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Bajahowodd
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San Nicolas Hotel, Ensenada
We were headed back home the other day after two weeks of vacation that led us all the way to Cabo. As per plan, we stayed at Jardines de Baja in San
Quintin, and left with the idea off being home that night. But a last minute decision left us staying in Ensenada instead. We went to the San Nicolas.
There is a big remodel project underway, mostly involving the Caliente Casino and Sports Book housed in the building. They have already effectively
doubled the casino space, with some 300 slots in play, and a new, bigger Sports Book. There are additional expansion plans, as well. There is strong
talk about card games being legalized in the near future. I don't know if Mr. Caliente, Jorge Hank is just a tenant in Nico Saad's building, or if
Saad has a piece of the action, but when we entered the casino in the afternoon, virtually every slot was being used. They have remodeled the entrance
portico, with a Vegas-like appearance using terrazzo, glass and chrome. The casino now shares the entrance portico with the hotel lobby entrance, as
the casino now occupies space that was once the hotel restaurant. The hotel remodeled and expanded the area near the pool with restaurant space. The
posted rate for a room was $85, which quickly lowered to $65, and ultimately ended up at $56, plus a coupon for 4 margaritas at the bar, before the
deal was closed. Rooms well appointed. 32 channels of TV. Huge pool. Secure, guarded parking. Wonderful staff.
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DENNIS
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I hope Nico Saad isn't snuggly in bed with Hank. It just doesn't suit his image. His brother is one of the few Ensenada Notarios as well.
Hank has a second LF [are they still called that?] place in town. I guess the So.Cal indian casinos are goint to get a run for their money soon.
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Bajahowodd
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They are both extremely connected politically. If you've ever been in the San Nicolas, you know that the lobby is strewn with photographic and other
memorabilia, including photos of Nico with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and Nico with Pete Wilson. Nico is in the Off-Roading Racing Hall of Fame. One of
the more interesting pieces there is a faded newspaper article describing Nico's feat in 1962 of traveling from Redondo Beach to Avalon on water skis,
flying by holding on to a huge kite!
At 70 years of age, he's still at it. Most recent addition to his wall of fame is a letter from Parnelli Jones telling Nico how much fun he had at the
weekend spent with Nico and Vicente Fox last year, including the bull fights they attended.
Take a guess. The house take on 300 busy slots. What's the payout rate? Is there government control? Does Hank make 4 centavos on every peso? Six?
Eight?
[Edited on 7-10-2009 by Bajahowodd]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Take a guess. The house take on 300 busy slots. What's the payout rate? Is there government control? Does Hank make 4 centavos on every peso? Six?
Eight?
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You'll have to ask an Indian.
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Bajahowodd
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Mumbai?
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Mumbai? |
Little Beaver type.
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Bajahowodd
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Lotsa that in the casino, too!
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lizard lips
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Nico and Hank both have homes at the Coronado Kays and have been "friends" for a long time.
[Edited on 03/08/2009 by lizard lips]
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Von
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They probably play twinkle toes in the spa together in there homes in Coronado
READY SET.....................
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jeans
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Wow...it's still growing...sounds like I would not recognize the place I knew in 1971..spent my wedding night there, before going down to the family
house in El Faro Beach...I was 19.
The original pool is long gone. It was between the lobby and that little cave bar. I loved that little nightclub...
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Sallysouth
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LLips and howodd, Have either of you even met Nico? Have any proof of your allegations?
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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Bajahowodd
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Not certain about "allegations". Only mentioned what I know factually. On the other hand, it appears that lips may be asserting something altogether
different. All I know is that the hotel is among the finest in town; a personal fave. And, it just may be that it will be the locus of the next
generation of tourism, should the card games be legalize.
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LaTijereta
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Here's a shot of Jorge Hank w/ Sal Fish when he had happier days running for office... It was taken out in front of the San Nicolas.. Who knew
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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lizard lips
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I have met Nico and have known him for over 20 years and he is a stand up guy. I mentioned that there is a connection between the two (Hank) but Nico
is not "guilty" by association. Nico is a businessman, and a very good one at that.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lizard lips
I have met Nico and have known him for over 20 years and he is a stand up guy. I mentioned that there is a connection between the two (Hank) but Nico
is not "guilty" by association. Nico is a businessman, and a very good one at that. |
I agree with most of this, Dan. Unfortunately, people are known for the company they keep. This association can't weigh well with everybody in
Nico's favor if for no other reason than the PRI party affiliation. The other reasons will be left unmentioned here...at least, by me.
[Edited on 7-11-2009 by DENNIS]
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Santiago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jeans
spent my wedding night there....I was 19.
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You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? I will resist...
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David K
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Yah, there sould be 18,000+ posts just on this, huh Santiago?
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lizard lips
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Dennis. My father always told me to keep my friends close and my enemies closer. I don't know the association Nico has with Hank other than what I
have posted but they both have had sports books for years. Through everything I know about the man he has always done me right.
The information I have about the homes in the Cays came from another resident who is a friend of both of them.
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David K
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Parnelli Jones mentions Nico in the NORRA video: http://www.norra.com/heroes_video.php
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jeans
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
| Quote: | Originally posted by jeans
spent my wedding night there....I was 19.
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You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? I will resist... |
Santiago - Lest you forget...  http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=31906#pid3277...
| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
Jeans: I am so, so sorry for everything I've ever done.......
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Yah, there sould be 18,000+ posts just on this, huh Santiago?
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DK...
Nahhh...A friendly battle of wits is no fun with an unarmed person 
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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