Central Hotel Panamá Casco Viejo

It's a very nice hotel... Exceptional service, beautiful setting, amazing location, and cool views from the pool and rooftop bar. We stayed three nights. Our bed and pillows were quite comfortable. Our shower door didn't close properly, so our bathroom had water on the floor every day. The food on the rooftop was not great and quite expensive. On the other hand, we had wonderful breakfast at the morning buffet. Depending on how much you pay for the breakfast package, it is probably worth it... we enjoy it every time. Every where we went, we remained impressed with their attention to detail and care. I would come back to this hotel.

Not worth the money. Prices equivalent to NYC. Upcharge on everything. I rarely ever write negative reviews. Rooms not as shown in photos on website. Service good. Room very clean. Location nice. Driver from airport great. The hotel leadership/host and front desk customer service feels adversarial towards the guests, but the other people who work here are very kind. Hotel is supposed to be luxury. They’re going their best but experience isn’t good.

My partner and I arrived at the hotel at 10AM after a grueling 24 hrs travel into Panama City. We were immediately informed that our reserved room was clean and ready for occupancy. However, despite the room being available and clearly unoccupied the night before, the front desk insisted they could not check us until 3PM. We were told the only option for immediate check-in was to pay the full cost of the previous night’s stay which seemed excessive for a few hours’ use of a ready room. We returned at 1PM, hoping the policy might be waived or a manager could offer a solution, but the staff remained completely inflexible. We were made to wait until the clock struck 3 Pm, even thought the room had been ready since our 10 AM arrival. While I I understand and respect standard hotel checking , good hospitality often dictates making an exception when a room is ready and a guest has traveled for 24 hrs. The rigid adherence to policy, couple with the unwillingness to exercise any customer care or common sense, truly soured the beginning of our stay. The staff chose policy over simple courtesy and good will, which is highly disappointing for a hotel in this price range. What was most frustrating was the attitude of the front desk staff, who were the primary offenders in this situation. There was a noticeable sense of power-tripping and an immediate defensiveness, with staff seeming more intent on protecting each other and the rigid policy than on finding a simple solution that would have satisfied everyone. This lack of collaborative effort or common courtesy to an exhausted traveler was the worst part of the experience.

There are places you visit, and then there are places that embrace you — Central Hotel Panama is one of the latter. From the moment I step through its grand doors, I’m greeted not simply with service, but with sincerity — the kind that leaves a lasting imprint on the heart.||The team here embodies the art of true hospitality. Nayelis, Alanis, Astrid, Arelis, both Annas, Duzyeth, Antonio, Jorge, and Jaime — each of them brings a touch of grace, professionalism, and genuine care that transforms every experience into something unforgettable. Their smiles, their attentiveness, and their warmth elevate white-glove service into something even greater — heartfelt service.||The culinary excellence at the restaurant delights the senses… exquisite dishes that balance artistry and flavor, while the bar’s masterful drinks set the tone for an evening of conversation and connection. And then, there’s the music — soulful, alive, and magnetic — turning each night into a celebration of life and fellowship.||The suites, beautifully appointed and thoughtfully designed, offer a serene retreat. From the elegant furnishings to the view of the historic square, each room tells its own quiet story — one of timeless beauty and comfort wrapped in Panama’s rich charm.||What keeps me returning week after week is not just the excellence of the food or the elegance of the space — it’s the people. The staff of Central Hotel Panama have become my dear friends. They embody what it means to serve with joy, to welcome with warmth, and to make every guest feel seen and valued.||In a world where hospitality often feels transactional, Central Hotel Panama stands apart. It is a living testament to the idea that true service flows from the heart. For me, it is not merely a hotel; it is my sanctuary of friendship, joy, and connection — the shining heart of Casco Viejo.

What a wonderful experience at AMB Sabor Terraza Bar Restaurant in the Central Hotel Panama! From the moment we arrived, Darwin welcomed us with a warm smile and great service. Italia, our waitress, was absolutely lovely — attentive, friendly, and very professional. The stuffed corvina was outstanding, full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Everything was perfect! 🌟 100% recommended, worth every penny.

The hotel is so beautiful and very clean. It is centrally located at at the heart of Casco Viejo. They have live music in the lobby during our stay, which elevated the 'luxury feel' of the place. The breakfast buffet was good. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The concierge arranged a hotel taxi for us to visit the Panama canal, and the driver acted like a tour guide as he is very knowledgeable of the place. Highly recommended.

We were in the Plaza de Independencia and were invited by a lovely young man to have lunch at this historic hotel. Many presidents and famous people have stayed at this hotel on the plaza, the first hotel in Panama. Our guide took us to the rooftop restaurant to take photos, then escorted us to the restaurant that served what we were looking for, sanchocho, the traditional Panamanian soup: It was delicious and high quality. We ate at the Central Palm Garden restaurant and our lovely server was Dayana. The rooftop restaurant looked great too. Everyone was pleasant and friendly.

I'm rounding up to 5 stars because we got an upgraded room, as the original was terribly small and only had a half window where you had to look down to see out. We did enjoy the second room, the pool was a very pleasant surprise including being able to get food while there, and breakfast service was great.