Centroamericano Hotel

The exterior is bland and mostly forgettable, particularly among so many similar buildings in Panama’s downtown core. However, the interior is surprisingly bright with a bit of modern polish. The lobby feels crisp with marble flooring, polished chrome railings, and bold, red accent colors -- all of which set the stage for the hotel’s overall aesthetic. Circular mirrors hang on the walls near a cluster of six garishly upholstered chairs. Beyond the lobby, which is too small for any purpose other than registering, the adjacent restaurant is the only real social space. Although, with an all-day menu and a prime location (amid so many businesses), it’s usually buzzing with locals and guests. The wide array of rooms with an equally wide array of bed configurations means guests are budget travelers of every variety -- businesspeople, families, or couples traveling together.

Just two blocks from Avenida Balboa, the hotel is convenient to Panama City’s booming waterfront district, numerous restaurants, convenience stores, and other services. The neighborhood is gritty and charmless, but it doesn't feel dangerous. The city’s construction boom is evident just outside, and the area is noisy during the day. The historic Casco Viejo district is roughly two miles away, and the museum at the Panama Canal’s famous Miraflores locks are reachable in 15 minutes by car. Tocumen International Airport (PTY) is a 30-minute drive east. Taxis are cheap and readily available throughout the city. Uber services and the hotel’s own paid shuttle service are both often cheaper and just as easy to arrange.

The overall room aesthetic is generic and forgettable. However, the clean, angular furniture lines, crisp bed linens, and boldly painted red accent walls all feel bright and mostly modern for such a basic hotel. Every room category offers similar floorplans that differ mainly in the bed configuration. All are tight, bordering on cramped, with only enough room for the bed(s), a small writing desk, and a tiny bathroom. Standard amenities in every room include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes large enough to accommodate a small laptop. Wi-Fi is free, although we found the service to be slow and unreliable during our stay. A handful of rooms also offer mini-fridges, and small, private balconies with city views. Walk-in shower stalls, wall-mounted hairdryers, and generic bath amenities are standard in every room.

The on-site restaurant, San Marino, is in a bright, modern space just off the hotel lobby. Service is available throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the afternoon, the entire space is abuzz with local businessmen and women; by dinner, the tiny bar is packed as well. Every menu features a Panamanian-centric selection with some Western-friendly options as well. Room service is available for a fee. Breakfast can be booked as a package with the room, but it costs extra. Adjacent to the lobby is a series of rooms that includes a small internet/business center plus a basic meeting room large enough to accommodate two dozen executive travelers. A tiny room with coin-operated laundry is also available. Pets are allowed for a nominal daily fee. Self-parking is free in an off-street garage and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. However, we found the internet to be slow and unreliable.