BajaNomad

hotels in Santa Rosalia

Bob and jane - 2-26-2007 at 06:58 PM

Have a friend busing to Santa Rosalia tomorrow from Loreto to catch a plane out on Wednesday. Anyone have suggestions on where he should stay? I'm thinking El Morro or Hotel Las Casitas, but I haven't stayed in either. Anyone know the prices? etc. He'll have the morning to wander around. Any must sees? We always just drive through, so we aren't much help. Muchas gracias por su ayuda.

Hotel Frances

The Gull - 2-26-2007 at 07:41 PM

6151522052

http://user.aol.com/MulegeBaja/baja/frances.htm

The sisters will really treat them well.



[Edited on 2-27-2007 by The Gull]

Front_of_Hotel.jpg - 37kB

Paula - 2-26-2007 at 07:44 PM

According to the Moon Handbook 6th edition (2004), El Moro and Las Casitas are both in the $25- 50 range. Downtown, the Santa Barbara church is interesting to see; it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, and resembles a Citroen car in that it is prefabricated and looks collapsable-- like you could fold it up and carry it off. The main loop through town is fun to see because of all the wood buildings, French influenced. El Boleo bakery has been there forever, and is a cut above most Baja bakeries. The hill on the north edge of town has old mining rail cars, interesting architecture, and a museum of the mines. Also up on the hill is Hotel Frances, more expensive than those downtown, but no doubt a memorable place to stay, in one way or another-- we've never tried it. If hungry for tacos, eat at the busy stands in the heart of town, avoid those little out of the way ones-- on this I speak from experience:barf:;D

tripledigitken - 2-26-2007 at 08:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and jane
Have a friend busing to Santa Rosalia tomorrow from Loreto to catch a plane out on Wednesday. Anyone have suggestions on where he should stay? I'm thinking El Morro or Hotel Las Casitas, but I haven't stayed in either. Anyone know the prices? etc. He'll have the morning to wander around. Any must sees? We always just drive through, so we aren't much help. Muchas gracias por su ayuda.



Last time through we tried to stay at Las Casitas, as someone here recommended it, but they were full. We have stayed at El Morro and it is fine. We paid $35 for 2 (a year and a half ago.)

Can't recommend the restaurant at the hotel though. I would venture into town for meals.

Ken

[Edited on 2-27-2007 by tripledigitken]

Paula - 2-26-2007 at 08:35 PM

WOW-- the guidebook put the Hotel Frances in the $50 to 100 range. I would definitely stay there after looking at Gull's link. Five minute taxi ride from downtown if you've had too much fun fishing with Bob and don't want to walk up:biggrin:

That is a really old link for Hotel Frances

The Gull - 2-26-2007 at 08:42 PM

It is likely a $50/night room. The restaurant is a big part of the recommendation. The rooms are very large and quiet.

bajalou - 2-26-2007 at 08:52 PM

Stayed at the Hotel Frances - had dinner there several years ago - great experience. I'd recommend it. I'm sure it's more than the hotels down town but ought to try it once. Great

Minnow - 2-26-2007 at 09:01 PM

Has to be Las Casitas. Brenda the owner is great, and she can tell you anything you need to know. Every room is a suit with a balcony on the cliff overlooking the sea of Cortez.

Hook - 2-27-2007 at 12:09 AM

I am almost certain that the Casitas are now in the 60-70 dollar range.

rts551 - 2-27-2007 at 05:33 AM

Las Casitas was $65 last summer. El Morro was $40

Bob and Susan - 2-27-2007 at 05:44 AM

brenda's has sure done better in he last few years...
every room has a private patio and OUTSTANDING view

did you know the governor of baja sur stays there when he comes to santa rosalia
(santa rosalia is the county seat)

http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/

brenda added another studio this year...very nice
she now has 6 buildings to rent and a newer trailer

i'll haven't been to the francis hotel in a long time...i need to keep up:light:

ViewOfCasitas.jpg - 28kB

Bob and Susan - 2-27-2007 at 05:45 AM

another view...

ViewOfHarbor.jpg - 24kB

shari - 2-27-2007 at 07:17 AM

That's funny cause we LOVE El Morro because of the restaurant...it's such a treat to eat in an elegant restaurant overlooking the sea...plus it's the best deal for the price...the grounds and gardens are wonderful with many many birds singing...plus it has a pool for Sirenita and sipping tecates poolside. The breakfasts are great and the rooms are nice too....and its 100% Mexican.
Las Casitas does have lovely gringo style rooms.

bajalera - 2-27-2007 at 10:44 AM

Hotel Frances is our choice. It was pretty shabby when we stayed there in 1968 and '72--the john was down the hall, and there was no pool, much less any rooms in back--but the upgrading done by the owner [daughter of the man who has the Perla in La Paz] has been superb. Added the amenities but preserved the style of the original.

Where not to stay: The hotel converted from old Boleo offices [on the right as you come into town from the north]. Rooms are dinky, price is no bargain.

Minnow - 2-27-2007 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
.
Las Casitas does have lovely gringo style rooms.


I get in trouble when I do this but, WTF is gringo style. Brenda is a super gal, along the lines with Julie in Loreto. I have stayed at the others, but I won't give a trip report now.

[Edited on 28-2-2007 by Minnow]

Bob and Susan - 2-27-2007 at 02:19 PM

"gringo style"

clean beds
clean sheets
clean comforter
clean floors
clean showers (no mold)
working shower head
indoor bathroom
no c-ckroaches
free drinkable water
maybe a small coffee pot for the morning
air conditioning when its hot
heater when its cold

bajajudy - 2-27-2007 at 04:30 PM

Although we stay at El Moro because of our dogs, I would never recommend the food.
For food, there is that wonderful place with the fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. I never can remember the name but it is on the right side of the street just after you pass the train engine going into town and it is something like teritos. Somebody help me on that.
Breakfast at Hotel Frances is excellent and the setting is beautiful. If you have the time go to the museum just down the street. It is very interesting and doesnt take a whole lot of time.

museum.jpg - 46kB

Hook - 2-27-2007 at 04:58 PM

Judy, you're thinking of Terco's Pollito, I believe.

Playas Negras is pretty damn good the times I've been there. So is the place at the south end of the malecon. Cant remember that name. These are restaurants.

Bob and Susan - 2-27-2007 at 06:45 PM

that chicken place at the beginnng of town is good for breakfast and lunch too...
i especially like breakfast there

we went to playas negras and thought it was pretty good and the prices were reasonable
it's in a good spot

Bruce R Leech - 2-27-2007 at 07:21 PM

I really like Las Casitas but I did not know that it was getting that expensive:?:

midwifevicki - 2-28-2007 at 12:58 AM

I always stop at Terco's Politos... the chicken is amazing and who expects mashed potatoes in baja and the decorations are all antiques and artifacts from the history of Santa Rosalia...very cool.

Bob and jane - 2-28-2007 at 07:40 AM

Thanks for all the replies. As usual, a plethora of advice and interesting tidbits as well. We've sent him on his way armed with all your suggestions. If we hear back from him, we'll let you know where he stayed and how it went.

shari - 2-28-2007 at 08:13 AM

Just a note to add to the gringo style thing....apart from all of the above comforts...being surrounded by gringos and gringo hosts is part of my gringo style criteria.

TMW - 2-28-2007 at 06:39 PM

I was thinking maybe gringo style meant H on the faucet was for hot and C was for cold. Stayed in many hotels in Baja that were the opposite.

TMW - 2-28-2007 at 06:46 PM

Stayed in the El Morro several years ago. My wife and I were setting at the bar and we could see into the kitchen thru a mirror. The waitress would pick food off the plates as she brought the food out and also take food off them when she was taking the dishes back in. The room was OK. Haven't stayed anywhere else in the town.

dean miller - 2-28-2007 at 07:05 PM

Tercos Politos

They have a great coffee drink...I don't recall the name but it is generally advertised via a triangle ( aka; tee pee) placed on the table.

I some how manage to have one (or more) during every visit to town.

I second the thumbs up for the breakfast.

DM

Roberto - 2-28-2007 at 08:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TW
I was thinking maybe gringo style meant H on the faucet was for hot and C was for cold. Stayed in many hotels in Baja that were the opposite.


You know, I've stayed at many mexican hotels over the years, and that's one thing I've always wondered. At first you think it's funny, then you start to wonder why so many places get it wrong.

Then, you look at it and think "if I only speak Spanish, what would H/C mean to me?". I mean, I know nothing about "hot" and "cold", right? And the light bulb goes off - "C" stands for Caliente! "H", WTF - at least I have one of them right!

The next question is - why am I so English-centered that I would think that the only perspective on the faucet symbols is ... well, you get my drift.

Minnow - 2-28-2007 at 09:33 PM

H= Hielo:?:

[Edited on 1-3-2007 by Minnow]