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The Balboa Inn: Traveler Reviews

Cruces 2311A | Balboa, Ancon, Panama City, Panama
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Hotel amenities
The Balboa Inn
Ranked #10 of 63 Panama City B&B and Inns
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320 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    199
    101
    12
    5
    3
See reviews for
Families
66
 
Couples
166
 
Solo
37
 
Business
14
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Calgary
1 review
“Highly Reommended”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 23, 2013

We stayed three nights at the Balboa Inn, left our bags there while we took a two day trip to Isla Contadora and returned for our last night in Panama City prior to returning to Canada.
Our room was clean and bright and of a good size with a king sized bed. AC and TV worked fine and there was always hot water in the shower. Our hosts, Bill and Mieke chatted with us on the patio while pointing out the interesting birds in their yard. They were also a great help in getting us taxies, telling us things to do and see in the city and they helped us arrange our trip and accomodation on Isla Contadora. They are located in the west end of town, a short walk from Cerro Ancon, and a short taxi ride from Casco Viejo, Parque Metropolitan, and the local airport and bus station. They are also within walking distance to a good restaurant, a bank, and a grocery store.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Frank C about The Balboa Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
San Diego, California, United States
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Best place to stay in Panama City”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 17, 2013

Bill and Mieke are knowledgeable, friendly, professional and will do what they can to make your time in Panama work. They stored our bags after checkout and let us hang out until our overnight bus was ready. The rooms are clean and very well kept. Service was prompt. Breakfast was always good. And the location in a suburb near the Canal Administration Building made for quiet restful evenings with other guests and our hosts. Taxis are easy to get and food is nearby just past the church. Ask Bill and Mieke about the Portobello tour. It was a major highlight of our trip and wouldn't have happened without them.

Stayed January 2013, traveled with family
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask Steve R about The Balboa Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ocean View, Delaware
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Real Value & Superb Accommodations”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 17, 2013

Our three night stay at The Balboa Inn was absolutely a wonderful experience. A pleasant out of the city B&B a short cab ride from Miraflores Locks (Panama Canal) and Parque Metropolitian, and within walking distance to Cerro Anton, Panama Canal Administration buildiing and other attractions. Don't miss a short trip by car or cab to recommended restaurants on Amador Causeway nearby. The indoor / outdoor dining and social areas of this property provide the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the local wildlife, a favorite beverage, and fun conversations with innkeepers Bill and Mieke and other guests after a day of activities. Innkeepers Bill and Mieke are extremely knowledgeable of the area and Panama and attentive. Our only dissapointment was having to leave for our next destination.

Room Tip: Chat with innkeepers Bill & Mieke about your specific concerns. You'll find them more than...
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  • Stayed January 2013, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Charlie T about The Balboa Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Panama City, Panama
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“SATISFACTION”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 16, 2013

You will be hard pressed to to better than the Balboa Inn for many reasons, however if you need 5 star deluxe, then go find it and pay accordingly elsewhere.

The highly experienced management will do their utmost to ensure your stay both at the Inn, and the country in general goes smoothly, safely and as serenely as can be reasonably expected.

Further note should be made of the fact that there is a high return rate amongst guests, and that prospective new guests booking late must frequently be turned away.
This is not your regular, plain vanilla, corporate accommodation and I understand that many long-lasting friendships have been forged between both staff and guests, and guests with each other.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask peter r about The Balboa Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wellington
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
15 hotel reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Super helpful friendly folk”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 14, 2013

We arrived late in Panama and Bill and Mieke went out of their way to accommodate us - cleaning up a room that had just been vacated in the evening. Very friendly and very knowledgeable - they shared their knowledge of the city and where to go.
Nice sitting area - indoors and outdoors.... although there seemed to be quite a few smokers staying there!

The inn is in a quiet, safe location and easy to get to the causeway, to the old town, to the locks. to the huge mall.... and the bus station.

The room was clean, comfy, and quiet. Had a good sleep! Could use the internet at no charge.

We enjoyed this city - had visited 40 years earlier....when we went through the canal.

  • Stayed January 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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Ask KIWIBOB about The Balboa Inn
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa
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Panama City, Panama Province
4 of 5 stars 477 Reviews
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Additional Information about The Balboa Inn

Also Known As:
The Balboa Hotel
The Balboa Hotel Panama City
The Balboa Inn Panama/Panama City
Address: Cruces 2311A | Balboa, Ancon, Panama City, Panama
Phone Number:
Region: Panama > Panama Province > Panama City
Amenities:
Business Center Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Pets Allowed
Hotel Style:
Ranked #10 of 63 B&Bs / Inns in Panama City
Price Range: $
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
The Balboa Inn is a small Bed & Breakfast at the foot of Panama's main landmark, Ancon Hill (Cerro Ancón) in Balboa. Conveniently located between the downtown area, Amador Causeway and just minutes away from the domestic Albrook Airport, Casco Viejo, and the Panama Canal you are away from the city noise yet have access to all its services. The Balboa Inn: a great location, personal service, a real breakfast. Simply good value. Why settle for less? ... more   less 

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