Incredible property, directly in the center of Casco Viejo. Awards at front desk name it Best Hostel in Panama by Hostelworld yet there are 3 additional floors of very well decorated and spacious hotel rooms that get to share the excellent amenities of a lounge, kitchen and balconies so pigeonholing it as a hostel or hotel is a disservice. Inn is really an excellent description as it is a gathering place for world travelers who want a superb place to venture out to experience the incredible variety of options that Panama has to offer yet it is unlike so many places in Casco that try to keep you on property to party. Step outside and Casco will be booming but the Magnolia Inn is like an oasis of tranquility. Special!

The room was very nice, but for cups/glasses, you had to go to the other side and use in the kitchen area. It was nice meeting new people from all over while eating in the kitchen area. The AC, bed, furnishings, space, safe and bathroom were really nice. There's a lot of charm and the common areas were very well kept. The staff were all super helpful and excellent! Bring earplugs.

My wife and I stayed here for three nights. It was a very lovely place in a very safe area. The staff was extremely nice and helpful with all our questions. The room was spacious and clean. Room was equipped with AC, TV and a safe. To enter the hotel one needed to enter a PIN at the door, which provided additional security. WiFi connection was stable and strong enough, that we could watch some Netflix together. Hotel also provided a spacious area to hang, where you can get water, tea and coffee for free. I would absolutely recommend staying here and exploring the area. In the area there are many restaurants and cafes.

Great location. Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice cute clean room. Only downsize is there was no elevator and we were on the top floor, 3 flights with luggage was tough.

We really loved the staff and being with young backpackers was a plus. Hanging out on the balcony at night was lovely. Our ensuite room was small but very clean and comfortable. We started out in a lovely penthouse suite but moved after the first night due to almost constant noise from rooftop bars in other buildings that lasted until 4AM. Then the construction started right under our window at 6:30AM. That with a barking dog next door all night was not good. Nothing decreased the noise level for us. We were moved to a second floor quiet room which was much better but small. Expect noise, lots of soldiers and police, and night life in Casco Viejo.

For the value, you are getting everything you need. In the heart of city. Very safe and clean. Awesome staff and customer service. I am definitely returning and recommending this place to all my family and friends who like good value.

I stayed in a private room, and they knew I was going to have to work so they set me up in a room in the back that was very quiet. Great internet service for my Zoom calls, everything reliable. It's big place so you can ask for many different room types; views, quiet, etc. Kudos to the staff, particularly Joseph & Vickie, super friendly and informative. With regard to the hostel side, I went up to the common area several times to see what my fellow travelers were up to, and I invariable found all the young people who weren't in cliques mesmerized by their little electronic screens, usually with earbuds in, so if you did make a casual remark it would be a big deal taking it out, and you'd have to repeat yourself...I really feel sorry for young people nowadays.

Easily the best hostel in Panama City. The located in the center of Casco Viejo, you have easy access to explore the area and enjoy the nightlife. The price for the shared dorms is reasonable, and they have AC, excepting the "ballroom", which I wouldn't personally recommend. Great common areas, kitchen is well equipped, lots of bathrooms and showers with hot water. Despite its central location, it's on a quiet street that isn't noisy at night. The staff were helpful and courteous at all times. The building was always kept clean. I highly recommend staying at this hostel!

Overpriced for a private room ($80), very noisy and other guests' children banging on my door/hallway all evening, people in the street being loud but thats not the hotel's fault. Otherwise it was exceptionally clean tidy, and comfortable. The staff was very kind and friendly. For a hostel it's not that bad. I would recommend people stay here if they are comfortable with communal living spaces and potentially loud environment.

Had a perfect stay here at Magnolia Inn. Really well priced for the centre of Casco Viejo. The private rooms are of very high standard, clean and spacious. The location is perfect near many fashionable bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Above all else the customer service here was amazing. The staff are so friendly and facilitated a number of requests for us, particularly storing luggage for a few days while we left for the San Blas islands. The common areas here are very comfortable and stylish. There is also a kitchen available for guests with coffee available too. Would highly recommend Magnolia Inn for anyone travelling here.

We stayed in the penthouse the first and last days of our trip and it was lovely. Our rooms were well appointed, including a refrigerator, coffee maker, white noise machine and separate sink (rm 22). The view was amazing! We also stayed in room 20 which was also nice. The staff was friendly and helpful and the location is convenient for walking and shopping. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is the lack of an elevator. It wouldn’t matter as much if we hadn’t been on the top floor, but if you stay there, take note that it’s a good schlep up quite a few stairs to reach the penthouse.

Great stay here in Casco Viejo. Super friendly and helpful staff - really useful as we’d just arrived in Panama. Well located and the rooms were clean.

We stayed here two nights in a private room. The room was nice and clean. The shared kitchen was equipped with everything needed. The staff was friendly. I'm not giving it a five star because in the second night, there was loud music all night long from a nearby bar. Earplugs weren't enough. The hotel staff told us they called the police but the police didn't care because it was Mother's day (holiday). We left the hotel at 5 am and the music was still blaring.

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.

The service personnel was incredibly friendly and the hotel is perfectly located. However, the 4-person room with own bathroom we booked was at street level, meaning that you couldn’t open the windows or even open the curtains properly because it gave to a heavily frequented street corner where people were standing and chatting until late in the night. This also made it imposible to let fresh air in, making it a smelly and unpleasant stay. The conditions of the room were not mentioned at any point of the booking process. The furniture/floor of the room had heavy signs of usage (flush of the toilet did not stop automatically - had to press the button multiple times so the water would stop / floor had bumps, holes, etc.). Unfortunately, cannot recommend unless you are staying in the dorms - because the vibe is really more like in an Hostel, also there is a (quite smelly) kitchen where you can fill up your water bottles (however it is really just cooled water that they, according to the personnel, get from the tab).

Was my worse experience. They sell you 12 beds dorm but in the room there was 14 beds like a low level hospital.i feel like i am in ww2 hospital. Everybody was sleeping in the shared area because of the room condition. Can't even breath. Noise outside. And their solution was giving you private fan. Terrible terrible...noise smell dirth all inclusive.

This place is great. The frontoffice employees are super friendly and helpful. It is clean and beautiful. Kitchen is nice and clean. Comfortable shared room to chill. Different kind of ages are here. Wonderful building from the in and outside. I really recommend this place. I’m loving it here. A special thank you from Magaretha📞.

Cute and simple.. no parking available. Felt more like a hostal, but above all clean. Close to bars and restaurants in the old city allowing everything to be walking distance.

Cute hostel! The staff was amazing! It can be a little noisy at night; however, the staff cannot control it because it's their neighbors... just bring some ear plugs or don't if you're used to noise. I wish the showers had a little stool or something to place your clothes; however, some had hooks for towels. It would also be nice if they had a caddy in the shower to place your shampoo and conditioner while showering. I would stay again!

We had an education group exploring Panama City and Magnolia Inn was perfect for our group. Lots of flexibility when it comes to rooms -- different-sized dorms and private rooms. The staff were incredible and really helped make our trip run smoothly. A special thank you to Joseph who helped make transportation arrangments and arranged the details of our group.

Excellent little hotel! Perfect location in the old city (Casco Viejo). We went to Tantalo (great rooftop bar) and La Pulperia (great restaurant, though maybe overrated) all a block away. Hotel was cute and clean, rooms were nice but smelled a hint musty which is my only complaint. Would stay again.

Great location, beautiful rooms, clean, and friendly host. Possibility to store luggage while visiting San Blas.

The emplacement is perfect, the room is very clean, it has a big shower. The street is very very noisy, especially during the Night.

Clean, quiet accommodations right within Casco Viejo. We had a nice room with a private bath right across the hall at a really reasonable price, but all sorts of arrangements are available. Convenient for walking around the old town. Helpful front desk staff. Nice place.

Really lovey hotel with great kitchen facilities. It’s a hotel, also a hostel, but also has a space where you can work too. Really central and still quite quiet. Vicky the receptionist was also really amazing and helpful.

Super nice and stylish hostel. The dorms are basic but there is everything you need. Great showers, extra bathrooms and everything is clean. Kitchen to prepare your food and to get water and coffee for free.

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 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.

Beautiful colonial hostel Hotel. The staff are super accommodating and they have comfy beds. What more do you want in the historic quarter of Panama city.

The staff are awesome. Pleasant, eager to help and genuinely interested in you enjoying your stay. Room was fine. Ours was on street level, which actually was ok. We stayed in room 1 which had zero WiFi, I can imagine that would be a problem for some, so hopefully they figure it out…

The view from room 22 is OUTSTANDING! If you can handle the stairs, book this room. From the room itself you can see Panama City as well as the 2nd oldest church right from the window. On the walkway outside the room you can see Ancon Hill. The room itself is well laid out. The coffee bar is a great breakfast nook as well. The bed wasn’t the most comfortable but all the linens were. This room has a pull out couch as well. The staff at the hotel is really friendly and very helpful. Having access to a full but joint kitchen was a great option especially if you’re traveling hostel style. There is a balcony with seating area out there as well which was a great place to enjoy coffee and listen to the city. You cannot beat the price and location of the hotel. Right around the corner is the main center with many restaurants options. The brewery on the same street is a must try. The hotel doesn’t have parking but if you drive straight on the main road and take a left when it dead ends there is a parking area. It’s $25 per day but they lock it overnight and there is always a guard on duty. We will definitely be back!

Really nice hotel/hostel in the heart of Casco Viejo. Supermarket and restaurants nearby. Our room (4 bed dormitory) was looking better than in pictures. The common area is spacious and the kitchen has all you need if you wanna prepare an easy meal. The staff is friendly and they were helpful modifying a reservation when we needed. Restrooms and showers were clean and bedrooms too. Comfortable beds 👍

Best true Hostel in the City! The Big Room 12 bed is the best room I have stayed in for the spacious old hospital feel and plenty of breeze. The view in the morning is beautiful too! The kitchen is well equipped with the appliances all working. A good social vibe. A very professional staff! They had a recent change in ownership that looks to maintain the quality.

Lovely little place in the heart of the old town. Very nice rooms with air-conditioning. The staff is very helpful and speaks English. The lounge/ dining room/ kitchen is a wonderful place to relax

This was a great place. In the heart of the old town and really lovely staff and rooms. Great views from our room.

Loved this place! Highly recommended. The WiFi is really good. Nice rooms. The kitchen is nice and the common area as well. Comfy beds and nice bathrooms. Staff is amazing: super friendly and helpful. Good location. The only downside is that the family living next door likes to be outside, so the whole day and part of the night you will be hearing them talking and hanging out.

I stayed in the hotel side, not the hostel/dormitories. The rooms were clean and fresh, with nice linens. Staff and owner were super friendly, and the access to the hostel kitchen was a great perk. We stayed here on Panama independence week, and the music got loud at night, but not unbearably. I'd recommend this establishment to any of my friends.

Super helpful staff. Social environment that is not a party hospital but within walking distance of a couple minutes to party hostels and good bars. Rooms had no locks so be sure to bring a lock for valuables in the lockers (I could fit my day pack and 45L backpack in the lockers so not a problem for me whatsoever). 24 hour reception with buzz-in doors, however. Very clean. Good air-con.

Attractive colonial building in old part of town. Excellent renovated, rooms are spacious even the dorms. Hotel is well organised, personnel attentive, kitchen, bathrooms and rooms clean. I loved common room with lovely balcony.