BajaNomad - Motel near Calexico border?

Motel near Calexico border?

El Camote - 2-12-2009 at 10:53 AM

I know it's been discussed here but can't seem to find it with the search feature.

Several nomads agreed on a cheap, decent motel near the Calexico border crossing. I think it was in El Centro and on the south side of Hwy 8. Vacation Inn, or something like that?

Anyone recall?

Thx

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by El Camote]

El Camote - 2-12-2009 at 11:11 AM

I don't usually have conversations with myself but...

Did a little googling and there is a Vacation Inn in El Centro, on the north side of the freeway. Called and was quoted $54/night for a single with AAA discount.

Is this the place others have stayed?

DianaT - 2-12-2009 at 11:53 AM

When we go to El Centro now, we usually stay at the Travel Lodge---pet friendly, not great, but better than the Motel 6.

However, before we lived in Calexico, and after the DeAnza changed to a retirement home, we stayed at the Villa Sur right downtown Calexico.

Information about the Villa Sur

It is only a couple of blocks from the border. It was very convenient for us because we were usually walking across the border to catch an airplane out of Mexicali.

If you are in Calexico, I very much suggest D'Poly's on the corner of 2nd and Blair for eating. It started as a small almost taco stand and they have gradually improved the building---good food.

If you are in El Centro and like Chinese food, I suggest Lucky's ---very popular place.

Diane

El Camote - 2-12-2009 at 12:28 PM

Thanks, Diane. Great information.
Not sure if We'll stop or not this trip. Will be in the area around 7:30 pm and may not be up to the night run to San Felipe.

bajalou - 2-12-2009 at 12:32 PM

I stay at the Ranch House - 8th and Adams in ELC. Clean rooms TV., bed, frig and microwave. $25 single, 30 double. Been staying there for 10-12 years on my old country trips.

Vacation Inn gives a "El Dorado" discount also - don't remember what it is but rate includes breakfast.

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by bajalou]

Fred - 2-12-2009 at 12:41 PM

Diane......Thanks for the tip on food in El Centro. Last time thru on the way home to Vegas from Baja I ate at a Mexican place someone told me about, but scratched it out of my book.

Fred

El Camote - 2-12-2009 at 12:47 PM

Thanks, Lou. Are you back in the new country yet?

DianaT - 2-12-2009 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred
Diane......Thanks for the tip on food in El Centro. Last time thru on the way home to Vegas from Baja I ate at a Mexican place someone told me about, but scratched it out of my book.

Fred

Didn't realize that Lucky's now has a web page. But they recently remodled some, so now a web page. Lucky's

Best a little off hours as they are ALWAYS busy---closed on Mondays. I love their spicy dishes---pepper chicken one of my favorites, but they also have the best egg foo young we have had anywhere.

We still drive out to that area for our dentist and vet---partly so we can eat at Lucky's. :lol:

Diane

El Camote

BajaRob - 2-12-2009 at 01:00 PM

We usually stay at Vacation Inn at a $60 rate. I asked the manager, Nona for a better rate as we were frequent guests. She declined so I used Priceline and got a rate of $47 for the new Marriott in the Imperial Valley mall. No comparison and we are glad that VI did not lower rate.

meme - 2-12-2009 at 01:35 PM

Hmm? We often stay at the Vacation Inn as many Eldorado people do.In fact we have stayed there one nite a week for the past month while doing Dr Appts & shopping. We get the discount & two drink tickets at dinner & two free breakfasts included for $49.50 Maybe we should check the Marriot but it will put us quite aways away from most of our shopping, so will likly stay with The Vacation Inn. But we would be interested in hearing where people dine? Please do not tell me KFC, Mc Donalds or Burger King etc. :no:

I'm talking dining here!! :yes:

Bajafun777 - 2-14-2009 at 07:35 AM

If you can get the Marriott for $47 dollars on Priceline do it quickly, as this is really easy to get to by getting off Interstate 8 on Dogwood turnoff that will also have a small sign saying I.V. Mall. You have Famous Daves, Dennys, Chilis, Starbucks, Italian resturant, new Chinese resturant very good, all with walking distance from hotel even if walking after there happy hours. Now, inside the mall you also have Burgers & Beer and it has wide variety to choose from. If your looking for a good steak or sea food go to Steak House/China Palace on Adams avenue. If you get back on Interstate 8 go down to 4th Street turnoff and head north. This will take you through about 4 signal lights before you get to the intersection of 4th and Main street with a stop light then just stay on 4th as it curves around into what becomes Adams Avenue, after the second light on Adams Avenue where you will see a 7-11 Store on the corner to your left go up about two more streets straight ahead looking to your left you will see China Palace and another sign on the building saying Steak House. They are both owned by the same people but you need to go into Steak House that has wooden doors in front to enter. The Chinese part has a glass door entry in front. You will not be disappointed and you pay for what you get but you will be hard pressed to find anyone cooking a better steak than Mario's cook. If you want Mexican food just continue up further on Adams avenue instead of turning into the side street to get into China Palace/Steak House and you will go through one more signal light intersection that has a Carls Jr. on your right and a Big Johns on your left. Go through the signal light intersection and to your immediate right you will see the Mexican Resturant called Cecila's very good mexican food and had to find better in El Centro. Very clean inside and out and yes clean large restrooms. If you wanted to stay in Calexico, then Hollies just got new owners and they redid all the rooms, have chinese resturant inside that is very good and sad to say they took out the bar as new owner did not like it. It is on the main drag go straight to the Port of Entry. Now, someone suggested the Villa Sur but not much around there at night to go to as for eating and it would just be a place to lay your head nothing, repeat nothing fancy. Vacation Inn is a good hotel and in good location to get right back on the Interstate 8 heading out. You can good north from hotel on Imperial Avenue straight up to intersection where run into Adams Avenue running East and West. To your left would be Cecila's or to your right up about two blocks would be Steak House/China Palace. The hotels on Adams Avenue are older hotels with some that have been remodeled but at night do not be walking around unless you are planning on competing with streetwalkers or looking to get a gangbanger giving you a hard time. The worse come out at night about 9pm in the area but the cops are trying to clean it up (for 20 years now,LOL), keep your eyes open and you will be OK though. My father-in-law stays at the hotel right next to Steak House on Adams and pays about $37 dollars a night as it was remodeled and again just a place to lay your head. He likes to go to Steak House or Cecila's up the street and turns in by 8pm as he is a Hay broker. Have told him he could stay at our house in Brawley but he says he needs he space and gets up real early going into Arizona, Holtville, and on up to Palo Verde Area buying hay to sell to dairy farmers. Again, he also does not walk around this area at night, so take it for what it is worth! All in All if you can get that new Marriott for $47 or anything close to it do so, good bed, good area, all enclosed mall just fun to walk through and be a looky lou. Take care and good trip. Later, bajafun777

Eugenio - 2-14-2009 at 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
I stay at the Ranch House - 8th and Adams in ELC. Clean rooms TV., bed, frig and microwave. $25 single, 30 double. Been staying there for 10-12 years on my old country trips.

Vacation Inn gives a "El Dorado" discount also - don't remember what it is but rate includes breakfast.

[Edited on 2-12-2009 by bajalou]

Apparently (hopefully) they've renovated the Ranch House - I stayed there a couple years ago and really couldn't recommend it even for $25 - and I'm not picky when it comes out of my own pocket. It was like a $7 dollar mexican hotel - not clean and run down. Take a look at the rooms before you commit - hopefullly bajalou is right and they've cleaned it up.

I'd recommend the Villa Sur - it'll set you back about $50.

DENNIS - 2-14-2009 at 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajafun777
If you can get the Marriott for $47 dollars on Priceline do it quickly, as this is really easy to get to by getting off Interstate 8 on Dogwood turnoff that will also have a small sign saying I.V. Mall. You have Dennys,

shhhhhh....don't tell anybody. Vacations are supposed to be fun.