Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House

Visiting here from Virginia! I don't drink coffee and I drink tea from time to time, so I wasn't super excited to try this place at first but this was on my friend's to-do list so we went. I would describe the ambiance as antique. I liked the vibe and it was nice inside. The barista gave us some history of the place and the owner and even encouraged us to sign the guest book -- we did! If I drink tea, I usually opt for some Early Grey, Peppermint, or something like Chamomile. I explained this to the Barista and told him that I also like my tea sweet. He recommended I try the London Fog, so I did. I opted to add in some extra vanilla and I got mine with whole milk. I also got a Lemon bar! OMG!!! The tea was so good, probably the best tea I've ever had. The lemon bar was good too. I'm glad I tried something new and loved it! I'd def come back here and recommend trying it out, even if you're not a tea or coffee drinker.

My husband and I came to explore this place for its history and quirkiness which we enjoyed immensely. It's a place to immerse ourselves in the past and definitely a place to relax from the busy streets of Seattle! We settled downstairs of the cafe with our tea and lemon cake. We'll definitely come back and chat with Jan again, the owner of Panama Hotel.

What a hidden gem! Amazing matcha latte. Cute place with a massive selection of teas. If you're looking for fancy, this is not it. But if you want peaceful, comfortable, and great tea, this is for you. The service was excellent even though there was only one woman working today! She was so nice and did a fantastic job despite needing to do everything solo.My feedback for management would be to hire another person!! A single person cannot handle weekend order volume at any establishment.

Historic hotel and teahouse? Yes please.So happy to see they are open after 2+ years of forced hibernation. The city and neighborhood are still recovering, but the Panama Hotel is open for business.And let me tell you, they have so. much. tea! Come prepared people. I did not. Although I am a tea lover, as I arrived about an hour before closing, I did not have time to sort through all the selections. Don't be me. Come early. The young man behind the counter really knew his stuff. He quickly laid out all the tea options and pointed out they have sample size jars if you want to smell the tea. Do *not open those tea jars! They also have a variety of pastries and cookies, but sadly no ingredient lists, so to avoid any food sensitivity reactions (rash, sneezing, watery eyes), I stuck with a croissant. Inside is a mix of updated and old. Decor is, not surprisingly, Asian influenced. Seating is mixed, from bamboo style chair, to sofa. A few tables are located by the order counter while the restrooms and more seating are down a couple of steps in a separate room.There is one restroom, also a mix of old (nice tiled floor) and new (modern sink). Parking is on street. There are a few spaces just up the street if you can get one. Pay at the counter when you order, bus your own table. There is a bin by the counter for your dishes. I wish they had more info on the hotels history available in the teahouse. If it's there I totally missed it. I read the website, but would love more. They have some old photos in the livingroom area which were fun to browse. And a kitty! They have a resident kitty who is very laid back.Next time I'm in town, I'll come early and have a nice cuppa and pet the kitty. Something I look forward to.

This place was so unexpectedly lovely! We wandered into the hotel incorrectly at first - To be honest, the hotel was a little bit creepy. Once we headed back down the stairs and found the tea shop, we felt better again. They have SOOOOOOOOO many different teas. I loved it. Just wonderful on a cold day. Staff there is super friendly an knowledgeable about the teas. I chose a hojicha and it was very good. I settled into a spot with my BFF in the back at first but we wanted to chat so we decided to head back to the front room - There were a couple of people working on computers and we didn't want to disturb them. We found a nice cozy spot and hung out probably a good couple of hours. Didn't expect to do that! Something lovely about the aura of this place. Just makes you feel at home. On my way out, the barista offered me some more hot water to top up my cup. This was perfect on my way out since it was so cold out. So nice.

This cafe has a special place in my heart. I've been coming here with my dad since I was little and it has remained some of the best tea and coffee in the city. The selection of teas is vast and I always try to tastes new one every time I'm in, the staff have great knowledge if you have any questions. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming with records you can play and a sweet little kitty miu miu (mew mew?). The hotel also carries an important history of the Japanese internment in Seattle during WWII and even has some of the belongings that families never returned to claim under the floor for viewing. A great place to spend a couple hours at or to bring someone visiting seattle.

Such a quaint and lovely tea cafe!It's the perfect place to relax and hangout for a few hours while waiting for our airbnb checkin. Seats are comfy and there is such an excellent selection of tea! Loved the Pu'er, London Fog, and Houjicha latte. All were amazing! Staff is friendly, there's plenty of seating with a cozy downstairs area as well, and solid wifi!And the rescue kitty (mew mew) is super sweet and cozy's right up to you. We hung out with her the entire time and gave her lots of love.Love this place! Will definitely come back!

This review is about the hotel. It's an awesome opportunity to stay at a museum with a long and painful history. The owners truly care to preserve the history and spread the story of this building and Japantown. To stay here you should be a mindful person; the floors creak, the walls are thin, the bathrooms are shared with the floor etc. I very much enjoyed my stay. The location was perfect for my stay.

By far Seattle's hidden gem of Japantown (Nihonmachi) in the international district of Seattle. Enjoy tea or coffee in the cafe downstairs, or enjoy a stay at the historic Panama Hotel upstairs. Preserved exactly as it was 100 years ago, little has changed. Using AirB&B, decide which room appeals to you the most. Originally a boarding house for wayward Japanese men, each cozy roomhas it's own sink. Enjoy common showers and restrooms on each floor. Stop by the library to read the infamous "Hotel on the Corner Of Bitter And Sweet" novel based in the historic hotel. Learn how Japanese were removed from Japantown during WW2. Take a glance through the floor to the next level down, where the fleeing Japanese threw many suitcases and items in the basement, one day hoping to return and claim them. Most never did.

Historic building with antique artifacts left from the Japanese who were forced to leave their homes. There was a timer for the tea so it steeps for the right amount of time. Extra hot water was offered.