The Panama Hotel is an interesting place to stay. The history of the building is really special. When you walk inside, it's like the building has been frozen in time. While older and a little rough around the edges, it does exude a certain beauty. Our room was really lovely with antique furniture, a small sink, and a window overlooking Kobe Terrace. The bed was really comfy and for me, that's the most important part!
The women's washroom was really clean, but the shower was a little less desirable. Maybe it's because it is such an old building and the tiles are so dated. A result of preserving the building, I guess. The carpet is worn in the hallways, but again...it's like stepping back in time so in many ways it's pretty cool.
The neighbourhood is not for the faint of heart. While it had some great restaurants (modern and vintage), and the location is unbeatable, it seems to attract a lot of transient people. Many businesses were boarded up as a result of protests. This also made the neighbourhood look a bit more depressed than other parts of Seattle. But I can say, if you look past all of that, there is a lot of beauty and unique history in the area.
Definitely worth a stay for a night or two. Enjoy a tea a the cafe downstairs and some yummy Asian food from one of the nearby restaurants.