BajaNomad

Secure Parking, Good Hotel Ensenada

joel - 6-14-2007 at 08:41 AM

I'm headed south with a lifted rig loaded with gear and surfboards on the roof.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good hotel with a very secure parking area where I could leave all my boards on the roof overnight?

Thanks,

Joel

fishbuck - 6-14-2007 at 09:57 AM

Try motel Colon. I'd still unload there boards and put them in my room. How long woulg it take?

bajaguy - 6-14-2007 at 10:05 AM

Hotel Villa Fontana.........very secure, in the downtown area

Martyman - 6-14-2007 at 03:53 PM

Ive stayed at Santa Isabel with no problems. Right downtown

DENNIS - 6-14-2007 at 03:59 PM

There's an RV park downtown Ensenada. Have you considered that? You could be your own security.

tripledigitken - 6-14-2007 at 04:44 PM

I have parked in the San Nicholas lot (fenced) overnight and not had a problem in the past.

With the recent reports of theft, some in broad daylight, I would not leave a towed rig, boat or anything on a roof rack in Ensenada overnight. I say this with sadness over the new reality of life in BCN.

Time to unload a roof rack is a minor inconvienence vs. having it stolen.

My 2 cents.

Ken

Bajafun777 - 6-14-2007 at 10:08 PM

Even though the San Nicholas is old the staff are great, the restruant has good food, the bar by the pool area (inside glass inclosed so air conditioned and bartenders keep the beer cold and the margaritas flowing just right), big clean pool and great jacuzzi (it is hot not that cold bathwater). You can even take your drinks out to the jacuzzi at night and not be bothered by the staff. Additionally, it has a the gambling casino attached to the hotel. The parking security I just tipped and asked when they got off, was told 7am but do ask them so they know you intend to come back down. I told them if everything ok in A.M. I would tip again, remember a little cash goes a long way. 4WD truck and contents right where we put them in their fenced parking lot. Right in the back of this hotel is great restruant but you need to walk across the street to get to it. Have fun and be safe. Note: I also used a locking steering wheel lock I got at PeP Boys for about $49 dollars. I used this same wheel lock all the way down to Maztlan this year and my truck was always there (they would have to remove the entire steering wheel and have another one to put on to get it). Oh yea, I think I had to pay $76 dollars they have AAA discount and they accept credit cards. They had some kind of dirt bike run when I was there and I did not hear any of them yelling that their bikes or trucks were stolen from the fenced area. Later---------bajafun777

Mike99km - 6-16-2007 at 08:37 AM

I don't know if your looking to play or just a place to stay. We stay at Posada de mar in El Suzal its the first hotel on the right after the last toll booth, about 4 miles south. Its clean and secure.
I don't leave anything that is mission critical on my rig. Surfboards are always in the room anywhere I stay.

If you want to play the San Nicolas is nice but not cheap.

tjvagabundo - 6-17-2007 at 01:03 PM

The Days Inn Villa Fontana or the Best Western El Cid both on Lopez Mateos.

Even in the US, I wouldn't leave anything outside my vehicle overnight. You would be asking for trouble.

larry - 6-17-2007 at 09:31 PM

I second the suggestion of Villa Fontana. The hotel parking is surrounded by the rooms and the only way in and out is a very narrow driveway that passes directly in front of the office. It is a nice hotel as well.

tjvagabundo - 6-17-2007 at 11:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larry
I second the suggestion of Villa Fontana. The hotel parking is surrounded by the rooms and the only way in and out is a very narrow driveway that passes directly in front of the office. It is a nice hotel as well.


Actually that's 3 for the villa fontana. Bajaguy made the first suggestion.

If you do choose the VF then you might want to arrive early. From my last visit it seemed as though there were a lot more rooms than parking spaces. Same with the El Cid.

Iflyfish - 6-18-2007 at 12:19 AM

Estero Beach Resort, just south of Ensenada has security 24/7.

Iflyfish

osoflojo - 6-18-2007 at 08:33 AM

Ditto with IFLYFISH, Estero Beach is gated, quite secure and has all else you may want.

kellychapman - 6-18-2007 at 06:59 PM

I always stay at the Azteca Inn just on the outside (south)of Ensenada because it is easy and also has gated/security 24 hours...just a few blocks south of the Joker Motel or something like that.....very inexpensive....and no pets....but usually very empty ....50.00 or close a night....

joel - 6-20-2007 at 08:39 PM

I ended up staying at the Estero Beach Hotel. They were great, reasonable at $80 per night with a great pool for the kids to get some trouble worked out before the long-car ride. Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

AcuDoc - 12-17-2008 at 10:48 PM

I've stayed at Motel Colon for many years. It used to be $30 about 3-4 years ago. Clean, San Diego TV, secure courtyard parking right in front of your room. Even with my boat

beachbum1A - 12-18-2008 at 07:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Hotel Villa Fontana.........very secure, in the downtown area

Affirimative on the Villa Fontanea!!

EnseNADAslim - 3-26-2009 at 07:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soulpatch
Thanks Joel,
I usually end up at Estero Beach Hotel because my wife digs it and so do the kids and I am not as dumb as I look so I take their "suggestion" on where to stay seriously.
I do want to give this place a try soon, though.

Ensenada Beach House


Ahh yes, the old Hotel Don Juan. This place changed owner ship years ago and had a tough go of it for a while, but I hope it takes off. Looks like they finally got their boat in the water. Not sure if Tom still owns it, or if there is a new owner.

postholedigger - 3-26-2009 at 11:26 PM

Yeah, I would recommend San Nicholas. The parking is fenced in and has an all night guard. I've pulled in at 3am to visit friends there and got a good (comforting) quizzing by the guards. It's always comforting to know that guards are doing their job.

Bajahowodd - 3-26-2009 at 11:47 PM

Great. A thread started in June 2007. If anyone wants to stay in or near town, San Nicolas is a good deal. Secure parking. Off the main highway. Two blocks to some good restaurants. Huge pool. Caliente Casino in house. Rooms are spacious and modern. Rates are super competetive., That being said, if you want to stay at Estero Beach, go to the Estero Beach Hotel. The Ensenada Beach House that was linked in a prior post, is a total dump. Absolutely no comparison to the Estero Beach Hotel. And not on the beach.

Festus - 3-27-2009 at 10:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Great. A thread started in June 2007. If anyone wants to stay in or near town, San Nicolas is a good deal. Secure parking. Off the main highway. Two blocks to some good restaurants. Huge pool. Caliente Casino in house. Rooms are spacious and modern. Rates are super competetive., That being said, if you want to stay at Estero Beach, go to the Estero Beach Hotel. The Ensenada Beach House that was linked in a prior post, is a total dump. Absolutely no comparison to the Estero Beach Hotel. And not on the beach.


Thanks for the update. Is San Nicolas within easy walking distance of the shopping area? In case San Nicolas is full (we are going down on Friday 4/10) what other hotels in the downtown area would you recommend?

Festus

Pompano - 3-27-2009 at 11:37 AM

Check this current thread on Ensenada motels and parking.

I can personally recommend the Quintas Papagayos Hotel for spacious suites, good prices, secure and very ample parking. I parked 2 rigs there recently. One 3/4 ton pickup with 32' trailer and one SUV with 19' boat. You are oceanside and can walk from bungalow patio to waterfront. On north end malecon, but very quiet. Takes dogs. I have tried Nicolas Resort and almost all others downtown over the years. Some are quite nice also, but I find Papagayos suits us much better.

I suggest comparing them first..it's a short easy drive between places.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=37806

[Edited on 3-27-2009 by Pompano]

postholedigger - 3-27-2009 at 01:20 PM

Quote:

Is San Nicolas within easy walking distance of the shopping area?


about 3-4 blocks to where the tourist area starts.

Bajahowodd - 3-27-2009 at 11:45 PM

Pompano. I've never been to Quintas Papagayos. But, I do encourage you to check it out on Tripadvisor. They rank right near the bottom, at least in the opinion of folks that inhabit that site. I'd be interested in your take on that.

As for the San Nicolas, there are a number of decent hotels right in the middle of the shopping/ restaurant area. Posada el Rey Sol, Best Western El Cid, Villa Fontana, as example .But San Nicolas is definitely quieter, has spacious secure parking, and I guaranty that in the current economy, there will be many rooms available.

Ateo - 6-18-2012 at 05:19 PM

Heading to Ensenada this weekend with the family and was reading this thread. Sorry to bump it but figured I'd check in and see anyone else has something to recommend. Looking for something under $100 for a family of 4. If nothing to add, that's fine -- plenty of info in this thread!

durrelllrobert - 6-18-2012 at 05:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ateo
Heading to Ensenada this weekend with the family and was reading this thread. Sorry to bump it but figured I'd check in and see anyone else has something to recommend. Looking for something under $100 for a family of 4. If nothing to add, that's fine -- plenty of info in this thread!

Definetly the Azteca for price (190 pesos single) and security (a lot of Baja 500/1000 racers stay their with their rigs). Its on the left side of Reforma heading south just past the turn off for Estero hotel.

DavidE - 6-18-2012 at 07:39 PM

For folks on a budget where clean, hot water, gringo grade beds, mattresses and pillows are a must, plus enclosed and watched-like-a-hawk parking is right outside your door, I choose the Hotel Balboa on Ave. Cortes, the downtown street that is the boulevard that becomes the hwy to San Felipe. This place is secure. The pink one story place four blocks east of the glorietta with Mex 1. Around 250 pesos a night.

Ateo - 6-18-2012 at 07:59 PM

DavidE and Durrelllrobert,
Thanks. I'm taking notes. Thanks for taking the time!

bajachris - 6-18-2012 at 10:31 PM

We stayed at the hotel Corona and didn't have any issues.

El Jefe - 6-19-2012 at 08:25 AM

Just looked at the Balboa on Google earth street view and it was blue in color when the photo was taken. Looks like a good location with a secure courtyard.

meme - 6-20-2012 at 11:01 AM

We have always stayed (large group Scorpions) at El Rey Sol & had good rooms good food & good security. None of our groups have ever had a problem in their enclosed courtyard & we all have left many things on & in our rigs.