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Panama Hotel

2.0 star property
San Rafael hotel in Picnic Valley area

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Photo gallery for Panama Hotel

Restaurant
Cabin (Captain's Cabin) | Living area
Room (Roy Roger's Room)
Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow) | Living area
Front of property

Reviews

6.8 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

Map
4 BAYVIEW STREET, San Rafael, CA, 94901
  • Mission San Rafael Arcangel
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Dominican University of California
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Marin County Civic Center
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    ‪51 min drive‬

Room options

Room (Grant's Tome)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Room (Garden Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Jennifer's Room)

Room (Jennifer's Room)

Room (Jennifer's Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon Room)

Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon Room)

Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Lady Bracknell's)

Room (Lady Bracknell's)

Room (Lady Bracknell's)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Ken's Safari Room)

Room (Ken's Safari Room)

Room (Ken's Safari Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Maria's Pueblo)

Room (Maria's Pueblo)

Room (Maria's Pueblo)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Futon

View all photos for Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room (Bordello Room)

Room (Bordello Room)

Room (Bordello Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Rosie's Room)

Room (Rosie's Room)

Room (Rosie's Room)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Futon

View all photos for Room (Roy Roger's Room)

Room (Roy Roger's Room)

Room (Roy Roger's Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room (Venetian Room)

Room (Venetian Room)

Room (Venetian Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the area

San Rafael

Picnic Valley stay.At this Picnic Valley hotel, you'll be steps from San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park and within a 15-minute walk of Mission San Rafael Arcangel. Falkirk Cultural Center and Dominican University of California are also within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Mission San Rafael Arcangel - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Dominican University of California - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Marin County Civic Center - 6 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Larkspur Ferry Terminal - 6 min drive - 5.5 km

Getting around

  • Richmond Transit Center - 19 min drive
  • San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Muffin Mania Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪California Gold - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Java Detour - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Tam Commons - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Depot Garden Cafe - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Panama Hotel

San Rafael hotel in Picnic Valley area
There's a restaurant on site. Public spaces have free WiFi. Panama Hotel also features a garden and coffee/tea in a common area.
  • 13 guestrooms or units
  • Built in 1910
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Garden
  • Dining venue
Panama Hotel offers 13 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations include desks. 32-inch Smart televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations with rainfall showerheads. This San Rafael hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 50+ Mbps. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Property amenity

Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 1,351 reviews
The price is CA $157
CA $177 total
includes taxes & fees
15 Apr - 16 Apr
Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch smart TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 25.00
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 25.00

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 15.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 15.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 25.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 25.00 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Panama Hotel Hotel
Panama Hotel SAN RAFAEL
Panama Hotel Hotel SAN RAFAEL

Panama Hotel Reviews

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 70 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 70 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 70 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 70 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 17 out of 70 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Charles, Tiburon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Got in late for check in and they had key in lock box for me.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Charming old house, converted to a hotel. Safe location. Easy walk to numerous restaurants and other businesses. Clean. Proprietor is pleasant and polite. Nice bedroom. Shared bathrooms. (Difficult to get a comfortable setting on the shower.) Good overall.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Andrea

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
AVOID AVOID AVOID worst stay I’ve ever had
I got off work at the hospital and was told my key would be in a lock box(because there is no 24 hour front desk as advertised) and couldn’t find the lock box in the dark in the winter rain storm. When I rang the bell out of desperation and cold, the man who came to the front was rude and absolutely astounded that I couldn’t find the 4 lockboxes and accused me of being drunk and suggested I find a place elsewhere. When I said that was fine with me he changed his tune. I should have taken the opportunity to stay elsewhere because it was a nightmare. I got into a sparsely appointed room with no bathroom where the window was wide open and the room was freezing. I had to be up at 5 for my shift the next day so I laid down but the light from the hallway around the door was too bright. I left the next morning and got a different room and the hotel refuses to refund me for the other night. Horrible place, best to avoid. All the pictures on the site are from a previous owner: the rooms are not cute, the restaurant is not open, and there is no 24 hour front desk. To top it all off the staff is rude. Get a room elsewhere, you’ll thank me for it later
Window wide open when I got in the room
The one “comfort” in the room
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great retro, comfortable with minimal bothersome amenities.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Ryan

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awful… don’t stay here.
Had a very disappointing stay. Had booked 2 rooms including one for my 80 y/o mother. Building is old and decrepit and the room originally intended for her was up a very steep stairwell and included shared bathroom not immediately apparent upon booking. My S/O and I eventually took this room as it was not manageable for her. We found dirty linens with mascara staining on pillow cases. To top it all off, the room was right above their restaurant, which thankfully was closed for renovations. This did not stop hotel staff from partying in the restaurant space until 4am, despite us asking them to be quiet. To cap everything off, the manager refused to offer any sort of refund / compensation for this terrible stay - telling me in person that I needed to go through Hotels.com and then refusing to respond to Hotels.com despite repeated attempts by them to resolve the matter.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

CHERYL WEINTRAUB

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A night full of rest..😴thank you guys!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Scott

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Funky Boutique hotel, I have stayed at before and will again. Not a modern hotel by any stretch, but clean and not too far from downtown food, drink & shopping. Room was clean - the Fridge turned out to be a freezer, but other than that no problems. Restaurant was closed, staff was nice but it is not a 24 hour staffed reception. I liked it and will be back for sure
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

4/10 Poor

Jan

Junk stored everywhere. Property is in ownership transition
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wesley

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is very cute. We had a great stay. There’s a great bakery around the corner
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anicia

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a chance I’m glad we took! It’s so charming and unique. Clean and quiet. We will definitely be staying here again.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

2/10 Terrible

Matthew

Travelled with family, Business traveller, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Worst place i have ever stayed and terrible management.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is great... such History and thr rooms are soooo cool... always our place to stay ... A++++++
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hamid

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Christopher

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel in a residential area - needs a lot of work
This hotel is nothing like the photos on the internet. It appears to be under construction / being remodeled, but I wasn't told that when I booked. There were paint cans and construction supplies piled in the courtyard. It seemed abandoned. The owner left the room key in a lock box. There was no air conditioning, and the fan in the room was too noisy to tolerate. The bathrooms are down the hall. I rated the service as excellent because I left the hotel within an hour after arriving, and the owner did not charge me for the stay.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Greg

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I liked the guy who helped me thru the reservation process
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Kristy

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
It was unique and comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Maria, Redwood City

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lobby and restaurant were under construction. We stayed in the Venetian Room. It was smaller, darker and dated than it looked on their website photos. Needs some maintenance work or updating - chip paint, holes on the walls, some splashes of "something" on the walls, picture frames falling apart, our towels had holes, etc. Otherwise, good price, great location and walkable to downtown San Rafael.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Jared

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Holly

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet and clean. Very serviceable for a restful night. I’m excited to stay again when the restaurant is open.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Phu

Travelled with family
Cute place, but very basic.
Panama is a cute hotel and Anos, who checked us in was friendly. Our room was cute. The neighborhood is very quaint and it is walking distance to downtown. (.5 miles) However, during our visit, it was VERY basic. The hotel is under construction-- (big time!) and I was not informed of this on their website when I booked our stay. There was no coffee in the morning, no lobby, no place it sit downstairs. I would stay again in the future after the remodeling and construction.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Dominique St

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Under construction. No one was there when I showed up, but I was two hours early for my reservation. There was no clear signage about where to enter, just a big sign that they changed owners. I honestly thought the place was closed but the nice lady next store told me they must be at lunch. My room (captains room) was near where workers were most of the night. I asked for an extra hour passed check out and they said no.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024