Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
eered David's first hostel and has served as able den mother ever since. Guests have use
of a communal kitchen, cable TV, DVD rentals and a splash patio for cooling off. Tiled
bunk rooms are clean, purple and tidy, though without air-con. Doubles offer optional
add-ons like air-con and cable TV.
Located in the San Mateo commercial area, it's close to lots of restaurants and shops.
It's sometimes closed for some or all of October - call or email first. The house also re-
cycles and has a community partnership selling Ngöbe-Buglé crafts.
Gran Hotel Nacional
HOTEL $$$
( 775-2222;
www.hotelnacionalpanama.com
;
Calle Central; d/ste US$94/110; )
David's most upscale hotel offers modern yet fairly sterile rooms more suited to domestic
business-people than discerning tourists. But the hotel isn't short on amenities, and the
onsite bar-restaurant, pizzeria, casino and secure parking sweeten the deal. New rooms
are visibly smarter. The large swimming pool is welcome in the reputed hottest city in
Panama.
Hotel Castilla
HOTEL $$$
( 774-5260;
www.hotelcastillapanama.com
; Calle A Norte; s/d/ste US$61/72/77; )
Professional and super-clean, this hotel offers cheerful rooms with matching beds and
desk sets in deco style. Each is equipped with creature comforts such as a hot-water
shower, phone and cable TV.
Hotel Puerta del Sol
HOTEL $$$
( 774-8422;
www.hotelpuertadelsol.com.pa
;
Av 3era Este, apartado 329; d/tw US$76/86;
)
A secure midrange choice, this hotel offers tasteful tiled rooms with wood fur-
nishings. Rooms are on the small side, but the setting is pleasant with amenities that in-
clude hot-water showers and cable TV.
Eating
tion, between Calle I Sur and Av 1era Este.
