A Touch of Home

"What made you choose Panama Hotel over all the others on the web?" he asked.

I shrugged, feigning indifference.

It was my one and only assignment for this trip to search and book our accommodations when we reach Seattle. So like everyone else, I googled (an actual word in the dictionary, go ahead google it) for reasonably priced hotels in Seattle. I narrowed my search based on price range and location in proximity to Pike Place. I read the reviews, looked at the map a lot, and examined photo galleries of each hotel entry that was in my short list. I was drawn to Panama Hotel.

I can list the many pros and cons that each reviewer enumerated but none of that really prepares you on how to judge something based on taste. So when I booked it, I crossed my fingers and hoped to high heavens that I made the right choice.

Panama Hotel was built in 1910 by early Japanese immigrants in Seattle. In its basement can be found the last remaining Japanese bath house in the US; sento as they are properly called. This bath house remains untouched from its original condition after it was left by the original Japanese owners. It can be viewed upon the request by the guests by appointment only. This is where the facts end and where my experience begins.

We arrived late last night to check in. There is no check-in counter as you would normally expect with hotels, motels and all those what have you. Instead, as we got off the cab, we were faced with double glass doors that both said 605 1/2 Panama Hotel and beyond that two steep flights of steps wherein my Knight Harry carried our luggages outside the check-in sitting room with check-in round table. We were greeted by the attendant-on-duty for the night, named Eric, who checked us in as if we were house guests visiting a long lost Uncle who just so happened to own a forty-room inn. He assigned us a corner bedroom that had two large windows and proceeded to carry my bags as he showed us the room. Harry had to carry his own bags to the room, which was just around the corner from the check-in sitting room. As we entered Room 116, every thing in this room, where I wrote this post, are period furniture. Meaning they are old but not broken, carefully chosen without appearing eclectic, and properly proportioned in space. The room is not large or excessive the way a modern hotel or motel would make you feel. It is small like how a guest room is built. Each room doesn't have its own toilet and bath. However, it has a sink and faucet for whatever minimal nightly habits one needs to do without having to step into the hallway. Each floor has a ladies toilet, men's toilet and a shower room. So far, we haven't needed to wait our turn as I hardly bump into other guests (except like this morning) at the breakfast venue.

To get to the Tea House, you would have to go next door to 607 Main Street. Just like everything else in this hotel, the coffee and tea are authentic. Nothing trite, nothing bought in bulk from a wholesaler. With the jars of tea leaves and coffee beans lined up on its counter as proof, every coffee or tea blend is well-thought of and made with care by the barista-on-duty. Each guest is entitled to a free cup of coffee or tea beverage and a free pastry.

I cannot speak for everyone who ever wrote a review on the web about this hotel. I can only say that I am very much pleased with myself for finding this hotel. I can tell you the many reasons: sheets and pillowcases are all white and hand-pressed just like at home; bathrooms and toilets are always clean and smelling of bleach just like at home; and the tea house, with around 17-foot ceiling high, antique verandah furniture and adequately-lit and shadowed by the morning sun, just like your breakfast nook at home; but like what Harry said on his FaceBook post, this hotel by trying not to overdo does well in making one feel at home away from home.

To give you an honest account, there is one interesting fact that did finally sway me to book this hotel online. The place inspired author Jamie Ford to pen Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

Would I stay here again? Yes. Would I recommend this hotel to others? Even if it feels like giving a secret away, Yes. Would it set the standard high on finding the perfect accommodation for future trips? Dear, Yes.

When planning for a trip, how do you go about choosing your accommodations? Drop me a note and perhaps we can share tips and experiences for future vacations.