best panama city panama hotel

8 Best Panama City Panama Hotels (For A Perfect Trip!)

Many visitors to Panama make the mistake of quickly passing through Panama City on their way to the rest of the country’s famous tropical and beachy destinations. Don’t let the hustle and bustle of Panama City turn you off from making an extended visit: the city has so much to offer for an active city break or even some serious rest and relaxation.

Whether you’re visiting Panama City for a few hours or even a few weeks, you’ll love these eight best Panama City, Panama hotels, perfect for any budget.

From historic boutique hotels in Panama City’s Casco Viejo to brand-new glass towers with ocean views, a stay at one of these Panama City hotels is guaranteed to make for a memorable trip.

best panama city panama hotels

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8 Panama City, Panama Hotels You’ll Love

1. Selina Casco Viejo

Nestled in the heart of the Casco Viejo – Panama City’s beautiful historic center – Selina Casco Viejo is a favorite budget hotel and hostel, perfect for an exciting stay. You’ll be surprised by the number of amenities it offers for travelers in this budget range, making it a clear favorite.

The pool and rooftop bar, offering great views over the city and frequently featuring live music, themed gatherings, and other engaging events, make it a popular gathering place for guests and locals alike. Keep in mind that it can get a bit loud at times, which is something to consider if you’re a light sleeper.

Visiting Panama City as a digital nomad or planning on using Panama’s digital nomad visa? Selina Casco Viejo is a great place to stay. With its on-site coworking space, great private rooms with access to a shared kitchen, and countless social events perfect for meeting other long-term travelers, it has a lot to offer remote workers.

2. The Westin Panama

Located in the ritzy, residential Costa del Este neighborhood, The Westin Panama is a great choice for travelers looking for a retreat within the city. Offering a small but lovely pool deck, an excellent fitness center, and impressive ocean-view balconies, The Westin has plenty for travelers just in town for an evening, or those looking to make the most of time in the city.

While the neighborhood around the hotel is a beautiful one and offers close proximity to the Panama Viejo ruins of the Spanish colonial period (a top attraction in Panama City!), the hotel is relatively removed from the rest of the city. Expect a 30+ minute drive from the Casco Viejo and other popular spots.

Read More: Where to Stay in Panama City + BEST Panama City Neighborhoods

hotel la compania
© Hotel La Compañía

3. Hotel La Compañía

Opened in April 2022, Hotel La Compañía is a newcomer among Panama City hotels, though it has quickly become one of the city’s best places to stay.

A former Jesuit convert meticulously restored and given new life, Hotel La Compañía is the perfect blend of modern luxury and historic charm, perfectly suited for a memorable stay in the heart of Panama City’s beautiful Casco Viejo neighborhood.

It’s easy to see why Hotel La Compañía has quickly become one of the most sought-after hotels in the city. Between its spa, multiple restaurants, and a rooftop bar and lounge with an infinity pool and stunning city views, you’ll barely need to leave the hotel for a memorable stay.

Plus, with the exquisite service and attention to detail you would expect from a boutique hotel, the guest experience here is second to none.

4. Monkey Lodge Panama

Looking for a stay inspired by the tropics? Consider a stay at Monkey Lodge Panama, one of the most unique accommodations you’ll find just outside of Panama City. And yes, you can count on meeting some monkeys during your stay!

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown, Monkey Lodge Panama feels a world away. This unique bed and breakfast is also a wildlife refuge, surrounded by the stunning Soberania National Park.

Offering four beautiful bungalows, a pool, delicious food, and unique opportunities for cultural excursions or guided tours of the national park, Monkey Lodge is a memorable choice for a unique trip to Panama City.

W Panama
© W Panama

5. W Panama

Offering stunning skyline views, a luxurious spa, and incredible dining options, W Panama is a luxury boutique hotel that easily tops the list of the best places to stay in Panama City. You’ll love relaxing at the hotel’s pool deck, enjoying drinks and live music at La Cajita bar, and sampling Spanish cuisine at Moró Restaurant.

Located in the fashionable Marbella neighborhood, W Panama is a great choice for all travelers, no matter what brings you to the city.

W Panama is nearby some of the city’s best shopping, most celebrated restaurants, and all the best things to do in Panama City, while only 15 minutes from the heart of the Casco Viejo. It’s the best of both modern and historic Panama City at your doorstep.

6. Las Clementinas

Mixing fun and funky design with the historic charm you’d expect from a boutique hotel in Casco Viejo, Las Clementinas offers a unique experience for guests looking to get in touch with the history and culture of Panama City.

With its beautiful on-site restaurant, Mahalo Cocina y Jardin, offering delicious food and gorgeous decor, plus a lovely patio space, you’ll want to plan a visit even if you’re staying across town.

The hotel has beautiful apartment-style rooms with full kitchens and living rooms, perfect for longer trips or traveling families, as well as more traditional studio-style rooms. Expect handpicked, unique decor and beautiful touches in whichever room you choose.

JW Marriott
© JW Marriott Panama

7. JW Marriott Panama

Located on Punta Pacifica near Panama City’s modern, lively financial district, the waterfront JW Marriott Panama is an excellent choice for business and leisure travelers alike. Home to the gourmet restaurant MASI serving up delicious Panamian cuisine with a twist, this hotel offers travelers the best of the city at their fingertips.

Rooms are spacious, modern, and luxurious, featuring the same incredible vistas of the ocean and city you’ll enjoy from the infinity-style pool and poolside bar. The JW Marriott doesn’t just offer incredible skyline views – it’s one of the most memorable parts of the Panama City skyline itself.

The tallest building in all of Central America and among the most striking Panama City Panama hotels, the JW Marriott Panama is shaped like an elegant open sail. You have to see it to believe it!

8. Bristol Panama

For a luxe stay in the heart of modern Panama City, Bristol Panama is a perfect option. Close to the city’s financial center and all the lovely shops, cafes, and restaurants of Marbella, this hotel has plenty to offer guests in terms of both amenities and proximity to the best of the city.

For a modern hotel near the financial center, Bristol Panama feels cozy and comfortable, featuring beautiful art and textiles designed by Panamanian and Latin American artists. It also features a variety of apartment-style rooms as well as traditional hotel rooms, making it a great choice for travelers with families or long-term travelers.

carley rojas avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.