Seattle's only National Treasure. Please don't book a room here expecting a modern and updated hotel. Do your research!! My sister and I did a "vacation on a budget" in Seattle this past weekend. We were able to comfortably share a bed. We booked via AirBnB, and per the directions in the listing, we called ahead to let the owner Jan know we would arrive past check-in time. Our flight was delayed while deplaning, so we got to the hotel even later than expected (~1AM). We had to call Jan twice before she picked up, but she got us in. Bless her soul! She's owned this hotel for over thirty years now, you can tell she pours her whole heart into it. She was exhausted when she checked us in, but she was still SO kind and accommodating. When we saw her the next morning, she was like a new person. She is definitely so loved in this community. As I mentioned, don't expect anything fancy. It's like a step or two above a hostel, kind of like a dorm. Private rooms, communal bathrooms. On our floor, there was one toilet room (2 stalls), one shower room, and one women's bathroom (toilet + tub). There are also sinks in the rooms. There's a community room with a washer/dryer, microwave, mini fridge, and soda machine. So much soul and history in this hotel. Loved the tearoom and dining area. Shout out to Myu-Myu, the residential cat. If you are on a budget and don't mind a not-so-glam hotel, check The Panama Hotel out. read more

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Amazing experience!! Not just a hotel, but a step into a hotel 100 years ago in Seattle's then Tenderloin. Read "Hotel on Tge Corner Of Bitter And Sweet" before coming here. Located only a short walk from pioneer square and not a regular hotel-- a peek into rooms with a sink in the corner of each rooms, shared showers and toilets. Located just above one of Seattle's greatest Cafés. A fantastic experience -- you are literally staying in a museum. read more

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Ms. Jan is the nicest and sweetest lady I ever meet. Her hotel is just a beautiful sanctuary for women that need guidance and structure and keep everyone safe. I stayed there for one night it was the best money spent. I wish I can give her 10 stars for overall room service. Great fun and food and amazing people with alot of history the building read more

Panama Hotel - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Quit your bitching Yelpers. You read reviews, so find your preferred accommodations accordingly. This is a HISTORICAL HOTEL. Actually, it's more like a time capsule. I've not stayed at a place before that is so true to its time. Original bed frames & furniture. Original wiring. Original tubs, and shared bathrooms. We found it to be very clean. In fact, our room was spotless. The bathroom was spotless. It's true that age is apparent in some areas, but it's 108 years old. Which I found to be both fascinating and charming. Yes, there are inconsistencies that you wouldn't find in a "normal" hotel, but that's not why you'd stay here. You'd stay here because you're interested in another time, where life was lived differently. You'd be marveled at its tea shop. You'd be thrilled to talk to Jan. You'd be fine with the old school check in process . Even though I have a bad knee, climbing two steep flights of stairs to land at the office was not a problem. I knew about it, and anticipated the climb. I'm really sad to read so many reviews picking this place apart, as the dedication and love of this building are absolutely authentic by its owner Jan. She lives there. She thrives there. You are her guest, and part of the history. As the rest of Seattle adopts the sleekness of technology and advances modern at such a rapid place, it is truly incredible to visit a place that's not trying to be the new. It is what it is, what it was, and has always been. It's a moment in time that is still available today. Thank you Jan for your very welcoming stay. We are very happy to have met you. We definitely plan to come back for another stay, and would love to have tea with you, or take you to dinner in the ID. read more

Panama Hotel - Through these doors - a time capsule - old Seattle. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Seattle, Washington

My cousins in town booked this place because of its location and historic feel. Honestly, you definitely have to be open, optimistic, and appreciative of this building and its location. If you are used to "glamping" or want the glamorous feel for your IG accounts, this won't be for you. If you're not picky and wanting a place to hold your belongings, get some sleep, do your business in the bathroom, and go explore, then this IS for you. Prices are reasonable here, with someone available for your needs. After midnight, you'll need to contact the number provided so someone can let you in. The interior could be upgraded some. For instance, their carpets, dressers, and the windows. Be mindful as there are many stairs- no elevators. The restrooms/showers are like dorm bathrooms. There is a sink in each room. The room itself had 2 windows, curtains, and a European style bed set with a dresser, chair, and table. No refrigerator. Parking is all around the street, or the lot next to the building. Obviously, make sure all your belongings are taken with you, or at least locked in the trunk. Located in the international district with its rich history, it's worth a try. I just recommend using the buddy system if you go out at night. read more

The Panama Hotel is quite incredible. It is a excellent classic feel. The brick structure is classic as well as inside the hotel the railings are made with glossy wood from trees that are said to be over 700 years old. I like the city feel how it is in Chinatown / International district. The hotel is in a great location. There are many places to eat nearby. I do however warn about parking. I paid for 30 minutes of parking and was issued a ticket by Seattle Police Department at minute 31, while we were enjoying our complementary breakfast that was generously offered to us by Panama Hotel. The owner of the hotel is incredibly kind and has done a lot to preserve history. I encourage all to stay in this hotel. read more

If you don't want to read through the entire review, the takeaways are: Jan is a liar, property sucks, terrible wifi, awful customer service. This review is long overdue from June 2018. I had made reservations through Booking.com. Per the booking, the check-in time was 1pm. I get in around 5pm, Jan, the owner starts the check-in process and engages in small talks. At first, I hear one of the guys helping her ask her which rooms to put me in, so I'm thinking "okay, I'm going to have my room soon." While waiting, she asks if I have a room preference and I tell her I'll be working most of the time, so a room that's the quietest and has the best wifi reception would be great. Then I request her for the wifi password so I could do some work while waiting for my room to be ready. Low and behold, the wifi doesn't work. Jan asks her helpers if they are aware of any wifi issues and I could clearly hear the helper/guy say "our wifi is a POS, it never works. I know a guy who can help fix it if you want." Meanwhile, Jan continues to engage me in small talks, showing me maps, telling me about her travels and how she's stayed abroad, history of the building/hotel etc. She seemed nice but I started to feel like she was buying time/stalling instead of being upfront and I started to grow impatient. I just wanted to get into my room, watch the Warriors playoffs game, rest, and work. It's now close to 6:30pm (1.5 hours since I arrived at the hotel while the check-in time was 1pm). I flat out ask her when my room was going to be ready. Jan finally admitted that my room wasn't ready and didn't have an answer for the internet not working. She offered to cancel my reservation without a fee. I am frustrated and annoyed. I immediately left the property, went on Priceline.com and found an Express Deal and got lucky with the Seattle Westin! I then called Booking.com to complain about my experience and upon them speaking to Jan, guess what she tells them? She claims I left the property because the wifi wasn't working!!! She's got some nerves to lie. Terrible business practice and customer service. Highly advise against staying at this property. You're better of staying at a motel or finding an Express Deal on Priceline than stay at this POS. read more

There is so much charm to this place! Definitely worth a stay for anyone looking for a unique but also very worthwhile experience! I really, really enjoyed my stay at the Panama Hotel with my partner the past weekend in Seattle! We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights and it was extremely pleasant. The owner and staff who helped us were both so extremely friendly and kind, and really made us feel welcomed. Our room came with a sink in it which was very convenient. Everything was nice, clean, and our bed was very comfortable! We were the only ones staying at the hotel at the time so using the shared bathrooms (which are kind of like a dorm situation) worked great! The sinks had mostly cold water, but the shower got really hot! You just have to be patient and wait for the water to warm up. The international district the hotel is located in is also super fun and exciting. There are so many cool places to see and eat/drink at. read more

I heard about this place from the owner. I had the unfortunate experience of meeting her in the middle of an intersection at Dearborn and 6th. Her Lamborghini Jarama had seized, and I swooped in to lay on hands. After acrushed and fruitless rescue attempt, she offerred me a free tea or coffee at the Panama Hotel. Despite distractions and trepidations, I finally made it here, and love the spacious , eclectically decorated lower chamber. I only wanted to sit and stay, so I ordered an Americano and settled in to a bench at a huge communal table in the den-like shotgun that is the secondary chamber. It might be my new hideout!! Ssshhh. read more

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I really enjoyed my stay here! Despite the building being over 100 years old, the facilities were as clean as they could be. My room was very cozy. The staff was very friendly and the owner was awesome. I felt like I could ask her anything. I would definitely recommend this place to people who want to experience a different hotel experience. But if you really don't like sharing a bathroom, this place is not for you. read more

Panama Hotel - My room. It was very cute! ^_^ - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If you are looking for an actual hotel to stay in, this is not the place for you. If you're just trying to stay somewhere quick on a budget and have low expectations, this is your place. My friend and I stayed here for a concert in Seattle, and we were VERY surprised when we got there....the check in process was very unprofessional and it seemed so sketchy. The building is not modern at all. No air conditioning, very old, and the only thing in the room is a sink. There is one bathroom with one toilet shared between all of the tenants on the floor. When it comes to the room, it was pretty small and the bed was REALLY small. I'm glad I wasn't there with my husband because we barely would have fit. This definitely was not what I was expecting. Like I said if you are traveling or something and just need a quick place to crash on a budget then this would be it. If you are looking for an actual hotel, like the Holiday Inn or something like that, this is NOT it. read more

HORRIBLE!!! I want a refund!!! Please look at the fotos I posted, do mot stay here, sucks!! read more

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This was by far one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a hotel, if you want to call it that. Its really an overpriced hostel with CREEPY rude staff. My friend and I planned a girl's weekend in Seattle, she wound up booking us 2 nights at the Panama Hotel for lodging. I arrived first after a long drive from Portland. When you first walk in you have to climb two flights of stairs to reach the check in area. What used to be the front desk is covered in clutter, the hallways are lined with ripped old rugs piled on top of each other. A very nice man greeted me and went through the check in process, which seemed very outdated. They didn't have a computer, he scanned a copy of my ID and hand wrote my credit card information on a piece of paper stating that the owner is the only one who runs card information. I found it odd but was still going along with it. Then he showed me the room that we would have, on the way down the hall he pointed out the shared bathrooms, which was news to me. Shortly thereafter my friend arrives. She also did not know that the place had shared bathrooms despite having spoken to the owner over the phone (seems like something she should have mentioned). The man starts to go through the process of checking her in when the owner showed up. She walked into the room and abruptly said "He doesn't work here." Which obviously made my friend very uncomfortable. The owner then checks her in herself, and even has to call me over to run my card... even though the man took down my information... Very strange. This is also the only place I've ever stayed where they make you pay up front rather than at check out. Probably because people would leave. Eventually we get all checked in and decide to go our for a walk. We get back around 7pm to get ready for dinner, as we were walking up the stairs talking, there was an older man hanging over the railing looking down at us, "Can I help you??" said in a very 'what the fuck are you doing' kind of tone. I responded "Uhh.. we're going to our room..." A few moments later I went to use the women's toilet but the door was locked and I couldn't hear anyone inside. My friend started to look for an employee to help but no one was to be found, she called out "Hello??" Only to be shushed by the old guy who was off hiding in a corner somewhere. Shushed in a 'hotel' at 7:30pm on a Friday??!!? The next night we got back around midnight after seeing a show. We parked at the nearby lot and were walking towards the front. A different old guy was standing directly in front of the double doors smoking a cigarette. I assumed he was another one of their staff though I hadn't seen him before. In order to avoid another rude question, I said "good evening sir, we are staying here." He didn't so much as smile or give a friendly nod as he said "I know." Neither did he open the door or move the fuck out of the way, therefore I literally had to reach around him to open the door and get in. What a creep. My friend and I both hurried up the stairs and to our room, too freaked out to even look back. The next morning as we tried to check out but not a single employee was to be found. I even played lookout while she looked through the binder hoping to steal our information back but no such luck. Some poor guy was standing there waiting to be helped for like 20 minutes. I'm pretty sure the "staff" is just a bunch of creepers who work to live there. The owner lives there as well. Its too bad, I love the antique charm of it but so much needs to be fixed. Especially the customer service. read more

Definitely was a mistake. Stayed here for a night in hopes of a new experience. Definitely not. First of all, this place is old. I'm not even sure how this place is called a hotel... even B&Bs are better than this. Management was rude and very creepy. THEY PHOTOCOPY YOUR ID... whether it be a passport or driver's license. And they just keep it in a drawer that anyone can open.... and they also ask you to write down all your credit card info on a piece of paper as well.. which is also stored in a drawer that anyone can open. We asked whether this was safe and the management replied with some BS about how they really cared about security. Secondly, getting a good night's sleep is super hard here. THERE ARE SO MANY PLANES FLYING BY it is ridiculous. You can also hear everything when anyone speaks. Whether its the person upstairs, next to you, or outside your window. Thirdly, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR WHAT YOU GET. But seriously, they need to upgrade because historic value don't mean crap when they put all your personal information at risk. Stay away. read more

the Panama hotel is not only rich in history, but quite an affordable place to stay in Seattle. I am baffled by some of the reviews I am reading. Yes there are shared bathrooms, but that is noted in the description. The rooms are not updated because the hotel is historically preserved red. You get a clean room and bed for an unbeatable price. When I visit Seattle again I will surely stay at the Panama hotel. It is not as nice as newer hotels, but for someone who can appreciate the history of the hotel it is a great place to stay! Staff were friendly and I had everything I needed, which was provided. (clean bed, shower, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, ample storage for clothing and belongings) if you are complaining you must be a picky person! I had a great stay here. read more

My dad and I came to visit the Panama Hotel over Labor Day weekend for the very first time. The hotel was recently named a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The history of the hotel's partake in the lives of Japanese Americans during WWII will take too long to explain, so I will not get into it. But I will say that if you are a) into history and b) you're into a more bed-and-breakfast style hotel, I would recommend this place of accommodation. So here are some pros/cons of the hotel for travelers who are looking for a unique place to stay: Pros for Travelers: -It's like stepping back into time when you are staying the night at the Panama. If you like vintage furniture, your rooms will include antique chairs, dresser, closet, etc. -The beds are soft and really comfy. I slept very well the entire night. -Rooms including bed sheets are washed and cleaned on a daily basis. -Breakfast is included. There is a quaint teahouse next door called the Panama Tea and Coffee House. They have great tasting coffee and tea. They also have a window carved in the floor where you can peak in and see the luggages and items that were left behind by the Japanese Americans before they were sent to internment camps throughout the West Coast. Cons for Travelers: I can understand why some people might be skeptical about staying here for a weekend. But this isn't a "Ritz-Carlton"-style hotel, so you have to be more flexible and open-minded when it comes to the atmosphere of the hotel. Again, you have to love history to understand why the hotel looks the way it looks. It's short of staff. The owner is like superwoman in the sense that she will do everything. No joke. Other than the barista who runs the Panama teahouse next door, she and a housekeeper are the only people that checks-in/checks-out guests, business management, hotel maintenance, hotel and bathhouse tours, etc. There are no elevators (they didn't have elevators back in the day..or at least the previous owners might not have been able to afford them). So if you're planning to visit Seattle for a weekend, I recommend that you don't carry luggage that you aren't able to carry up the stairs. Other Tips: -Ask the owner for a bathhouse tour. The bathhouse is located around the corner of the building, and is one of the oldest bathhouses still standing in the nation. -It's a few blocks away from Pioneer Square. -It's a little over 1.5 miles to Pike Place Market. read more

I was suckered by all the "historic" talk and lingo, and my wife an I love quirky, out-of-the-way, non-chain, unique little places. But we also value cleanliness, safety, comfort, and good customer service. Sadly, the Panama Hotel FAILS in those four categories, miserably I might add. Historic is one thing, Old and threadbare is quite another. I really wish I had the $$$ to buy this place from Jan, keep her as the historian, but hire REAL hotel front desk clerks, not just other people who happen to LIVE in the hotel. With modest touch-ups, (OKAY, some not-so-modest) one could envision this as one kick-ass retro place, Right now, it's far from it. No AC? No problem, except windows are screenless, and there are no fans available. Safety, PERSONAL safety was really not in evidence here. Windows open at the end of the hall, at the fire escape. When I checked out a few hours after checking in, I tested the fire escape from the parking lot, wasn't hard to jump up to the ladder, and then If I'd wanted to, VOOM, I'm in. The key they give you? It's a real key, I can live with that, not every property has to have a key-card, But not ANY property should give you a key, with the room number stamped on it, AND the hotel's address too, ASKING for theft. If you do go here, WATCH your CREDIT CARD. The room check in procedure is Identify Theft Class 101. They photocopy your drivers license, what? They they hand-write your cc number, expiry date, and your security code? what? what? what? Then, as if all of that is not bad enough, they simply put your info, YOUR info, in a three ring binder, on a table, in a COMMON room! Anyone, and I mean anyone, could walk in and look and/or take or copy your info. I know, because when I checked out, I did just that, I took MY info sheet right back. I'm still not confident that someone didn't copy my cc info in the few short hours I stayed there. If you are married, avoid costly legal battles, and don't stay here, because your wife will certainly divorce you. If you are young and single, and male, maybe/ I think I would have thought this a "cool" place when i was in my twenties.... But the drunks, and the cussing, and the loud, REALLY loud, street people were just the icing on the cake. I checked in, and soon thereafter, checked right out. I will give them this, the sheets were crisp and clean, but the bed sagged like a broken trampoline when both of us lay down on it. Jan, the owner, has done some great work on preserving this property, but go for a visit, just don't stay the night. It seemed to me that a great deal of people who were there, LIVED there, not a good sign. Jan is also very verbally abusive to her own employees, in FRONT of guests, again, not a good sign. When reading other reviews, and I encourage you do read ALL the reviews on Yelp, and TripAdvisor, read them the same way you read real estate adds. That is "cozy" really means "small". Unless you have luggage that fits on your back, it's also one heck of a stairway from Hell to navigate just to get to the 2nd floor, where one checks in... read more

Owner was extremely rude from the get - go, demanding our luggage doesn't hit the stairs. No offer to get a bellhop. The proprietor just simply disappeared after that. This was the beginning of the nightmare. No elevator, no AC, no TV, they demanded to copy all of our ID (why?). And none of this was on the website. I don't care how historic the building is, I've been to plenty of hotels in Sweden, Finland, Norway. There is still a basic level of decency you need to provide to your guests. read more

I cannot believe this hotel is still in existence. There is no lobby, the manager is suspicious of everyone. Note there are no bathrooms in the room, only small sinks with chipped paint. Our door did not lock. I could not open the wardrobe. It is worse than any hostel I have seen in America. My boyfriend and I showed up and as soon as we were checked in, checked right out and left for the Crown Plaza only a few blocks away and $20 more a night. The pictures on their website are very strategically taken as this place is run down, and full of bugs. I do NOT recommend this hotel (nor is it handicap accessible). read more

Loved this place. No A/C, but it was built to be breeze- cooled and even on a 104-degree summer day, it really was. Just get a room not facing the sun (south wall). The old wood, antique furniture and lamps, fresh cotton cozy everything, wooden floors, family-run atmosphere, great little continental breakfast in the cafe (any coffee drink plus any pastry plus a fruit - not huge in quantity but exceptional in quality) make it a whole experience in itself. A tunnel connects the coffeehouse to a piano coffee lounge on the other side. Historically, the Japanese community hid their belongings in the basement and floorboards so that they could be retrieved after they made it through the internment camps of WWII (there is a plexiglass section where you can see how this would work). Very cool! The main drawback is the stairs. If you have a lot of luggage (as we did), hauling it all up is a real effort (staff will help you, but you have to find them first). It is a small, busy, family-type operation; sometimes it takes awhile to get someone to help you. And if you are the type who needs A/C, a large space, exclusive restroom/shower, unlimited donuts and a constantly-manned front desk, forget it. Also, be aware that while the coffee shop has been upgraded, the electrical outlets in the rooms are old fashioned and generally two-pronged. If you want to put an adapter on your laptop, go ahead. Wi-fi did work fine. Just be prepared for that. We came in late at night on Amtrak, facing an overnight delay after a really long train ride and nights in stations that were super hard on my somewhat elderly traveling companion. Camping in another train station was not an option, but the hotels in the area are really pricey. Finding this place for $99 was such a score. We walked about 6 blocks to get there, mostly uphill and with lots of stuff, so when we saw the huge staircase, we almost cried. But it got better from there. Staff are straightforward and helpful (if not super tightly organized in the modern sense), and gave us no hassles. The shared restroom/bath was really not a problem for us. It was clean and logical and old-fashioned cozy. Overall, I really loved this place. Wish I had had a couple more days there. Memorable and lovely! read more

EXTREMELY Disappointed. Not At ALL What The Booking Sight ( Booking.com ) Expressed To Me . WAY OVERPRICED For Almost Nothing. " Historical " Is Another Way Of Saying Old. Not Charming , Or Captivating At All . Shared Bath & Shared Toilets, No TV Radio Or Any Other Nicety . LOTS Of Stairs , No Elevator. Parking Is At Your Own Risk , Closest Was 2 Blocks Away . THIS IS NOT A HOTEL It's Supposedly Also Listed As A So Called Bed & Breakfast... All I Know Is I Feel It Was Misrepresented Online And Falls Just Short Of A Flop House . STAY AWAY read more

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I would highly, highly recommend this affordable, comfortable, and old-fashioned inn for an authentic Seattle experience. It's an eclectic, historic hotel with lots of staircases, deep dark wood, old carpets, creaky mattresses, and shared toilets. Fortunately, as it was a rainy Wednesday night before Thanksgiving there was hardly anyone else on my floor. Each room has its own sink, dresser, chair, and bed... not much room for much else in there! Yes, the owner does keep cats, but they don't wander around the hotel and their dander is only noticeable in the lobby. The underground coffee/breakfast room is very charming and revitalizing before you brave the wet cold of Seattle winter. p.s the cafe makes very good coffee and pastries and pie!! I loved this place!! read more

Update: I feel compelled to say something in response to hannah a.'s post. The owner of the Panama Hotel gave my friend and I a great recommendation for a seafood dinner down on the waterfront during our stay and then gave us a ride there in her car to beat the evening dinner rush. She told us all about the neighborhood on our drive and was very friendly. She definitely was NOT driving a lamborghini. In fact, her car was something along the lines of an older model Ford or Chevy and the inside was just as lived-in looking as mine. Please don't let a post like hannah a's leave you with a faulty impression. It's very much off the mark and shamefully harmful. read more

When visiting Seattle for pleasure, I usually stay at the Moore. I sorta like the hostal type environment; the shared bathrooms don't bother me. The check in process is a little weird and outdated. Yes, the photocopy of my ID was awkward, the fact that he ran my card at check in for the full amount was also not traditional. I was slightly taken aback when (I'm assuming manager) asked me several times if I would be staying alone. The first time, sure, you are just making conversation...the 4th time sounds rapey. He wanted to know what my day to day operations would be during my stay. When I told him I was here for a wedding, I heard him mutter "so you will be gone a lot." I asked him if that was an issue...if the front door locked after a certain time. He stated that it didn't lock, but someone would always be here. Then he showed me to my room. I met the owner, who like another reviewer said, takes great pride in the hotel. She made it a point to say I would be sharing a bathroom with her specifically. Super weird, uncomfortable, intimidating and not exceptionally welcoming. The WiFi is slow, so I would not stay here if I were traveling for business. Super quiet though, and within walking distance if Pioneer Square. It really is a cool building and I would stay here again...not alone, though. Also, zero electric outlets in the bathrooms. Only one in my room. Needed to move the dresser in order to have a mirror to do my hair. read more

My boyfriend and I stayed here for 5 nights. He booked the hotel and honestly when I first got here I was kind of shocked because I was expecting something more like the Sheraton... The bathroom and shower is shared for the entire floor, the room is pretty small, the bed wasn't completely flat and it squeaked,... I wouldn't say it's spotlessly clean, but it definitely is clean enough. I did enjoy my stay here, and the staff is really friendly. I read some of the negative reviews about this place-- I don't really give a shit about the rumors surrounding the owner or whatever (she was really nice and friendly to us), and we looked and found no mouse traps. I slept well at night, it's super affordable, and overall a pretty good experience. And free breakfast next door! read more

Please read my earlier, long review for details. I don't give out many 5 stars but this place is a gem. It is a traveler's hotel built in the early 1900's. It is completely un-gentrified, all original and run exactly the same way as the day they opened. I wouldn't doubt that the antiques in the rooms were the original hotel furniture. History lovers who don't mind minimal amenities for the sake of history, this hotel is for you. A living museum, there are regular tours of the basement where there is a time capsule of Japanese American possessions that were left as they were being sent to internment camps during WWll. read more

I recently went to the Panama Hotel for tea time with my friends and husband. We were supposed to go to The Georgian for afternoon tea, but they didn't save my reservation so we had to improvise. I called about seven different tea spots to see if they can fit us in, but they were all super snarky about their availability (didn't know afternoon tea was so exclusive in Seattle). I almost gave up, but when I tried calling Panama Hotel, they were super friendly and said I can come down anytime. When I got there, they were not busy at all. I was quickly helped, and the barista was very knowledgeable. We ordered a pot of the white peony tea and a pot of the jasmine pearl tea. I wanted to order some pastries on the side, but they all looked like they were from Costco, and pretty pricey too. I skipped the pastries, which kind of sucked, but whatever. The pots of tea were about $10.00 each (which I think is pretty great). The white peony tea was amazing. It was super floral, light, and soothing. I was worried it would be over-steeped, but it was perfect. The jasmine pearl tea was okay. It did taste a little over-steeped, but even if it wasn't over-steeped, I don't think it would be anything I'd order again. Overall, it was a great experience. The tea room was quiet, but not in a creepy way. The wall art was super cool, and the big windows allowed us to chat and people-watch. I will say that it did look a little dusty, and a tad messy, but not terrible. I would definitely come back again! read more

This place was disgusting. The keys I was given smelled horrible and were covered in thick black filth. The pillows in the room were covered in dark filth. The comforter and sheets had yellow stains, which one would assume is urine. Panama hotel needs to be shut down. Disgusting. read more

Panama Hotel - Panama hotel yellow stains - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great place in the ID to sample a pot of fine tea from their large menu. We holed up during a brief and windy rainstorm in March. The guy behind the counter was knowledgeable and friendly. The room was cozy and warmish. Before you leave, be sure to look through the plexiglass window in the floor in the back. You'll see in the cellar the personal possessions that Asian immigrants put into temporary storage decades ago. read more

The Panama Hotel isn't for everyone. You have to remember it was built in 1910 and doesn't look like it had any recent updates. Shared bathrooms, limited power outlets, no a/c and the rooms don't have televisions is some of what you will find. You will also find a shiny clean set of stairs leading up to the second floor reception. In fact we were amazed how clean the hotel is. I found the hotel staff very friendly unlike other reviewers. The beds look small ( remember 1910 era ) but very comfy. My wife is still sound asleep as I write this. The neighborhood was safe to explore and so many tasty looking Chinese restaurants nearby you won't go hungry. For what we paid the Panama Hotel works. This isn't a resort style hotel but a window back to what hotels were like before World War One. read more

My boyfriend and I chose to stay here as it's within walking distance (~15-20 mins) to the main downtown area, and it was reasonably priced ($126/night/double occupancy). The owner, Jan, was very matter-of-fact, which might come off as aggressive to some. However, you can tell she works hard and does much of the upkeep of the hotel by herself. She is protective of her historic building! As stated in other reviews, there is no A/C, elevator, or TV, but that was no problem for us. The room and hallways stayed remarkably cool in the 90 degree weather. The stairs aren't super steep, and I think there are only 3 or 4 floors to the hotel. The bathrooms are shared but clean. Ladies get their own toilet! The rooms were spacious and had a sink in them. There's wifi throughout the building. Free coffee and pastry for breakfast in the cafe downstairs. It opens around 8, and the guy who made our coffee was really nice. It appears to be a one man operation, so be patient :) he works quickly and deserves a tip! The hotel is close to the International District, so there's a TON of really good, cheap Thai/Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Vietnamese restaurants nearby. The only downer is you have to pay for parking, about $20 a day in the parking lot next door. However, there's free parking on Sundays, so if you're here on the weekend, you might only have to pay $10! The check-in process is strange, but whatevs. People seem to be whiners about this place. Give it a shot, it's fun! read more

A warning to future travelers attempting to stay here. The owner will request to make a copy of everyone's IDs and store it in paper format. When I questioned him, he first said it was so the security guard knew who to let in the building. When he said that, I asked if I could scratch out the information that the security guard did not need, like my drivers license number, date of birth, etc. He then said he needed that information "for the police" in case of a crime. I later stated that I've never had a similar experience at another hotel, and he responded that other hotels log the same information through an RFID sensor that reads your ID when you walk in the door. This seems questionable at best. Throughout the conversation, he seemed unstable, and later became offended when I asked why he needed this information. After questioning his methods a few more times, he began to deflect and ask what "stunt" I was trying to pull. Here's the kicker. Instead of paying through a credit card machine, like any other functioning hotel, he writes down your name, credit card number, expiration date, and security code on a piece of paper. He then became incredulous when I refused to give him my information. If you trust this man with that much of your personal information, then more power to you. But I did not and would not recommend doing so. read more

The purpose of the stay was for the Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold concert at century link field. I bought the tickets and booked the room months in advance. I was beyond excited for the entire experience until I showed up to Panama hotel... I booked a two bed room. After waiting for 30 minutes to check in I was shown my room which had one bed and was slightly bigger than a prison cell. I jokingly said my adult brother and I wouldn't fit. I was told they were out of two bed rooms. I remained polite and asked what the fix was. She offered me another room at full price. I declined. My brother offered to sleep on the floor if she would give us some blankets. She said no and said I don't want the extra laundry. I said you messed up and I'm trying to meet you halfway. She reiterated that she didn't want to do extra laundry. I then asked for a refund. She brought back two receipts and told me to sign I asked which one. In a rude tone she said, "I'm the merchant so the one that says MERCHANT." To which I replied yes you are a very rude merchant and you'll never get my business again. After that I spent an hour trying to get another room. Because of the concert all hotels were booked or $1000 for one night. I ended up in a sub-standard hotel in Tacoma. The concert was amazing. Panama hotel was THE WORST Hotel experience I've ever had. 3rd world countries have better customer service. I'm usually not one to complain but I couldn't leave this epic failure alone. Oh and I almost forgot NO PARKING. WTF? read more

Just an update to let everybody know it has tsken me 2 months to get ride of the bed bugs i got from the panama hotel aalso was enfomed by another ex employee that he reported to the owner that the whole second floor was infested with bed bugs. She told him not to make her crazy . DO NOT STAY BERE YOU WILL WIND UP WITH BED BUGS read more

We didn't let a few bad reviews stop us from exploring this historical gem and we're glad we didn't. As a couple that appreciates beautiful things, were were immediately in awe of the aesthetic and the retention of the original form. What could be bad about landing at the airport, taking the light rail for $3 to the international district station where the hotel is only 1 block away? It's so close to Pioneer Square. Above the wardrobe was an empty box of black and white quality film which was a reminder that the space wd used and appreciated by others. Also, we loved the coffee shop downstairs. They have a great tea selection, friendly staff and the character of the cafe matches that of the hotel exactly. We enjoyed taking a step back in time at the Panama hotel and would definitely return to take another. read more

My husband stayed here for 3 nights. He found the bed reasonably comfortable and liked the location. However, he then found he was covered in bed bug bites, and could not recommend this hotel. read more

Dirty room and the staff followed me to make sure I wasn't bringing up guests. wouldn't give us a third towel for our daughter. For the price they could at least update the bed linens. If you want the feeling of living in the depression era this is the perfect place. read more

The negative reviews about Jan are totally justified. Last year I came down to Seattle from Vancouver for a quick weekend trip and needed accommodation in the area, I stumbled upon this gem walking through the neighborhood. I decided to see if they had any rooms available, walked up the stairs to the little check in area and waited quite a while for someone to serve me. The nice fellow informed me they had rooms available and proceeded to check me in. Like others have said the check-in process is rather informal and outdated, they pretty much just photo copy your ID and write down your credit card information, which is neat and kind of maintains the historic character of the whole experience. The nice fellow give me a key and proceeds to show me to my room. Half way down the hall to the room Jan Johnson was passing through and greets us and tells me a bit about the history of the hotel then asks the fellow which room he had booked me into. He tells her and then she says " no have him stay in #***". She walks off and fellow then tells me the room he had originally picked for me was way nicer, he seemed a bit confused. I got to the room, it's not fancy by any means, antique bed and antique furniture and a small sink located in the corner of the room. I noticed the furniture was missing knobs and the room seemed kind of second rate and very bare. I began to wonder why I wasn't able to stay in the original "nicer" room I was given. I later kind of figured out why unfortunately. I left one evening to meet a friend at a local restaurant, as I leave and began to walk to my destination Jan and a female friend of her's bump into me just outside of the hotel. She greets me and asks where I'm headed and then proceeds to get into some small talk. For some reason she asks what my ethnicity is, I inform her I'm bi-racial, African-American/Caucasian. She then begins to go on this spiel about how she doesn't "mind" diversity but then goes on to say just as long as they don't think they are owed anything. Then she goes on a spiel about Native American's and being owed things. Her friend looks at me kind of awkwardly, I think Jan noticed this then began to say "I"m not racist or anything, my grand son is mixed" and he plays football etc. From my experience when people begin a sentence with " I'm not racist but..." usually is a give away you hold some kind of prejudice. I went on my way bewildered and kind of angry about what just took place, especially from someone who is a business owner and deals with members of the public daily. If you want to check out a piece of American history come check it out, but don't stay here or give your money to someone that has the rather hateful beliefs she has. read more

While in Seattle and meeting a couple of friends for an M's game, my wife and I stayed here, as it was close to the stadium, and honestly for the location not to expensive.. or we thought. When we showed up we hiked the mountain of stairs everyone else complains about, not a big deal. And honestly the bathroom, shower, no tv, only one bed, open window, and outdated furniture didn't bother us. What got to us was when we showed up they prompted and then reiterated twice over that only two people were on the reservation (there was 4 of us when we checked in), the credit card situation sketched us out completely and they photo copied mine and my wife's I.d's as well, After they showed us to the room, the cleaning lady (who got angry with us because she hadn't put towels in our room before we got there) stopped by 3-4 more times to give us towels and waters. It didn't stop there. After we were there visiting for about 40 minutes the guy who checked us in showed up to tell us we were talking to loud and then to get copies of my two friends I.D's as well.. they weren't even staying with us.. So we go to the game, come back at about 1015pm to get one of my friends book bag so he could hop the ferry home. Jan was waiting at the top of the stairs when we walked in and then haggled with us because "there are no guests after 10pm" so after we surpassed her, we went to our room. SHE FOLLOWED US THE WHOLE WAY, and peeped in our door as we closed it. Then two minutes later came back and knocked on our door to tell us a little Russian girl was staying next door?? Wtf.. oh and not to mention the LOUD BUZZER that went of about 15 minutes later.. yes a buzzer, that was directly wired into our room.. creeped us out. We contemplated all night if we should go back or not.. we weren't sure if we were in new hostel movie and no one told us. When we did get back we crept upstairs watching our backs and fronts not sure where or what was lurking around the next corner. We woke up the next morning to check out, to nobody in the lobby area and no one in plain site to help us. We dropped the key off in the front room and left as fast as possible. Just do yourself a favor.. don't. read more

Though it doesn't look like much from outside and you have to climb one darn impressive staircase to get to the lobby, this hotel is awesome! We really stayed in May 2015, but the time thingy wouldn't go back that far. Here's what I gave it on a different 'site at the time: This hotel is ADORABLE, affordable, clean, and overall pretty wonderful. It's not for the picky, but definitely worth a stay or two! It's beautifully renovated and pretty old-school. I loved it! The only critique I can offer is the windows, being old, are plate-glass, and it is very easy to hear EVERYTHING going on outside. If the hotel can, without compromising the integrity of the history and beauty of the location, they out to upgrade the windows to dual-paned for noise. ;) Reflecting back now, we definitely want to stay again! They're old school, with actual keys to the rooms, community bathrooms (just not in nor connected to your room, ours was across the hall, but still able to be locked for privacy), and an old tenant-living style. Very nice, vintage-ie and super worth a visit! We really liked Roy! He was super cool ;) read more