BajaNomad - Spending the night in a Mexican motel

Spending the night in a Mexican motel

BajaNews - 1-10-2009 at 02:38 PM

http://acrosstheborder.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/spending-the...

By Anna Cearly
"Across The Border"
January 10, 2009

Motels south of the border serve a quite different purpose than motels in the U.S., which are still an option for budget-conscious families and travelers. Motels in Mexico - and throughout Latin America - are for people to hook up in. This explains why they are built with large walls, and sometimes have paying areas set up as booths with reflective glass. The upper-end ones offer garages and private entries while the lower-scale ones use curtains to cover up your car. Once you realize what they are, you start to see them all over the place. The more extravagant ones take on themes: There’s one in the outskirts of the city inspired by the Taj Majal.

How do I know this? As a reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, I once had to go to a crime scene near one of these “love motels” and tried - unsuccessfully - to get some information from the voices behind a tinted glass booth. Another time, also while on assignment for the Union-Tribune, I stayed at a motel in Veracruz out of absolute desperation. A photographer and I had arrived there during some national holiday and the city’s hotels were filled to capacity. A hotel worker suggested a motel. My room was decorated in surreal shades of blue. A plastic black couch faced a television and mini-bar. Inside a glass nook, fake flowers and arranged stones created a kitschy fantasy ambiance. The pillows were flat, the bed was hard, and napkin dispensers clung to the walls.

The motels are used by prostitutes and their clients. They are also used by married people who are having affairs. But they are also used by people who just need a little space away from prying eyes. In Latin America, privacy can be sorely lacking when you are living with your parents, in-laws, kids, and other assorted family members. These motels are designed to be quick - really quick - get-aways. That night in Veracruz, it became quite clear to me that they aren’t made for sleeping in as the sound of nearby garage doors opening and closing kept me up all night.

Here’s an interesting El Universal story (in Spanish) of how these quickie love-nooks are offering free car washes or extra time due to tougher economic times:
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/ciudad/92828.html

vandenberg - 1-10-2009 at 03:33 PM

Reminds me of a trip Barb and I took to the mainland a few years ago. The ferry from Topolobampo was ,as usual, delayed and we decided to take a nap. On the road to Los Mochis we saw several motels. Checking in, the desk clerk looked at us kind of weird. Walked in front of our car to take us to the room, pushed a remote, a garagedoor opened, and he disappeared. This garage is the only way in and out of the room. There was a rotating shelf to the outside and a dancing pole in the center of the room. TV only had 3 channels, all porn. Had a good laugh and took our nap before boarding the ferry. :biggrin:

Even took a picture of me at the pole, but Barb says not fit to show here.

On second thought, TRUE !! :no:

Woooosh - 1-10-2009 at 03:57 PM

I've noticed the many young mexican couples practically live in their cars. They park and spend hours on end talking, eating and napping- anything to get out of their house and get some privacy. It was weird to see at first- but when I understood the economics of why- it made sense.

Hotels/Motels/Cruise Ships are just gross- no matter how many stars they have. They make full body-cases for travelers that's like a sleeping bag with built-in pillow made of sheet material- so you don't have to touch anything.

The first thing you should always do is pull the bedspread off and throw it in a corner of the room- never to be touched again. That's the worst offender for obvious reasons. Second worst is the TV remote control.

Barry A. - 1-10-2009 at 05:22 PM

This thread is bazaar!!!! In the last 50 years, or so, I have probably stayed in 50 different motels/hotels in Mexico, both on the mainland and in Baja CA. I have NEVER encountered any motel similar to the one described in the lead story.

Go figure. (???)

Barry

BajaNomad - 1-10-2009 at 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
This thread is bazaar!!!! In the last 50 years, or so, I have probably stayed in 50 different motels/hotels in Mexico, both on the mainland and in Baja CA. I have NEVER encountered any motel similar to the one described in the lead story.

Go figure. (???)

Barry

There are many (?) in Tijuana and La Paz. Wouldn't surprise me if they were found in Mexicali as well, but I have spent nowhere near as much time exploring Mexicali as I have the other two cities.

[Edited on 1-11-2009 by BajaNomad]

El Jefe - 1-10-2009 at 06:10 PM

There is one in La Paz on the left before the whale tale where all the topes are on the approach to town from the north. I saw many on the mainland on the road to Mazatlan this summer. Never stayed in one, but my pal Frogg has. He calls 'em "stabbin' cabins".

Barry A. - 1-10-2009 at 06:15 PM

Sigh-------------I live a sheltered life. (apparently with blinders on) :?:

Barry

BajaNomad - 1-10-2009 at 06:21 PM

In the USA, I believe the common term is "no-tell motel" - and in Mexico, "Motel de paso".

There are a couple in Tijuana that have - and I've only seen the photos online - pretty nice looking basic rooms, up to incredible suites available. Take your wife for a night alone, but find a babysitter elsewhere for the kids!!

This "basic" room (with walk-in marble shower) in Tijuana is 370 pesos/night/single:

pm02.jpg - 50kB

BajaNomad - 1-10-2009 at 06:23 PM

As the room gets more interesting, so do the rates...

...for your info and amusement:

lpm01.jpg - 48kB

BajaNomad - 1-10-2009 at 06:26 PM

This multi-floor unit seems the most interesting one I've found online, with a pool, jacuzzi, saunas, bar, dance-floor and nearby round (faux?) brown-leather mattress - all downstairs (the two bedrooms are upstairs):

[Edited on 1-11-2009 by BajaNomad]

pm01.jpg - 49kB

2-tie-dye-4 - 1-10-2009 at 08:41 PM

Sounds like Bangkok.

bajabound2005 - 1-10-2009 at 09:56 PM

doug....does your wife look at this site?

BajaNuts - 1-10-2009 at 10:10 PM

"bazaar"....bizarre....

it could be fun if the kiddies weren't in tow............

BajaNomad - 1-11-2009 at 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
doug....does your wife look at this site?

Yes.

Would it be your opinion that I need to change the wording of what I stated somehow, or are you concerned that she'd be appalled over my awareness of these establishments, or ???

I was pointing out these motels to her in La Paz when we were just there (and I've shown her the pics of the places in Tijuana previously). I went by one "hotel" in La Paz, asked the man at the front desk if they had Internet - when he replied in the negative, I asked if he could refer me to somewhere nearby that did have Internet... and he referred me to a brand spankin' new motel about a half-mile down the road. When I got there, I realized what "type" of motel it was, and left before I could ask about their Internet availability. I explained to Michelle why we were heading elsewhere as we drove off.

The Motel Villa del Sol is also in the same vicinity, and is one I noted online many moons ago:
http://escapist.com/baja/lapaz.htm

Michelle and I also noticed the Automotel Hacienda del Mar along a busy road in La Paz as well:
http://www.automotelhaciendadelmar.com/english/

BajaNomad - 1-11-2009 at 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNomad
...the Automotel Hacienda del Mar along a busy road in La Paz as well:
http://www.automotelhaciendadelmar.com/english/

Interesting to note... on the website for this location, they have rates as a "Motel" (8 hours) and as a "Hotel" (1p check in and 12p check out):
http://www.automotelhaciendadelmar.com/english/reservations....

Mango - 1-11-2009 at 02:24 AM

I've seen and been to a few of these hotels throughout Mexico. Sometimes they can be a great deal. They are usually on the outskirts of town or in bigger cities. It can be quite comical to see who comes and goes. I stayed at one hotel on the mainland a few times before I "figured it out" when I kept seeing couples checking out in the late afternoon.

As vandenberg pointed out. Some of these you can only enter/exit though the garage door which seems very weird to me; but, I guess it makes sence if you want to sneak off with the secratary for the afternoon.

I'd also recommend taking taking Woooosh's advice to heart about ditching the bedspread; but, I do this at every hotel anyways. Overall this type of hotel can be pretty nice for what you pay if you stick with the higher end ones and stay clear of the truck stop variety.

Usually, I like the older historic hotels in the center of town; but, I have stayed in every type of motel imaginable over the years. If it is safe and clean, I'm happy. I usually travel with a bug net and silk sleep sack.

I don't quite stay in as many budget places as I did in the past. Of course sometimes hotels I used to stay in for 70 pesos a night now charge $70 USD. Owch.

Barry A. - 1-11-2009 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNuts
"bazaar"....bizarre....

it could be fun if the kiddies weren't in tow............

You know Nuts, I have to thank you for that spelling lesson-------I looked it up, and of course you are right. I have been spelling it wrong (bizarre) all my life, and did not even know it, and spell check never corrected me since I was using the wrong word.

Now about these "special" motels----------Hmmmmmmmm. (???)

Barry

Barry

DianaT - 1-11-2009 at 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNuts
"bazaar"....bizarre....

it could be fun if the kiddies weren't in tow............

Barry,

We have not seen a town of any real size in Mexico that did not have at least one of these "motels" on the outskirts. They are easy to spot---dark, and at least a curtain covering where one parks their car.

Driving to Central America once accompanied by a family with young children, they stopped outside of Vera Cruz to check out one---looked pretty nice, but the mother came out screaming that her children were just not old enough to see the pictures on the wall. We moved on down the road. :lol:

Diane

Barry A. - 1-11-2009 at 10:14 AM

Diane----------

I must have just instinctively avoided them (dem No-tell, Motels) without really knowing why. :tumble:

Once again BAJA NOMADS is bringing me up-to-speed on ALL the happenings in Mexico (as well as a mini-spelling lesson)

Thanks all.

Barry

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-11-2009 at 10:29 AM

Ahhhhhh... them "No-Tell Motels." I would not know a thing about them!

BajaGringo - 1-11-2009 at 10:50 AM

They are located throughout Latin America and I can recall seeing some very "interesting" designs. I will never forget one in Argentina called OVNI (UFO). It had an outerspace/martian theme and really was something to see.

At least that's what they tell me...

:rolleyes:

Barry A. - 1-11-2009 at 12:23 PM

To illustrate just how "up" on these matters I am, a friend over for dinner last night remarked that my sidewalk-level light looked RED to him (I thought it was amber). That did it-------I changed the light to a clear one this morning, much to my wife's relief.

What do I know--------------- :rolleyes:

red---amber???

Oh well, hopefully now nobody else we don't know will be knocking on our door in the middle of the night.

Barry

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2009 at 12:43 PM

Wow! Live and learn. I recall passing the Autohotel Hacienda del Mar on several occasions and sorta scratching my head. It's almost in the middle of nowhere, the wrong direction out of the airport from town. But it looked fairly tricked-out (pun may be intended. Anyway, now I know.

BajaNuts - 1-11-2009 at 08:14 PM

Any of those Tijuana-style rooms a little further south ? :lol:

If anyone cares to post locations, I PROMISE not to ask how they know!

Bajafun777 - 1-12-2009 at 11:46 PM

Oh yea, Mexicali has them alright. If you go in using the new East Port then turn left after you clear the Mexican border entry, go all the way down to the 2nd light after clearing two stop signs also on the way to that 2nd light. To the left at the 2nd light you will see Big Circle K and on the right that you will be turning is another gas station. So, stay to the far right and after turning right you will go down about a 1/4 of a mile and you will see the hotel on the left. It looks like a Moorish type Arab entre hotel. The guys at the Premex just a little further up on the right told me the rooms have a jaccuzzi and very clear for $380 pesos. My wife and I tried to see them after getting desiel but they wanted to rent them before letting us see. You have to drive in like a horseshoe so your vehicle cannot be seen from the road. Now, on Justo Sierra you will run out of money before you run out of these motel. In my younger high school years at this point I would have yelled yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Never have seen any in Mexicali with the "Chinese Basket Trick" or anything else even remotely like the pictures in this thread shows. Back in the college years we would say "she don't love me, she loves the loving," ok now I know a lot of the females are saying yea right!!! The 70s were definately the party down for the fun. I don't party like that anymore as my wife has no tolerance for any humorous moves to be even acting like I am playing around, by the way she is an excellent shot so-------No No NO, I Don't Do That No More As I Don't Like Waking Up On The Floor!!!!! Now, if you go to Lucerna's dream on brother, as they will not let you bring someone to your room if not checked in with you. My wife and I got back from partying one night in Mexicali very late and the guard started giving us a hard time until my wife started telling me in Spanish what to tell him and then he knew I was married lol. Later----bajafun777

Phil S - 1-13-2009 at 06:53 AM

Gulp!!!!!!!!So that is what the garage door opener was for when I got checked in at the LaPaz "motel". We thought it was 'quaint'!!!!! No one could see into the motel while driving by. Had to drive through entryway, then find the number of our unit, drive into the garage & close the door. Room was adequate. Bed o.k. We always toss off the bedspread. TV was interesting, though strange movies!!!!. Was a quiet night and a good sleep. Stayed there one more time when we were in town, until we discovered Los Arcos, and their discount if you have an FM3 from Loreto. Oh yes. The rate was $30.00 u.s. at the n.t.m.
Never too old to learn new 'tricks'??????? :light:

bajalou - 1-13-2009 at 09:19 AM

There's another just a couple blocks east and on the other side of the street from the Moorish looking one, think it's called Casa Blanca. I stayed there a few years ago when it was pretty new, clean room, everything OK for a night's sleep. Think it was about 200 pesos for the ight.

My wife and I stayed at a couple on the way to Mazatlan 3 years ago, again a OK night's sleep and the office gave us coffee in the AM.

BajaNuts - 1-14-2009 at 07:57 PM

Thanks for all the good humor.

I have to admit wanting to stay at the nice orange "inn" north of LaPaz but I thught it would be too pricy, what with the circle drive and all. I wonder what they would have thought of a single female checking in alone.

?

All this talk about ditching the bedspread. Anyone want to start a thread about "gross things found in hotel/motel rooms" ? extra points for pictures....

yaayaayaa

BajaGringo - 1-14-2009 at 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaNuts
I have to admit wanting to stay at the nice orange "inn" north of LaPaz but I thught it would be too pricy, what with the circle drive and all. I wonder what they would have thought of a single female checking in alone.

Probably would not have been a good idea. They might have concluded that you were setting up to handle the "walk-in" business...

:wow:

BajaNuts - 1-14-2009 at 08:20 PM

Yea... glad I didn't go there.....wouldn't have gotten ANY sleep at all!!!

(turning away all the riffraff.....that's what I meant!!!!!! Minds back on street level

....)

I could post pics of the place I did stay at, cucarachas in the bathroom sink and all.....

[Edited on 1-15-2009 by BajaNuts]

encanto - 1-14-2009 at 10:49 PM

With regards to Mexicali, as well as being a single female checking into a motel alone...

In 1991 I was returning from a solo camping trip in Baja and had had a rough slow slog in my Toyota from Coco's corner up to Mexicali. It was late, I was filthy and everything in the shell was jumbled. I slipped into a motel south of town (I see it still but can't recall the name) to clean up and sort out my stuff before crossing the border.

The receptionist/guy in the office did seem a bit perplexed by this gringa, but let me a room on the ground floor that I could back my truck up to. I emptied my gear into the room with door wide open and noticed a lot of ranchero looking men strolling about with ladies hanging on their arms. I swept out the truckbed and got it ready for repacking in the morning.

It wasn't till I finally retired that I realized all night long I would be listening to the old time "ding-dings," familiar to those who remember service stations that rang attendants to come out and gas up your car when you drove over the hoses. Only this alert rang when johns or couples wanted to check in for a while.

Luckily my dusty sleeping bag gave me an option over bedspreads or any of their bedding--motel blankets are hardly better.

And I have to say Doug, that the red plush features in your photo of TJ's higher priced room must be sticky as the floor in a peep show booth. Yitch!

Ah, memories.

[Edited on 1-15-2009 by encanto]

nancyinpdx - 1-25-2009 at 02:43 AM

Motel el Deseo in TJ....
Very true about noise of garage doors keeping you awake! Plus they have paper thin walls and I grossed out when the transvestites and transexuals hookers were making all their moany-groany girlie passion noises in falsetto voices! The rooms were nice enough but it is only for very open minded ppl or for ppl having to have an outlet to release their over abundance of ''hoarmoans''. I am very open minded myself but don't like to hear my neighbors getting it on.
I was there cuz i wanted my room to have my own private jacuzzi to relax in and did not realize at first what kinda place it was. Also, as previously noted, the tv was only worth watching if you're into porno.