serving guests for which breakfast was included in room rate - only one, overwhelmed cafe employee serving mix of hotel guests and walk-in cafe-only customers and a "one-breakfast-item limit" (like small bagel or pastry) meant we left very hungry after long wait for service 5 - could not find an employee to officially check out and more personally say goodbye as well as share concerns more directly, instead left keys in check-in/lobby area
Review 59：Loved the history of this place and how furnishings went alongwith that.LOVED that there was no TV!
Review 60：The owner was rude if not down right hostile even though we were friendly and courteous. I suspect it's because we asked for a refund for the extra nights we weren't going to stay. The rooms were too cramped because the furniture provided was too big for the space while not enough electrical wall plug outlets; only one in our room and on the exterior wall opposite to where the bed was. My wife needed an outlet next to the bed to operate her cpap machine. Oh, and there was no bedside table to put the cpap either. It was also too hot to sleep since there's no air conditioning provided. We opened the window but there wasn't any way to circulate the air.
Review 61：It did give a general impression of how older hotels were built and operated. Just need to be ready to rough it quite a bit.
Review 62：The bed is quite old (as expected) and was not the most confortable to sleep in.
Review 63：The location is wonderfull and the Hotel has a lot of history. Also very clean.
Review 64：Our room was on a lower level and street noise was a real problem for us.
Review 65：Our room had a sink which was very convenient. The room was clean and a good size. The bed was comfortable. Our check in process was friendly and informative.
Review 66：Historical and a bit funky, but nice. I'd stay again, but not in hot weather. I'm bothered by heat. Great location! Great staff. The price is right!
Review 67：Jan and her staff are working to improve customer service. She is especially interested in ways to help travelers and takes suggestions well.
Review 68：Jan, the owner has a mission to restore the Panama Hotel and at the same time retain its old world, turn of the century charm. She respects the historical connection to the Japanese community in which the Panama Hotel is located. She is a very impressive lady and we enjoyed hearing about the history of the Panama Hotel from her. Jan went out of her way to accommodate our needs. She let us store our luggage even after we had checked out.
Review 69：Was surprised by the 'museum' atmosphere -- no WiFi -- was in China Town -- okay but was not prepared for it I guess.
Review 70：The owner, Jan, was great to talk with...
Review 71：bed a bit spongy.
Review 72：Oozes with nostalgia, history and antiquity. It may be old and without an elevator, but it all adds to the character and charm of the place. Reception ladies were very helpful.
Review 73：The office was overrun with old papers (aka hoarding). The bathrooms are shared & were not very useable. There were mouse glue traps on the floor which gave both of us the creeps. The staff kept saying that this is a 100 year old hotel. It seems it has never had any investment to provide modern convienences.
Review 74：not allowed to put wheels on the floor. no hair dryer. no hot water. bed scary. no lift. had to do everything extremely careful. no food allowed in room.
Review 75：it is a historical building
Review 76：It is a bit run down. My advice is to concentrate on updating (new carpets, paint, wardrobes that aren't coming apart, etc.) one floor at a time so it isn't overwhelming. Don't change everything, just take the "shabby" feel out. Keep the "old history" feel. I didn't mind the shared bath. It was unique. When you do add "new" baths - make them feel old and historic. Don't combine old with cheesy modern (70s-80s feel in the bathroom with shower - not good). I know it's a work in progress. Take the time to do it right :)
Review 77：Lovely historic hotel full of character. Could use some updates, but it was a unique and wonderful stay. Give it a chance! Realize that you are staying in history, and enjoy it for the experience it is. We had a lovely time, and the staff was very friendly. We will stay again when we are in the area.
Review 78：Room did not have it's own bathroom. Shower room was sketchy. No parking!
Review 79：The staff were awesome, very welcoming and helpful. The room and bathroom were clean and the breakfast was nice.
Review 80：One shared bathroom and one shower per floor of the hotel was hard to deal with when getting ready for work in the morning. The bed was pretty terrible, but honestly the place had enough charm that it didn't bother me much.
Review 81：The proximity to the train station and to the pioneer square district can't be beat. The people were wonderful and helpful (English speaking).
Review 82：The bed was squeaky. Boyfriend didnt like that there was no TV.
Review 83：The gentleman that check us in was friendly and personal, great customer service. Bed was comfy. Free wifi. Liked the history of the building; and how much they kept vs tring to stay modern. The hotel is close to the Amtrak station and Safeco Field.
Review 84：For me it was fine because it's next to the train station, but it was kinda far from downtown (30 mins away). Also the shower is separate from the bed.
Review 85：The hostess/receptionist was REALLY friendly and helpful. I guess that if you love a hotel in a rustic style you'll love this hotel. This was just what I was looking for: a comfortable bed near the train station for a reasonable price.
Review 86：The location. It was a good value. I loved that this property is on the National Register of Historic places. The hotel was very old and smelled like an old building, but the room was clean. The neighborhood was somewhat questionnable, but staff were very attentive, cautious and aware of who was onsite.
Review 87：It was noisy and the place creaks a lot. It is a historical hotel so that kind of goes with it. My young son had a hard time with the groans and creaks of the place.
Review 88：I loved the price and location. It was close to the Seahawks stadium. The staff was nice and the place was clean. The bed was comfy.
Review 89：They should clearly explain that the bathroom/shower rooms are shared. The wall is paper thin, and you hear everything from your neighbor. No AC, noisy street.
Review 90：Basically none
Review 91：The room was stifling hot and the walls were paper thin. There were not sufficient shower facilities (shared shower) for the number of people in the hotel and the shower was dirty.
Review 92：Good location and very near to public transport into Seattle
Review 93：Wifi not available within room, very loud squeaking bed, noisy due to close by street, no airconditioning and very hot summer night
Review 94：Nice location, friendly staff, good breakfast in associated tea room
Review 95：The room wahanding off.s delapidated and grubby. The chest of drawers had two of the six handles missing and the front of the bottom draw was hanging half off. I've travelled the world and this is the only hotel l would not return to.
Review 96：The kind gentleman at the desk allowed us to store our luggage till cheek in time.
Review 97：To me it seemed a little expensive for a room without even a bathroom, I didn't mind using a communal restroom though. Also the free breakfast was bad pastries. They seemed old, but the tea that we got was really great.
Review 98：I liked that this place was different, it definitely had personality. It is an old place with character. The people who ran it were friendly.
Review 99：Shared bathroom and shower, I didn't mind and it came along with the relatively lower cost of the room. Might be off-putting to some. Comfy bedding and historic decor compensated for more Spartan elements.
Review 100：Welcoming staff! Historic location with wonderful tea room attached. Price and proximity to downtown.
Review 101：One plug in in room! Owner/manager not friendly! She was rude to quite a few guest! Booking took for ever!
Review 102：Location was good for where we were going in Seattle!
Review 103：Bad odor (musty, urine), poor ventilation. Low standard of comfort. Badly needs renovation. "Boutique", "historic," and "museum" are not acceptable justification for not modernizing. Place had the feel of a flophouse or low-rent hostel. Beds very saggy and uncomfortable.Treated with suspicion by manager/owner; dubious security practices around payment (photocopying ID). Shared bathrooms, poorly appointed. Hallways very creepy; dark; ragged rugs throughout. Carpet in our room had sticky spots. Building is non-handicap-accessible; very steep entrance stairs; no elevator.
Review 104：Convenient to train.
Review 105：Character and historical significance. If you're looking for generic hygienic blandness, don't choose this place. If you want a unique and interesting Seattle experience this is the place.
Review 106：The man who checked me in was too talkative and negative. Homeless people pretty much throughout entire neighborhood got asked to clean my windows at 11pm at night alone in the parking lot
Review 107：The owner was lovely , as was the historical building, room and coffee house were beautiful. For shared bathrooms-they were very clean and maintained.
Review 108：Be aware lots of stairs! Area rugs, woodwork could use bit of a spruce up.
Review 109：Clean & comfy. Historic element very interesting. Walking distance to many must see spots.
Review 110：The bed was too springy and it was unusually hot for Seattle with no AC. The location was a 15 minute walk to downtown, but you had to walk through some sketchy areas to get there.
Review 111：The building was historic and the room was cheaply priced.
Review 112：Hotel was quaint, historic, in great location, and clean -- bed very comfortable. Would have liked to have had more time to spend in little museum and tea room, but had to rush off.
Review 113：Checking in later than most, there was no one at the front desk and when he did arrive he was borderline rude when showing us the ammenities. It was like we "inconvienced" him for even showing up. While the hotel is historic, the location of the washroom facilities will be enough to turn off some customers. When we woke up in the morning, again there was no staff anywhere around to recieve our keys and we have no idea what they meant from a continental breakfast, because we saw nothing when we left. Also, if you are a customer deemed "vunerable" the parking situation at night is beyond sketchy.
Review 114：It's a great location. It's a historic piece of architecture within this area of Seattle.
Review 115：I knew all of this ahead of time-- shared bathroom and no elevator-- so i was prepared!! Pack light!!
Review 116：The Panama is an old historic hotel in the Japanese part of town. It is run by an enthusiastic preservationist who has been instrumental in saving tbe building and telling its rich history. A charming Japanese tea shop is next door and serves guests a light breakfast. Excellent coffee and croissants!
Review 117：Because of the historical context the bathroom and shower are shared on the floor, which brings inconvenience.
Review 118：The hotel is in an old building in the International district and have functioned as such since the beginning of the 20th century. It is a historical building and the owner puts a lot of efforts to preserve it and with great success. The breakfast includes a pastry and tea or coffee in an historical tea house - part of the hotel. The place has special spirit and atmosphere and works like time machine.
Review 119：The hotel is historic and so are the beds, you can hear through the walls and the stairs to get up to reception and the rooms are borderline deadly.
Review 120：The location is fantastic, walking distance to stadiums and a 3 minute walk to the light rail and it's so freaking cheap!
Review 121：The windows were split, so you could close the bottom half but not the top. The general noise from passing by cars were really loud and it was hard to sleep at night. The Wi-Fi was terrible, couldn't watch a simple video on it and ended up having to switch to mobile data.
Review 122：The location was great as it was very close to the International District. Could walk around Japan Town and buy some gifts for our family back home and return to the hotel for a drop off. As for the building itself, it had a vintage feeling.
Review 123：I was there on an extremely hot day and the room was unbearable, hardly slept all night.
Review 124：Jan the owner is lovely and it felt like I was invited into her home. Love the hotel and the history!
Review 125：Too much light in east facing corner room to sleep. Bed very springy. Some staff friendly and approachable others a bit severe.
Review 126：Close to train station. Close to interesting chinese gardens.
Review 127：It was certainly a "no-frills" hotel with a shared bathroom and no television BUT the bed was ultra-comfortable and the price was right. Given the proximity to the ballpark, it perfectly suited our needs for 1 night.
Review 128：As two females travelling together walking to downtown, had to keep going through a bad homeless area and it felt unsafe particularly in the evening. Only one shower on each floor, not quite enough.
Review 129：The breakfast was awesome, cool old cafe great vibe. Jan the owner is passionate about heritage buildings and preservation, it is an interesting building.
Review 130：Don't come here if you aren't ok with sharing a bathroom, stained sheets, or the faint smell of urine.
Review 131：Everything you would expect from an old hotel. Not a far walk down to Pioneer Square (though, might I recommend getting a Lyft back up the hill).
Review 132：I was not aware of the shared bathrooms, lack of: television, air conditioning, working outlet, working wifi, provided parking, refrigerator, microwave. The men's restroom door did not close all the way, there was a one inch crack in the wall between our room and the next so that we could hear everything they were doing or saying and left us afraid to talk on our own room. When leaving, the owner asked us how our stay was and when we politely said it was ok we just weren't aware of the lack of amenities especially the shared bathrooms, she went on to lecture us about how it's our generation that is wasting energy and feels too entitled. It's hardly entitlement that we felt but felt that when paying for a hotel room and service that certain things should be included or at least be advertised with transparency.
Review 133：The coffee and tea house below the hotel that had great pastries and hand crafted espresso drinks.
The Fine Print
You must show a valid photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all special requests cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability upon check-in. Additional charges may apply.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.