BajaNomad

Desert Inn in Catavina

Torrey - 12-3-2010 at 01:10 PM

Can anyone give me information on the Desert Inn in Catavina? We have tried to call the 800 number to make a reservation and other numbers given to us as referrals for making reservations and we are not getting an answer.

We would like to clarify whether or not the Desert Inn has been taken over by the Mexican Government or another corporation.

We stayed at the Desert Inn in Catavina in October, 2010 on our way down to the Cabo area.

Things change so rapidly nowadays.

Thank you for any info,
Torrey

Bajahowodd - 12-3-2010 at 02:09 PM

Haven't heard anything. They did sell the San Quintin location last year. Doesn't seem like they are very together. That said, I did notice a post on another website that indicates someone shilling for the place little more than a week ago.

http://www.redtag.ca/forum/mexico/11889-guest-rooms-desert-i...

Don't know what your plans are, but assuming you're not trying to arrive late, or go there during the height of the whale season, chances are pretty good you'll get a room.

Not certain of what direction you are traveling or where you're coming from, but you might try this: We were in San Ignacio for the whales a couple of years ago. Planned on heading North. Although we hadn't stayed at the Desert Inn there, I walked in and asked the front desk clerk if she could reserve me a room in Catavina for that same night. She did. We arrive at Catavina just after dusk. A couple of tour buses in the lot. Walked in. Crowd in the lobby. They had our reservation. We got our room. Some people also there were turned away.

jeffg - 12-3-2010 at 02:36 PM

I stayed there on the way north around Nov 7th or 8th. Everything seemed as usual. Have you heard something to make you think it's changed hands? I know all the La Pinta's changed over to Desert Inn's a couple of years ago. Not sure if they're still gov't owned but they might be.

Here's a direct phone number from their card if you want to try it...
01 (200) 124-91-23

David K - 12-3-2010 at 06:45 PM

Plan the drive to stay at Baja Cactus, El Rosario (76 miles from Cataviņa)... an 'A-1' super-nice motel owned by a Baja Nomad. You would be hard pressed to find a better place in the U.S. or Mexico... and at $35!

BajaNomad also does so much to assist travelers and locals. His gas station, next door has 100% honest reading pumps, so top off there, 225 miles from the U.S. border.... and about the same to Guerrero Negro southbound.

DianaT - 12-4-2010 at 09:40 AM

Really wish Antonio of Baja Cactus, or Guillermo and Carmen of Jardins, or Irene of Don Diego's could build a place in Cataviņa----a nice place, priced well and add a good place to eat.

At times, Cataviņa is the perfect distance for us and to us, and we like staying in that area. But, we think the Desert Inn is over priced and the food so, so. We expect the price to be higher out in the middle of nowhere, but.......... And we have stayed at Linda's which is hit or miss. At times ok, and other times not so good.

Oh, well, dream on. :biggrin:

Barry A. - 12-4-2010 at 11:49 AM

My brother-in-law who has owned hotels in San Diego for years says that a hotel must maintain at least an average of 60% occupancy (in San Diego, anyway) in order to remain profitable. I doubt that Catavina could support 2 hotels. I have stayed at the Desert Inn many times, and yes it is pricey, but it works for us, and I love that bar/restaurant and the food has always been very good, for us anyway. It is incredibly expensive to maintain a hotel in such a remote area, so we forgive them the high prices and just suck-it-up for the ambiance, and a chance to have a real shower.

Barry

motoged - 12-4-2010 at 11:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
.......... And we have stayed at Linda's which is hit or miss. At times ok, and other times not so good. :biggrin:



Who is Linda? Is that the pink motel??

DianaT - 12-4-2010 at 11:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
.......... And we have stayed at Linda's which is hit or miss. At times ok, and other times not so good. :biggrin:



Who is Linda? Is that the pink motel??


Yes, that is it!

motoged - 12-4-2010 at 11:57 AM

Diana,
Thanks....what makes it a :"hit".....and a "miss" ?

I can handle simple....I hear that the doors may not lock....are there showers/toilets in the room or are they communal???


Some details would be helpful if you feel comfortable sharing them....U@ me maybe...


Gracias una otra vez

David K - 12-4-2010 at 11:57 AM

You should read what Ken Cooke experienced at that place!

A third option is the bunk room at Rancho Santa Ynez... a mile past Cataviņa... The beds are actually very nice and there is a bathroom and shower... I never stayed there, but friends wh have liked it... and it is super quiet with no highway noise!

DianaT - 12-4-2010 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Diana,
Thanks....what makes it a :"hit".....and a "miss" ?

I can handle simple....I hear that the doors may not lock....are there showers/toilets in the room or are they communal???


Some details would be helpful if you feel comfortable sharing them....U@ me maybe...


Gracias una otra vez


I know Ken had a bad experience, but we have had a couple of good experiences. Very basic, beds OK and with private bath. Yes, there was a c-ckroach in the room, but we also see them in the rooms at the Desert Inn. And when they had a little restaurant, it was not bad--basic.

EXCEPT, the last time one of us got sick and it happened at the same time the water went out which was less than a pleasant experience so---have not gone back.

Don't know if the restaurant is open or not anymore?

Last time we stayed there is was about $35.00 if I remember. Locks on doors are not really great.

Give it a try---we have no problem with basic and if we ever stop in Cataviņa again, we will probably try it again.

Bajahowodd - 12-4-2010 at 01:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Really wish Antonio of Baja Cactus, or Guillermo and Carmen of Jardins, or Irene of Don Diego's could build a place in Cataviņa----a nice place, priced well and add a good place to eat.

At times, Cataviņa is the perfect distance for us and to us, and we like staying in that area. But, we think the Desert Inn is over priced and the food so, so. We expect the price to be higher out in the middle of nowhere, but.......... And we have stayed at Linda's which is hit or miss. At times ok, and other times not so good.

Oh, well, dream on. :biggrin:


Recall that the primary reason there even is a "Desert Inn" is owing to Fonatur, or its predecessor. When Mex 1 was built the hotels and the gas stations were built to be approximately a day's drive apart, using the posted speed limit.

Catavina remains the only Desert Inn location that is off the grid. I really don't think any of the fine proprietors you listed, or for that matter any entrepreneur is going to give it a second thought without electricity.

jeffg - 12-4-2010 at 02:33 PM

Regarding the pricing at the Desert Inn, when these were La Pinta's there was a discount program for "residents" of Baja. If you had an FM-2 or FM-3 you were eligible. They issued you a card with your name and address on it, called the "La Pinta Savings Travel Card". It gets you a significant discount off the room rate.

At least so far, the Desert Inn still accepts that discount card. When I stayed there in November the discounted room rate was 630 pesos.

I would think that, since they still honor the old program, they might have a similar one now. It's always worth showing your FM3 if you have one to see if they offer a discount.

DianaT - 12-4-2010 at 02:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeffg
Regarding the pricing at the Desert Inn, when these were La Pinta's there was a discount program for "residents" of Baja. If you had an FM-2 or FM-3 you were eligible. They issued you a card with your name and address on it, called the "La Pinta Savings Travel Card". It gets you a significant discount off the room rate.

At least so far, the Desert Inn still accepts that discount card. When I stayed there in November the discounted room rate was 630 pesos.

I would think that, since they still honor the old program, they might have a similar one now. It's always worth showing your FM3 if you have one to see if they offer a discount.


That would be good to find out! That would make a big difference----

Thank you

Bajahowodd - 12-4-2010 at 03:41 PM

Still over-priced for what they have. After the Los Pinos folks bought the San Quintin location, they lowered prices. We paid 530 pesos as walk-ins.

Barry A. - 12-4-2010 at 04:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Still over-priced for what they have. After the Los Pinos folks bought the San Quintin location, they lowered prices. We paid 530 pesos as walk-ins.


Yes, high priced "for what they have", but not considering the location and the lack of power-------as I said, it is expensive to offer what they do in the middle of a wilderness, relatively speaking, don't you think??? I always thought so, anyway. I will continue to stay there----they always were really nice to me and my compadres.

Barry