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Panama by Luis Reviews

Coco del Mar, Calle Benito Reyes Testa, San Francisco, Panama City, Panama

Reviews & Ratings Explained

The following reviews were submitted by customers who booked in the last 6 months.

The reviews and ratings in the rating box are based on all-time feedback and are the opinions of the customers who submitted them and do not express the opinions of Hostelworld.com. This way, you get an up to the minute opinion of just how good a hostel really is. Read our review guidelines »

Reviews of Panama by Luis

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70%

Tiny kitchen for the amount of guests, you can literally only fit 2 people in it at a time, plus very lacking in bowls and cutlery. Shared bathroom was for too many people and we kept getting locking out of it by the people in the dorm (however the staff where good about this and told the people in the dorm). Vicky was quite helpful and knowledgable. The location is in a safe neighbourhood but it just happens to not really be close to anything that most people would want to see in Panama.


73%

Panama by Luis is located in a nice neighbourhood. We felt safe staying in this area, it is close enough to other areas of the city you may want to visit. You can get cheaper, larger private rooms closer to downtown panama. for $25 you can get a nice sized clean room with private bathroom, some places include wifi. The downfall would be no kitchen access. But it is cheap enough to eat out in Panama city, and in this location a close walk or taxi to many restaurants. $2 taxi to Albrook.


96%

The ratings on hostelworld.com don't do this place justice, although it isn't a party house I would gladly recommend it to anyone traveling through Panama City. Vicky who works there is one of the best people to know in Panama City, whether she is helping you find a taxi that won't rip you off, erasing covers at the coolest clubs or helping you to plan a trip to your next destination she will take care of you !

  • Novice Nomad
  • 17 Jan 2012
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male 25-30
  • (1 review)


83%

Nice hostel experience, wish I´d stayed longer.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 13 Jan 2012
  • Anonymous
  • Scotland
  • Couple 31-40
  • (4 reviews)


60%

We would not stay here again despite the great location. The reasons being; the kitchen is ridiculously tiny, the bunk beds were extremely wobbly and there was no ladder for my top bunk, there was also a shortage of lockers in our room so we missed out (4 lockers for 7 people). There were extra lockers in the upstairs TV area, however this area closes at 10pm sharp which is not ideal. Lastly there was only one bathroom/shower for about 15 people and the wait was simply unbelievable at times.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 08 Jan 2012
  • Anonymous
  • New Zealand
  • Couple 25-30
  • (1 review)


50%

Pretty good location and the facilities were pretty clean. The owner however is never around. If you need help or try to check in its a huge hassle. Not accomadating whatssoever.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 02 Jan 2012
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male 18-24
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello, the day that you showed up was a bank holiday in Panama for new year eve. No public buses and taxis was running that day so the staff did not showed up. So i did not have any staff, just me. I said to the people to understand the situation. Everytime that i asked you if anything is ok, you said yes. So its not fare that you now did this comments.

46%

Location, location, location - this one is not in a good one. We had to take cabs every time we wanted to go anywhere. Cleanliness was another big problem - the kitchen was a mess, the fridge hadn't been cleared in a while, there were cockroaches on the patio, and the room was a bit drab. Finally, where was the staff? Luis was gone for two whole days leaving the front desk unattended. Guests checking in were left on their own to wait all day, and guests checking out couldn't get their deposits.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 29 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Mixed Group 25-30
  • (5 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello , there is a bus station just 3 minutes walking distance from the hostel. If the kitchen was a mess because for you as you were cleaning the kitchen whenever you want to and for people like you the kitchen could be a mess. We are a hostel and people has to clean their stuff. I never gone for two days. For the 31, 1 and 2 january was a bank hollydays so we did not have staff. I explained the situation to the people. I did my best and always answered your questions. About the cockroaches, please be honest and you never see them in the hostel. Ok if you are saying the true, how did you stay such for a long time in this hostel? if I were you, i would move right away to another hostel and claim for the refund! Luis

66%

In a few moments there was no staff

  • Novice Nomad
  • 28 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Argentina
  • (Gender undisclosed)
  • (1 review)


70%

Great spot. Everyone was friendly.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 27 Dec 2011
  • sergiomarrero14188
  • USA
  • Male 25-30
  • (2 reviews)


70%

Rooms were spartan, but clean. The AC was a welcome respite from the heat. Staff were friendly, helpful and supported booking a great trips to San Blas Islands. The kitchen is tiny, but there are many places in the city to eat, and there is a grocery store very near by if you are really committed to cooking yourself. Free wifi, a hostel PC, and small lockers were available. In general, like many other things in Panama, a bit disorganized. However, you're on holiday. Relax and roll with it.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 26 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Couple 31-40
  • (9 reviews)


80%

The staff here was very friendly! Luis came out and greeted my travel companion and I right as we pulled up in the cab. Rooms were a little small but other then that everything was great.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 20 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • All Female Group 25-30
  • (5 reviews)


36%

AVOID IT! I could not check in when I arrived because all staff left. Facilities are not very clean. When I came back on my last day my bed had been sold to someone else, even though I made a booking for several nights and paid upfront (there was hopefully a bed available in another dorm)... The front desk where the lockers are is closed from 10pm to 8am, so you don't have full access to your valuables. Poor security: you open the street door with a plastic fork (it stays open at night anyway!).

  • Avid Traveller
  • 15 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Netherlands
  • Male 25-30
  • (12 reviews)


23%

They did not hold our private room as booked. , we were not met at the gate at 11pm as requested and agreed upon. when we got in after a 35 minute wait we were put into a crowded dorm room with no explanation. Dirty place as well.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 14 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Couple 31-40
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hello , thanks for your comments. First, you did not send us your reconfirmation 24 hours before that you will show up as our policy states. Therefore, we were not expecting you. Secondly, the reception closes at 10.00p.m. and you arrived at 11.28p.m. The security guard did not know that you will show up so he gave you the dorm. Thirdly, the dorm was not crowded at all, just 2 persons and it was not dirty and finally you left the day after having had a free breakfast in the hostel without paying for anything of these. Luis

80%

The common area is a nice clean large area to hang out, the staff are very friendly and helpful. The $25 taxi to airport saves alot of hassle as well (cabs not so easy to catch in this area). Room had fan and air con and didnt get any outside noise. Only gripe is the bed - very old mattress that sunk down nearly to the floor whe you lay down.

Owner Comment (Show)
Hi thanks for staying at Panama by Luis Hostel. All the mattresses are almost brand new. If you felt on the floor, you should told us when you were in the hostel so the we can sort it out.

80%

I stayed 2 nights at Panama by Luis. The Hostel is located in a secure neighbourhood and the city center is easy by bus accessible (which costs only 25cents). The place was clean and the Staff was very helpful with directions and sights. the rooms could use a little more character and style but other than that it was a great place to stay.


100%

Great place. Very safe. Great back yard area in city. Urban Oasis. Great Service. Close to Attractions. Very comfortable. Very friendly especially owner Luis

  • Novice Nomad
  • 07 Oct 2011
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male 41+
  • (1 review)


We now classify our reviewers based on how well travelled they are.

  • Novice Nomad: 1-10 Reviews Added
  • Avid Traveller: 10-20 Reviews Added
  • Globetrotter : 20+ Reviews Added
View all Panama City Hostels
  • 76%

  • Overall Rating
  • From 39 ratings
  • 75%Character
  • 81%Security
  • 71%Location
  • 81%Staff
  • 76%Fun
  • 72%Cleanliness

Latest Review

  • 25 Jan 2012 (70%)
  • Tiny kitchen for the amount of guests, you can literally only fit 2 people in it at a time, plus very lacking in bowls and ...
  • Read more...
  • dan5590 , Female , 5 reviews , Australia

Hoscar Awards

  • 2009 Hoscar Winner
  • 1st
  • Country: Panama

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