I stayed here my first 2 nights in Panama City. My initial impression was that it looked like a place that charged by the hour, and I immediately wanted to turn around and leave. However, I was tired from an 8-hour bus ride from San Jose, Costa Rica so I decided to stay and deal with it in the morning. After a shower and good night's sleep, the hotel looked a little better than the night before. I had a double room with a balcony. The balcony is the smallest I have seen, only about 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Not big enough for a chair, only big enough to stand on. Nonetheless, it was nice to open the door and get some outside air. I also was able to hand wash a few things and hang them on the balcony door to dry overnight. The room was medium/large (18 sq meter/195 sq ft) with a desk, desk chair, and bedside stand. No luggage rack, room safe, coffee maker, or fridge. The furniture was old, but the room was clean. The lighting was good, and the WiFi and air conditioner worked well. There was a flat-screen TV, but no English-language channels. They use keys for the door, not key cards, and you must manually lock the door with the key when you exit. There was no ice bucket, but I requested and was given a pitcher filled with ice. The bathroom was very small and was well-lit. No toiletries except 2 small bars of soap. The water was hot and the pressure was good, but Panama is so hot and humid that I only took cool showers. They provided 2 bath towels, but no hand towels, wash cloth, or bath mat. The shower dripped constantly. There was no fan or a/c in the bathroom, so it was very hot and humid. The receptionists and bellman were friendly, but only one person spoke a little English. This is common in Panama and not a problem since I speak conversational Spanish. The only common areas are two small seating areas in the lobby, neither of which have air conditioning. There is no food at the hotel, but there is a 24-hour restaurant attached to the hotel. It serves very good food and is popular with locals. Some reviewers describe the area as "authentic" or "working class." Respectfully, I think those are euphemisms. This is a poor neighborhood and it looks sketchy and unsafe. The area across the street from the hotel looks like a junkyard. The sidewalks around the hotel are raggedy, and cars park all over them so you have to walk in the street to maneuver around them. In some ways, though, the location is better than it initially appears. There is a metro station, Estacion Loteria, down the hill about a block away. The Cinto Costero promenade is only 3 blocks down the hill from the hotel, and is a lovely place to stroll and people watch. Cinto Costero also has a nice view of the Panama City skyline. You can also walk to Casco Viejo or take an Uber for a couple dollars. If you go up the hill from the hotel and turn left at the first street, there is a casino on the corner. Continue walking, and across the street katy-korner to the casino is a large grocery store, Machetazo. This street, Peru, looks slightly better than the street on which the hotel is located. There is also a police station around the corner from the hotel, and police sometimes hang out in front of the hotel and at the restaurant. This adds a measure of security to the hotel, and probably keeps out most of the riff-raff that frequent other low-budget hotels in the area. If you're a male traveling alone or two men together, you might not mind the hotel or location. The area is loud and lively, and there is a popular beer garden next door to the hotel. If you're a couple, there is nothing romantic about the hotel. As a single female I kind of liked the vibrancy of the area, but I did not like its seediness. I only paid $38 night, and it was probably worth that. (Rooms without balconies are cheaper). If you're a solo female or a family on vacation, I suggest spending a few more dollars and choosing another area and a different hotel if you can afford it. However, if your budget is super tight, and you just need a clean place to sleep with few amenities, the Hotel Acapulco seems to be one of the better low-budget hotels in Calidonia.…
Hotel Acapulco is a good budget hotel for the traveller needing a night or two near downtown Panama City. For me, the room was clean and quiet with a great shower. The front desk was polite and helpful. And the 24 hour restaurant next door is great. The area can get a little rough at night but if you've travelled in Latin America before this shouldn't be a problem.
The hotel was priced within the Budget Pricing category, but was nicer than what you would have thought. The only true negative was the location. It is located in the poorer section of Panama City, but that is enough to ruin your safe stay.
I found the receptionists consistently rude. I thought the first one may be just having a bad day. But the second one was the same. I don’t believe in pretentious politeness, or as if their livelihood depended on it. But I don’t expect to be treated at a hotel as if by immigration officials either. I only wish the usual courtesy like one shows to strangers, as has been the case in the rest of the country of Panama. Well, I can’t agree with the other reviewers. Trying not to let the poor service cloud my judgement, I still think for the price, I expected more, like a Holiday Inn or similar. It definitely is not. It’s quite far from any concentration of restaurants or bars. So take that into account.
We stayed all the time when we go Panama City cause is reasonable rates, people is really nice, the metro to the Albrook Mall is right at the corner, and we felt as home away from home. That´s a perfect place for us to go again and again.
We stayed here for 3 nights. Top location, can walk to the water or old town, supermarket and shops also. Nothing flash, but has everything you need. Good local neighborhood, real Panama. If you need a taxi for the canal or airport, or anywhere else, contact joe, who hangs about in the street. He used to work at the canal, real character, with good English. 50761096433
For the price this was a great find. The room wasn't the biggest but it was clean and I take that deal anytime. The staff was friendly. It is close to subway, minutes from 2 casinos and a few minute walk to the esplanade, which gives access to the rest of the city. It is also only a twenty minute walk to the Ancient City. The restaurant downstairs had really good food and is 24 hours. We were also on the 5th floor so street noise was considerably less.
Understand this is not a fancy place but you don't pay fancy prices, either. It is an older building but is neat and clean. The hot water is very hot so be cautious. The people are friendly if you are. Panamanians, indeed most Latin Americans, live life at high decibels. This is their custom. If noise bothers you, bring ear plugs. I bring noise-cancelling ear protectors for use when the parties go on late at night. My room overlooked the street & was noisy at times. Bus and taxi horns are freely used even during the night. Lots of traffic. Few here speak much English. It is good to know some Spanish or use Google Translate. My Spanish improved a lot. Panama City is hot & muggy. Air conditioners are run day and night. I was here during the rainy season and saw some spectacular lightening shows. There were fabulous firework displays for some holidays. Next door is a restaurant that serves great food. My favorite dessert was their homemade flan. Delicious. I drank tap water and ate the salads and had no illness, On check-out, turn in your key and the AC and TV remotes. Here is where you meet the real people, not tourists. I loved it.…
This is a small hotel located close to the old city Panama, but has the best sancocho in town, and also all the food in its restaurant because it is almost home made. It is very inexpensive and people are very kind.
Great place to stay if you want an authentic experience with the working class of Panama. I have been traveling to Panama twice a year for the past 16 years. I love this place the restaurant is extremely tasty, not pricey and open 24 hours - The rooms are clean, neat and the staff very helpful! This hotel is one of the "orginals" before the pricey high rises. If you can just relax and enjoy how close you are to walking many places from this hotel. No matter where you go in the world you should always think of safety, I have not ever had a problem with the location. Generally speaking you can get more bang for your buck!!!
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