Panama Hotel
Seattle, WA 98104-2717
Phone: (206) 223-9242
Fax: (206) 624-4957
- Cross Street:
- Sixth Avenue
Editorial Review for Panama Hotel – by Joann Natalia Aquino
In Short
Built as a workingman's hotel in 1910, this historic bed and breakfast in the International District served as a home for Japanese immigrants and Alaskan fishermen in the past, and now accommodates artists, writers, historians and international travelers. With most of the original fixtures still intact, hotel features include 100 modest rooms with hand-emroidered bedding, sinks, and standing closets made from old refrigerator crates. Shared women's and men's bathrooms can be found on each floor.
Hits: Accommodating to the guests' needs, special check-in and check-out times can be arranged.
Misses: Pack light--the hotel is a 3 1/2-floor walk up with no elevator. Wheelchair access is not available.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoRequest a room with a theme, particularly the earth and fire, cherry blossom, green or blue room, or the coveted writer's room on the top floor.
Look GoodEach guest is supplied with slippers, yukata (kimono-like bath gown), and free bottled water during their stay.
The ExteasComplimentary breakfast pastries and coffee and as well as free Wi-Fi access are provided at the Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House located on street level. Tours of the preserved Japanese public bath house in the basement are also offered free of charge to hotel guests.
User Reviews for Panama Hotel
03/23/2008 Posted by mirandaotero
As I was checking into this "hotel" (it should be called a hostel, with shared bathrooms)... I had to endure an over-bearing owner scolding the different creepy male attendants about their jobs for the day. The doorman and the man checking in guests, were both really creepy and made me and my partner uncomfortable. The hotel was extremely cold during the night, and I was also afraid to use the restroom during the night because of the other "questionable" people staying and/or living on my floor. The rooms were quaint, but not worth the money. Be clear, this is a bare-bones establishment. Do not bring a family here or out of town guests. This hotel is purely for working class travelers, or people willing to stay in down-and-out establishments.
Pros: location in the international district
Cons: staff, owner, prices, bathrooms
09/30/2005 Posted by elgringogourmand
What is appealing about the Panama is not that it excels as a hotel. It is the history of the place and the attention to authenticity which the owner has for the place. The Panama was the heart of the Japanese community and when they were taken away for Internment they left their things in the basement of the Panama. The owner has restored the building which is a recognized historical site and, unlike most, has not violated the inside by fully updating the building. The Panama was a residential hotel which offered rooms to immigrants as they moved from work site to work site and that is the scope from which it should be viewed.
Pros: History, Panama Tea and Coffee, Very Beautiful
Cons: Rooms can seem old
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