This mom-and-pop place is too remote for easy exploration of Panama City, but handy if you have an early morning flight or bus from the Albrook terminals. It's also a decent choice if you want to take the train to Colón - a picturesque voyage hugging the Panama Canal. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

There really is no substitute for the exquisite penthouse at Casa Mar Alta in Panama City's atmospheric colonial core. Unfortunately, with only two guestrooms available in this restored 19th-century mansion, you might have to find one: book early. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A honey of an all-suites hotel, this place in the heart of El Cangrejo ranks with the best of them. The sprawling rooms sparkle and there are tons of extras that travellers will love - including a 15% drop in room price if you stay more than one night. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The budget digs of choice in Casco Viejo, Hostal Lyons House offers clean, well swept dorms and a couple of private rooms at a nice price. Housed in a creaky, colonial building from 1868, this familial pension has a certain charm and is a good place to meet other travellers. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A discernible step up from the standard hotel fare that runs chock-a-block in this part of town, the Acapulco combines professionalism with comfortable rooms, exuding a subtle style. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This gigantic hotel is like a slice of Vegas transplanted to Panama City: flashy, rococo, bodacious and stacked with facilities, amenities and services. It even has the casino (but is short an Elvis impersonator). Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Hotel Caribe's motto is 'where the party never ends' and the place feels like a washed up rock star crash pad - a Panamanian Chelsea Hotel if you will, where Sid Vicious would feel at home collapsing. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Rock-bottom budget places can have a rugged charm, as El Hotel Colón proves. There are 45 rooms here and every one is different, so look at a few if possible, keep your expectations in check and you should pass an agreeable stay here. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

An upscale hotel with that swinging, tropical style more common to Havana than Panama, the Hotel Continental is like a latino lover - full of macho magnetism. Grab a cocktail, sink into one of the French Provincial couches in the lobby and watch it all swirl by. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Upholding the Panamanian standard of great exterior and lobby which belie the regular rooms within, this place is only good value if you get the corporate rate - almost a third lower than what's quoted. Night owl note: it's also the most affordable hotel within spitting distance … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Bypass the cheesy casino-style entrance, with all its twinkling lights and blinding chrome, and you'll discover great value at this popular hotel in a prime location. There's a good mix of guests here, adding to the flavour. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

This well-located upscale hotel has that swinging, tropical style more common to Havana than Panama, thanks to the open architecture, cool breezes and the abundance of fresh-cut flowers. The rooms themselves have four-poster Federalist-style beds and enough space to do somersault… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Your upscale option in a downtrodden part of town, this hotel is a good choice for trios or families looking for a little comfort at a good price (front desk staff are open to negotiation). Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Filled with individual quirks and details, this amiable place is a bit of an oddball among the pricier cookie-cutter aparthotels that dominate the El Cangrejo district. The location is terrific, the price is right and the staff super friendly - but this is funky, not luxury accom… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A 25-storey glass and steel tower perched over the Bahía de Panamá, this is the most well-rounded, all-service business hotel in the city. And it's Inter-Continental, so the style and services are standardised. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The curse of all guidebook writers is that you discover the grooviest places to stay only after taking a room someplace worse. This is particularly acute in the case of Casa de Carmen, which is Panama City's loveliest budget accommodation. So lovely, in fact, that it can be hard … Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Perched atop Cerro Ancón and surrounded by tropical flora and fauna, La Estancia is a small apartment building converted into a tranquil B&B. Thanks to the lofty locale, there are some great views, but staying here means you are a taxi ride from everything - build it into your bu… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

In local vernacular, this part of town is known as bastante feo (butt ugly), but the Pensión Monaco makes the best of the less-than-ideal location. Among the top cheapie options in La Exposición, it's clean, secure and terrific value. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

A coral pink palace with high security - a good thing in rough-around-the-edges La Exposición - the Residencial Jamaica is a tightly-run ship on a quiet corner. Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Travelers in the know choose Hotel Marparaíso, simply because they'll pick you up at the airport for free, which will save you some serious cash. The rooms themselves are fairly unremarkable, though at least you can take a hot shower, watch some satellite TV and blast the air-con… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

The Venecia is one of the newer hotels in this rapidly aging neighborhood, and its cheerily painted exterior is subtle compared to the over-the-top Venetian theme inside. If you can look past all the Roman tapestries, replica urns, fake artwork and stock tourist photos, the Venec… Full Lonely Planet Review ›

Originally built to house Panama Canal workers, this handsome hotel has an impressive lobby complete with the original ornate Spanish tile work. On the exterior, the Pensión Colón evokes the Casco Viejo of old. Unfortunately, the place has seen many years of neglect, though a sag… Full Lonely Planet Review ›