25 Best Hotels in Panama City, Panama

On a quiet street just a short walk from the bars and restaurants of El Cangrejo, AZ Hotel and Suites is a reincarnation of the former Las Huacas hotel, and is a good option if you're on a budget. Guest rooms in the new tower are bright but basic, with tile floors and mimimal furniture. Spacious suites in the old building have a kitchenette separated from the living room by a breakfast bar, a separate bedroom, and a smallish bathroom with a mosaic shower. Some have balconies, but because the building is squeezed between two apartment towers, only those in front have decent views. A free breakfast buffet is served in Café Bijaos, near which is a small pool.

Popular with travelers on a budget, Coral Suites offers mini apartments with many of the same amenities you'll find in luxury hotels for less money. The rooms have tile floors and are well furnished, with a pull-out sofa, a small bathroom, and tiny kitchens with all the necessary appliances. There is a 30-foot, blue-tile pool on the roof, an exercise room, and laundry facilities, which make it a good option for longer stays. The location on quiet Calle D near the restaurants and nightlife of El Cangrejo is a big part of the attraction of this economical hotel. The rates drop for stays longer than a week.

A front-row view of the Panama Canal and the peace and fresh air that come with an out-of-town location make this hotel a great option, especially for families. The rooms are large and bright, with tile floors and sliding-glass doors that open onto big balconies. There is, however, a big difference between the views, so be sure to pay the extra money for a canal view, or you'll end up contemplating the parking lot. Rooms in the new annex have slightly obstructed canal views and are not as nice as those in the original building. An okay breakfast is included, and there's a TGI Fridays next door, but it's a short drive to the restaurants of the Calzada de Amador or Casco Viejo.

This hotel has a decent location and comfortable, well-equipped rooms with the conservative decor you'd expect from Crowne Plaza; public areas can be a bit cramped. Nothing about this hotel indicates that it's in Panama, aside from the view of such nearby landmarks as the Iglesia del Carmen and the Hotel El Panamá. The bar and restaurant, just off the lobby, are short on space, without a window between them, but there are plenty of other bars, restaurants, and casinos within walking distance. There is a tiny pool in the corner of a deck off the fourth floor, near the small gym. (Travelers with quick layovers or early departure times from Tocumen International Airport may want to check out the 144-room Crowne Plaza Panama Airport, which opened in 2015 and is the closest hotel to the airport.)

"Mega" is the right prefix for this 66-floor tower, starting with its expansive lobby and mezzanine of bars—a popular night spot—but the rooms are attractive, and the ocean views, impressive. The lobby and mezzanine are in perpetual lounge mode, with dark tile floors, black leather couches, and pop-music paraphernalia everywhere. The guest rooms are chic, with tile floors, dark hardwoods, spacious bathrooms, big flat-screen TVs, and iPad docks. It's worth paying extra for a suite with a balcony and ocean view. The several bars include a Stage Bar that often has local bands, and the Sky Lounge, on the 62nd floor, which has the best views. The long infinity pool and hot tubs are on a narrow, fifth-floor deck with an ocean view, and can get crowded.

This place on the Vía España has long been popular with budget travelers, thanks to its decent location, bright rooms, and low rates. It lies on a busy street, which means its quite noisy by day. Its also near the bad side of town. Rooms in back are quieter—ask for a room with a number ending in 1, 2, 3, or 4—but there's no complete escape from the honking. As the night wears on, things get quieter. The hotel has a small restaurant that serves acceptable lunch specials. It's a short taxi trip from the ample restaurant and nightlife selections of El Cangrejo and the Area Bancária. It's often full, so reserve ahead.

Known simply as "El Panamá," the city's first luxury hotel (designed by famed U.S. architect Edward Durell Stone) is vast, with spacious rooms and a big pool surrounded by gardens, but the service isn't always what it should be. It covers a small hill behind Vía España, and the rambling lobby is relatively chic, with its white marble floors and black leather couches. Behind it lies an attractive, large pool surrounded by a wide deck, palm trees, gardens, and an open-air restaurant, which serves as an oasis in the busy shopping district. Standard rooms in a nine-story building are big enough to play handball in—if it weren't for the queen beds and other furniture—and their picture windows provide views of the banking district. "Cabañas" in two-story buildings along the pool area are just steps away from the water, making them popular with families. The open-air, poolside grill is a pleasant spot for dinner, but there are plenty of other dining, nightlife, and shopping options nearby.

With clean, reasonably priced rooms near some of the best restaurants in El Cangrejo, the Hotel Milán is one of the city's best options for budget travelers, especially considering its 15% discount if you pay cash. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but they are as big and well-equipped as those in hotels that charge twice as much. The hotel is consequently often full. Rooms have a TV and a hardwood table and chairs. Suites have a king-size bed and a bathtub, and cost just $20 more. There is a small restaurant off the lobby, but the hotel is a short walk from a selection of better dining options.

Towering over busy Calle 50, this chic hotel caters to vacationers with its tropical decor, attractive rooms, large pool area, selection of bars and restaurants, and convenient location at the edge of the Area Bancária (its meeting space, location, and dining options also appeal to business travelers). The gleaming, spacious lobby sets the tone with wild sculptures, orange lamps that resemble giant shells, potted palms, and a large lounge at one end. Stroll to the back of the building and you'll find a long, blue-tile pool surrounded by palms and other tropical greenery, next to which is a bar and restaurant. Guest rooms are bright and colorful, with big windows that afford views of the surrounding office towers. The only problems is that with more than 600 rooms, the reception and pool areas can be quite busy when they're full.

Amazing ocean views, elegant rooms, and an attractive pool area make this 25-story tower a good choice for business travelers and vacationers alike. Every room ends in a wall of windows with views of the Bay of Panama, the skyscrapers of Punta Paitilla, and Casco Viejo. The rooms are sleek, with white-marble floors and dark hardwood furniture, but can be rather cold. The top five floors hold 20 suites and the executive rooms, which share a lounge and business center. There is a bar on the fifth floor and a spacious restaurant near the lobby that serves an excellent breakfast buffet. The large pool next door, surrounded by tropical gardens, is a pleasant spot to soak up the sun. It's a bit isolated, on busy Avenida Balboa, but offers easy access to the Cinta Costera.

The six bright, spacious suites in this refurbished, early-20th-century apartment building are as charming as they are comfortable, which together with the friendly staff and an excellent restaurant make this a premier Casco Viejo lodging option. Every room has polished hardwood floors, elegant furniture, a colorful tile shower, separate bedroom, and a living room with a kitchenette and hideaway bed. The big windows, glass doors, and balconies afford views of a small plaza, dilapidated buildings, or the tropical foliage of the restaurant's garden patio. Third-floor rooms have the best views and are quietest, but entail climbing stairs in the heat. The rooftop terrace has an amazing view of the bay and city skyline. Free breakfast can be taken in the café, or garden patio, and the ground-floor restaurant and bar is worth visiting even if you're not a hotel guest. In 2014, three standard-size hotel rooms were added, to provide accommodation options with more economical pricing.

These charming apartments in a refurbished, historic building lack hotel services, but offer some of the quietest accommodations in Casco Viejo, and are a great option for independent travelers. The American manager provides travel advice, and they offer airport pick-ups and the use of a local cell phone, but after 8 pm, you're on your own. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and stores within walking distance, and the tastefully decorated apartments will make you feel at home. They range from a studio to a three-bedroom "penthouse," and some have a pull-out couch in the living room. They all have high ceilings, colorful tile or hardwood floors, exposed calicato walls, kitchens, Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and plasma TVs. The best are the two- and three-bedroom apartments on the third floor, which have priceless views of Casco Viejo and the sea.

This American-run hotel is in a refurbished, 18th-century building behind the cathedral. The second floor lounge has ornate, high ceilings and balconies, but the guest rooms lack the building's historical charm. There is a kitchen available for guest use. The second floor has dorm rooms that are popular with backpackers, and the third floor has inexpensive private ensuite rooms. However, the best rooms are on the fourth floor, since they are brighter and have great views of the skyline and sea; the rooms also share a tiny patio with arguably the best view in Casco Viejo. Unfortunately these rooms are blasted by the rooftop bar next door on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, making it almost impossible to sleep before 3 am.

From the airy lobby, with its marble floors and potted palms, to the sumptuous guest rooms, this 20-story hotel, which in 2014 opened a 14-story second tower in the heart of the financial district, is one of the city's best. The bright, carpeted guest rooms have high ceilings, a hardwood desk, a couch and table, and a marble bathroom. Some view the sea through the office-tower jungle, but others overlook the skyscraper next door. The new tower is exclusively for the executive-level rooms, which have larger windows and use of a concierge lounge where free breakfast and cocktails are served. There is a full-service gym and a small pool on the second floor. The expansive lobby has an elegant bar, café, business center, gift shop, and sports bar; the "great room" concept lobby bar and restaurant features live music on Thursday and Friday. There's also a Mediterranean restaurant, and a two-story casino next door, and the surrounding tree-lined streets hold plenty more bars and restaurants.

About a third of the rooms in this 19-story tower on Punta Paitilla have impressive views across the bay toward the Casco Viejo (those ending in 14–17), but other than the reasonable rates, the views are the only reason for staying here. Most rooms have disappointing views of the surrounding skyscrapers. The are all wedge-shaped, carpeted, with a curved wall of windows and tiny bathrooms. They're conservatively furnished, but well equipped. The public areas are ample and the circular pool has an ocean view, but it's usually in the shade of nearby towers. The hotel is on a quiet street near busy Avenida Balboa, Calle 50, and the Multicentro shopping mall.

Though most of the guests are business travelers, this modern, 29-story high-rise is a great place for vacationers, thanks to its circular pool, spa, chic lobby bar, and restaurant. The rooms are bright and contemporary, with Panamanian themes. They have white-tile floors, splashes of bright green and orange, giant photos, and walls of windows with city views. Rooms on the west side of the building have knockout ocean views through the skycrapers; rooms on the east side view an urban landscape. The hotel's trendy restaurant, Fusion, serves an eclectic menu in a wild ambience, and there are several other dining and nightlife options nearby. The hotel has a good business center and guest services. An elevated walkway connects the lobby with the Multicentro shopping mall, which has a large casino.

This comfortable hotel has one of the country's best golf courses, and the rooms overlooking the rain forest make it a good choice for anyone who prefers peace and nature to urban lodging, too. The bright guest rooms are standard size, with tile floors, long desks, big bathrooms, and the usual amenities. The far wall is all glass, with sliding doors and a narrow balcony that overlooks either the golf course or the forest. The lobby and lounge are elegant, if on the small side, and the pool and deck are spacious, peaceful, and hemmed by jungle. There is a butterfly garden, hiking trails, lots of wildlife nearby, and it's a short drive from the canal, Gamboa, or the city, —less than 30 minutes from downtown, .

One of the city's original luxury hotels, the Sheraton Panama remains one of its best, in no small part thanks to its spacious pool area and lobby. The gleaming marble lobby spills onto a gallery of shops and a popular 24-hour café (one of three restaurants). The large pool is surrounded by gardens and coconut palms, and the health club and spa are first class. Carpeted guest rooms have dark wood furniture and marble-top tables, a large desk, and plasma TVs. Half have ocean views, but they are smaller than the rooms of other hotels in this price range, especially the bathrooms. The Sheraton is a good distance from Casco Viejo and the canal, but it is relatively close to the airport.

Eco-conscious luxury meets a hip, creative attitude at this 13-room hotel. Opened in early 2012, it's currently one of only a few upscale places to stay in Casco Viejo. At the centerpiece of the boutique property is a two-story living wall that occupies the light-flooded atrium; its myriad plant species are nourished by recycled rainwater. Other behind-the-scenes eco-touches include recycled-newspaper insulation and reclaimed furnishings that are on display in the hotel's lounge and sleek (and raucous) rooftop bar. The bars, gourmet restaurant, and other common areas have one-of-a-kind art pieces, as do guest rooms, which have been individually decorated by local artists. Modern amenities include free Wi-Fi, plasma TVs, and rain showers in each room. Suites have balconies so you can soak up the lively atmosphere and Panamanian sunshine.

Much like a European boutique hotel, the Bristol—a member of the consortium Leading Hotels of the World—is gorgeous and classy, with personalized service and attention to detail to boot. The rooms have high ceilings, elegant furniture, sumptuous beds, all the amenities, and art by Panamanian painters. Ask for a room in the new tower, since they are larger and brighter. The staff is friendly and takes service to the extreme with a 24-hour concierge and coffee or tea delivered with your wake-up call. The bar downstairs is beautiful, with lots of wood and windows overlooking lush atriums. Next to it is Las Barandas Restaurant, run by one of the country's most famous chefs, Cuquita, whose nouveau Panamanian menu includes Asian and European touches.

The Veneto's massive marquee with flashing colored lights, and its large and lively casino, are Panama City's answer to Las Vegas, but its spacious rooms and competitive prices make it a decent option for non-gamblers as well. The casino and bar rock till late, making this a popular place for guys who like to party, but not necessarily good for families or nature lovers. Nevertheless, guest rooms on floors 10 to 17 are surprisingly staid and quiet (floors 8 and 9 have purple and silver walls), and the pool area and spa are tranquil. Rooms are carpeted, with either two queens or a king bed, a marble-topped desk and dresser, and a large bathroom. The vast lobby has a café, sushi bar, buffet restaurant, and a steak house; escalators lead up to the popular casino and bar.

The Panama hotel scene ascended to the next level with the 2013 arrival of this five-star favorite, located downtown near the business hubs and nightlife-lined Calle Uruguay, featuring best-in-class service, modern decor, and a pool with skyline views. The Waldorf Astoria Panama brings storied luxury to a city that has its share of boutique, resort, and international chain staples, but no true five-star properties (save maybe the Trump, another recent addition). Even better, the rates can be shockingly affordable, depending on the season. The Waldorf Astoria has 130 nonsmoking room and suites, each with Egyptian cotton linens, high-def TVs, Wi-Fi (fee), and marble baths with walk-in showers; suites have upgraded views and amenities, and additional living spaces. As in the rooms, the public space design is contemporary and bright, with lots of natural woods and creams and subtle Central American influences. Dining options include a poolside terrace and bar with city skyline views; the all-day, French-American Brio Brasserie; local favorite Ginger for handcrafted sushi; and an outpost of the Waldorf's signature Peacock Alley bar/lounge. Though lots of business is conducted here, guests can also relax in the four-room spa, fit in a workout, or soak up the sun (and views) from the 7th floor pool.