BajaNomad

Catavina no longer Desert Inn

Barbarosa - 1-28-2011 at 11:45 PM

I guess one by one they're shedding load. Catavina is no longer part of the chain. Not sure what the name is.

I wonder if it's unraveling.

redhilltown - 1-28-2011 at 11:55 PM

I for one hope it stays open and is run by someone competent! It really is a perfect distance from Los Angeles to make a long day's run and then be positioned for the drive south. Restaurant was always at least "do-able" and the rooms big...I'm sure there are horror stories but I have none to offer after many visits there.

Barbarosa - 1-29-2011 at 12:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
I for one hope it stays open and is run by someone competent! It really is a perfect distance from Los Angeles to make a long day's run and then be positioned for the drive south. Restaurant was always at least "do-able" and the rooms big...I'm sure there are horror stories but I have none to offer after many visits there.


Ditto that. It's always worked for me.

One time we rolled in (my wife and I, on the bike) at the end of a long miserable day in the middle of a very serious El Nino. Picture drowned rats.

The tour bus had fully booked the place. Doubt they wouldda taken pity on me <g>, but they did on my wife. Managed to find us a room. Don't know how. But we were Shirley appreciative.

BajaBlanca - 1-29-2011 at 12:17 AM

How did you find out ?

goldhuntress - 1-29-2011 at 01:11 AM

I heard it was going to be bought by the brothers that own Los Pinos in San Quintin, but I don't know if that is true or not.

DianaT - 1-29-2011 at 08:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
I heard it was going to be bought by the brothers that own Los Pinos in San Quintin, but I don't know if that is true or not.


If so, that could be very good news. I hear they have done a really good job with the one in San Quintin, the price is reasonable, and they are dog friendly.

If it does become a nice, reasonable place to stop, it is a perfect distance for us much of the time----as it is for others, so I am sure it would quickly become a very popular place!


I hope it will remain a friendly potty stop even if we are not staying there. :biggrin:



[Edited on 1-29-2011 by DianaT]

David K - 1-29-2011 at 08:49 AM

El Presidente to La Pinta to Desert Inn to Mision Santa Maria???

[Edited on 1-29-2011 by David K]

Barbarosa - 1-29-2011 at 08:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
How did you find out ?


Due to the size of our crowd, I've made reservations for the entire 10-day trip. (Definitely *not* my style!)

Of all the reservations, Desert Inns was the singular one that was very problematic. Even just getting a good phone number is problematic. (Every number I could find on-line -- and I must have found 4-6 of them -- was bad.)

I finally got a number for their Ensenada office and have been working with Adalfo there.

Yesterday, I was just doing a final confirmation for San Ignatio and Catavina and he sez: oh, btw, Catavina is no longer a Desert Inn. (Like since last week.)

wilderone - 1-29-2011 at 10:09 AM

I stayed there once - great room, fine restaurant, the pool area is very nice (the pool is fed by natural spring). No horror stories. If the water is hot, the room clean and price is right, should always be successful enough. The economic downturn likely hit them hard in the past couple years.

TMW - 1-29-2011 at 10:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
I heard it was going to be bought by the brothers that own Los Pinos in San Quintin, but I don't know if that is true or not.


If so, that could be very good news. I hear they have done a really good job with the one in San Quintin, the price is reasonable, and they are dog friendly.

[Edited on 1-29-2011 by DianaT]


I've stayed at San Quintin and it is a much improved hotel. The price was $50 a night. So I also hope they take over the Catavina hotel. I have no complaints with the Desert Inn or the Las Pintas before it.

dtbushpilot - 1-29-2011 at 10:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
El Presidente to Las Pintas to Desert Inn to Mision Santa Maria???


LA PINTA........

David K - 1-29-2011 at 10:36 AM

:light:

Thank you!

Las Pintas is here: http://vivabaja.com/pintas and it is no hotel! LOL

Marc - 1-29-2011 at 10:41 AM

I can't count the nights I have spent there. Been difficult to get reservations past few years and their website is not functioning very well. If they close I will have to change my Baja routine for sure.

Paula - 1-29-2011 at 11:05 AM

The thing I really loved about La Pinta/Desert Inn is the colorful jello lams and mirror frames:dudette:

Are they still there?

DianaT - 1-29-2011 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
The thing I really loved about La Pinta/Desert Inn is the colorful jello lams and mirror frames:dudette:

Are they still there?


Last time we stayed there, yes they were still there and I hope they remain.

What we really liked was the menu in English that had things like

Young Donkeys and meat cooked "wing iron" :biggrin:

[Edited on 1-29-2011 by DianaT]

Bajahowodd - 1-29-2011 at 01:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
The thing I really loved about La Pinta/Desert Inn is the colorful jello lams and mirror frames:dudette:

Are they still there?


The San Quintin one. As far as I can tell, they appeared to have replaced the beds. That's it. All the same furnishings and fixtures. Even a TV that is like 20 years old.

I don't see all that much of a difference. But, the price is now about half of what it was.

TMW - 1-29-2011 at 02:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
The thing I really loved about La Pinta/Desert Inn is the colorful jello lams and mirror frames:dudette:

Are they still there?


The San Quintin one. As far as I can tell, they appeared to have replaced the beds. That's it. All the same furnishings and fixtures. Even a TV that is like 20 years old.

I don't see all that much of a difference. But, the price is now about half of what it was.


The room I was in had the bathrooms upgraded, new heater/AC overhead and the room seemed better than when I had last stayed a couple of years ago. Also they added an overhang in front so if it is raining you don't get wet getting out of a vehicle, the guy parking the vehicle might. My only complaint was the counter in the bathroom could have been a little shorter to let fat guys easier access to the shower.

Bob H - 1-29-2011 at 02:56 PM

We always would park our cabover camper behind the Desert Inn.
Then we would go to the bar and drink a couple of margaritas. They never, ever, bothered us or charged us anything for parking our rig for the night back there.

Good margaritas there every single time! :biggrin:

Here's a photo of our rig parked behind the Catavina Desert Inn





[Edited on 1-29-2011 by Bob H]

It is official--Desert Inn is Hotel Mission Catavina

DianaT - 2-2-2011 at 08:06 PM

We just stopped for a few minute and talked with the lady at the desk------They sign by the Desk now says Hotel Mision Catavina. She said that it was bought by the people from Los Pinos. As of now, nothing has changed, but she said they will be completely redoing the the hotel sometime.

It will be interesting to watch what happens.

David K - 2-3-2011 at 08:57 AM

Intersting the hotel closest to Mision Santa Maria de los Angeles is not the one named Mision Santa Maria!

It will be interesting to see what the Rodriguez (Los Pinos Tomato) family does to the Cataviņa Inn... The one near San Quintin ('Hotel Mision Santa Maria') has gotten nice reviews since they took over from the La Pinta chain.

Thanks for the news!

motoged - 2-3-2011 at 10:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
The thing I really loved about La Pinta/Desert Inn is the colorful jello lams and mirror frames:dudette: Are they still there?


Paula , their colored glass looks like your avatar....no wonder you like it :saint:

Martyman - 2-3-2011 at 12:48 PM

Pulled into the Old La Pinta and had to wait for the gas station to open (back when it was in operation). Went to the bar, of course, and sat down. The bartender wandered in, grabbed a pacifico and squatted down behind the bar (almost out of sight) and drained the whole beer in about 3 seconds. He then popped up and asked what we wanted!

Bajahowodd - 2-3-2011 at 01:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
We just stopped for a few minute and talked with the lady at the desk------They sign by the Desk now says Hotel Mision Catavina. She said that it was bought by the people from Los Pinos. As of now, nothing has changed, but she said they will be completely redoing the the hotel sometime.

It will be interesting to watch what happens.


I really cannot imagine much of a remodel. In fact, didn't they just redo the place within the past 3 years or so? Maybe they'll lower the price like they did in San Quintin.

Does anyone know how to contact these folks for a reservation? Haven't been able to find anything in search. This location has so few rooms and historically filled up during whale season.

Marc - 2-3-2011 at 08:12 PM

I remember when there was a gas station and tire repair shop across the road. That closed up in '92?? What is the story about the unfinished construction there now? Looks like a hotel was going up.

Gaucho - 2-3-2011 at 08:52 PM

As far as the re-model goes they can start by replacing the beds. We stayed in Catavina coming and going from San Ignacio last Spring and the beds were so soft it felt like we were sleeping on the floor!

luisartrgz - 2-15-2011 at 12:08 PM

The name will be Hotel Mision Cataviņa

the re-model so far will be at the pool area, the fountain area, lobby and the bar area as well as a new bar near the pool

the entrance might be impoved as the one at san quintin and the prices would be changed.

we are allready working on a brand new webpage for reservations and activities nearby

the phone for cataviņa is (01 52 200 12491 23) & 24

Hotel Mision Santa Maria at san quintin is called after the beach of santa maria
that is located just where the hotel is so whe are calling the hotels after the place where they are only adding the word mission at the beggining.

beds will be replaced & some minor details on plumbing, paint, roofing, etc.

Arturo Rodriguez
Marketing Director at Los Pinos Group

shari - 2-15-2011 at 12:39 PM

thanks for the info luis...can I contact Arturo rodruiguiez via email?

David K - 2-15-2011 at 07:14 PM

Gracias!!! Good luck with the business venture...

How long before the 'Hotel Mision Bahia San Luis Gonzaga' or 'Hotel Mision Rancho Grande' is started?

La Pinta memories

john68 - 2-15-2011 at 07:51 PM

Last time we stayed at the La Pinta, they let us keep our English setter in the room. After checking in, we walked to our room in the east end and our dog saw a cat on the other side of the pool. Not knowing pools, she took off after the cat and landed in the pool. Took all the towels in the room to get her dry.

A couple hours later, the television went off and a screen came on, reminding the hotel to pay its bill if it wanted continued service.

Great restaurant.

Marc - 2-15-2011 at 11:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by luisartrgz
The name will be Hotel Mision Cataviņa

the re-model so far will be at the pool area, the fountain area, lobby and the bar area as well as a new bar near the pool

the entrance might be impoved as the one at san quintin and the prices would be changed.

we are allready working on a brand new webpage for reservations and activities nearby


the phone for cataviņa is (01 52 200 12491 23) & 24

Hotel Mision Santa Maria at san quintin is called after the beach of santa maria
that is located just where the hotel is so whe are calling the hotels after the place where they are only adding the word mission at the beggining.

beds will be replaced & some minor details on plumbing, paint, roofing, etc.

Arturo Rodriguez
Marketing Director at Los Pinos Group





Thanks and good luck. See you in October.

[Edited on 2-16-2011 by Marc]

luisartrgz - 2-16-2011 at 11:40 AM

You can contact me via e-mail to luisartrgz@hotmail.com

I'll be in touch to let people know when our website opens!


Arturo Rodriguez
Marketing Director at Los Pinos Group

john68 - 2-3-2012 at 08:00 AM

We stayed there last week. No remodeling that we saw, but quiet and clean. I think only one or two other rooms were occupied. Dinner and breakfast were good. About $80 with discount for FM2 (otherwise $90). Seems pricey until you consider how remote it is, lack of CFE power, etc.

In the evening, lobby was full of army troops camped nearby, making calls and recharging laptops. Nice kids.

DianaT - 2-3-2012 at 08:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by john68
We stayed there last week. No remodeling that we saw, but quiet and clean. I think only one or two other rooms were occupied. Dinner and breakfast were good. About $80 with discount for FM2 (otherwise $90). Seems pricey until you consider how remote it is, lack of CFE power, etc.

In the evening, lobby was full of army troops camped nearby, making calls and recharging laptops. Nice kids.


We were there again just a few weeks ago for the second time since Los Pinos bought the hotel and there are some changes that we noticed both times. All good changes.

Beds are very good now --- VERY IMPORTANT for old tired backs. :yes:
The old window -- seldom working-- A/Cs have been replaced with new very efficient wall units.
The entrance has been remodeled.
Food was better, at least we thought so
When the generator went out, it came back immediately
Pool area cleaned up

They do have a pet fee, which we do not mind paying especially since they do give the FM3 discount.

One thing that has not changed is the magnificent Cataviņa Desert.

SFandH - 2-3-2012 at 08:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT

One thing that has not changed is the magnificent Cataviņa Desert.


Exactly! What an enchanting place. Glad to hear the Los Pinos folks are the new owners. Judging from what they have done in the San Quintin area, they are solid businessmen who have the means to keep the hotel running and in top notch condition.

I wonder if they can employ Un Peso in some manner. I wonder if he's employable. ;D

We didn't see him going north this past December. Hope he's OK.

Good luck to the new owners.

DavidE - 2-4-2012 at 06:25 PM

(A While Ago)

Paid equiv. of $54, diddy-bopped into the shower, got all lathered up and the power went off. When a gut came around knocking on doors, I ordered up a bucket of water. They compted me 3 killer margaritas and then had to guide-dog me back to the room in pitch black.

I love the post dawn period there, staring out on the rocks and flora. The two original gas pumps were Mexolina, then Nova, and Gasolmex. Used to be a lineup of local vehicles all buying 10 liters.

BajaDave - 2-14-2012 at 05:44 PM

Hey Luis, your email is not working, and I'd like to make reservations. Can you update your email address and/or phone number for making reservations?

Thanks!
Quote:
Originally posted by luisartrgz
You can contact me via e-mail to luisartrgz@hotmail.com

I'll be in touch to let people know when our website opens!


Arturo Rodriguez
Marketing Director at Los Pinos Group