BajaNomad - Hotel Serenidad

Hotel Serenidad

baronvonbob - 4-24-2011 at 06:40 PM

What is happening to the Hotel? Did Don lose the land?

Phil S - 4-24-2011 at 06:44 PM

Not again????????? :mad:

[Edited on 4-25-2011 by Phil S]

baronvonbob - 4-24-2011 at 06:47 PM

According to an article in El Sudcaliforniano, Ejido 20 de Noviembre, which has struggled for over 30 years to regain the 5 hectares of land of the Hotel Serenidad and its airstrip, has won a judgement by the Agrarian Court in Laz Paz.

The attorney for the ejido, Richard Velazquez, said the Agrarian Court has also ordered the losing party to pay a little over $1 million pesos ($85,000) to the ejido for the unauthorized use of ejido property.

yellowklr - 4-24-2011 at 08:48 PM

glad I got to enjoy a few Pig roasts this year, bad things could come out of this.....

Stickers - 4-24-2011 at 10:27 PM

I remember the last time - what a mess. :no:

[Edited on 4-25-2011 by Stickers]

capt. mike - 4-25-2011 at 05:52 AM

it will never be over, that fight.

Don's attys are better than the Ejido's.

$85K is chump change to Don - he'll just pay that to his team to keep the fight on. You can only work on contingency for so long.

Don's last victory was overwhelmingly in his favor. this just goes to show you the mexican judicial process is a sham.

Marc - 4-25-2011 at 06:26 AM

So if the Ejido wins the hotel falls into ruin and people loose their jobs. What's the reasoning behind this?

mtgoat666 - 4-25-2011 at 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
So if the Ejido wins the hotel falls into ruin and people loose their jobs. What's the reasoning behind this?

who says the ejido will let hotel fall apart?

but, if you have already decided that the ejido will o so, here is a reasoning: the lawful owner of property can within certain limits do anything they want with their property

wilderone - 4-25-2011 at 07:23 AM

But now? Is the hotel operating as usual?

mulegemichael - 4-25-2011 at 08:33 AM

it's still business as usual.

toneart - 4-25-2011 at 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
So if the Ejido wins the hotel falls into ruin and people loose their jobs. What's the reasoning behind this?

That is their track record. That is what happened to Don Johnson's hotel up in Loma Azul.

The Ejido here in Mulege are Juanny come latelys, not originating from Revolution days. They are disorganized, inept and their legal consul is inferior. They make runs at Don's property and others every few years. With the aid of the courts they occasionally win. Then it gets overturned.

The only thing I worry about is that Don is getting up there in years and there comes a time where it is just not worth it. I think he will continue to fight it to maintain a principle.

The Ejido benefits by tourists and local Gringo residents, as the money circulates. Many of the Ejido members are good people with strong family ties throughout the community. Unfortunately, the organization is shooting itself in the foot. It is stupid! :fire:

mulegejim - 4-25-2011 at 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
So if the Ejido wins the hotel falls into ruin and people loose their jobs. What's the reasoning behind this?

It did last time they took it over. Jim

Bajahowodd - 4-25-2011 at 01:51 PM

As I recall, didn't they even fill the pool with dirt? That's a little more than fall apart.

LancairDriver - 4-25-2011 at 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
As I recall, didn't they even fill the pool with dirt? That's a little more than fall apart.

Also carried off all of the air conditioners, tore out the plumbing fixtures and beds. This crew could hold their own in Watts. Same short term mentality...."You have so much and I have so little".Add the scum bag lawyers cheering them on and you have a real winning combination.
Sad situation for Mulege and Baja in general.

Here's a little more background that was posted on Baja Bush Pilots earlier.
http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/Stories/Serenidad.html

[Edited on 4-25-2011 by LancairDriver]

DENNIS - 4-25-2011 at 02:30 PM

Up until the emergence of the cartels, the Ejidos are the worst thing that ever happened to Mexico. No telling the Peso value on their hinderences to progress in the country. They should be abolished.

BajaBlanca - 4-25-2011 at 02:57 PM

it is most assuredly a love-hate situation with ejidos down here ....

very sad situation for hotel serenidad - I never went to a pig roast but this was actually one of the the things I had hoped to do (les has gone sefveral times). I guess that day better come fast !

Bajahowodd - 4-25-2011 at 04:27 PM

Two comments.

First, given that Don Johnson is somewhere around 86 years old, and I have no clue as to what is kid's involvement in the hotel operation is, just have to wonder about the efficacy of continuing the fight.

I know, especially the pilot faction will jump on me for this. But, in my opinion, the Serenidad has seen better days, anyway.

As for the ejido thing. I have to agree with Dennis, in that the whole idea behind the ejido program was born in the age of an agrarian society. Not to diss the well functioning ejidos, but for many, whatever they do today, is a far distance from their original intent.

Barbarosa - 4-25-2011 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Two comments.

First, given that Don Johnson is somewhere around 86 years old, and I have no clue as to what is kid's involvement in the hotel operation is, just have to wonder about the efficacy of continuing the fight.

I know, especially the pilot faction will jump on me for this. But, in my opinion, the Serenidad has seen better days, anyway.

Regarding point 1, I had the same thought.

As to the second comment, having just been there (February) I would agree. But it was still perfectly nice. There was standing water in one of the poolside rooms. The other 7 rooms were fine. There was little hired help around (because there just ain't many Gringos around!).

My "Plan A" for dinner was El Patron. But I wasn't even sure they could handle our crowd, and I was right. Turned out they had almost no fresh fish. So, headed back to Serenidad.

With a skeleton crew, and on the spur of the moment, they were able to fire up the kitchen and put on a perfectly respectable spread that was very much enjoyed by one and all.

I will say, the bartender, waiter, and chief bottlewasher was pretty busy.

Not like it was in the day (a familiar Baja theme?) but very enjoyable nevertheless. Certainly haven't taken it off my list (though I guess it may be falling off.)

mtgoat666 - 4-25-2011 at 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
the Ejidos are the worst thing that ever happened to Mexico.

dennis,
perhaps it was a bit worse when the spanish conquered mexico and the crown then gave land to a very few foreigners,...
and the meteor that struck the yucatan 65 million years ago, causing the end of the cretaceous, may have been a bit worse than the spanish, perhaps a bit worse than the ejidos, eh?

DENNIS - 4-25-2011 at 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
may have been a bit worse than the spanish, perhaps a bit worse than the ejidos, eh?

Nope. It's been scientifically proven that the ejidos are the worst. I don't have time to explain it so just take my word for it.
If you can't do that, come on down here and buy a beautiful oceanview lot from the ejido and it won't take you long to learn what I'm talking about.

mulegemichael - 4-25-2011 at 05:17 PM

yup

tiotomasbcs - 4-25-2011 at 05:25 PM

Ejidos recieve titles for Privatizacion---Salinas Gortari . 1996 Revenue from property taxes?! Easy money! Ejidos become the newest Bienes Raices/ Realators in Mexico. No experience necessary!

Crisis! Candy store closes because of economic difficulties?! Ejidos go from, excuse me, ****** Rich, to where's the money, broke. Miss anything? :cool:

Tio

capt. mike - 4-26-2011 at 05:25 AM

here's some real history for many of you without a clue about this.
http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/Stories/Serenidad.html

The hotel is an icon. Johnson is a baja legend. His family owns the place and when he's gone they will continue with it.

the Eijido has no chance of winning long term. and they DESTROYED the property when they ILLEGALLY took it over by force last time.

Cypress - 4-26-2011 at 07:52 AM

What chance does the average property owner have if they can do this to a long term, well established property owner? Heck, the legal fees could possibly exceed the value of the property.

Barbarosa - 5-12-2011 at 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by baronvonbob
According to an article in El Sudcaliforniano, Ejido 20 de Noviembre, which has struggled for over 30 years to regain the 5 hectares of land of the Hotel Serenidad and its airstrip, has won a judgement by the Agrarian Court in Laz Paz.

The attorney for the ejido, Richard Velazquez, said the Agrarian Court has also ordered the losing party to pay a little over $1 million pesos ($85,000) to the ejido for the unauthorized use of ejido property.

I noted this thread with considerable interest a few weeks ago. So, what's happened? Is it shut down again? (Looks to me like the website is gone.) TIA

BajaOkie - 5-12-2011 at 09:20 AM

Barbarosa,

They just finished dragging the runway with the iron triangle and now they are watering it down. I have no inside knowledge but it looks like business as usual. I plan on going over saturday night to watch some soccer (futbol) with Nacho and will report if I hear anything.

Desertbull - 5-12-2011 at 09:31 AM

I just stayed there with 70 people associated with the Rip to the Tip adventure and his daughter hosted all of us and even did a Pig Roast for 70 on a Tuesday night....we filled that place up! The bar, the dining hall...all thanks to MulegeBob!

Thanks mucho! :biggrin:

Barbarosa - 5-12-2011 at 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Desertbull
I just stayed there with 70 people associated with the Rip to the Tip adventure and his daughter hosted all of us and even did a Pig Roast for 70 on a Tuesday night....we filled that place up! The bar, the dining hall...all thanks to MulegeBob!

Thanks mucho! :biggrin:

That's great to hear. Thanks for the feedback.

Vince - 5-12-2011 at 10:45 AM

I landed there 2-3 weeks ago, all was well, the airstrip was in good condition. Another Cessna from Canada landed the next day,They had to stay in the B&B nearby because the hotel was FULL, he said. That airstrip really serves the community as well as the hotel.

Barbarosa - 5-12-2011 at 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince
I landed there 2-3 weeks ago, all was well, the airstrip was in good condition. Another Cessna from Canada landed the next day,They had to stay in the B&B nearby because the hotel was FULL, he said.

That is astonishing! (Maybe the publicity was good for them.)

I wouldda thought Feb was high season. There wuz *nobody* there but our group, 'cepting a couple who showed up late evening.

Vince - 5-12-2011 at 11:07 AM

Well, I have to say, it sure didn't look full then. We figured a group just drove in before that plane landed because there were only about 5 planes parked there.

805gregg - 5-12-2011 at 06:40 PM

A neat place as long as you don't have a room near the pool, but after almost 50 years of visiting Baja, I consider this to be normal. Look at Los Arcos in La Paz, one of the best hotels in Baja. I remember in the 60's when the Feds came through Campo Lopez K55 in northern Baja, ( where one of my childhood friends parents had a house on the point), and dug a ditch all along the cliff top to show where Feds owned the land, then decided to charge the home owners on the beach side of the ditch a lot of money at the time. My friends parents were charged about $1900, they just gave up, this was about 1966 or so.

elgatoloco - 5-12-2011 at 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
I remember in the 60's when the Feds came through Campo Lopez K55 in northern Baja, ( where one of my childhood friends parents had a house on the point), and dug a ditch all along the cliff top to show where Feds owned the land, then decided to charge the home owners on the beach side of the ditch a lot of money at the time. My friends parents were charged about $1900, they just gave up, this was about 1966 or so.

Bummer.

capt. mike - 5-13-2011 at 05:14 AM

the flying sams will be there today for the weekend. probably 10-12 planes and 40 or more peoples. and again in June and july.

biz as usual. No one will beat the Johnson family. no one. Don is too well connected, you don't pioneer in baja sucessfully for over 50 years and not make certain friends and connections.

the Ejido is a losing deal that just keeps groping to a skinny rope.

Bajahowodd - 5-13-2011 at 04:43 PM

Hey, Mike. I posted on this thread some time ago. I noted then, that I would get some guff from pilots.

Same same.

Don is still an old man. And I'm not sure that his offspring have the same commitment. But, I absolutely challenge anyone to refute my assertion that the rooms are way long in the tooth. After all, they are not selling $25 rooms. Aside from nostalgia, the rooms are nowhere near good value.

Nothing would please me more, given that I have stayed there over four decades, if they would sink some money into upgrading the rooms.

[Edited on 5-13-2011 by Bajahowodd]

capt. mike - 5-14-2011 at 06:38 AM

yeah, it is tired i agree; but where else can you land a private plane right next to a hotel on the water with a swim up bar, friendly staff, decent food, clean rooms, no need for a car [cheap cabs, easy 1.5 mile hike to town - i could go on and on.
you'll get no guff from me - but all this for what? $70 a nite?
that's a friggin bargain - i just am not cheap when it comes to my R&R, life too short.
if i want cheap there is plenty around.

O.G. - 5-14-2011 at 06:53 AM

Has the food gotten any better?

Barbarosa - 5-14-2011 at 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by O.G.
Has the food gotten any better?

Our crowd (very opinionated and somewhat discerning) was very happy with our 2 meals there coupla months ago. As I previously noted:

"My "Plan A" for dinner was El Patron. But I wasn't even sure they could handle our crowd, and I was right. Turned out they had almost no fresh fish. So, headed back to Serenidad.

"With a skeleton crew, and on the spur of the moment, they were able to fire up the kitchen and put on a perfectly respectable spread that was very much enjoyed by one and all.

"I will say, the bartender, waiter, and chief bottlewasher was pretty busy.

"Not like it was 'back in the day' (a familiar Baja theme?) but very enjoyable nevertheless. Certainly haven't taken it off my list (though I guess it may be falling off.)"

jenny.navarrette - 5-14-2011 at 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
but where else can you land a private plane right next to a hotel on the water with a swim up bar, friendly staff, decent food, clean rooms, no need for a car [cheap cabs, easy 1.5 mile hike to town - i could go on and on. you'll get no guff from me - but all this for what? $70 a nite? that's a friggin bargain - i just am not cheap when it comes to my R&R, life too short.
if i want cheap there is plenty around.

Well, since you asked, try Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville. 4,500' paved and lighted runway with fuel and all services. There's at least 4 motels at the airport with rooms starting at $50 with Wifi, pools and A/C. There's a huge shopping mall with a half-dozen good restaurants that serve liquor, and a golf course. And the cooks and wait help are the same Mexicans. Everything is within walking distance. There is also plenty to do for the kids.

http://www.nuttreeusa.com/

... then lookup Oceano Airport near Pismo Beach.

Serenidad is no bargain. Did you ever see any Mexican families staying there? Serenidad is just skimming the market for the few gringos who have planes and money to burn and who have convinced themselves it is a deal and the bugs are just "atmosphere". But that market segment is shrinking rapidly. Serenidad is not even close in quality, price and amenities when compared to what you can get for a lot less in the USA.

I can understand somebody going there once -- just for bragging rights to say they did it. But anybody making a cool, calm and disinterested evaluation of the facts would not consider Serenidad a "friggin bargain." You are just caught up in the emotions, not the reality.

The Gull - 5-14-2011 at 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
the Ejidos are the worst thing that ever happened to Mexico.

Clueless remarks - common among Goats.

Skeet/Loreto - 5-14-2011 at 12:45 PM

Jenny!!!
You cannot even compare the Surroundings of the Nutree to Mulege!

Just look at all the Cars driving by, all the Ugly looking Kids with their Britches hanging to their Butts, and all of Those Crazy College Students from Davis nearby, and the the Toxicity of the Central Valley is the Worst Spot in the Nation. You can't even breathe.

No The Serinidad has them beat by yards and Miles.

.

jenny.navarrette - 5-14-2011 at 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
Jenny!!!
You cannot even compare the Surroundings of the Nutree to Mulege!
No The Serinidad has them beat by yards and Miles.

Especially when it comes to noseeums!

Skeet/Loreto - 5-14-2011 at 01:53 PM

Jenny" You must really have "Sweet Meat"".

All of the many years that Virginia and I lived in our place in Loreto-Rancho Sonrisa we never ever had any problems with No Seeum's/

One of the reasons I did not choose Mulege was because of them. You are 100% right when it comes to Bugs, but when I went fishing there I would go into the little Strip at the Hotel Mulege up on the Hill.

There was a Great big Balckman/Mexican Combination who would stir up the Best Carnitas in Baja. Turns out he was the brother to another Big Blackman/Mexican combination Man. We became friends and I learned that his Grand Father was one of the Army Troopers that were station in La Paz many, many years ago.

The Serinidad may not be the very Top line place but it has been the Top LIne place for Pilots for many years.

It brings back the Ghost of "Baja Patty" A Tall Good Looking, two-fisted Drinking Lady thaat had a Ranch out on Conception.
If I remember correctly she had retired or quit working at Convair in the States and moved to Baja to get away from the "idiots"

She could Drink most all of those Hotshot Pilots under the Table in Short order.

Skeet

.

Cypress - 5-14-2011 at 01:58 PM

noseeums? I've seen 'um. :tumble:

Bajahowodd - 5-14-2011 at 03:33 PM

Given all the water in the Mulege area, there's simply no way to eradicate the bugs. Will say that the Serenidad has several fans in the outdoor dining area by the pool that do a fairly good job of keeping the critters at bay.

At the end of the day, I have to wonder if, given the absolutley prime location of Serenidad, that a more upscale place could not be built there. Obviously, Mulege is not a destination resort town. In many cases, that is exactly the reason why gringos locate there.

Just noting that not too far from Serenidad and Mulege, one can find an amazing small hotel at Punta Chivato. Not like Punta Chivato is a resort destination, either.

Don and family have spent decades deveoping and running this place. But, it is not 1980.

capt. mike - 5-15-2011 at 06:11 AM

"Serenidad is no bargain. Did you ever see any Mexican families staying there? Serenidad is just skimming the market for the few gringos who have planes and money to burn and who have convinced themselves it is a deal and the bugs are just "atmosphere". But that market segment is shrinking rapidly. Serenidad is not even close in quality, price and amenities when compared to what you can get for a lot less in the USA.

I can understand somebody going there once -- just for bragging rights to say they did it. But anybody making a cool, calm and disinterested evaluation of the facts would not consider Serenidad a "friggin bargain." You are just caught up in the emotions, not the reality. "

Jenny - are you nutz?? it isn't supposed to compete with stateside places.
It's mexico ferkrissakes...Serenidad is a total gas with REAL atmosphere - maybe for pilots more but who cares? it is a tourist place and i have seen plenty of mexican families paying full rack to stay there and loving it!
why over Easter and that week long deal it was sold out with mexicans and no gringo planes were there!!

Malls? motels? fast food? chain sit down places? haha Yes when i want that boring stuff i can go to Nut Tree. did you know the Nut Tree used to run a full back page ad on earlier versions of Senterfitt's guides to baja?

well i used to do baja for every 3 day holiday weekend but this one in 2 weeks i have 3 villas rented with 2 other couples at Lake Tahoe where i'll land and be 4 miles from our place on the lake.

Bajahowodd - 5-15-2011 at 03:57 PM

"well i used to do baja for every 3 day holiday weekend but this one in 2 weeks i have 3 villas rented with 2 other couples at Lake Tahoe where i'll land and be 4 miles from our place on the lake." -capt. mike

Gawd. Reminds me. As someone left to the hospitality of commercial aviation, I have fond memories of when I could jump a PSA flight out of Burbank, and land at the Tahoe airport, instead of all that driving from Reno!

mulegemichael - 5-15-2011 at 04:56 PM

the serenidad is great...i love don and his family...but the place is tired, really, really tired and when i sit on one of the beds my burro goes all the way to the bottom...not to say that my burro is petite...they need to upgrade the beds and upgrade the food and paint a few things...ya know, make it look like they care, kinda...my read.

That's What I've Been Saying

Bajahowodd - 5-15-2011 at 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
the serenidad is great...i love don and his family...but the place is tired, really, really tired and when i sit on one of the beds my burro goes all the way to the bottom...not to say that my burro is petite...they need to upgrade the beds and upgrade the food and paint a few things...ya know, make it look like they care, kinda...my read.

Just have to wonder, given Don's age, whether the family is really committed to keping this place going.

capt. mike - 5-16-2011 at 04:42 AM

i hold no hope for the place's continuity after the Don passes.....very sad.
they had to replace all the beds after the last big flood.

biz is slow, you can't do capital improvements without retained earnings.
and there was the kitchen fire.

tough biz to be in..and all the legal fees to save your title???