Search Your Balboa Hotels

After reading multiple reviews we decided to book the Balboa Inn for a one night's stay before flying to Bocas Del Toro from Albrook Airport. There was nothing to suspect that the place we were booking was anything out of the ordinary small hotel. However, as our Uber drove through an obvious housing subdivision we wondered what we were in store for! We eventually realised that the ”inn” was half of a duplex house! OK, no problem, it's only for one night after all. We were greeted by William at the front desk - very friendly and showed us to our room. Upstairs with two heavy suitcases wasn't fun, but okay. Our room (I had requested a Queen sized bed) was very plain but clean. We had a queen bed plus a single. The bed was comfortable but dressed only in a bottom and top sheet - the air conditioning sounded like a plane taking off, but it was too hot not to have it on overnight. There is a lovely small pool in the garden area which was refreshing. The room was not particularly sound proof but we slept reasonably well. We walked to a nearby restaurant (more of a bar and grill) for dinner which was delicious (Balboa Food Court). My rating of 3* was more about the facilities and the quality of the premises than anything - good value for the money and good location for ease of access to Albrook Mall and airport but you can do better in town.

We loved the location next to Panama canal and our view from balcony to passing ships and Bridge of the Americas. The staff was very friendly from kind receptionist to attentive bartender and they were all smiling and waving to our little son (4 months) every time they saw us. Gym was airconditioned and clean, opened till 12 am, swimming pool big and refreshing with sunbeds and umbrellas all around. Breakfast (7 usd per person) rich, tasty with good selection of fruit, chicken, saussages, ham, cheese and eggs. Free luggage room (even for couple days when we flew to Bocas) and shuttle to mall nearby. A taxi or uber cost 4 dollars to the city center or the fish market (Mercado De Marisco Cinta Costera). We made a great choice to book this hotel.

I had the best time staying at this hotel. The rooms were always clean and fresh. The staff was very pleasant and friendly and always ready to assist. Some notable mentions include the chief concierge Diana, who ensured that all my tours were on schedule, and who would have arranged a special birthday surprise in my room. The Canal bistro was always open on time for breakfast with exceptional service from the staff especially José and Fabio who were very pleasant and professional in performing their duties. Dinner in the Ancon Hill restaurant was also very good with excellent food and remarkable service from Sergio who was very warm, friendly and professional. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this hotel and my wife and I will definitely stay here again on our return visit to Panama.

Hotel location is OK, the facilities inside are not new, but there is a fatal flaw, written in the end. There is a square downstairs facing the north. The sound is noisy. The high-rise house facing the east can see the sea view, not too noisy. It is OK. There is a balcony on the top floor and you can see the sea view. The scenery is good. The staff is friendly. The only fatal flaw is that this hotel does not have hot water for bathing. Looking at the comments on Google Maps, it is said that the hot water pipe has been broken for several years.