The Albrook In is a small inn located about 20 minutes north from the international airport and 5 minutes from the national airport. It is difficult to get to if you are driving yourself, and have not navigated the streets of Panama before. We purchased a set of Panama maps (http://www.ptygps.com/) which we loaded onto our GPS Garmin Nuvi 2350.
Before we got to Panama we studied the roads on Google maps, and printed some maps of the areas we thought would be most challenging. Although the maps we purchased were very close in their directions to get us to Albrook In, it was most helpful to have an understanding of the difficult areas of our route. We needed both to get to our destination.

I had contacted The Albrook Inn staff and communicated with them in Spanish (I am a fluent and native speaker), and had written to them and spoken over the phone. I had also confirmed our arrival and information the day before our arrival. I had confirmed the number of guest to expect and our preferences which they readily agreed to. However, when we arrived at 1:00 A.M. on December 19th, 2011 those accommodations where not available, we did not have the number of beds available to us and we were forced to have our teen daughter sleep on a very uncomfortable couch for that first night. They had difficulty getting bedding for her to cover the couch with. It took them an extra hour to make bedding available. By then, we had stripped the bed and tried to make do with what we had.
No explanations where offered, and no apologies were extended by the Albrook Inn. We woke up early the first morning to have breakfast. We arrived at the dining room at 8:30, with 30 minutes to spare. There was nothing left for breakfast. We were told that they had to prepare for an event early that morning and the management had decided to close the restaurant so they could prepare (with no warning to the Inn’s guests). No apologies where made and I requested that at least some scrambled eggs would be made available; a request to which they agreed (grumbling). Since we did not know how easy it would be to get to breakfast that morning we ate the scrambled eggs and left. A charge for a full breakfast appeared on our check out. Breakfast on the second day was barely better than on the first day. The evening of the 20th we were served by a nice bartender who was courteous and was tipped accordingly.
We stayed at the Albrook two days, the stay was uncomfortable and the service was poor. The problem with the Albrook is not the building (although not completely comfortable for a decent stay. barracks style rooms). The problem is the staff, especially the staff at the restaurant. They are uncaring, it is obvious (in their gaze) that they resent serving people, and make it very obvious in their lack of manners.

Electricity was lost the last morning before check out, and the amount that was given to me at check out was not the amount they charged to my credit card. They charged my credit card 1 50.00 dollars more than the tally they made available to me.
If wanting to stay in the same area as the Albrook Inn (it is close to the Miraflores Locks) I highly recommend La Estancia. The food they serve is better, the rooms although simpler are more comfortable, and they care and show that they care. I do not recommend the Albrook In at all; they are uncaring, display an incredible case of attention deficit, and will be quick to charge you for services that they did not provide.
The Albrook is due for new management and new staff (with the exception of the bartender).