When passing through Panama City, lots of people we know stay at Cruisers' Casa, a modest apartment that offers a shared kitchen, laundry, and security.  We didn't realize until we got here that the view goes on for days.  Very magical.  I am not one of those people who says 'oh, our hotel room doesn't matter- we're never there except to sleep'.  The weather has had us indoors a lot, and it's been very tolerable here.  We go to DC tomorrow.