American Trade Hotel & Hall
Invented nostalgia meets colonial grandeur — dark polished floors, hand-painted tiles, plantation-style reading chairs, and original architectural bones. Think Latin New Orleans with a Panamanian soul. The vibe skews creative, culturally curious, and convivial.
Book a Plaza Herrera-facing room for the view, but pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper — street life and church bells start early
Why It Matters
It was the first upscale hotel to plant a flag in Casco Viejo, kickstarting the neighborhood's transformation. The Club jazz venue, curated by Grammy-winning Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Pérez, is a genuine cultural institution. And Tiempos café sources some of the world's best Panamanian Geisha coffee, roasted locally in small batches.
The American Trade Hotel lives inside a restored 1917 building right on Plaza Herrera in Panama City's UNESCO-listed Casco Viejo. The property spent decades abandoned — at one point it was a crack house and squat for local gang members — before being brought back to life by Conservatorio and interior firm Commune Design, who invented a 'fictional backstory' of a centuries-old family hotel that had absorbed the eclectic culture of Panama's crossroads. The result is 50 rooms of weathered wood, retro tilework, Frette linens, and rain showers, held together by a jazz club, a specialty coffee shop, and a fine-dining room that collectively make this the most celebrated address in Casco Viejo.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Cuarto
A step up in size from the Cuarto Chico, at up to 410 sq ft. Same king bed and rain shower setup, with select rooms offering glamorous views over Plaza Herrera and the cityscape. Crib available on request.
King · 38 sqm
Cuarto Chico
The entry-level room — 'small room' in Spanish — but not without personality. Up to 358 sq ft with a king bed and rain shower. Some look out over Plaza Herrera and the rooftops of Casco Viejo.
King · 33 sqmEsquina
A corner suite with dual balcony views — up to 693 sq ft of generous corner room. Some face Plaza Herrera and the Casco Viejo streets below. King bed, rollaway or crib on request.
King · 64 sqmJardin
The largest junior suite in the hotel at up to 792 sq ft. It opens directly onto a private, tranquil garden courtyard with chaise loungers and hammocks — a rare thing in the middle of Casco Viejo. Some rooms also have balcony views of Plaza Herrera.
King · 74 sqmOne Bedroom Suite
The hotel's top accommodation tier at up to 739 sq ft. Separate sleeping and living/dining areas — sofa, desk, TV in the sitting room, king bed in the bedroom. Views look out over either Plaza Herrera or the Gulf of Panama. Bathrooms offer either a dual-headed rain shower or a clawfoot bathtub, depending on the room.
King · 68 sqmPanorama
The top-floor showstopper. Floor-to-ceiling windows deliver 180° views across Casco Viejo, Panama City, and Panama Bay. At 453 sq ft it's not the biggest room in the hotel, but the vantage point is unmatched. King bed, rain shower, crib on request.
King · 42 sqmSuper Cuarto
The Super Cuarto adds vaulted ceilings and a small dining area for two — plus plantation-style reading chairs that fit the colonial aesthetic perfectly. Most rooms have balcony views over Casco Viejo. King bed, rollaway or crib available on request.
King · 44 sqmSuper Cuarto Double
The double configuration of the Super Cuarto — vaulted ceilings, a dining area, and plantation-style chairs, but with two queen beds instead of a king. Good for two couples or families who want a bit more room.
Two Queens · 47 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel can arrange or recommend Fortaleza Tours — walking tours of Casco Viejo led by rehabilitated former gang members who grew up in the neighborhood and know every corner of it, including the history of the American Trade Hotel building itself. A genuinely moving and eye-opening way to understand the district's transformation.
The Club hosts live performances from local and international artists Wednesday through Saturday. Acts range from jazz quartets to tango ensembles. Tickets can be purchased through the hotel's website.
The weekly Sunday brunch at The Dining Room is considered a highlight of the property — a relaxed, elegant affair that attracts both hotel guests and Casco Viejo locals. Worth planning around.
The hotel offers a full 360° virtual tour of the property via Visiting Media, accessible from their website.
Yoga classes are offered at the hotel's gym in addition to standard fitness equipment.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A well-appointed library on the second floor, described by guests as inviting and luxurious — a great space to decompress.
Free high-speed WiFi throughout all guest rooms and public areas.
A grand ballroom-style event hall available for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Additional spaces include a Rooftop Venue, The Club, a Boardroom, Conference Rooms, Salon Viejo, and a Library.
In-room dining available from the hotel restaurant.
24-hour front desk. Concierge team can assist with tour bookings, restaurant reservations, and airport transfers.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available on request.
Luggage storage available for guests before check-in and after check-out.
Aesop toiletries stocked in all guest bathrooms — a notable touch that guests frequently call out.
Valet parking available at the hotel.
Secured self-parking available (charges apply).
Pets allowed. Charge of $25 per pet per night for animals under 25 lbs.
A small outdoor pool on the third-floor rooftop deck with city views. Sun loungers and pool umbrellas available. Guests have noted the pool is on the compact side — great for cooling off, not a lap-swimming situation.
Airport transfer service available on request.
A small gym on-site with cardio equipment (including treadmills) and yoga classes available. Guests note it is compact in scale.
BUILD YOUR AMERICAN TRADE HOTEL & HALL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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