Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn
Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn
8-18 Calle Boquete & Calle 8va, 111 Casco Viejo, Panama City 0808 Panama
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Avg. HK$559 /night, 3/20 - 3/21
HK$1,375
per night
HK$952
per night
HK$528
per night
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About
#3 of 60 hostels in Panama City
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Magnolia Inn offers comfortable and spacious deluxe private rooms. Our restored French colonial mansion is full of historic character, as well as modern conveniences such as A/C, orthopedic beds, free Wi-Fi Internet, mini-fridge and safe deposit boxes. We have a total of 16 hotel rooms available, all with private bathroom, A/C and safe deposit boxes. We are a family friendly hotel and are suitable to host large groups. The building boasts stylish social areas to relax and meet fellow guests. A fully equipped kitchen and sunbathed dining room is available for all ours guests to use and coffee and tea is offered free all day. We also have a total of 38 hostel/dorm beds available with comfortable beds and A/C. Within a couple blocks from the hotel you can enjoy Casco Viejo's attractions such as the Presidential Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, the Canal Museum, National Theater, Las Bovedas, and many others. Casco Viejo also is home to art galleries, great restaurants, and some of the city's best bars. Private car service is available for a fee, you are greeted inside Tocumen (PTY) international airport with a sign. The English speaking driver helps you with your bags and brings you to the front desk of the Magnolia Inn. Our front desk staff is fluent English, Spanish German, Dutch and Russian and will gladly help you with further planning your trip in Panama.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Board games / puzzles
Books, DVDs, music for children
Airport transportation
Baggage storage
Concierge
24-hour front desk
Laundry service
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun terrace
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Safe
Seating area
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Bath / shower
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Russian, Spanish, Dutch and 1 more
Location
8-18 Calle Boquete & Calle 8va, 111 Casco Viejo, Panama City 0808 Panama
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Detailed Reviews
The Casa Magnolia Inn is located in the center of Casco Viejo and a very good option with value consideration. It is partly a youth hostel and partly a renovated hotel. We stayed in rooms that were part of the renovated hotel. They were small but very nice.
The location is excellent for wandering around the quaint and interesting Casco Viejo. For us it was much preferable to stay in this part of Panama city rather than downtown - which is "all business".
Casco Viejo is a World Heritage site and it is, reportedly, being entirely renovated to meet its World Heritage status. But, this is a "work in progress". So, there are dilapidated buildings right across narrow streets from buildings that have been nicely renovated. This is true for the Magnolia Inn. So, don't come here expecting that it is all about glamour. It isn't. It is all about history and a view to the past.
The people running the hotel were excellent overall. We were checking out of the hotel in late morning but checking in to the hotel used by our tour later that day. The Magnolia people were very accommodating to storing our luggage and then even allowing us to use the showers (we didn't need them) and the lounge which were parts of the hostel accommodations. This made our transition very easy. We wandered Casco Viejo in the late morning and early afternoon, then took an Uber to or new hotel to begin the tour part of our adventure.
The individual at the front desk did make one mistake: recommending Cafe Baloo as a place for breakfast. It was absolutely the worst! Service was incredibly slow, food was poor quality, the milk for the coffee was curdled and the food was not even what we ordered! This happened on our first morning arrival in Panama and we were trying not to be "ugly Americans" by raising a fuss. However, do not ever go to Cafe Baloo in Casco Viejo!
Otherwise, we would certainly use the Magnolia Inn again. There are fancier hotels if you want to pay for them. But, this was a very good value for our needs.
The location is excellent for wandering around the quaint and interesting Casco Viejo. For us it was much preferable to stay in this part of Panama city rather than downtown - which is "all business".
Casco Viejo is a World Heritage site and it is, reportedly, being entirely renovated to meet its World Heritage status. But, this is a "work in progress". So, there are dilapidated buildings right across narrow streets from buildings that have been nicely renovated. This is true for the Magnolia Inn. So, don't come here expecting that it is all about glamour. It isn't. It is all about history and a view to the past.
The people running the hotel were excellent overall. We were checking out of the hotel in late morning but checking in to the hotel used by our tour later that day. The Magnolia people were very accommodating to storing our luggage and then even allowing us to use the showers (we didn't need them) and the lounge which were parts of the hostel accommodations. This made our transition very easy. We wandered Casco Viejo in the late morning and early afternoon, then took an Uber to or new hotel to begin the tour part of our adventure.
The individual at the front desk did make one mistake: recommending Cafe Baloo as a place for breakfast. It was absolutely the worst! Service was incredibly slow, food was poor quality, the milk for the coffee was curdled and the food was not even what we ordered! This happened on our first morning arrival in Panama and we were trying not to be "ugly Americans" by raising a fuss. However, do not ever go to Cafe Baloo in Casco Viejo!
Otherwise, we would certainly use the Magnolia Inn again. There are fancier hotels if you want to pay for them. But, this was a very good value for our needs.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Know that there is a part of the hotel that is hostel and a part that is renovated hotel.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Great hotel/hostel to spend the night. Large room with air conditioning and large TV that you can only watch with, for example, a Netflix account. We had room 19 with 2 king size beds because there were 3 of us. Unfortunately there was only 1 bottle of water, 3 would have been nice on arrival. There is a refrigerator and safe available. Plenty of eateries around the hotel for breakfast lunch dinner! Order an uber to go somewhere. Panama Canal around 8 euros, great price! Hotel is clean and friendly. If you leave in the afternoon, you can shower and change before going to the airport.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a really decent hotel, located in the middle of the Caso Veijo district in PTY. My reservation was made direct thru the hotel website with any difficulties. My room was waiting for me when I got arrived. The room was clean, well air conditioned with an excellent shower and comfortable bed. The furnishings were not ornate, but functional. The strong points of this hotel are its location, (surrounded by good restaurants, cafes, The Panama Canal Museum and French Point) and helpful friendly staff. Joseph, the front desk manager was very helpful in securing a taxi, making dining suggestions, and printing out my boarding passes for my departing flight. I would go back to this hotel and recommend it to others you will not be disappointed.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â I had room 9, which was good
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I really don't understand why this place gets so many good reviews - my best guess is that it trades entirely on it's location and then puts zero effort into anything else.
Yes, it's a nice old building and yes, it has some pretty views but beyond that it's a very mediocre hostel.
The accomodation is basic; very flimsy, wobbly bunks, tiny shower rooms, and no attempt at breakfast.
Our room had a huge window with no curtain meaning it was impossible to sleep past 6am. There's no control for the air-con in the rooms (staff come around and turn it on or off as they see fit).
To be fair, most of the junior staff (cleaners etc.) were friendly and nice, but the reception staff/management ranged from curt to rude. Certainly nothing that I would call welcoming.
One particularly pompous individual seemed to spend his time wandering the communal areas telling guests not to recline on the sofas like naughty children - I'm not joking.
If you're really, really into panamanian architecture (and I mean really) you might want to consider staying here, otherwise give it a wide bearth.
Yes, it's a nice old building and yes, it has some pretty views but beyond that it's a very mediocre hostel.
The accomodation is basic; very flimsy, wobbly bunks, tiny shower rooms, and no attempt at breakfast.
Our room had a huge window with no curtain meaning it was impossible to sleep past 6am. There's no control for the air-con in the rooms (staff come around and turn it on or off as they see fit).
To be fair, most of the junior staff (cleaners etc.) were friendly and nice, but the reception staff/management ranged from curt to rude. Certainly nothing that I would call welcoming.
One particularly pompous individual seemed to spend his time wandering the communal areas telling guests not to recline on the sofas like naughty children - I'm not joking.
If you're really, really into panamanian architecture (and I mean really) you might want to consider staying here, otherwise give it a wide bearth.
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After my stay, I sent this email:
I just wanted to let the management know about my experience during my stay. Vickie was the main person that I spoke with during my stay and she was very pleasant and genuinely seemed like she cared about the guest's experience. Unfortunately, wifi did not work in my room at all during my stay. I did report it to Vickie and she said that she would need to do something. I'm not sure what that was, but it still wasn't working when I got back to my room that evening. She also mentioned that she would call one of their drivers to take me to the airport at 4:30am for my early flight. She couldn't find her contact book at that time, but said that she would leave a message for me with the evening person. That was at 11am, the day before check-out. I arrived back at the hotel around 6:30pm and I asked the man at the front desk regarding the message. He looked very confused and said he didn't know what I was talking about. I explained to him the situation and he said that she didn't leave a message, but he would try to call her. He didn't call her. He then said that I could take an uber and said that things were hectic when he got there, so maybe that was what happened. If Vickie left at 3pm, that would be 4 hours where I don't think it was completely hectic that whole time. Even so, that is not a reason not to do something, especially something like transportation. His response was not very professional. Yes, I can take an uber, but that wasn't the point. He could have tried to call himself, but didn't. It was pretty obvious that he was just being lazy and didn't want to deal with anything. Between the wifi and his attitude (won't even mention the water pressure, noise and other things), I would expect that out of a $30-40/night hotel, but I paid over $100. It's just not ok.
Of course, there was no response to this email, which had me take off more stars than I would for just the stay itself.
I just wanted to let the management know about my experience during my stay. Vickie was the main person that I spoke with during my stay and she was very pleasant and genuinely seemed like she cared about the guest's experience. Unfortunately, wifi did not work in my room at all during my stay. I did report it to Vickie and she said that she would need to do something. I'm not sure what that was, but it still wasn't working when I got back to my room that evening. She also mentioned that she would call one of their drivers to take me to the airport at 4:30am for my early flight. She couldn't find her contact book at that time, but said that she would leave a message for me with the evening person. That was at 11am, the day before check-out. I arrived back at the hotel around 6:30pm and I asked the man at the front desk regarding the message. He looked very confused and said he didn't know what I was talking about. I explained to him the situation and he said that she didn't leave a message, but he would try to call her. He didn't call her. He then said that I could take an uber and said that things were hectic when he got there, so maybe that was what happened. If Vickie left at 3pm, that would be 4 hours where I don't think it was completely hectic that whole time. Even so, that is not a reason not to do something, especially something like transportation. His response was not very professional. Yes, I can take an uber, but that wasn't the point. He could have tried to call himself, but didn't. It was pretty obvious that he was just being lazy and didn't want to deal with anything. Between the wifi and his attitude (won't even mention the water pressure, noise and other things), I would expect that out of a $30-40/night hotel, but I paid over $100. It's just not ok.
Of course, there was no response to this email, which had me take off more stars than I would for just the stay itself.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Magnolia Inn, Owner at Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn
Responded 24 Apr 2022
Hello Kelly, I am sorry to hear your email was not answered, I looked again but could not find the email in question. Please resend to magnoliapanama@gmail.com and I will be happy to respond. At Magnolia Inn we aim to please and this is why we would like to extend our apologies for the human error that took place regarding the car service you needed. About WiFi, we did start the report with the carrier as it was not an inside problem but the entire area. We are hoping you can see that Vicky did try to help but sometimes the solution is beyond our control. We are also happy to report that thanks to that situation, we have taken the steps to improve our network so that we are better prepared. Please believe that your words are taken as opportunities to grow and be better. Hope you stay awesome and hopefully visit us again! Cheers from Magnolia Inn
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I’m not sure who writes these reviews but must be more likely friends and family members of the staff. I had to cancel my staying right before checking in. The first turn off was that some Asian turist kept his bare feet on the lobby table and the staff was walking by indifferently. I paid heed twice finding it disturbing and biohazardous (simply disgusting) but the receptionists ignored my request. Second I was refused to see the room I booked and prepaid! First they kept me waiting for the room was not ready changing the ideas of how long they need to clean and prepare it. And finely they admitted that the previous guest hadn’t left yet! Another word zero reliability, zero professionalism, zero courtesy and poorly understood hospitality. The interiors should be be renovated and the staff should pay attention to the hygiene. Actually it’s more of the youth hostel than a hotel. If you like your money, and want to be treated more seriously skip this one and check in to many good hotels with better prices around. And btw, filling the complaint to the management don’t expect any response. It’s their way.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked a “Penthouse Suite” on Booking.com. It is a decent, standard room, not exactly a suite. On the description it also says “soundproof.” Unfortunately, they have a serious noise issue. On a Wednesday night, it was incredibly loud in the room until around 2:30 am, when I finally managed to fall asleep. I have been visiting Casco for many years, and I know it is a noisy place, but this was the worst I have ever experienced. It was even worse than in Selina’s rooms directly under their bar. The only worse sound experience I’ve had was in the old Luna’s Castle dungeon rooms above their Relic bar.
I explained my issue to the management, and was disappointed when they refused to allow me to cancel my next night. As someone in the hospitality sector, I understand non-refundable rates are non-refundable. But when a guest has such a bad experience and decides to leave early, it’s usually a good idea to make exception. Not doing so exposes your priorities. In the world of hospitality, when management so plainly chooses profit over guest satisfaction, that is a big red flag.
I explained my issue to the management, and was disappointed when they refused to allow me to cancel my next night. As someone in the hospitality sector, I understand non-refundable rates are non-refundable. But when a guest has such a bad experience and decides to leave early, it’s usually a good idea to make exception. Not doing so exposes your priorities. In the world of hospitality, when management so plainly chooses profit over guest satisfaction, that is a big red flag.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is my second time staying at the Magnolia Inn and all I can say is I would recommend it to anyone. They have a variety of rooms for all types of travellers and all VERY clean! The shared kitchen and common area is perfect for meeting other travellers, making your meals, and having a coffee on the balcony. The staff is SUPER friendly and always welcomes you every time you come back from being out in the city, while also giving good advice on where to eat etc. The location is perfect for anyone looking to explore Casco Antiguo as it is in walking distance to everywhere in this area! The Magnolia Inn is a perfect home away from home in this busy city.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excellent experience at the Magnolia Inn Hotel. It is a hotel with private rooms and shared rooms, with an adequate price, very good cleanliness and an unbeatable location. We stayed in a private double room and we had a small inconvenience that was brought to the attention of the staff who gave us a solution that exceeded our expectations. A big thank you to Mariluz, Sol and Emanuel who are people who understand the business perfectly. We also thank Mr. Joseph who gave us a warm welcome. I can't think of a better option in the historic center, if I return to Panama it will undoubtedly be my choice again.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Solicitar habitaciones privadas del primer piso
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magnolia Inn is a combination of hostel and hotel. We booked two rooms in the lower level with great AC and private bathrooms. The rooms are basic and comfortable and provide you with everything you need. There is a shared kitchen and fridge so you can get a cup of coffee or store your food and drinks.
The location of Magnolia Inn is ideal! Located in the heart of the old city, right next to Plaza Mayor, it is walking distance to all the sites! The best part was the staff. Eduardo, Simon and Vicki made our stay so memorable. They were awesome. I would definitely recommend seeing here.
The location of Magnolia Inn is ideal! Located in the heart of the old city, right next to Plaza Mayor, it is walking distance to all the sites! The best part was the staff. Eduardo, Simon and Vicki made our stay so memorable. They were awesome. I would definitely recommend seeing here.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in a street-level room with window going out to a back street. Surprisingly, we didn't have any issues with noise. I think it may depend on the time of year and/or if much is going on in town during your stay, but, thankfully, it wasn't a problem for us.
I would doubt it. My room opened onto a veranda. All other rooms seemed like they did as well.
Hi Ms Roaming,
We have an English Speaking airport pickup service for $35, a yellow taxi should be around $30. Uber does operate but their price is not fixed, it should be around $25-30.
Buses are cheap but not always convenient, and they will drop you off at cinco de mayo, which is still a 15 minute walk from Casco Viejo. Bus schedules do not exist here in Panama, you just wait till the bus shows up.
For more info send us an email at: magnoliapanama at gmail . com and we will gladly assist you from there.
Hi Swati! We have room 2A available with a queen bed and twin bed, with private bathroom. Please go to our website for a more detailed impression of the room and to make your booking.
Kind regards,
Joeri van der Linden
"Know that there is a part of the hotel that is hostel and a part that is renovated hotel."Read full review
"They offer luggage storage and can arrange transportation to and from the airport."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
HK$544 - HK$979 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
PanamaPanama ProvincePanama City
NUMBER OF ROOMS
22
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn?
Nearby attractions include Casco Viejo (0.1 km), Dress Like Panama (0.3 km), and The Panamá Barcrawl (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, airport transportation, and laundry service.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Caleta, La PulperĂa - Casco Antiguo, and Restaurante El Nacional - Sabores De Panama.
Does Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn have airport transportation?
Yes, Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, Russian, and Dutch.
Are there any historical sites close to Hotel Casa Magnolia Inn?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Museo del Canal Interoceánico de Panamá (0.1 km) and Siengkodi Rain Forest Adventures (1.3 km).