Page 80 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

78 Panama City ACCOMMODATION
1 renovations on the way. Only the location could be offering good-value rooms (single, double and triple),
improved. Dorms $13, doubles $33 pleasant service and a rooftop jacuzzi. $44
Hotel Acapulco C 30, between Av Cuba and Av ★ Hotel DeVille C Beatríz M. Cabal at C 50 T206 3100,
Perú T225 3832, Whotelacapulcopanama.com; map Whoteldevillepanamacity.com; map pp.62–63. In the
pp.62–63. A travellers’ favourite for its solid value and heart of the financial district, this boutique hotel provides
friendly service. Some of the well-maintained, functional the best value for quality accommodation with
rooms (a/c, hot water, cable TV) have small balconies; other personalized service. Elegant, spacious suites possess dark
pluses include late check-out and an on-site restaurant. $39 wooden French-style furniture and opulent marble
Hotel Stanford Panama Plaza Cinco de Mayo T262 bathrooms. Breakfast included. $78
4930, Whotelstanfordpa.com; map pp.62–63. A Marriott Hotel C 52 at Ricardo Arias T210 9100,
fantastic location overlooking the busy plaza, and recently Wmarriothotels.com; map pp.62–63. A Marriott that
refurbished en-suite rooms, each with fridge, safe and truly merits its five-star rating, with excellent rooms and
desk, at affordable rates. Go for a room with a bay view but service plus full business amenities, pool and casino –
away from the bar, casino and rooftop terrace, which often located in the middle of the financial district. $145
throbs to the beat of weekend parties. $48 Mona Lisa Hostel C 54 Este, Casa 3a T6985 7578,
Residencial Jamaica Av Cuba at C 38 Este T225 9870; Wcasamonalisapty.com; map pp.62–63. More Dalí than
map pp.62–63. Hidden behind a nicely trimmed hedge, Da Vinci, this eclectically designed hostel – vibrant murals,
Jamaica offers an excellent deal for the price – and is often marble floors, fancy corniches, astroturf lawn – is super-
full. Rooms are bright and clean, with a/c and cable TV. $26 friendly, secure and conveniently located, with a view of
Residencial Texas C 31, between Av Perú and Cuba, El Tornillo skyscraper from the terrace. It has a decent
beside the national lottery T225 1467, Ehoteltexas kitchen, a couple of TV lounges, BBQ facilities, ping pong
@mixmail.com; map pp.62–63. Friendly, secure place and table football, and – occasionally – karaoke. A/c
offering good-value rooms with spotless tiled bathrooms, dorms, doubles and family rooms all share bathrooms.
decent hot showers and good mattresses, though the Pancake breakfast included. Dorms $13, doubles $44
furniture is tired. $32 Radisson Decapolis Hotel Av Balboa, Multicentro
T215 5000, Wradisson.com/panamacitypan; map
BELLA VISTA, EL CANGREJO & MARBELLA pp.62–63. Brash or stylish (depending on your viewpoint),
Bella Vista, Marbella and El Cangrejo, which form the hub this thirty-floor glass-and-steel edifice, with touches of
of the modern city’s nightlife and commercial activity, have modern art, leads into the Multicentro Mall and Majestic
the densest concentration of accommodation. Although Casino. The big, tasteful guestrooms have all the frills – go
hotel prices are generally high, the number of hostels in for an upper-floor room with an ocean view. There’s an
this area is steadily increasing too, and you’re within on-site restaurant (excellent breakfast buffet included in
striking distance of many restaurants, bars, clubs, shops rates), sushi bar and pool. Big discounts for advance
and casinos. If you keep to the well-lit streets, it’s fairly safe booking. $151
to stroll around here at night. Sevilla Suites C Eusebio A. Morales, opposite Rincón
The Bristol Hotel Av Aquilino de la Guardia at C 50 Suizo T213 0016, Wsevillasuites.com; map pp.62–63.
T264 0000, Wthebristol.com; map pp.62–63. From Smart aparthotel aimed at the business market, in a
the moment you glide across its gleaming marble foyer, convenient location. The nicely furnished suites have
this good-value boutique hotel exudes exclusivity. Rooms kitchenettes and living/dining areas. Enjoy breakfast
are elegant and sumptuously furnished, with vast marble (included in the rates) on the patio after a few lengths in
bathrooms and 24hr butler service. Spa services and an the rooftop pool or a session in the mini-gym. $79
award-winning restaurant, too. $164 ★ Toscana Inn C “D” at C Eusebio A. Morales T265
Hostel Villa Vento Surf C 47 at C Margarita A. de 001, Wtoscanainnhotel.com; map pp.62–63. Top mid-
Vallarino T397 6001, Wvillaventosurfhostels.com; range hotel in an excellent location, with warmly decorated
map pp.62–63. Modern hostel in the heart of the banking en-suite rooms with all modern amenities and efficient,
district but within reach of restaurants and nightlife. friendly service. Good buffet breakfast included in the
There’s one en-suite fan-ventilated room and small a/c rates. $80
dorms with comfortable bunks. Guests have a kitchen and
a lounge, where surf videos are de rigueur and which opens FORMER CANAL ZONE
out onto the pool and BBQ patio – the hostel’s main draw. There are an increasing number of lodgings scattered round
Dorms $15, double $35 the former Canal Zone, an area that includes the Amador
Hotel California Vía España at C 43 Este T263 7736, Causeway, Balboa and Cerro Ancón, stretching to Albrook,
Whotelcaliforniapanama.net; map pp.62–63. Not the Clayton and Miraflores Locks. These often offer greater
most convenient location, but this is a very popular hotel, tranquillity than the city-centre hotels and, in some cases,

050-089_Panama_3_Ch1.indd 78 30/06/17 11:49 am