Hostal Posada 1914 — Hotel in Bella Vista

We stayed here for 3 nights on the final part of our trip to Panama. To be fair we didn’t do any research, just on recommendation from a previous place we stayed. We had a quick look at the website where it is described as a two story colonial house which has been kept in its original state for guests to enjoy. This is true to a certain extent but there has clearly been no effort to restore or maintain that ‘original state’ as the building and rooms (certainly the one we were in) looked quite tired and unloved. ||||The breakfast was an average affair. Coffee, a few types of tea, bread jam etc. There was fruit and scrambled egg but you really had to get up early for this because when it ran out it was not replenished. ||||The staff are lovely, the housekeeper in particular, who we felt had a major job on her hand to clean the rooms and bathrooms which were often unacceptably left by fellow guests.||||The owner, we believe, was on the premises at some point during our visit as we think we saw her making deliveries with other staff. There was no attempt to engage with any of the guests by her so we can’t be absolutely sure it was her.||||All in all it was quite a disappointing stay. Perhaps we were just fussy and expected more. As I say if you’re backpacking and on a real budget this might be absolutely fine for you as certainly the price you pay is very reasonable. However, when you’re travelling half way around the world to visit places, the cheaper option is not always the number one priority. With a little bit more love, effort and attention to detail this could be a lovely...

Only reason I gave 4 stars was the price at currently nearly US$17 a night is Xy for me for a small 6 bed dorm. Panama does seem to charge 1st world country prices for a 2nd world country. Be aware the city has grown way too fast for its own infrastructure - water turned off every late afternoon/evening so don't think you'll take a shower @ 6pm, internet dead & gone 2 or 3 times a day, roads jammed with traffic 24/7, electricity out, mainly pm when air cons greed outstrips supply. Some people have their own wells and genis specially for dry season when the watertable is very low and electrical use way up due to heat. I was there in dry season.Posada has a huge kitchen, 2 huge fridges, an amazing supermarket just round the corner, is 5 mins walk from the underground, Line 1, which takes you to Albrook the bus - city, country and intercountry - depot so Posada fantastic spot to stay for all connections. Excellent chill out breakfast bar/all day cafe area out the front which is gathering spot in pm. Climbing wall well utelised when I was there. The cleaning staff do excellent job so bathrooms, dorms and bedding all super clean. Staff are so warm and friendly and full of info. Quiet bench for online work near reservation in cool area plus fans available if needed. You will definitely enjoy the social side of...

Stayed here for 5 nights while doing a Traveling Spanish School. I titled it "A rose between two thorns" because this beautiful and charming little hostel is surrounded on all sides by high rise apartment houses. It is colorful and cheary. Friendly staff, came with light breakfast each morning consisting of various juices, filtered hot/cold water, white bread, peanut butter, butter, jelly. They provided a toaster also. The hostel is secured by wall and accessible by locked entrance only. Rooms are small but certainly adequate. My room had a fan also. Shared shower was large, clean and adequate. Outside seating area and also has a climbing wall on site. On Friday nights they cook pizza in an outside brick oven. Kitchen area is large with areas for personal items. Has washer/dryer on site for a fee. Free internet and access is very good and also speed is very good. Located only a couple blocks to a supermarket, restaurants, and a park. Overall it was great for my first...