Mid-range priced hotels in Panama City, Panama: What to expect

(examiner.com) Most people visiting the Republic of Panama will spend at least one night in Panama City. The lodging options range from simple and cheap hostels to mid-range priced hotels to beautiful resorts and high-end hotels. Many visitors will chose a mid-range priced (about $40 a night) hotel for a place to sleep upon arriving in Panama or for the night before their early morning flight. Here is what you can expect.

Locations
There is only one hotel located near the Tocumen International Airport, so most visitors will travel to Panama City (19 kilometers/12 miles to the west of the airport) to sleep. Mid-range hotels are found throughout the city.

Reservations and payment
Reservations are recommended, especially if you are visiting Panama during the dry season (mid-December through the end of March), major holidays, or on the weekend. Many taxi drivers delivering you from the airport will wait to make sure you have a room or will take you to another hotel. Hotels accept MasterCard and Visa credit cards (other credit cards to a lesser extent) or cash. Traveler checks also may be accepted, but are less commonly encountered and may result in more time to check in. Prices will average around $40 a night, but vary by the number of beds in the room and may be higher during the dry season.

The room
Hotels are usually sparsely decorated with a tile floor, white walls, a small closet and desk, and one sitting chair. However, rooms are clean. Hotels typically offer rooms with a double bed or two single beds. Some will move an additional bed into a room for a slightly higher fee or may have rooms available with up to four beds upon request. Most have private bathrooms with hot water (although the knobs may be reversed, so check both a wait momentarily for the water to heat up). Air conditioning, which the front desk will turn off when you leave the room, comes from a window unit in each room. Small televisions usually have cable channels in English and Spanish. Telephones are available in each room for local calls and for international calling cards.

Other amenities
More so hotels are offering Internet, either through Wireless or a room with a computer (may require a credit card to access the Internet). Few hotels have additional amenities, such as laundry, ice or vending machines, gyms, etc.

Keys
If you choose to leave the hotel, drop off your key at the front desk as you leave. The receptionist will keep it and return it (often remembering your room number for you) when you return.

Language
Most hotels have a receptionist who speaks English well.

Vehicles
If you have a personal vehicle or rental car, check for a gated place where you can park next to the hotel. If there is not a garage, you may consider paying the door guard a couple of dollars to watch your car for you (not necessary, but will probably provide peace of mind if you are unfamiliar with the area).  If you do not have a vehicle, inquire if the hotel offers a shuttle or can call a taxi for you to reach your next destination. The hotel often will have a list of taxi drivers who are fair and offer standardized prices.

Food
Many of the mid-range hotels have a restaurant in the lobby or right next door. Restaurants will typically be closed if you arrive late at night, but are typically opened by 7 am. Restaurants tend to have complete menus of Panamanian dishes. American fast food restaurants also are typically found within a couple of blocks.

Checking out
If you were given a remote to the television when you checked in, return it to the front desk when you leave. Turn in your key and wait for the receptionist to check your sheet for any additional charges.

Recommendations
I have stayed at the following mid-range hotels in Panama City and would recommend any of them for a place to sleep for a night or two: Acapulco, California, Latino, Marpariso, and Montreal. Websites are not available for the hotels, but reviews/additional information for each can be found for each on Google or stay tuned for an upcoming article!
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Original Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12916-Norfolk-Panama-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d28-Midrange-priced-hotels-in-Panama-City-Panama-What-to-expect
Date Retrieved: September 28, 2009