BajaNomad - Runaround at Alphonsinas

Runaround at Alphonsinas

Anonymous - 5-9-2005 at 03:11 PM

Just curious if anybody else has ever experienced this...
Last October, we went down to Alphonsinas as part of a MC trip (6 guys). We had previously made reservations by telephone (and we did have reservations). We pull up to Alphonsinas and asked for our rooms, we were told by the head guy (Antonio?) that he had no reservations under our name and no available rooms (BTW, the place looked almost deserted, a few folks sipping drinks on the patio but no vehicles in the parking lot, etc). While he was vehemently denying that we had reservations, I look down to his reservation book and see my name. I point this out to him but he says that it's for another date. He was not very pleasant either. It was almost as if he wanted us to beg him for a room. By then, my traveling companion (who speaks fluent Spanish) was getting peeed and we were ready to head out and look for lodging. Then Antonio says, "wait a minute" or something like that and looks around and said, "I can get you a room". We wait a few more minutes and, voila, 2 rooms magically are freed up. Needless to say, we took the rooms but were sort of disillusioned by the whole experience. Believe me, our tipping at the end of the trip was heavily influenced by the "misunderstanding" at the beginning of the trip. It was weird. After we got checked in, the head guy seemed very attentive and friendly and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Does he do this often? I know what you're thinking, 6 gringos with foul mouths, and no manners...Believe me, we had no communication problem, we were not rude in any way or form and were not condescending in any manner also. I was tihinking about going back there to visit and I mentionend that I was thinking about staying at Alphonsinas and he repeated pretty much the same story from some other people (unrelated) that experienced this also. Thanks for any input, if not Alphonsinas, where else is a great spot to go to.

Anonymous - 5-9-2005 at 03:15 PM

Sorry, must have had a run on... The last part of my letter should read like this...

I was thinking about going back to Gonzaga to visit and I mentioned to another friend that I was thinking about staying at Alphonsinas again and he repeated pretty much the same story from some other people (unrelated) that experienced this misunderstanding also. Thanks for any input, if not Alphonsinas, where else is a great spot to go to.

Alfonsina's

Anonymous - 5-9-2005 at 03:27 PM

I'm having some kind of password trouble so I'm back to Anon. We are 10-12 year veterans at Alfonsina's and Antonio gave us the same routine last month. While trying to check in he was very unfriendly and knew nothing about our reservations. He managed to "find" us three rooms all on the ocean side; and the next day he was sweetness and light! He even remembered that one of the regulars wasn't with us; and checked on us a couple of times over the stay. I can't figure it out. They were turning people away while we were there; but the standard answer (no matter what stinking papers you had) was that they didn't have the reservation. Moral to the story is to just show up and take your chances. If he can't find rooms head across the bay to Papa's.

Sharksbaja - 5-9-2005 at 03:33 PM

he is probably just having "brain farts" as do all of us....but seems pretty rude.

and he lost good future bucks

yankeeirishman - 5-9-2005 at 04:01 PM

Yeah, yeah! Old story this "fonz' joint. It seems that it's real popular with many...good food (there is!), good service (there is!) cheap rooms (there was!). Your story is the same as my story I posted this past year. The rude aspiring fool (sounds like the same guy you had) told us.....after looking in the sky for three minutes, that he had no rooms. Vacant parking lot on a Tuesday. A vast change from the first time we went there...f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c.! I now tell all of my friends to sleep in their cars before going to that idiot again. He lost good future bucks with my crowd. But watch this post,,,there be a lot of others telling you he was just having a bad day. Whatever?.1300 miles from home and in need of a room.

eetdrt88 - 5-9-2005 at 04:11 PM

alfonsina's is one of the greatest spots to hang out in baja,i've had alot of fun there and met some very interesting characters....Antonio is a great guy,but i've got to say he does like drama....more than once we've shown up for dinner and he's said that they're closed or out of food,then he gets to listen to a bunch of grumbling and groaning from some hungry gringos and their kids but just as were ready to walk away....."Wait,come in I'll make you something" and it always turns out to be a feast

I think you have to see it from his perspective....he spends every day of his life at that unbelievable spot....he probably needs to see a little drama every now and then :lol:

Ken Bondy - 5-9-2005 at 04:18 PM

We were there also in October of last year. Had no problems with our reservations (three rooms) and Antonio was extremely pleasant and helpful for our entire stay. We even had a car problem, and he went beyond the call of duty in helping us. For a tedious description of this see

http://www.kenbondy.com/images/ProfessionalArticles/Baja2004...

I am amazed that Antonio acted like this to several of you. We sure didn't see anything like that.

++Ken++

Anonymous - 5-9-2005 at 04:22 PM

Yankee, Sharks, and Anon,
Thanks for the feedback, I really needed to validate whether or not this was a mistake or an ongoing problem. I really loved the atmosphere at Alphonsinas (beside the check-in fiasco) and all in all we had a great time. But I don't want to do that all over again, especially if I have guests that I'm taking to Baja and telling them that this place is great, yada-yada and then have this happen again. Thanks.
ps I do have a login for this forum but I'm having brain farts also and can't seem to get it right.

Antonio/Alfonsinas

meme - 5-9-2005 at 04:23 PM

We arrived ther about a month agho also and had a similar experience! He said sorry no rooms! I forgot to mention we had no reservations! We were on our way back via BOLa from Mulege. So when My husband asked if I wanted to just have a beer I said "No" we will need to get on our way to San Felipe (HOME) as no rooms! All of a sudden Antonio says come let me look? So Jim went with him to look? All of a sudden he says you need two rooms OK! He suddenly had two rooms! Did I mention they cost us $60 a nite each? Well they did! Last year they were $45 a nite! Seems like a BIG increase to me!!!!!! :no:

Next we had 4 couples we knew arrive from San Felipe headed for BOLA! Antonio says "sorry no rooms he is expecting a big bunch of motorcycles (same story he told us")
But, they said "OH No" we have reservations for 8 here made thru Alfonsinas son in Chula Vista. So Antonio says ok let me look? He does and VIOLA!! He suddenly has 4 more rooms!!!!! We heard at $70 a nite!! :no:

So looks to me like this is some kinda scam he's got going but not sure just what? Other than he is getting BIGGGGG Bucks for being the only game in town!!!
Looks like someone needs to build a new motel in Gonzaga Bay!!! BTW! The rooms at Punta Bufeo are terible so sure not interested in staying there!!! Cannot figure out WHY they don't get them fixed up and make some of the $$$ Alfonsina's does? I know you people that live at Gonzaga are not anxious for others to come there but< Get used to it! It's gonna happen anyway! We have been going there at least once a year for 7 years! Will continue I'm sure but sure don't much like what's going on there at Alfonsinas right now? Today Jim has taken (with friends with him) some new wind generator blades(FREE) to Antonio at Alfonsinas as when we were there they had a wind storm and there's were all broken off. Would be nice to know we would not be scammed for more $$$ next time we go there! We are always ready to help ALL of these people out so not very nice when we get taken for a ride! We are not looking for any Freebies just looking for FAIR!!!

David K - 5-9-2005 at 05:03 PM

Baja Angel and I stopped at Alfonsina's for a drink and to show her the place... this was January 2, on our way home from L.A. Bay http://vivabaja.com/105

Antonio greeted us like old friends (I go there 1-2 times a year is all) and it was Liz' first time.

Right away... Antonio offers us margaritas (on the house) for New Years...!!! I think he remembered me from the past two Thanksgivings, as I was a guest of Doug Bowles and Brandi (each have homes on the beach, there)... also, he asked me to sign a Viva Baja sticker to replace one that was removed from the sticker wall by some low life...

Perhaps he is tense without Irma there helping (unless she is back)? Antonio is not an owner, just a long time manager... Alfonsina and her sons Joaquin and Roman own the place.

I suggest coming with camping gear, and stay at Campo Beluga (a couple miles south) if either Alfonsina's is full or Antonio's price is too high. Do have dinner there, however!

[Edited on 5-10-2005 by David K]

[Edited on 5-10-2005 by David K]

Ole Jauquin

White Angel - 5-9-2005 at 05:51 PM

Hey; found my "new" password! Anyway, Irma was not around in early April. I asked Antonio where she was and got no information other than a location. I'm thinking that Antonio's problem is with Jauquin. Communication has never been a strong point down there. Phone numbers change; FAX's go unanswered; the tienda down the air strip won't take messages anymore; and Jauquin never says "NO". So Antonio is left holding the bag. Perhaps if he says "NO" and plays dumb, the folks without reservations just go away? It is a great spot and the food is good. I'd hate to think how popular it could become with just a minimal amount of effort to accomadate reservations! The last few times we've been there the Yahoos with jet skis; jet boats; ATV's and anything else they could power up were at it 18 hrs a day. That's not what we go to Gonzaga for. It's what we're trying to get away from. Maybe Antonio should give out his own "good guestcards" and you flash it upon arrival-helps him remember that there are a few rooms availible.

David K - 5-9-2005 at 06:02 PM

Yah, a sort of 'Club Gonzaga Bay Ole'
The only time I saw jet skis was when some (wealthy?) Mexican vacationers were staying at the motel... To each his own... I don't own any, but I wouldn't cry if they were having fun on them... Having 4WD, I can always go to a beach away from others.

Here is the beach at Alfonsina's on Jan. 2...

yankeeirishman - 5-9-2005 at 06:17 PM

I had land sharks all over me last year when I posted that this joint was a rude awakening!
Perhaps one of alfonsina's buddies here at the forum should copy this post and give it to him! The ?in crowd? may get it nice there?but what about us?! Feed this joint to the sharks, I say.
By the way...real nice camps in that same area. Take a solar shower bag with ya.

Alfonsinas

BajaRob - 5-10-2005 at 08:08 AM

We stopped by for breakfast on the way down to GN on 3/8 and for dinner on the way home 3/10. Antonio was extremely gracious to our party of 10 both ways. The food and service was excellent. For dinner he asked that we allow him to chose and prepare our meal. We agreed and what followed was awesome. We were served a huge platter of fried shrimp and a huge platter of fried fish along with everything to build killer tacos along with rice and beans. We can no longer drive by without stopping......... Rob

Do not...

eetdrt88 - 5-10-2005 at 08:22 AM

i repeat do not do as David K says and go down the beach and camp at Beluga....that place is terrible :lol:

bajabob - 5-10-2005 at 09:27 AM

Got my password figured out...
Thanks for the information; I do agree with BajaRob that the food and hospitality was awesome once you got into the place. But that Antonio must have a Sybil-like personality thing going on...

P.S. eedrt, Is the beach at Beluga bad or are you just joking?

meme - 5-10-2005 at 12:13 PM

The food IS GREAT there! I'm sure unless or until there are other places to stay at Gozaga Bay we will continue to go there. I have outgrown camping for sure! Motels are much nicer & easier(no solar shower bags) tho ofcourse more spendy! NOTHING changes the way these people operate UNTIl they are READY to! So I guess we will all suffer along with Antonio until he chooses to change his ways?He has never been rude to anyone I know, just this strange thing he now has regarding roomS!
BTW Jim had Pescado Ranchero there yesterday & As USUAL it was GREAT!
Antonio thanked him for the wind generator blades and said he would get them up today!

A-OK - 5-10-2005 at 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eetdrt88
i repeat do not do as David K says and go down the beach and camp at Beluga....that place is terrible :lol:

I second that.......Campo Beluga is a dump

David K - 5-10-2005 at 06:11 PM

BajaBob (and others), they are joking with you... But 'lol' should be included with such "funny" statements.

It is like the 'Seven Sisters', ie. gringo name for unspecified points of awesome surf... not enough info. so the newbie can figure out where.

The Campo Beluga thing is a business however, and if that fellow (an American citizen of Mexican heritage who got fed up with civilization) doesn't get enough business, then it will be gone. Everything I read has been positive... I only visited the place briefly to get the GPS for it and map the roads to it.

So, don't keep Beluga a secret... it is plenty big enough for Nomad group camps as well as your solo camp. I read he was even going to open a small tienda... The two story palapas are cool.

Corky1 - 5-10-2005 at 07:04 PM

Bob,
Good to see you finally remembered who you were?? :light:

I stayed there one night about 2 yrs ago. Nothing to fancy at the time but the shower water was hot. (well maybe warm)

Give it a try :?:

Corky

Packoderm - 5-10-2005 at 07:56 PM

I don't see what's so dumpy about Beluga as a place for camping.

Campo Beluga

yankeeirishman - 5-10-2005 at 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
BajaBob (and others), they are joking with you... But 'lol' should be included with such "funny" statements.

It is like the 'Seven Sisters', ie. gringo name for unspecified points of awesome surf... not enough info. so the newbie can figure out where.

The Campo Beluga thing is a business however, and if that fellow (an American citizen of Mexican heritage who got fed up with civilization) doesn't get enough business, then it will be gone. Everything I read has been positive... I only visited the place briefly to get the GPS for it and map the roads to it.

So, don't keep Beluga a secret... it is plenty big enough for Nomad group camps as well as your solo camp. I read he was even going to open a small tienda... The two story palapas are cool.

Is this the campos to the right of the dirt road leading into the fonz's joint?

David K - 5-10-2005 at 08:56 PM

Not next door... a couple miles south. Right next to the big runway is Rancho Grande's palapas/ camping. That is probably the dump...

bajabob - 5-10-2005 at 09:43 PM

Well, I guess I'd better call the guys and tell them to bring a lightweight sleeping bag as well. Corky, can you carry mine for me? :spingrin:

I can't wait to check it out! Thanks

David K - 5-10-2005 at 10:47 PM

Here's a quick sketch off the more detailed map I drew in Nov. 2002 after seeing so many great sites around Gonzaga Bay... Perhaps you can see where Beluga is in relation to the others, better.

Photos begin at http://vivabaja.com/1102/page2.html (Green Pools of La Turquesa, Molino de Lacy, Mission-era warehouse on the bay, onyz springs, finding and hiking the old mission trail to Alta California, near Gonzaga (El Camino Real).

[Edited on 5-11-2005 by David K]

Me No - 5-11-2005 at 11:04 AM

You guys need to show up with me. I pour my own drinks, and take any room I like. Maybe thats why you guys can't get a room when you show up. :biggrin:

Antonio and Irma are beautiful people. If the price is too steep, go sleep somewhere else.

Maybe after ten years of bringing them fish straight out of the water, you will enjoy the same privleges. Put yourselves in their shoes before you judge.

info on beluga

eetdrt88 - 5-11-2005 at 11:05 AM

the tienda at beluga is open....no ice,no beer and from what i've heard from the owner there aint ever gonna be...Beluga is a great spot if youre into solitude because that is what you will find there,as far as the owner needing more business i've spoken with him a few times about it and he gave no indication that he was hurtin' for more customers or more money,in fact it was just the opposite feeling i got....kinda like he enjoys it just the way it is,but if you ever wanna hear a funny story ask Rafael about his plans for Gonzaga Bay when the paved road is put in....now that is some crazy **** :lol:

yankeeirishman - 5-11-2005 at 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Here's a quick sketch off the more detailed map I drew in Nov. 2002 after seeing so many great sites around Gonzaga Bay... Perhaps you can see where Beluga is in relation to the others, better.

Photos begin at http://vivabaja.com/1102/page2.html (Green Pools of La Turquesa, Molino de Lacy, Mission-era warehouse on the bay, onyz springs, finding and hiking the old mission trail to Alta California, near Gonzaga (El Camino Real).

[Edited on 5-11-2005 by David K]

Thanks Mr Guru (again). I try try that campos next time...

Me no....you are most likely right...but I have limits to someone being REALLY rude to me, not just rude. He was super nice the first time I went there. Perhaps he didnt like my blow kisses to him.......

bajabob - 5-11-2005 at 02:08 PM

David K,
thanks for the map, I'd like to check out punta final and molino de lacey on our trip in June.

punta final

yankeeirishman - 5-11-2005 at 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabob
David K,
thanks for the map, I'd like to check out punta final and molino de lacey on our trip in June.

Nice, and nice! Good snorkling over there too. FYI

Me No - 5-11-2005 at 06:59 PM

Quote:

This map creates more questions than answers. :lol:

Still have your Gerhards insert I see. :lol:

Me No - 5-11-2005 at 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by yankeeirishman

Me no....you are most likely right...but I have limits to someone being REALLY rude to me, not just rude. He was super nice the first time I went there. Perhaps he didnt like my blow kisses to him.......

Si, Si. But, If you want to have a REALLY rude time, visit the neighbor just to the north of alfonsinas. DK talks as if Doug is his best friend, but the truth is he has only met him twice. HAHAHA. :lol: