Panama Hotel
4 Bayview St, San Rafael, CA 94901-4913
Lowest prices for your stay
Lock in the lowest price from these sites
Vio.comUS$95
Priceline
Agoda.com
Etrip
Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
Full view
View all photos (34)34
Dining (4)
Room & Suite (4)
About
#5 of 9 hotels in San Rafael
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Panama Hotel is an excellent choice for travellers visiting San Rafael, offering a romantic environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Rooms at Panama Hotel provide air conditioning, and guests can stay connected with free wifi.
You can also enjoy free breakfast while staying at Panama Hotel. Need a place to park? Free parking is available at Panama Hotel.
For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting San Rafael, Panama Hotel is located a short distance from Marin County Civic Center (2.1 mi) and Bartolini gallery, Marin Center (2.4 mi).
When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out Le Comptoir and Le Chalet Basque Restaurant, which are some French restaurants that are popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.
Best of all, Panama Hotel makes it easy to experience many great San Rafael attractions like Museum of International Propaganda and Marin History Museum, which are some popular history museums.
Enjoy your stay in San Rafael!
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Location
77Somewhat walkable
Grade: 77 out of 100
84Restaurantswithin 1 km
19Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
4 Bayview St, San Rafael, CA 94901-4913
Getting there
Car HireSee all San Rafael car hire
82Reviews2Q+A19Room tips
ReviewsWe perform checks on reviewsTripadvisor’s approach to reviewsBefore posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Traveller rating
- 36
- 23
- 8
- 5
- 10
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
Bottom line - the place is disgusting. Dirty sheets, towels, surfaces. I felt sick to my stomach. We spent several hours trying to find another hotel but could not find a room anywhere. Having to stay there was awful. Hotel rooms do not need to be fancy, but they absolutely must be clean. Perhaps the hotel should shut down like the restaurant did. Never again.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
+1
The Panama Hotel is a little jewel hidden in the town of San Rafael, CA. You feel as if you were at home. The customer care of all the staff is spotless, never intruding, always helpful. Very clean, the rooms are fascinating, every one with a different theme. The amazing decoration, the whimsicality, the personal photographs of the original owners at the lobby and breakfast space make it all together unique. I heartily recommend it, it is a trip within a trip. Difficult to leave it. I will certainly come back.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This hotel used to be quite charming, but now it's seedy and run down. The restaurant is closed, the hotel is literally deserted as management has disappeared and the phone number supplied should you need some assistance is never answered and their voice mail is full. It's creepy and empty and it should be illegal to run a hotel of this size without anyone present. We couldn't get the ceiling fan to turn off, couldn't find anyone to ask help and finally left in frustration.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Stayed at the Panama Inn for the first time this last weekend. It is a charming location with nostalgic photos all over, nice neighborhood to go for a stroll. We stayed in Maria's Pueblo, which was cozy and cute. We were able to bring our small dog for a small fee. The restaurant was closed for COVID, but a simple continental breakfast was provided and adequate. There is a coffee/muffin place next door. But for the negative: -no customer service. phone calls or emails never answered. phone calls to office gets ''the mail box is full'' -office only available 8am -6pm, so if you arrive or leave before that time, there are no instructions how to access or check out. -our room reeked of smoke and disinfectant, It was unbearable. It is a non smoking hotel -no hangers or iron in the room, but large closet and ironing board -no wi fi password given, had to wait until the next day for someone to arrive at 0800 to get it. -one wine glass provided. No one available to request another. -no parking on site, but we found parking nearby So when you check in, make sure everything is there in the room otherwise, you may not get the opportunity to correct it.…
Read more
Date of stay: April 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
My wife and I were traveling through this area and found this small hotel online. Because of the coronavirus restrictions, the room price was sufficiently reduced to be attractive to us. We were not disappointed. The Panama Hotel has a restaurant attached, but it was closed. We booked the “Bordello” room, because it came with a balcony and a large free-standing tub. We purchased a meal at a nearby restaurant within walking distance and ate on our balcony. The staff provided a self-serve continental breakfast with coffee, juice, instant oatmeal, fresh fruit and yogurt. This is an old hotel, so don’t expect modern construction. The floors creek and the doors don’t fit their frames and lock with traditional keys, but that just adds to the charm. Be mindful that some of the rooms share a bathroom down the hall and not all have balconies. We ran the air conditioner fan to mask the exterior noise. There is no off-street parking. On the other hand, the vintage decor and the “old-world” feel make for a lovely stay. There are fancier places to stay in San Rafael, but this place will make you smile.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Read room descriptions carefully, as they differ significantly.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Do you have a date night to plan? What could be better than a romantic dinner and live music in this intimate restaurant? They have a fabulous chef and attentive staff. Hey, go on “HUMP DAY WEDNESDAY” and you may get lucky and there’ll be a room available ! Who who! Just pack your toothbrush and last night’s pearls in your backpack purse Louise! Love, Thelma.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
This “hotel” is actually a relatively charming old house where my quite small Somebody’s? “Safari” room at the top of the stairs was perfectly adequate for my needs. Not at all what I expected, but my family later said, “Funky, but locals love it because the people are so nice.” (They must be talking about the restaurant, because why would locals stay at the inn?) Anyway, I’m all for giving business to nice people. So I took an Uber from the airport to this distinctly residential neighborhood— located close to family, which was the reason for the visit— and checked in... at the restaurant. (?!) Not a hotel, get it? What I didn’t like so much was their 48hr cancellation policy, which means once you see what you’ve got here, you either have a fight on your hands (?) or you shrug and stay. The lady was nice, (not exactly professional, maybe, but this is a neighborhood joint, not a Four Seasons.) I was concerned about security because there is a physical key, not a card that changes with each guest, and the house where the room is located is not locked— but the patio gate is locked and the restaurant door— through which you enter to get to restaurant and the house/inn— IS locked at some point during the night. Long story short, I WISH I’d known the heater was controlled on the side of the floor vent unit, (it was so hot in there!!!) I wish there were a small room safe, and I wish I had known this is a Bed & Breakfast, not a hotel, but the small bed was cozy and the room was quiet. So if you like a charming B & B, I do recommend this place. …
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I've eaten at the Panama Hotel many times and the food is great. This time I had the occasion to also stay at the hotel for two nights while I was in the area. The hotel is quirky and funky (which I expected). My room was probably one of the smallest ones, perhaps a little claustrophobic, but clean and pretty comfortable. Even though the floor in the bathroom slanted (it is a very old hotel), the bathtub/shower was fine and there were nice soap and shampoo options. There was a small kitchen with coffee maker, microwave, and fridge and even a bathrobe in the closet. Included was a very nice continental breakfast offered in the dining room to hotel guests. The parking can be somewhat of a problem because the hotel is located in a residential neighborhood. You can expect to walk a block or so after you park your car. But it's a beautiful area and the walk is very pleasant.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Took a risk and drove out of the way from San Francisco to Chico in heavy traffic. We did not have a reservation but were there early enough that the Host was very kind to seat us. The place was packed when we left at 7:30 on a Friday Night. I've never seen a Pork Chop so big! Absolutely delicious everything and quite bargain by Marin County prices. The decor was fun and I'd like to stay at the Hotel sometime. It was all charming!
Read more
Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Service
Room Tip: Only ate at the resturaunt!
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We recently went to Marin on business and I thought we would stay at a boutique hotel. We are very big fans of the Benbow Inn in Garberville and Campovido in Hopland. Based on their website and reviews I thought that was what would await us. We checked in and the first clue should have been walking across the black indoor out door duck taped patio floor; second clue, should have been how filthy the stairs were leading up to our room. Confirmation was walking into to this porch add on where the so called sofa bed was located and then into the master bedroom where the floors were not only dirty but clearly had not been vacuumed. After a long journey we figured we could tough one night out and then find another place the for the next night. So we informed the gal working the desk that we would be checking out early. But in hind sight we should have checked out right then and there. All night this bright red light from the neon sign light up our room and even the shades could not block it out. I called to see why we were not issued a refund and I was told it was not their policy but the manager would get back to me. Four days later….no call. I would not recommend the hotel. However the restaurant was good…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
US$91 - US$136 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaMarin CountySan Rafael
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingPANAMA HOTEL - UPDATED 2022 Reviews & Price Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions about Panama Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Panama Hotel?
Nearby attractions include WildCare (0.2 km), Mission San Rafael Arcangel (0.8 km), and San Rafael Pacifics Baseball - Albert Park (0.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Panama Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Panama Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Panama Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine, Il Davide Restaurant, and Cafe Arrivederci.
Is Panama Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.8 km away from the centre of San Rafael.
Are pets allowed at Panama Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Panama Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting American Legion Log Cabin (3.5 km), Robson-Harrington House (3.3 km), and First American Flag Raising in San Francisco (7.1 km).