Members-only rates
3.6 / 5 Great

Panama Hotel

Panama Hotel
Panama Hotel – San Rafael, CA
Panama Hotel – San Rafael, CA
Check in 2:00 PM
Check out 11:00 AM

About Panama Hotel

Set between San Francisco and California's Wine Country, Panama Hotel and Suites is a historic boutique inn located in San Rafael and features a number of amenities including a restaurant on site and a garden. Featuring room service, this property also features a restaurant and a terrace. Guests can make use of a bar. The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, a private balcony or patio, a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, and free WiFi. Most rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with free toiletries, ironing facilities, and a hairdryer. The units at Panama Hotel and Suites feature air conditioning and a wardrobe. A continental breakfast is available each morning at the accommodations. The hotel's restaurant features meals influenced by Latin America, the Mediterranean, and California’s fabled wine country served in a decorated dining room and tropical patio dining, with live local music. The Panama Hotel and Suites is located just blocks away from downtown San Rafael which offers restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, theaters and coffee shops. WildCare is 984 feet from Panama Hotel and Suites, while Albert Field is 984 feet away. The nearest airport is Oakland International Airport, 24 mi from the hotel.

Amenities

  • On-site dining
  • Bar / lounge
  • Café / coffee shop
  • Pet friendly
  • Family friendly
  • Smoke-free property

Reviews

3.6 / 5
Great 295 reviews
  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Hotel needs updating. Some of the furniture tattered. Great bakery next door. No restaurant close by but within walking distance

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    First off I couldn’t find parking, all on street. After 6 pm I was able to park out front. I booked through Expedia as usual. When I arrived a sign saying New Owner was on door. It looked a bit abandoned, didn’t see anyone around. As I checked in the man at the counter said the room you booked has a shared bathroom did you know that? But if you want a private bathroom it will be $40 more. Well, I didn’t see this on the website… kinda sneaky. Unfortunately I had no choice as I booked through work and had already paid. It wasn’t horrible as there were maybe 2 other guests there. It is an old house made into a hotel. Like you are staying in someone’s home. Room was clean. Balcony was nice. It is noisy , wood creaky floors and doors shut loudly. I wouldn’t stay again however it was not horrible. Would be good for saving money or people who like very casual accommodations.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Everything was pretty good for a room at the low of a price. The place was clean and there weren’t any shady characters hanging around like you normally find a cheaper motels. The staff was super helpful and accommodating. The only thing I would recommend is air conditioning in the rooms that the occupant can control. I know that needing air conditioners in Northern California has not been necessary in previous years. However I think we can all agree that it has been getting hotter and hotter each year. So I think it’s time to invest in a little AC unit for the rooms. Other than that everything was really wonderful! Thanks, Nick

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    This is such a pleasant place to stay. The only reason I didn’t give it a higher mark is that I think the bed could be more comfortable. And with all our electronic devices, we need more convenient outlets to charge them. Still, I love the laid back atmosphere, the charming neighborhood, the excellent bakery right next door, and the closeness to restaurants.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    Clean and the young man on staff was exteeremly helpful.

  • Engine customer Jun 2026

    I was staying over for one night, gorgeous room, great quiet space!

  • Engine customer May 2026

    The location was charming We arrived at 10 pm to an empty office and lockboxes. It was confusing to find a way in.

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Very narrow and steep stairs - coffee every morning (probably after 8am) and a lovely balcony!

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Rooms are small but patio areas tables set up around to use a nice place priced right

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Great experience.

  • Engine customer May 2026

    All good except for there towels it has big holes. I ask for another and I was given 2 new ones

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Great funky hotel - ideal if you're not crazy about staying in the sterile chain hotels. If you want your own private bathroom make sure you're selecting a room that has that - I was in a room with 2 shared bathroom/showers that were at the ends of the hallway, but the bathrooms/showers were usually available (these shared bathrooms are one-person at a time, private bathrooms). Super comfortable, extremely quiet. Great place to stay if you don't mind a place that's probably a little more lived in and isn't super sterile (if you don't mind some occasional disrepair). Overall very clean and comfortable.

  • Engine customer May 2026

    The rooms were perfect and Eno took good care of my family once again. I live in Gerstle Park and when we have big family get-togethers and I can’t accommodate everyone the Panama hotel is my home away from home.

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Bad

  • Engine customer May 2026

    Panama Hotel is a locally owned independent hotel in a rambling historic home on B-street. It's a quirky hotel, not just another Marriott or some other forgettable corporate brand, Instead, this is a structure with a real sense of place. I stayed in the "boudoir room" and really enjoyed it - lovely room with large bathroom, clean and well maintained, with my own little balcony to have my morning coffee on. I travel to San Rafael frequently and the chain hotels get pretty forgettable and empty after a while. Panama Hotel has a lot of character. The rooms was cosy and breezy with a view of gorgeous trees, the bed and bath linens were spotless and soft, the hot water plentiful, the water pressure strong, and a coffee pot in the room. I will definitely be back.

  • Engine customer Apr 2026

    Historical. Beautiful. Quaint. Ridiculous. Old school. Fun. Funny. Entrance and exit after 8 pm. No access to fresh water after 8 pm. Manager who I thought was super friendly is likely under the control of his partner who didn’t like my hours. When it was check out time he slammed on my door so loud I nearly had a heart attack. I won’t look a man like that in the eye without thinking less of him next time I see him. There’s no cause for that kind of behavior.

  • Engine customer Apr 2026

    Good

  • Engine customer Apr 2026

    Very good

  • Engine customer Apr 2026

    Do NOT stay here! It was not a clean place I felt dirty the whole time. The room smelled so gross and musty. One of the pillows had dirt on it. There were stains on the carpet as well. I didn’t have a private bathroom and had to share one and being a young single woman I was scared and the booking didn’t even specify I wouldn’t have my own bathroom. The service was so bad there was only like two people working there. Save your money and book somewhere else!!!

  • Engine customer Apr 2026

    It is quirky but lovely, with so much charm and history. Beautiful gardens. My room was extremely clean, and a really comfortable, peaceful place to be. Surrounded by trees & gardens. The restaurant is closed, but will be reopening at some point. Really easy and convenient to walk right into San Rafael.

Frequently asked questions about Panama Hotel

Does Panama Hotel have free Wi-Fi?
Yes, Panama Hotel offers free Wi-Fi for all guests.
Does Panama Hotel offer parking?
Yes, Panama Hotel offers free parking on-site.
Does Panama Hotel have meeting spaces, conference centers, or conference rooms?
Panama Hotel does not list dedicated meeting or conference facilities. For business event venues in San Rafael, see business hotels in San Rafael.
Does Panama Hotel have a fitness center?
Panama Hotel does not list an on-site fitness center. Some properties partner with nearby gyms — check directly with the hotel.
Where is Panama Hotel located, and how walkable is the area?
Panama Hotel is located at 4 BAYVIEW STREET, San Rafael, CA 94901. With a Walk Score of null, the area is rated null. A car or rideshare is recommended for most trips in this area.

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