Hotel Caribe — Hotel in Calidonia

I would rate it significantly better, but thanks to the behavior of one receptionist... 🤷‍♂️

➕: I am usually critical, but here it must be admitted that even though the hotel is older and the facilities are quite basic, it fulfills its purpose overall. About 70% of the staff are nice and helpful, including English. Breakfast is served and simple but tasty. The restaurant also prepares a lunch menu at very reasonable prices. There is a nice view from the roof, there is also a small pool and the possibility of sitting at the bar. The surrounding area is wilder, but I haven't had any problems there even after dark. Next to the hotel is a large supermarket, as well as a bakery and other dining options. It is a 7-10 minute walk to the metro station. The hotel also has a basement parking lot (it does not have a large capacity, but it is free). The WiFi worked pretty well, as did the air conditioning.

➖: Elevators are very slow and their controls are not linked. No fridge in the room. Every day I had a problem with the chip card and had to go to the reception to reactivate my room access. The behavior of one of the receptionists was a very bad experience. When a former colleague (he is a local) from an international project came to visit me, the receptionist started shouting at us from the entrance to go to her, then she legitimized the colleague (in an indiscriminate way) and declared that if he comes to visit my room, we have to pay for the night's accommodation for the other person. I answered incomprehensibly that we wanted to sit down and have a drink (and that it would probably be enough for us to just go to the terrace) - which she finally allowed us with disdainful grimaces. It was extremely rude and inappropriate from her (it felt like I was ordering sexual services...

My feelings about this hotel are very mixed. Of course, when writing a review, one must take into account what one pays. The hotel is very run down, but the rooms are not small, beds ok, and towels and linen clean. Breakfast very reasonable. So far so good and price justified. However, the bonus of the hotel, the roof top with the swimming pool, was also our curse. Blaring music till very late at night/early morning. So, getting a room on a higher floor away from heavy traffic and loud road works in the night, was maybe not great with that difference that the blaring music comes from the hotel itself and could be avoided. It is the reason why we never ate at the rooftop, nor ever had more than one drink. When I asked to put the music down, being all alone there, it was refused 'because the guests at the terrace past the swimming pool like it loud'. There were no other guests. It is too loud for rooftop visitors (is not a disco) and above all for guests who pay for a night's sleep. There also was a total mess up with our 3 rooms at the reception, so that we paid more than we should have but they were not open for understanding, nor that they misinformed us. That cost us money while in any other hotel, the hotel would have taken responsibility. The fact that there always is a different person at the reception, each not having a clue about what others said, did not help. None spoke English. The only exception in the whole hotel is the guy who helps with luggage and anything else. He speaks English, is learning French, and is very helpful. The neighbourhood seems not safe, many warned us, but just be vigilant and take a taxi when dark. It is 15-20 mins walk to Casco and the promenade...

Needed an economical spot for one night while in transit through Panama Hotel had agreed to arrange for a taxi at airport for me as it was my first time in Panama City. He never showed.||Pre-booked with a broker and that posed no problem.Reception staff speak little or no English so be prepared to use your Spanish. They were helpful and patient though.||Room was huge though pretty basic. I didn't like the security on the door or on the windows and had to add some devices I carry to feel secure.||A/C was up to the task of the hot and humid climate. Small TV and little or no English channels. ||Bathroom facilities were adequate with some amenities provided but no hair dryer.||Restaurant provides a tasty continental breakfast and has a decent menu. I ate lunch there and while the service was good, the meal quality was not great. My pork chops ( I asked for the ribs) were overcooked to the extreme.||The front desk did provide an extra hour for checkout due to late flight which was handy.||The area around the hotel is not particularly clean and has little to visit. A stroll up Ave. Peru does offer a few distractions and spots to eat.||There is a nice pool on the roof with great views of the city. The bar there does not open until 1 pm though.||The price was very competitive but next time I am in Panama I think I will spend a few more dollars and find a slightly better spot, in a...