We loved this hotel though I can understand why it would not be to everyone's fancy! We met a few different staff members, including Jan the owner and one of the cats. Everyone was very interested to speak with us and help us out. The hotel is old and it has barely any contemporary flourishes. Unfortunately, we encountered no ghosts... More

This is a gem of a hotel. Sure, if you want luxury, room service, and someone to cater to your every need, please don't book a room here. But if you love adventure, history & a memorable experience, then this is definitely the place for you. I know this because my travel companion wanted luxury and I was extremely excited... More

The Panama Hotel is a heritage hotel that has been lovingly refurbished. It's in Seattle's Chinatown/International District, only a 10-minute walk from the station, stadium, close to historic Pioneer Square and well served by public transit. The neighbourhood once was shabby, but is definitely undergoing a renaissance and the Panama is helping set the trend. The coffee shop at the... More

Bad neighborhood, homeless area, rooms very small, communal bathroom way down the hall with no lock on the door.Surrondings of the hotel are below minimum. Don,t stay here. Definitely do not recommend for anyone.

Decided I needed to visit this hotel since I read the book, 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet'. I didn't know much about the history of Seattle's Chinatown District and its surrounding area. I wasn't even sure what in the book was true or fiction. Upon arrival at this hotel, which by the way, is an operating hotel,... More

Attending a business conference at the last minute, I couldn't find a single hotel room on all of the major hotel websites. After googling "Seattle bed and breakfast", I went through the listings one by one until I found a vacancy. I was willing to take anything at that point, but was certainly nervous about the quality of accommodations. I've... More

We decided to stay here because we love history, old stuff, and it was rated 3-4 stars. It was not a 3-4 star experience. Let me start with the pro's! Panama Hotel did warn us that it was old (100 years-ish) and had a lot of charm. Which was great! It was oozling with charm and historical significance. Our room... More

Having read "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford, our Whidbey Island Reading Group of five age 65+ "girls" headed to Seattle for the real experience. What a treat. Jan Johnson's Panama Hotel is truly of that era...BUT...the rooms are spotlessly clean, the decor of each room is lovely, the beds old but incredibly soft with... More

I'm only giving the Panama 3 stars because of its historic and cultural significance, and their attempt to stay operational. Cyndyc gives a pretty good assessment of the place, so be careful about the raving reviews. It's over 100 years old, and you should realize it was built for and housed working-class people (men mostly) for all its life, so... More