On our arrival, the clerk who did not speak English, refused to respect our reservations. She also declined our request to call the manager. Instead, she has sent us to Aramo hotel, for which we paid the same price (should have been half of Tower daily rate). Aramo was the worst dump we've stayed in Panama - noisy, air conditioning was flying off the wall, uneven, uncomfortable bed...Unhappy end to the last day in Panama. Some people we met on the plane, stayed in the hotel and were put off by the peeling wall paint and lousy service. I am staying away from this one...

Older hotel, older style rooms, fairly clean
Its look different in real than the pictures posted on hotel's web site....rooms furniture showing signs of wear
Just OK service
The main good thing about this hotel is it's location
Fairly cheap price for its area

I have used this hotel for many years, and stay there with a group of my students every summer. I love it. It's seen better days, and yes, the furniture is lumpy, the rooms a bit dingy, the air conditioning somewhat feeble, and the restaurant is very basic. Guys...it's CENTRAL AMERICA! The staff is wonderful and friendly, the manager always accomodating, and the location is outstanding. There are several great restaurants less than a block away (don't miss La Papa!), and even though Calle 51 is sandwiched between two of the busiest streets in Panama - Avenida Central and Calle 50, traffic outside the hotel is very minimal.

Upon arrival I told receptionist I'd stay one or two nites. They took my credit card and charged me for TWO. I thought, OK, if I don't like it I'll leave a day early. Well, it was HORRIBLE...dirty, torn, old, and dirty furniture, lumpy bed, bad A/C, the portable hot plate in the "kitchen" had frayed wiring and the ceiling light didn't work. Upon check-out the next day I asked for a credit to my Mastercard for one day since I was checking-out a day early. They REFUSED! Said I needed to sign a letter and they would credit my account the following week. I wrote a letter to management to which they did not reply. I guess they don't want guests at this hotel. I am flabbergasted by this whole experience. I wrote to Lonely Planet and Moon Handbooks Panama warning future guests of this nightmare.
--J.O.
Los Angeles