Panama Hotel and Suites

its historic charm, style, and location. I feel like I’m staying in an average, old city in Spain — except the neighborhood is decidedly Victorian. The Panama began 100 years ago as a Mexican tamale restaurant in the suburb of San Rafael. It’s my favorite place to stay in Marin County and the options range from affordable rooms to beautifully-decorated bungalows and suites.

The views add to its charm, … that charm is a bit like a lush, old Spanish resort in a tiny town, complete with telephone lines incorporated in the balcony view from my room, yet I’ve genuinely fallen in love with the place. I prefer views more attractive than those off roofs and wires, so that is the closest thing to anything I might not like a whole lot.

The coffee was excellent! The selection was limited but as a start to the day it was adequate.

There was nothing we didn't like. The Panama Hotel is a one of a kind little place with loads of character. The staff is very friendly and we have booked another two nights next week. It suits our needs and is in the best location for the town of San Rafael. A cute Muffin Cafe steps away and another Cafe a short walk that serves a fill tasty breakfast along with lunch and dinner. Sorry this should have gone in the what did you like box ....lol

This was an adorable property in a residential neighborhood. It's an unexpected gem that looks like you've walked into a cute hotel in Panama.

It is advertised as right next to a bakery (which is one of the reasons we booked it), but the bakery is closed on Saturdays. We did walk just right down the street a block further and there was a great cafe. The "free" breakfast at the hotel was way underwhelming- just packaged cheap baked goods. It was actually all gone when we went downstairs at only 8:30 and no one restocked any of the items, even coffee was gone. We really liked the hotel, but wouldn't plan on eatting there in the future. The restaurant area did look like it would be a nice place to have an evening glass of wine, just not breakfast.

An extremely charming boutique hotel in the heart of Marin County with reasonable prices. Composed of two old houses and their outbuildings set on a curved lane, it's semi-symmetrical layout is like that of a pensione you'd see in Turin or Dubrovnik.

The lighting inside the hotel could have been a teeny bit brighter. The once thriving lobby restaurant was unfortunately stilled by the Pandemic; but would be most welcome if re-established.

I returned to San Rafael for an outpatient medical procedure and needed a quiet place near the clinic to recuperate. I like the old fashioned simplicity and style of the accommodations and the low price.

The bed was a little bit too soft for my comfort and unlike the last room I stayed in, there was no chest of drawers for clothing. Of more concern, , though I had requested that unscented natural cleaning products only be used in my room because of allergy, the entire upstairs including my room smelled strongly of a Pinesol-type product. Someone needs to help Panama Hotel find least-toxic, unscented alternatives.

The breakfast was fairly typical but the location of the breakfast was excellent. You can eat either in the restaurant space, which is well shaded but affords an excellent view of the courtyard and street, or eat in the courtyard itself, which has a covering of sorts, giving it an outdoor-indoor feel. The property consists of a main house and an attached cabin or two, with its own lane. In other words, there’s a private, hidden, romantic quality to the place. Also, the hotel is right near a great little cafe and walking distance from an excellent breakfast/lunch place. And walking into the heart of San Rafael is a fairly short (a bit under 10 minutes) and a very pleasant walk.

My room— one of the smaller ones, I assume—was comfortable but did not have its own bathroom. I knew that before my stay but, still, the experience brought back memories of living in a college dorm.

very quiet inside and out, pleasant B and B like atmosphere Even with full booking there was plenty of privacy. My room was small but rather charming - painted pine with an unpainted small closet. Bed was comfortable though a tad soft for my taste.

Carpets are worn although they were clean. The "guest kitchen" was no more than a shared microwave and dormitory sized refrigerator, and there was little kitcheware available, The front desk closes at 6 PM so if a guest has needs, they are hard to me(no knives, stirring spoons, or silverware)

I loved all the greenery throughout, I felt like I was walking into a little tropical escape! Even with it being right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, once you walked through the door it felt very secluded.

The continental breakfast seemed not quite as expected, but it was a small inconvenience.

Nice location, walking distance to supermate and downtown. Quiet neighborhood. Clean, comfortable room with decent ameneties. Charming decor.

Shower was rustic, like a safari trip, but plenty of hot water. Not a big deal, but far from luxurious. And the continental "breakfast" was sub-par. We skipped it. There is a nice bakery-cafe next door.

This is an old-style hotel being built around two historic buildings. It is a shared bathroom(s) somewhat like European hotels so, if that is not to your liking maybe you should reconsider. Easy walking distance (a couple of blocks) to downtown old San Rafael with restaurants, pubs and stores. Also, downstairs in the former restaurant is the old building with memorabilia on the walls from Marias' Pueblo. The interior is furnished in antiques and nice warm lighting giving it a very homesy feel.

The only thing I can fault is that the restaurant is not functioning although they plan to in the future and the depth of the stairs going upstairs are narrow, so you need to have a good handhold on the railing bars.