Hey Bros,

I'm going to PC in Feb. and booked at the Hotel Marabella. Seems like a good location from what I've read. Does anybody have any info about this place? Is it decent and chica friendly? Any info would be appreciated.

The answer is Yes. Just make sure to book a double room or they'll ask you for $10 when you walk in with a girl. It turned out the location is excellent as a base and is very centrally located on a quiet side street in the El Cangrejo financial district about 75 yrds from the Veneto Casino. I had the hotel send a taxi to pick me up at the airport for $25. The rooms are a bit small but very clean with ceramic tile floors, firm mattresses, and although the bathrooms are small there is a walk in shower. There are a number of different rooms types all about the same size that start at $40 for a queen bed, $50 for a King or Twin and a Full bed; + 10% tax. There is also a triple room about double the size with a King and two twins. No great views here but quiet and good, helpful English desk concierges and a very adept cleaning staff. Ask for a refrigerator and you'll get a 3 ft. tall model put in your room for no extra charge.

I only ate in the hotel restaurant for breakfast (average) the last day as there are many better options 100 yards up the street on Via Venito. Manolo's on the corner is good and there is the Veneto Casino and a food court with Dunkin Donuts, Wendy's, Subway etc. across the street. Next to that and down stairs is the Oasis Massage parlor, which was great, especially for the $50 lunchtime special. Via Venito also contains several internet/phone cafes, restaurants, shops and mini-markets. Walk the other direction and over a few blocks and there are a number of other good Panamanian restaurants. There is also a mini-market about 50 yards up the street on the left. If you walk past the Veneto Casino and turn left you will find the Salsa Bar and Grill (part of the Fiesta Casino) which is a very nice spot for drinks, music & food as well as a dance floor and free live entertainment Thursday, $10 Weekends which includes 2 or 3 drinks. This place is where the locals go to meet and party. Try you luck with some non-pro action here...

If you go through the parking lot/garage directly across from the hotel you will find yourself on Via Espana with the wonderful El Rey Supermarket across the street. It's like any major American super market and has everything you could possibly need. A couple doors down to the right is a Gran Morrison bookstore that sells guidebooks and an excellent street map of Panama City, which is helpful since many streets have no signs. Two doors down to the left is the Photura Shop that sells Franklin electronic pocket translators starting at $30. I found it very helpful and much faster than using a pocket dictionary, and has a clock, memo pad, clothing/shoe/metric conversion functions etc.

Taxis are safe, cheap, and plentiful for getting around. I paid $2 anywhere downtown even as far as Casco Viejo, $5 to the Amador Causeway and $10 to the Panama Canal. Be sure to ask/set the price when getting in and flag down another if it's not right. The ones parked in front of the hotels and casinos generally try to charge more to unknowing tourists.

I recently showed up in person and this hotel was fully booked. I recommend making a reservation in advance.

I can confirm this hotel is on a very safe and quiet street, and is a four minute walk to the Veneto.

The nice thing is all the taxi drivers know this place by name.