Hostal Villa Grande — Hotel in Calidonia

I stayed in Hostal Villa Grande for 4 nights in August 2023. The hostel is well located in a tranquil lane of a very good location - Santo Tomas Metro and Rey Supermarket are just a short walk away. There’s a complete kitchen with billiard table, hammock and spacious hang-out area. Although there are many beds in a room, there’s an attached bathroom and sufficient space to move around in the spacious room.

However, the hostel only switches on the air-conditioner for limited hours (around 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) amidst the hot weather in Panama City – it was “feel like” 45 degree Celsius during my stay. Most of us couldn’t sleep because the room was too warm. I had to take cold shower and drink icy water in the middle of the night! There’s only 2 toilets for us to use (in the same room or run over to the toilet in the next room). There were also quite a lot of mosquitoes in the hostel.

Having said so, one of the hostel staff (Herbert) was very helpful and friendly. He would go the extra miles and try to help whenever possible.

Judging solely on the air-conditioner and mosquitoes issues, I would have rated this hostel 2/5. Nevertheless, based on the location and the helpfulness of Herbert, I would recommend this hostel and revise my...

Good value for money. Really friendly staff and service, new four bed dorms. Location is what sells it. Walking distance to Casco Viejo and handful of shops and restaurants around. Right next to metro stop. The only major complaint is that there was the thick plastic (along with the cardboard parts on the four corners) on the new mattresses in the four bed dorm. I don’t understand why it wasn't taken off (and we were not allowed to take them off). A staff member said it was to “keep them clean” but that is what sheets are for. It was very uncomfortable to sleep on and make loud crinkly sounds all night. Super weird policy.

Other than that it’s a basic functional hostel, little effort put into style but it's alright for a...

we stayed here only one night and thank god for that. the beds are minging and the pillows are a deformed mass of undefined material. the plugs next to my bed don't work so I have to use my own power bank. there is no hot water in my dorm and the bathroom is dirty and old. the guy at the reception was not helpful despite me being able to communicate in spanish. the place is just falling apart. honestly I should have slept at the airport directly. i have been in much better hostels in the city for roughly...