Guest User
March 11, 2023
I’ve stayed at 3 Bocas Town hotels this week (plus 2 lodgings on other Bocas del Toro islands), and Hotel Bocas Town is the best all around. The facade is charming, and little personal touches remind you that you’re not at a chain. I stayed in a lovely blue room facing the street, complete with my own verandah with seating. The bed was comfortable, the AC was in tip-top shape, and there’s a TON of space to store your clothes (6-drawer bureau, closet, luggage rack). If you’ve spent much time in the area, you’ll understand he gravity of this next comment: the shower is fabulous. Consistent hot water + surprisingly intense water pressure gets you feeling clean and relaxed. The staff are outstanding as well: friendly without being obsequious, helpful and eager to make sure you feel safe and settled. The person working at the front desk when I checked in offered to get me help with my bags before I had to ask. The smiling fellow who helped and turned away after carrying my heavy bags up the flight of stairs for me—no moments of his standing awkwardly and expectantly, waiting for a tip. (Not that it’s bad to expect tip for such service—he deserved one!) I had to ask him to wait and return so I could give him $1-2 per piece of luggage. If you need absolute quiet to sleep, Bocas Town in general isn’t your place. But this hotel is far quieter than the Hotel Gran Bahia or the Tropical Suites by far. My only frustrations on the sound front: the person staying above me was very heavy-footed, apparently dropping gigantic boulders (or bags) while stomping around for an hour or so more I was trying to fall asleep. Street noise is loud but far less intrusive than party sounds on the water side. The only truly negative part was that the room stank strongly of the very fragrant cleaning fluid all my hotels seemed to use in copious amounts—I wish I’d asked them to prepare the room with something more neutral. I hope to be back!