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Panama Hotel

2.0 star property
San Rafael hotel in Gerstle Park area

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Photo gallery for Panama Hotel

Exterior
Room (Lady Bracknell's) | Terrace/patio
Room (Roy Roger's)
Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow) | Living area
Cabin (Captain's Cabin) | Living area

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Housekeeping
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant

Explore the area

View in a map
4 BAYVIEW STREET, San Rafael, CA, 94901
  • Place, San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Mission San Rafael Arcangel
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Dominican University of California
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Airport, San Francisco, CA (SFO-San Francisco Intl.)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room (Bordello)

Room (Bordello)

Room (Bordello)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

Cabin (Captain's Cabin)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Room (Garden Room)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room (Grant's Tome)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon)

Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon)

Honeymoon Room (Honeymoon)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Jennifer's)

Room (Jennifer's)

Room (Jennifer's)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room (Ken's Safari)

Room (Ken's Safari)

Room (Ken's Safari)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Lady Bracknell's)

Room (Lady Bracknell's)

Room (Lady Bracknell's)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

Bungalow (Mimi's Bungalow)

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Futon

View all photos for Room (Maria's Pueblo)

Room (Maria's Pueblo)

Room (Maria's Pueblo)

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Roy Roger's)

Room (Roy Roger's)

Room (Roy Roger's)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room (Rosie's)

Room (Rosie's)

Room (Rosie's)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Futon

View all photos for Room (Venetian)

Room (Venetian)

Room (Venetian)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Dale Evans)

Room (Dale Evans)

Room (Dale Evans)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

About the area

San Rafael

Gerstle Park stay.At this Gerstle Park hotel, you'll be steps from San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park and within a 15-minute walk of Mission San Rafael Arcangel. Dominican University of California and Eden Day Spa are also within 3 miles (5 km).

What's nearby

  • Marin Bocce Federation - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Classic Billiards - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Mission San Rafael Arcangel - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Dominican University of California - 20 min walk - 1.7 km

Getting around

  • Richmond Transit Center - 19 min drive
  • San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Muffin Mania Cafe - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Garden Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪California Gold - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Flatiron - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Il Davide - ‬8 min walk

About this property

Panama Hotel

San Rafael hotel in Gerstle Park area
There's a restaurant on site. Public spaces have free WiFi. Panama Hotel also features a garden and coffee/tea in a common area.
  • 13 guestrooms or units
  • Built in 1910
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Garden
  • Dining venue
Panama Hotel offers 13 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations include desks. 32-inch Smart televisions come with cable channels.

Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations with rainfall showerheads. This San Rafael hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 50+ Mbps. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Similar properties

Reception
North Bay Inn
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
3.9 out of 5, Good, 942 reviews
The price is CA $149
CA $167 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 6 - Jan 7, 2026
North Bay Inn

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Mini-fridge
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 32-inch smart TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 25.00
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 25.00

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: USD 15.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 15.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 25.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 25.00 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and outdoor lighting in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

Panama Hotel Hotel
Panama Hotel SAN RAFAEL
Panama Hotel Hotel SAN RAFAEL

Reviews

Panama Hotel Reviews

7.4

Good

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 57 out of 119 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 119 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 10 out of 119 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 119 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 119 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Morgan

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

ANN

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Miguel is helpful
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

ferhat

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Simple

$115 no private bathroom, very small room. Just thru my day
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Briana

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was so friendly and helpful. The rooms are so cute, comfortable, and homey. There is plenty of street parking. There is a cute little bakery right next door and you can walk to a local grocery store. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay here
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

jamaia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Convenient for exploring San Rafael and Larkspur.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Lisa

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good value and close to restaurants. Enos, staff, was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Johanna

Travelled with pets
Liked: Amenities
Top
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A unique boutique in Marin!

If you're looking for a unique boutique hotel in Marin, this is a wonderful place to stay! The rooms are very comfortable and the inn keeper, Enos, is a great and accommodating host! Be aware that some rooms have a shared bathroom, so check to make sure it says "private bathroom" if that's a requirement. Other than that, I highly recommend and will return again! Thanks!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and friendly people. Would recommend 👌
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thanh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Craig

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The whole property is under renovation and only shared bathroom rooms are available. It is old, tight steep stairs, small rooms. Its more like a child vacation home than a hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Panama Hotel has a certain old-time charm and is a really great place to stay. The staff is friendly, helpful, and responsive. The room was comfortable and the Internet connection was good. The shared bathroom was fine except for when someone took a bath and left the tub dirty (it was cleaned up by staff the next morning). I will stay here again if needed and would recommend to friends and family as a charming and, at times, reasonably priced place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Joyce

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Panama Hotel should not be operating. Much construction work to be done, bathrooms need to be operable and also let guest know they are shared! One set of stairs did not have a railing. I immediately left, had to book somewhere else and Panama has refused to refund. Hotels.com didn't back me either.
no railings, stains
shower didn't work. Shared bath, other option was clawfoot tub other end of the hall.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay cozy cabins.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Riley

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved my stay here. It’s giving hostel, very true to what would would find in Panama and we were so here for it!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hannah

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Ken’s Safari room was much more remodeled than shown in the picture! It was a very pleasant surprise. No complaints, perfect for two days with my husband and dog. Very easy self check in at 1am.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jennifer's Room Misrepresented - No Bathroom

The listing of this hotel significantly misrepresents the actual accommodations. Jennifer's Room is listed with the following amenities: shower/tub combo, toilet, air conditioning, and photos of the room show a large space with a dining area. In reality, the dining area is completely detached from the room, located across the hallway, and is a common space for all guests; the room itself is juuust large enough to fit a double bed and nothing more. The room had absolutely no air conditioning or vents; the only air conditioning was in the hallway, and the room itself only had a ceiling fan and a baseboard heater. The stated bathroom amenities were actually two shared bathrooms in the hallway, one of which was out of order when I arrived. The listing did not show any photos of the bathroom which should have raised alarm bells but because it was listed in the amenities I did not think anything of it. The listing should EXPLICITLY state that it is a shared bathroom, but it does not, which is intentionally misleading. I contacted hotels.com immediately upon arriving at the hotel to cancel my stay at 10pm when I checked in, and I did not stay at the property at all. Despite hotels.com escalating my cancellation request, the hotel has refused to provide a refund, even though their listing is demonstrably inaccurate and misleading. I will be reporting fraud to my credit card company.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Jessica

Travelled with pets
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel should have its license revoked. The room I booked apparently had a broken toilet, which I did not find out until I checked in, gave my cc and id, and was taken to a completely different room. The room I was taken to had a 6 inch at least dip in the mattress visible from the door. I asked to see an alternative room and that room had bleach stains all over the bedding. Not only this, but the hotel was under construction and I saw no other guests or staff except the person who checked me in. When I said that I did not feel comfortable staying there and requested a refund, they refused.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Avram

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Annie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A nice neighborhood place in San Rafael

I like this family-style hotel, but the mattress was not great ... the bed kind of felt like my bed BEFORE I replaced the 20-year-old mattress. I still slept okay, though.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025