Constructed in 1910 and designed by seattles first japanese american architect, sabro ozasa, the structure, building design, materials and uses are remarkably intact. Panama hotel features a 24 hour front desk, baggage storage, and a coffee shop, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The hotel landed on usa todays list because it is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of alice b. The hotel inspired the book hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by.
The panama hotel was essential to the japanese community, the building housed businesses, a bathhouse, sleeping quarters for residents and visitors, and restaurants. Historic seattle, in collaboration with the national trust for historic preservation, is working with panama hotel owner and steward, jan johnson, to develop a longterm plan that preserves this rare national historic landmark nhl for the future and improves community access and interpretation. Photo by sihanouk mariona in 1942, in a fervor of wartime paranoia, president roosevelt ordered japaneseamericans into internment camps for the duration of wwii the internment had an especially large impact in seattle s japantown, where japaneseamericans, many of them usborn citizens, were. Book express inn panama international airport hostel in. It was built in 1910 on south main street in nihonmachi, or japantown, and the brick building became a gathering spot for the japanese immigrant community. Seattles panama hotel deemed a national treasure the. Top 10 hotels in panama city, panama cancel free on most. Its clear from the start that this hotel isnt just another buildingit holds a great deal of significance for henry. The panama hotel opens in seattles japantown in the. The panama hotel tea and coffee house offers a full bar onsite. After booking, all of the propertys details, including telephone and address, are provided in your booking confirmation and your account. Book now at the panama hotel restaurant in san rafael, ca. Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet is an historical novel by jamie ford. Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by jamie ford goodreads.
In august 1910, the panama hotel opens at 605 12 south main street, in the heart of seattles nihonmachi japantown. Out of so many hotels in panama we can help you book the perfect hotel room, whether its a deal on a cheap hotel in panama for a long stay or multiple hotels for a trip across panama, we have a range of hotel to suit every individual need from the top 5star hotels in panama to hotels with. Reviews on haunted hotel in seattle, wa the moore hotel, belltown inn, worldmark seattle the camlin, the edgewater hotel, kimpton hotel vintage seattle, hotel andra, warwick, mayflower park hotel, marqueen hotel, panama hotel. Located in seattles historic international district, a short jaunt from downtown tourist attractions and sports stadiums, the panama hotel and its namesake cafe are reminders of love and loss in a time of war. Japantowns panama hotel hides a treasure trove of history.
Nov 25, 2008 the panama hotel is a historical japanese hotel and really is about a place in time, but with lots of little details. A fulllength film documenting the history of the panama hotel is currently in production which will detail the buildings influence in place, culture and community, the ongoing preservation efforts for the panama hotel including the hashidate yu sento, one of the most wellpreserved bathhouses in the u. The one nonfictional character in the book, the father of seattle s jazz scene, oscar holden. The book became a new york times bestseller, found a worldwide audience and was printed in 34 languages. Be sure to check out the following sites and attractions. Panama hotel panama is a 2star cheap hotel located next to international district. A dozen translations of jamie ford s novel, hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet, which features an inn based on the panama hotel, sit nearby in a glass case. The closest major airport is in rio hato rihscarlett martinez intl. Apr 19, 2015 the national trust for historic preservation recently named the panama hotel in seattles international district, a national treasure. One visitor, in town from corvallis, oregon, last summer, stood by the wall, examining the photos. The management gives you sandals and a japanese bathrobe as you check in, and your room is decorated with furniture from the 19301940ish era that has been collected by. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of japanese families who were sent to internment camps during world war ii.
Toklas was born in san francisco in 1877, but for a short while lived with her family in. Located in seattle s historic district, this hotel features an onsite cafe. The national trust recognizes the national historic and cultural significance of the panama hotel and the important stories it can help tell. Finding the right allinclusive accommodation for your vacation in panama has never been so simple, and with the array of hotel choices on expedia youre sure to find one that suits your needs. You really have to experience this hotel to get the flavor. The panama hotel restaurant san rafael, ca opentable. The miracle of the panama hotel is that the trunks and boxes of interned japaneseamericans are still there today, stacked and piled around the basement, still waiting to be retrieved by their. The national trust for historic preservation recently named the panama hotel in seattle s international district, a national treasure. Situated in seattle and with pike place market reachable within 300 metres, palihotel seattle features express checkin and checkout. New booklet explains history of panama hotel japanese cultural.
Located in seattles historic district, this hotel features an onsite cafe. About panama hotel accommodations san rafael hotel. Well even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails. Top 10 best haunted hotel in seattle, wa updated covid.
Book the best hotel for your next trip using travelocitys hotel finder. In the opening pages of jamie ford s stunning debut novel, hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet, henry lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the panama hotel, once the gateway to seattles japantown. Panama hotel puts the best of seattle at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable. One should also note that a well known book was written based off the panama hotel.
The builder and designer is sabro ozasa, a japanese american architect and graduate of the university of oregon. Panama hotel seattle book your hotel with viamichelin. The panama hotel restaurant offers fabulous food influenced by latin america, the mediterranean, and californias fabled wine country. Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet by jamie ford. Located in seattle s historic international district, a short jaunt from downtown tourist attractions and sports stadiums, the panama hotel and its namesake cafe are reminders of love and loss in a time of war. My meetup group was very enthusiastic and ive already set up a tour of the sites in the book, set for feb. Panama city is a scenic place known for its restaurants and bars. Welcome to panama hotel, a nice option for travelers like you. In august 1910, the panama hotel opens at 605 12 s main street, in the heart of seattle s nihonmachi japantown.
Constructed in 1910 and designed by seattles first japanese american architect, sabro ozasa, the structure, building design, materials and. The book begins as henry lee stands in front of the panama hotel. What other accommodation in seattle is available to book near the seattle panama hotel. Hotel photos hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet images of true events that inspired hotel, courtesy of the national archives. The panama hotel in seattle is rich with japanese american history. Seatac airport is 20 minutes drive away from panama hotel. The seattle times almost five years later, already graduated, loreen and i were finally able to visit the panama hotel, a place that is now deemed a national treasure. Top 10 best haunted hotel in seattle, wa updated covid19. I drove 40 minutes only find the restaurant was closed. Built in 1910 by japanese architect sabro ozasa, the hotel and its cafe were designed. The tea shop features furnishings and artifacts from the prerenovation hotel. The history of the panama hotel was recently released the book.
The internment had an especially large impact in seattles japantown. It is seattle s panama hotel, where an old man named henry lee stands as the book. The panama hotel is where keikos family stored the greater part of their belongings when they were shipped to the. Set in seattle during the japanese internment during ww2. Museum of international propaganda, china camp state park, marin county civic center, wildcare, and art. Learn about the local heritage of panama city at top landmarks like casco viejo panama basilica and panama viejo. This is a beautifully written book that will make you think. Pelicanstay in pioneer square, embassy suites by hilton seattle downtown pioneer square, courtyard seattle downtown pioneer square, near the seattle panama hotel. Finding an ideal historic hotel in seattle does not have to be difficult. Hotel photos hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet.
Simply book a local tour to enjoy your stay a little more. The hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet is an actual place. Offering free bath toiletries as well as complimentary bottled water. Out of so many hotels in panama we can help you book the perfect hotel room, whether its a deal on a cheap hotel in panama for a long stay or multiple hotels for a trip across panama, we have a range of hotel to suit every individual need from the top 5star hotels in panama to hotels with a swimming pool, free breakfast and gym. The book opens with older henry watching on as belongings of japanese american families are carried out from the panama hotel. A fulllength documentary by seattlebased big story group, the panama hotel legacy. In the opening pages of jamie fords stunning debut novel, hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet, henry lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the panama hotel, once the gateway to seattles japantown. The story is told in two parallel storylines, one following 12yearold henry lees experiences during the second world war, and the other depicting henry 44 years later as a widower with a collegeaged son. There was a large public bath inside of the panama hotel.
Chilling reminder of shattered lives in a seattle hotel. The panama hotel is known for the rich japanese american history before and during world war ii. Panama hotelseattle, tea and coffee house, tours 605 12 s main st, seattle, washington 98104 rated 4. In 1930, there were more than a hundred hotels in seattle s japantown. The panama is a fivestory workingmans hotel, with businesses located on the first floor. With kayak you can also compare prices of plane tickets for last minute flights to panama city from seattle. A historic picture from preinternment japantown, on display in the panama hotel. The builder and designer is sabro ozasa, a japanese american architect. Seattles panama hotel, designated a national treasure and a national historic landmark, is located in japantown. Located in the university district, just 1 mile away from university of washington, this seattle hotel features fullyequipped kitchens in each spacious apartmentstyle suite. Set in a historic hotel built in 1910 by japanese architect, the building had a long history in seattle and stood as an iconic witness of the past. From her artist studio across the street, johnson had been fascinated with the panama, a fivestory workingmans hotel at 605 12 s.
The panama hotel, an early 20th century five story brick structure, is an outstanding example of the singleroom occupancy hotels that characterize seattles preworld war ii nihonmachi japantown. Pike place fish market and the seattle arts museum are within 20 minutes walk of this seattle hotel. From her artist studio across the street, johnson had been fascinated with the panama, a fivestory workingmans hotel. I learned about this book from an article over the panama hotel in seattle national parks magazine. The panama hotel opens in seattles japantown in the summer. Panama hotelseattle, tea and coffee house, tours home. In the 1920s, many single men used the hotel to stay while they didnt have their seasonal jobs.
Apr 30, 2018 the panama hotel opened in august of 1910, a fivestory brick building of singleoccupancy rooms for laborers built at 605 south main street in seattles international district, which was then. A free continental breakfast is provided to all guests daily at hotel panama. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery. The panama hotel in hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet. Like many buildings in the area, it was japaneseowned before world war ii, but after the internment, it was bought again by a japanese owner. Japantowns panama hotel hides a treasure trove of history the. August 1910 the panama hotel opens in seattle s japantown. Seattle artist jan johnson saw both in the panama when she bought it in 1986 to save it from being torn down like so many other hotels between fourth and seventh avenues.
Offering free bath toiletries as well as complimentary bottled water, every room includes bathrobes and access to a shared bathroom at panama hotel. In 1986, henry lee joins a crowd outside the panama hotel, once the gateway to seattle s japantown. In 1930, there were more than a hundred hotels in seattles japantown. There are separate mens and womens bathrooms provided in the hall. Panama hotel the 2star panama hotel boasts close proximity to tmobile park just 0. Main the hotel where seattle s japanese americans stored their belongings when they were sent to internment camps in 1942, and the inspiration for hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet. Designed by sabro ozasa, the panama hotel houses the last.
All rooms at the panama exude charm and offer all the amenities youll. In august 1910, the panama hotel opens at 605 12 south main street, in the heart of seattle s nihonmachi japantown. Our tour company is viewing the panama hotel as an anchor of their new tour this year. The hotel was built by the first japaneseamerican architect in seattle, sabro ozasa, and contains the last remaining japanese bathhouse in the united states.
Jun 06, 2012 whether youre there for a tour, a cup of tea, or a good nights rest, the panama hotel offers a hint of time travel and a rarely accessible taste of living history. The old seattle landmark was a place hed visited twice in his lifetime. Kobo at higo gallery and wing luke museum are within 5 minutes walk of hotel panama. A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by warnot the sweeping damage of the battlefield but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. The panama hotel tea and coffee in the international district was truly a hidden gem. New booklet explains history of panama hotel japanese. One of the worlds most haunted hotels is in seattle. Backed by our price match guarantee, you cant go wrong. The hotel is known for housing the belongings of the japanese families in seattle once executive order 9066 was enacted and the detention of japanese in internment camps. Located minutes away from the amtrak station, stadiums, pioneer square, pike street market, galleries, and museums, panama hotel offers guests a chance to experience a piece of seattle. Panama hotel film preserving the panama hotel legacy. Popular sights like cinta costera and albrook shopping mall are sure to leave an impression.