BajaNomad - Hotel Mission Cataviña UPDATE

Hotel Mission Cataviña UPDATE

DianaT - 10-19-2011 at 01:49 PM

Information, 3 days old----

Dogs no problem---for us out the door with the pet fee and the discount for the FM3s the price was 1169.95 pesos.

Posted in dollars----$89.60 for single or double plus $18.06 pet fee.

Employees were very professional, efficient and VERY friendly.

It was hot and the new A/C units in the rooms are great! (old ones often didn't work or didn't work very well) Bed was very comfortable. Generator went out twice and was back on in less than 5 minutes.

I believe it was Paula who once posted that she hoped the beautiful mirrors and lamps would remain. Very good news, they are still there and we hope they stay.

We thought dinner was better than before the change, and they start it with their signature tomato salad --- very good.

Lots of cosmetic improvements and work is still going on.

Cataviña, as always, a spectaular place to be.

BTW---they are continuing to redo the pavement north of Cataviña and in several areas, the edges are falling apart on the new sections. They have gone back and marked almost all the places, but do keep your eyes open-----it just drops off.

David K - 10-19-2011 at 02:08 PM

Good info. No surprise on a tomato salad considering who owns the hotel now (Los Pinos)! Thank you... Did you check 'Cabanas Linda' or what ever it is called, across the street and north?

mulegemichael - 10-19-2011 at 04:14 PM

wow...pretty spendy for down there...we have never had a really good experience there with dirty rooms, slow, slow, slow lunch, filthy pool and just an overall "i don't care" attitude....hopefully, that has changed....but really, $90 for a room?...come on.

David K - 10-19-2011 at 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
wow...pretty spendy for down there...we have never had a really good experience there with dirty rooms, slow, slow, slow lunch, filthy pool and just an overall "i don't care" attitude....hopefully, that has changed....but really, $90 for a room?...come on.

Location, location, location!

However, just 76 miles away (1.5 hrs.) is luxury at Baja Cactus for $35!

mulegejim - 10-19-2011 at 05:35 PM

Very pricey to me - think I'll stay with the Baja Cactus. That said, maybe that is why they make chocolate and vanilla. Everyone has their own taste. Jim

bufeo - 10-19-2011 at 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
wow...pretty spendy for down there...but really, $90 for a room?...come on.

I don't agree. We were in Namibia a couple of years ago. We were on our own, middle of January, on a self-guided safari. We stayed in several lodges as remote, if not more remote, as Cataviña. We paid rates more than those of more populated spots. Seemed reasonable to us.

$90.00 for a double in the middle of the Baja desert? A bargain. It's irrelevent that there's another motel 76 miles to the north that is cheap. So what!

Many persons travel with the idea of finding cheap accommodations. Well, to use a phrase, "You get what you pay for." If you choose to stay north—or south—just to save a few bucks, then do it.

Hell, I can remember camping in that arroyo, BP*. To have nice accommodations as an alternative—repeat, ALTERNATIVE— is a boon.

Thanks Diana for the report. Looks good. We're making plans for our winter trip, so we'll keep that in mind.

Allen R
*Before Pavement

[Edited on 10-20-2011 by bufeo]

rts551 - 10-19-2011 at 06:27 PM

we had breakfast there this morning. very nice. Bythe way. that is not crumbling pavement. when they widened the road they did not widen the bridges/culverts. thus the drop off. They ARE now going back and fixing it.

PCbaja - 10-19-2011 at 06:47 PM

The big difference between Catavina and Baja Cactus is a good night sleep without the noise. Money well spent!

rts551 - 10-19-2011 at 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Location, location, location!

However, just 76 miles away (1.5 hrs.) is luxury at Baja Cactus for $35!

How is the pool at the Luxurious Cactus?

BajaBlanca - 10-19-2011 at 08:09 PM

one of our guests stayed at the cabanas linda and they were not happy ... I think there was no hot water and I think they didnt like that the electricity gets turned off at night .....

Barry A. - 10-19-2011 at 08:45 PM

To us, the simple charm of the Hotel at Catavina is worth every penny you pay------------very reasonable, from our perspective. Many thanks for the nice, current report, Diana. We used to stay there even tho we were always on a camping trip with a camper, just for the change of pace, a good meal, a friendly bar, and a nice shower, and the ambiance.

Occasionally we also stayed at the El Presidente south of San Quintin for all the same reasons.

Barry

BajaGringo - 10-19-2011 at 09:03 PM

One of the reasons that the hotel at Cataviña charges more may be the simple fact that they operate off-grid.

Paula - 10-19-2011 at 09:08 PM

We hope to stay there next trip up, with dog. It is a bit pricy, but all those new air conditioners weren't cheap, let alone the rest of the remodeling! And the walk in the desert in the morning-- you can't see those big cardon and rocks just anyplace.

So glad to hear that they saved money by keeping the wonderful zany lamps and mirrors!

DianaT - 10-19-2011 at 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
To us, the simple charm of the Hotel at Catavina is worth every penny you pay------------very reasonable, from our perspective. Many thanks for the nice, current report, Diana. We used to stay there even tho we were always on a camping trip with a camper, just for the change of pace, a good meal, a friendly bar, and a nice shower, and the ambiance.

Occasionally we also stayed at the El Presidente south of San Quintin for all the same reasons.

Barry

Normally we don't pay that price for a hotel----but like you say, it has such charm and as BajaGringo says, it is off the grid. And Cataviña is always beautiful.

For a while we stopped ever staying there as it seemed to be going down hill with more and more problems, but now with the new owner, it is improving once again and we really enjoyed it.

Charm? Yes, that is how we feel. In so many ways it reminds us of so many places on the mainland where we have stayed. It is a calm rather romantic place with good karma, at least that is what we think.

Main purpose for this thread, however, was that someone recently requested an updated report on price, dog policy, etc.

Jack Swords - 10-20-2011 at 06:45 AM

Thanks Diana for the current info. Leaving end of Nov. and nice to know these good choices (with dog).

mtgoat666 - 10-20-2011 at 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Location, location, location!

However, just 76 miles away (1.5 hrs.) is luxury at Baja Cactus for $35!

dk: it's more than location. the catavina hotel and baja cactus are in different leagues. comparing the cost is ridiculous -- the 4 star hotel in a desirable location will almost always cost more than the 2 star motel in an undesirable location.

$90 is fair price for a nice hotel in such a remote and beautiful location.
$35 is a bit steep for an average motel in a poor location.

vandenberg - 10-20-2011 at 08:28 AM

Goat, don't get carried away assigning stars to those places. Catavina is a 2 at the most, which will make Cactus a 1. :biggrin:

Prediction

DianaT - 10-20-2011 at 09:18 AM

Yes, this is the prediction for the morning--some things never change. :biggrin:

Any review of ANY hotel from the border south to Guerrero Negro will end up being a review and argument over Baja Cactus in El Rosario----already started.

And the argument that will follow:

Some like El Rosario, some dislike it a lot

Some think Baja Cactus is quiet, some say there is a lot of truck noise

Some think it is the most logical place to stop after crossing the border, some think it is better to push on.

Discussion interrupted by 15 pictures of Baja Cactus inside and out.

Some think everyone should stay at Baja Cactus because Antonio is a good guy (and he is) and he is a Nomad. Some think being a Nomad is not necessarily a qualification for earning all business.

Some think the staff are very helpful and nice, some resent the taking of the driver's license

Then it will move to a discussion of Mama Espinoza's ............and maybe the bathrooms at the gas station.

But this was well expected when I started this thread, and my expectations were quickly met.

Ni modo, it is quite amusing-----but back to Cataviña, don't forget to show them your FM 3 or FM 2 for the 10% discount.

[Edited on 10-20-2011 by DianaT]

wessongroup - 10-20-2011 at 10:11 AM

Yep "T"... it does seem to go that way... but, thanks anyway... looks like a nice place to stay... for those lucky enough to be making the trip ... it all helps...

rts551 - 10-20-2011 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula
We hope to stay there next trip up, with dog. It is a bit pricy, but all those new air conditioners weren't cheap, let alone the rest of the remodeling! And the walk in the desert in the morning-- you can't see those big cardon and rocks just anyplace.

So glad to hear that they saved money by keeping the wonderful zany lamps and mirrors!

not only AC. They put in a new generator.letslet them operate for a while. the price may come down

Roberto - 10-20-2011 at 09:14 PM

Your twins have red hair? I never noticed. :lol:

Roberto - 10-20-2011 at 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Yes, this is the prediction for the morning--some things never change. :biggrin:

Ni modo, it is quite amusing-----but back to Cataviña, don't forget to show them your FM 3 or FM 2 for the 10% discount.

[Edited on 10-20-2011 by DianaT]

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=55761 :lol:

Marinero - 10-21-2011 at 06:10 AM

I tried to e-mail (twice) for information and reservations. No response. As it turned out we were late leaving San Diego so overnighted in SQ at Jardines, always a treat and a bargain.

Email or website

mooose29 - 11-27-2011 at 01:34 AM

Does anyone have an email or address for the new website. The email address I had for their marketing director came back as not valid.

Pets?

LaTijereta - 9-13-2012 at 05:46 PM

Rumor (Pony Express) has it that the new managment is not allowing pets..
Has anyone been turned down on a recent trip?
(earlier this year no problem with my dog)

Ateo - 9-13-2012 at 06:01 PM

Thanks for the info Diana T. Glad to see they are pet friendly.

$90 ain't too bad considering you're in the middle of nowhere and off the grid. It's expensive to send anything out to the middle of nowhere.

Bajaboy - 9-13-2012 at 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
Thanks for the info Diana T. Glad to see they are pet friendly.

$90 ain't too bad considering you're in the middle of nowhere and off the grid. It's expensive to send anything out to the middle of nowhere.

If that is the price the market will pay then it is a fair price. I'd just assume stop an hour earlier and pay under than half that price. Or, camp in the boulder fields for free. But we all have our own preferences....

DianaT - 9-13-2012 at 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaTijereta
Rumor (Pony Express) has it that the new managment is not allowing pets..
Has anyone been turned down on a recent trip?
(earlier this year no problem with my dog)

Our last trip down the first week in August, dogs were still ok---they charge, but it evens out with our FM3 discount.

When was the rumor in the Pony Express? I sure hope it is just a rumor.

dtbushpilot - 9-13-2012 at 09:04 PM

We stayed there night before last (11th). 1 small dog (Cacahuate) and 2 cats, no problem. $950 pesos with the pet fee and FM2 discount, food was good, drinks were expensive at the bar. Had a nice walk in the desert evening with my sweetheart......we like it....

LaTijereta - 9-13-2012 at 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot
We stayed there night before last (11th). 1 small dog (Cacahuate) and 2 cats, no problem. $950 pesos with the pet fee and FM2 discount, food was good, drinks were expensive at the bar. Had a nice walk in the desert evening with my sweetheart......we like it....

Thanks for the recent update!...Pricing sounds about right :cool:

Bob H - 9-13-2012 at 10:20 PM

It's always great to hear updates on this place. We used to park our camper behind the motel, order a couple of margaritas at the bar, and spend the night behind there for free. No problem.

Barry A. - 9-13-2012 at 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
It's always great to hear updates on this place. We used to park our camper behind the motel, order a couple of margaritas at the bar, and spend the night behind there for free. No problem.

Yes, Bob, we did too----many times. The dinner there was great, too.

Love that place.

Barry

durrelllrobert - 9-14-2012 at 07:39 AM

Do you know if they plan to ever get the gas pumps up and running?
Also, was gotta peso around?

David K - 9-14-2012 at 09:03 AM

Someone or even two different people have always had gas for sale across from the hotel. They make the round trip to El Rosario (Baja Cactus) 76 miles away, then add about a dollar a gallon to their cost. Since they pour from 5 gallon cans, you do get a full 5 gallons (19 liters)! If you can't get to Baja Cactus, then their service is priceless!

DianaT - 9-16-2012 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot
We stayed there night before last (11th). 1 small dog (Cacahuate) and 2 catsws, no problem. $950 pesos with the pet fee and FM2 discount, food was good, drinks were expensive at the bar. Had a nice walk in the desert evening with my sweetheart......we like it....

We were there last night, September 15, 2012 --- all is still the same.

AND Cataviña looks like a lush tropical place! We have seen it green before, but this year is over the top! Really beautiful.

Still one running vado on the road --- no problem. Lost of pools of water off to the side, and lots and lots of cows and horses growing fat.

Road torn up for a few miles north of Jesus Maria --- no problem as it is good graded dirt.

The potholes on the Tortugas road have become craters and are awful. But the good news is that they have ripped out the asphalt for a few miles before the Asuncion turn off and what an improvement --- good graded dirt vs. moonscape asphalt. And the Vizcaino is also GREEN and beginning to bloom.

Heard from a friend that it rained enough that the big arroyo on the Asuncion-Abreojos road filled and was not passable --- needs to drain.

Marinero - 9-19-2012 at 12:00 PM

In response to an email inquiry re: pets, I received this response today.
"hola

accepted at a cost of 1 extra person"

Seems to me that cost is about US$18-20.

DianaT - 9-19-2012 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marinero
In response to an email inquiry re: pets, I received this response today.
"hola

accepted at a cost of 1 extra person"

Seems to me that cost is about US$18-20.

Yes that is correct and they don't charge us per dog ---- just one fee and then the discount for the FM3 or FM2.

Marinero - 9-19-2012 at 03:32 PM

Thanks. I like the place and best of all I like the location for breaking up my drive down.

It's About Profit

Bajahowodd - 9-19-2012 at 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Do you know if they plan to ever get the gas pumps up and running?
Also, was gotta peso around?

Inasmuch as this little gem is "off the grid", there is little to no way they could make a profit selling Pemex when they have to burn fuel just to make the pumps run. They have already increased the hours that they provide A/C.

To second earlier comments, given the upgrades the Los Pinos folks have made to this property, it really did take it to a higher level.

Our problem has usually been that our trips S/B and N/B have ruled out this place. That said, we have stayed there many times, going back to before it was La Pinta.

It is not a destination property. But it is a sweet place to stop if you need to turn off the road.

willardguy - 9-19-2012 at 03:55 PM

remember when la pinta gave you the 5th nite free? and does ANYONE have a picture of the old gas stop across the street?? come on david......

David K - 9-22-2012 at 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
remember when la pinta gave you the 5th nite free? and does ANYONE have a picture of the old gas stop across the street?? come on david......

I bought gas there 1974 to ? Too bad it was not managed better and was closed. I have photos on slides from the 70s.

[Edited on 9-23-2012 by David K]