The Panama Hotel welcomes visitors with its warm atmosphere just minutes from San Francisco Bay. Guests enjoy complimentary in-room WiFi while exploring the hotel's garden. The 24-hour front desk ensures assistance is always available whenever needed.
Gerstle Park, a neighborhood in San Rafael, is home to Panama Hotel. Muir Woods National Monument and Golden Gate Bridge are notable landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island. Falkirk Cultural Center and Book Passage are also worth visiting. Visit our San Rafael travel guide
4 BAYVIEW STREET, San Rafael, CA, 94901
What's nearby
Mission San Rafael Arcangel
8 min walk - 0.7 km
San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park
2 min walk - 0.2 km
Gerstle Park
7 min walk - 0.6 km
Falkirk Cultural Center
11 min walk - 1.0 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
Pink Owl Coffee
9 min walk
The Burren House
10 min walk
Muffin Mania Cafe
1 min walk
Garden Cafe
4 min walk
Sana’a Cafe
8 min walk
About this property
Panama Hotel
Hotel near San Francisco Bay
Panama Hotel provides amenities like a garden and a restaurant. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
Coffee/tea in the lobby
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and have comforts such as air conditioning, as well as thoughtful touches like free WiFi and sound-insulated walls.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
Rainfall showers, shower/tub combinations, and hair dryers
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
More
Built in 1910
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Rainfall showerhead
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
32-inch smart TV with cable channels
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 allowed for an extra charge of USD 15.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and 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
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)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
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
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Property is also known as
Panama Hotel Hotel
Panama Hotel SAN RAFAEL
Panama Hotel Hotel SAN RAFAEL
Frequently asked questions
Is Panama Hotel pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. There's a fee of USD 15.00 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
How much does it cost to stay at Panama Hotel?
As of 9 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Panama Hotel on 6 April 2026 start from AED 309, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
This property doesn't offer parking.
What time is check-in at Panama Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Early check-in is available for a fee of USD 25.00 (subject to availability).
What time is check-out at Panama Hotel?
Check-out is at noon. Late check-out is available for USD 25.00 (subject to availability).
Where is Panama Hotel located?
Located in Gerstle Park, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park and Gerstle Park. Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Falkirk Cultural Center are also within 15 minutes.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Panama Hotel Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
I thought my room looked pretty cool. I had the safari room with the moon. Pretty quiet. I had a good nights sleep. The check in was pretty easy.
I would totally stay again.
Charming small hotel. Enos was kind and helpful at check-in. Fun rooms display lots of creativity. Although it is older, it was comfortable and up-to-date in what we needed. There is also a fun bakery/coffee shop--Armida's-- next door. Easy walk to downtown restaurants.
I like staying hwre. Quiet, nice, clean. Just need to what you’re getting into, I.e. shared bathrooms which is not evident from the listings
Cute place. Bakery right next door. Parking is difficult if you get there late.
Enos the gentleman at the front desk was great and very helpful! My room was very clean and cozy….This is a very charming and quirky hotel that feels more like a bed-and-breakfast… I stayed in the Dale Evans room, which is in the section of the hotel that has shared bathrooms and kitchen… There was no one else on my end that evening during the week so I had the kitchen and bathroom to myself. My room had a balcony right out the door overlooking the street which was very nice. It’s a busy street right near downtown San Rafael, but during the night, it was very quiet… You could walk to all the great restaurants and shops downtown—the price was very reasonable, because of the quirkiness of the place… If you were looking for something fancy, this is not the place for you. This is very homey and unique— every room is different. There is a section of the hotel that has private bathrooms, and they are a bit more expensive but still very reasonably priced for Marin. I highly recommend if you want a unique experience… There is only street parking because this is a residential neighborhood, but I didn’t have a problem finding a spot right next to the hotel… Enos informed me that my bed was new and they’re in the process of updating all the rooms. The bed was very comfortable. I ended up booking the same room for another night because the location is so great I could go explore Marin and Point Reyes and tamales Bay, etc. and then return to this comfortable place…
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!
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.
The hotel was unique, very aesthetically, pleasing, Victorian style hotel, and like an island type resort setting feeling. Different but very comfortable and easy and lowkey.
I loved how quaint the property was. Staff was superb, and very helpful. They really made me feel at home.
Wilma
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
8/10 Good
Kristy
10 September 2024
Liked: Amenities
It was unique and comfortable.
Kristy
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
6/10 Okay
Doug
21 July 2024
Liked: Staff & service
It’s a place to stay
I will say that the bed was comfortable and the price was right. Once they finish with the restaurant construction the place will have a nice travelers lodge feel.
The bathrooms are shared, so know that going in.
Easy walk to downtown San Rafael and it was quiet at the property.
Doug
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Greta
20 May 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Memory lane
We have fond memories of this wonderful place from 30 years ago. It is now being renovated by a charming, dedicated new owner. It is an easy walk to downtown shops, restaurants and the lovely Mission.
This is a unique place. I stayed for 6 days after having a minor medical procedure so i wanted a homey feel and an economical price. This gave me both. It is clean but it is unique. My room had a little patio with a fence and was private which was great given i was in my room a lot. Tv is small but adequate, 2 blocks from grocery and convenience store, in a clean quiet residential neighborhood. Highly recommend if you are OK with a bit out of the ordinary- to me very pleasant. Would stay again.
Genevieve
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Glenn
30 October 2023
Liked: Amenities
Marin county’s best bnb. With beatully themed rooms. The locals put their it guest here to give them a taste of what make the last Mission city special. You can walk to it
Glenn
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
8/10 Good
Sue
23 July 2024
Good spot. Disappointed restaurant wasn’t open. Look forward to going back when it is.
Funky Boutique hotel, I have stayed at before and will again. Not a modern hotel by any stretch, but clean and not too far from downtown food, drink & shopping. Room was clean - the Fridge turned out to be a freezer, but other than that no problems. Restaurant was closed, staff was nice but it is not a 24 hour staffed reception. I liked it and will be back for sure