Bambuda Castle

We stayed in one of the Hobbit Houses for three nights and had a great experience. The rooms were so cute and the bathroom was amazing. The only thing we really missed was a fridge. The grounds are beautiful and the facilities are great. Food and drinks in the restaurant were decent and the laundry service was very quick and efficient. All the staff we met were friendly and very helpful. We had a car so getting into town and back was not an issue. It would be harder without one - you need to pay taxis or walk for about 45mins-1hours (all uphill on way to castle) I would 100% stay here again.

Bambuda Castle in Boquete is a great place to stay. It's special because it's built under the ground on top of a mountain. Our room was very clean, looked cool, and the bed was super comfy. The people working at the front desk were quick to help, very friendly, and listened to what we needed, which was very helpful. Overall, Bambuda Castle is a perfect spot if you want a quiet, comfy place with great service. It's definitely a place worth checking out if you're in Boquete.

The castle seems very outdated. The bed sheet had a blood stain on it and the shared kitchen was absolutely filthy and was very under equipped which really puts you off using the facilities. If you are over 6 foot tall you will not be able to fit in the beds well. To go anywhere you have to take a taxi or the town is a 1hr walk from the castle. The WiFi in the common areas is ok sometimes however in the rooms does not work. Very nice building and setting from the outside but that's the only good thing. Very overpriced.

During my trip I tried out 3 different Bambuda hostels (in dormitories each time). I waited until I'd done all 3 before writing this review. Here is my personal experience : The staff weren't at all rude, but they weren't exactly friendly either. I felt a bit like I was bothering them every time I asked for information. Despite that, they were helpful. My trip was off-season and I arrived at 11am, so as there's no check-in before 3pm I was left wandering around the hotel (no one offered to put my luggage in storage and I didn't know it was possible, probably my fault for not asking...). When I finally made it to my room, a 6-bed dorm room, I saw that there was only one girl there, who asked me why I was only being shown the bed they were holding, since it had been vacant since the day before (along with 4 other beds). I thought it was a bit silly of them if the bed was already ready, why did they make me wait all that time? The room was very clean as the bathroom (the hot water was a bit tricky but a least there was hot water !) The location is simply stunning, it's quiet and restful (both the view and the hotel itself) but as it's out of the way you'll need to take cabs (you can ask reception to call one) which can take a little time and add costs ($4 per trip if you're going downtown). Personally, I preferred to be off-centre so I could enjoy the peace and quiet and the view! As far as the food was concerned, I thought it was a pity that the restaurant only served wester food, which wasn't really bad, but it wasn't really good either. The restaurant remains friendly enough and convenient if you don't want to cook like me! As far as prices are concerned, nothing shocked me compared with other restaurants across the country. I recommend this place if you want to chill and relax during your trip! (There's even a jacuzzi 😉)

Shangri-La Bambuda Castle was exactly what I needed. The fresh air or Boquete was a welcome retreat from the heat of Bocas de Toro. We stayed in a Cabin with balcony. The bed was comfy and clean and we slept with the window open for a fresh breeze. All around the property are the most beautiful flowers and song birds. The staff was friendly, attentive and informative. We walked down the hill into town for dinners and had great breakfast and happy hour at the castle restaurant. I was surprised when we returned that housekeeping had come to tidy up as I didn’t expect daily housekeeping. This place offers hotel services with the price and friendly atmosphere of a hostel.

Everyone here was absolutely amazing. Views were great. Food was delicious. Staff is so friendly. Front desk worker Reynina was our favorite.

I will be here for 9 days total because my plans keep changing! I have had to add days on repeatedly and they do their best to keep me in the same or similar location. Then I got sick and they isolated me and took care of me like family. This has felt like a home away from home… not a vacation but I’m safe and well cared for!

Beautiful grounds, very friendly and helpful staff, very adequate room. All around a great experience. The staff really are extraordinary. The facilities are quite adequate and very clean. The landscaping is breathtaking. Hot showers with great water pressure. Good food.