BajaNomad

Motel in GN

wprsly - 1-8-2013 at 05:19 PM

First time south of Ensenada, we are on our way next week to Mulege and Casa Grande.
We plan to stay 2 nights in GN as we are going with Mario's whale watching....thought we would stay at Cowboy Motel due to good reviews on Tripadvisor but a search of this board says the motel has gone downhill....what would you suggest for a clean double room in town?
thanks,
Freewilley

Udo - 1-8-2013 at 05:38 PM

The Cowboy motel is a lot better than the next alternative...Malarrimo.
Food is ok, service is indifferent.

Best place to eat is at Mario's Palapa, about 1/2 mile north of GN. It's round palapa building that also houses whale watching tours.

If you want something different at a taco stand, drive about 1/2 mile west where they will serve a VAMPIRO...wild treat!

Order the margaritas (killer!), Campechana (the best in Baja), and guacamole (you'll make a lifetime friend with the waitress). Photos on Udo & Jana's trip south.

bill erhardt - 1-8-2013 at 06:07 PM

My choice in GN is the Cowboy. Plenty of secure parking for your rig and trailer/boat if you have one. Free Internet and clean, if small, rooms.

I agree with Udo's advice to avoid the restaurant at Malarrimo. The assessment of the food there as "OK" is generous. I gave up after 4 or 5 tries and not one edible meal among them. I now bring food if overnighting in GN.

cowboy.JPG - 44kB

rts551 - 1-8-2013 at 06:08 PM

Since you are already whale watching with Mario's guess you can try their food, but our experience at the restaurant was not pleasant (insects falling from the palm palapa roof). There is a couple of nice restaurants in the middle of town a block or two off the main street. follow the signs

mtgoat666 - 1-8-2013 at 06:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wprsly
First time south of Ensenada, we are on our way next week to Mulege and Casa Grande.
We plan to stay 2 nights in GN as we are going with Mario's whale watching....thought we would stay at Cowboy Motel due to good reviews on Tripadvisor but a search of this board says the motel has gone downhill....what would you suggest for a clean double room in town?
thanks,
Freewilley


mallarimo's has a lot of character. coyote is sort of sterile, but newer if that's important to you (i like the funky layout of rooms at mallarimos). i have always enjoyed the food at mallarimo's, nice ambiance in restaurant, always had great meals there.

bajajudy - 1-8-2013 at 06:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666


mallarimo's has a lot of character. coyote is sort of sterile, but newer if that's important to you (i like the funky layout of rooms at mallarimos). i have always enjoyed the food at mallarimo's, nice ambiance in restaurant, always had great meals there.

I agree!

aguachico - 1-8-2013 at 06:46 PM

I tried staying at the Cowboy once and it was full. I always stay at Don Posada.
Very secure as it is well off the street and gated Plenty of room for my truck and boat. It's clean, very un-gringo and cheap with very wifi, good water and the restaurant in front is ok. I like the Las Cuevas??, north side of the main road - in the beginning of town. The chicken tacos are very good.

David K - 1-8-2013 at 06:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666


mallarimo's has a lot of character. coyote is sort of sterile, but newer if that's important to you (i like the funky layout of rooms at mallarimos). i have always enjoyed the food at mallarimo's, nice ambiance in restaurant, always had great meals there.


Don't speak much Spanish, eh? mah-yah-reemo's?

MALARRIMO'S http://www.malarrimo.com Motel, RV Park, Restaurant, tours

msteve1014 - 1-8-2013 at 06:55 PM

We also stay at Don Posada. I don't require much, just a place to sleep. There is a nice , small restaraunt a block north of there that we have been very happy with more than once.

Lee - 1-8-2013 at 06:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666


mallarimo's has a lot of character. coyote is sort of sterile, but newer if that's important to you (i like the funky layout of rooms at mallarimos). i have always enjoyed the food at mallarimo's, nice ambiance in restaurant, always had great meals there.

I agree!


I''ll third that. Ate there a month ago and it was great. Ate there 6 months ago and it was great. I've had OK food there in the past years ago but think they've gotten their act together. Lots and lots of gringoes eat there and nobody will be going back if the food is bad.

Try it. It's the only place I eat and I wouldn't hesitate to send food back that wasn't good or let them know if service was off.

Cowboy is where I'd stay. Whoever writes it's gone downhill doesn't know what downhill is. Ask Shari.

Paula - 1-8-2013 at 07:17 PM

We've stopped at Malarrimo once or twice a year for the past 10+ years and never had a bad meal. Most of the time it is better than just good, and the ambiance is pleasant after a day of driving.

We used to stay at the hotel too, but prefer the Cowboy because they are dog friendly.

Ateo - 1-8-2013 at 07:57 PM

Cowboy. Do it.

shari - 1-8-2013 at 08:06 PM

Cowboy is where we stay usually...they lack a good desk person it's true but the rooms are nice and reasonably priced and secure...the tacos there are excellent but for a nice meal I recommend Las Cazuelas a block north of Cowboy's or Don Gus a couple blocks south for a high quality white linen tablecloth type of meal...the classiest place in Gn with excellent food and service.

Bajaboy - 1-8-2013 at 08:33 PM

The taco stand across the street from Cowboy is the place to grab a taco. Woody turned me on to it....I love name dropping. Cowboy is also a good value place to stay.

wprsly - 1-8-2013 at 08:38 PM

So Cowboys IS a decent place, I see....the net site and the phone number did not work for me, anyone know how to make a reservation?

thanks for all the great tips on food etc. You are a great bunch of folks.

BillL Erhadit..

captkw - 1-8-2013 at 08:43 PM

Nice Truck !! now you need to get a Boat !!!...PS..Is that Four stroke ??? If it is <<so sorry !!

[Edited on 1-9-2013 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-9-2013 by captkw]

[Edited on 1-9-2013 by captkw]

tripledigitken - 1-8-2013 at 09:01 PM

Another vote for Malarrimo, restaurant and motel..have been going there since 1989. Like Mario's restaurant too.

Malarrimo meal of Mano de Leon scallops and pismo clams..........
nothing fancy just fresh seafood.




[Edited on 1-9-2013 by tripledigitken]

bill erhardt - 1-9-2013 at 07:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
Nice Truck !! now you need to get a Boat !!!...PS..Is that Four stroke ??? If it is <<so sorry !!

The motor is a Suzuki DF300 four stroke.
Here's another pic after a night at the Cowboy on the last leg of the trip home from the Bluewater factory in Fort Pierce, Fl.

23T2.jpg - 49kB

shari - 1-9-2013 at 08:28 AM

Cowboy's phone was cut off for a bit as were many many Mexicano's phones after the holidays...lots of people forget to pay the bill or cant because of holiday closures of offices and it get's cut off like a couple days after you dont pay...muy mexicano!

I can make a reservation for you...I'm making ours today too for our whale watching groups...I have the owner's cell # just in case.

Like I have always said...Cowboy is a Ma & Pa operation...it's not perfect...none of the hotels are but the rooms & beds are nice & clean which is what counts for me. U2U me with the details of your reservation and I'll get er done! Also Posada Don Vicente is fine too across the street...lots of rooms so there is usually space.

vandenberg - 1-9-2013 at 09:24 AM

Is there a reason nobody mentions the Las Caracoles anymore. Used to be one of the most referred to motels in town and I stayed there several times. More than adequate!!

ncampion - 1-9-2013 at 09:35 AM

Agree, I would recommend Las Caracoles over Cowboy. The Cowboy has unique pillows in their rooms - I think they fill them with marbles. Impossible to get comfortable with them.

mulegemichael - 1-9-2013 at 09:42 AM

we stayed at malarrimos a few weeks ago for the last time...we had to go to 3 rooms before we got one where the beds weren't broken and we had at least one light bulb....the food was just horrible...unrecognizable meat in the tacos with a rancid, sour taste....only took one bite........we've been going there for years and years but not now.

bajaguy - 1-9-2013 at 09:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ncampion
Agree, I would recommend Las Caracoles over Cowboy. The Cowboy has unique pillows in their rooms - I think they fill them with marbles. Impossible to get comfortable with them.





Always travel with my own pillow.....and a GI poncho liner.

shari - 1-9-2013 at 09:53 AM

Caracoles is excellent but often full due to the good quality service and rooms...a high class operation to be sure.

CHOOSE YOUR PILLOW

DavidE - 1-9-2013 at 11:17 AM

shari - 1-9-2013 at 12:15 PM

I just talked to Chavelo, the owner of Cowboy Motel and their phone is now working fine as is the email hotelcowboy@hotmail.com
FYI, Chavelo also does tours to the lagoon for $50 a person...he drives you out to the lagoon, you can have breakfast there, he gets you on a panga, waits for you then you can have lunch if you want watching whales as you munch down shrimp tacos...then he takes you back to the hotel....a deal! and good personal service in a nice van.

They have also built new room for this season...more single rooms with one queen bed...I'll mention the pillows when I talk to him next...I always bring my own.

wprsly - 2-3-2013 at 02:33 AM

Cowboy motel was a disapointment. We looked and passed on it. Ended up at Malarimo, note that only rooms with heaters back on to the busy road. Very noisy!
Next night we moved to Caracoles and that was a very good choice. Rooms with heaters are large and at quiet rear of property....worth the extra 100 pesos to us.

The other rooms looked nice also. Recomend this motel highly.

David K - 2-3-2013 at 02:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wprsly
Cowboy motel was a disapointment. We looked and passed on it. Ended up at Malarimo, note that only rooms with heaters back on to the busy road. Very noisy!
Next night we moved to Caracoles and that was a very good choice. Rooms with heaters are large and at quiet rear of property....worth the extra 100 pesos to us.

The other rooms looked nice also. Recomend this motel highly.


Thanks for the report, and welcome to Nomad!

Where is hotel Los Caracoles located?

CP - 2-15-2013 at 02:19 PM

In relation to Malarrimo motel?
I have not been to GN for 10 years.
Thanks.

DianaT - 2-15-2013 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CP
In relation to Malarrimo motel?
I have not been to GN for 10 years.
Thanks.


As you enter Guerrero Negro, Los Caracoles is on the right side of the street right before you get to Malarrimo---

I hope their staff is not as rude as in the past --- sounds like that has improved if others have had good experiences there.

However, I would not suggest eating at their 7-11 style market with a small cafe. If was not only not very good, we both became ill.

Another small nice place is further into town. It is on a side street headed south from the main street, but the side of the hotel can be seen from the main street --- Don Gus. The restaurant is not inexpensive, but it is good and the owners are really friendly.

tripledigitken - 2-15-2013 at 03:28 PM

Malarrimo has space heaters available for a deposit, just ask when checking in.

BajaOkie - 2-15-2013 at 05:08 PM

Come On, Give me a break - a deposit on space heaters!!! I used to really look forward to a stop at Malarrimos, but enough is enough.

Cypress - 2-15-2013 at 05:21 PM

Jeez! A bed. A roof. Running water. Life is good.:)

tripledigitken - 2-15-2013 at 05:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaOkie
Come On, Give me a break - a deposit on space heaters!!! I used to really look forward to a stop at Malarrimos, but enough is enough.


It all depends on your perspective I quess. I see it as a service.

We stayed at five separate motels on our last trip, none had heaters. Mallarrimo was the only one to offer a space heater. We opted not to get it as we don't sleep in a heated room. In San Quintin I would have paid to have one though, as it was 39 F degrees when we got up.

Obviously the owner has gotten tired of replacing stolen heaters, can't blame them for their solution to the problem. Again not a fee, but a refundable deposit.

Ken

shari - 2-16-2013 at 12:36 PM

We just got back from a stay at Cowboy Hotel which was delightful...(bring your own pillow) It was nippish but I brought an extra blanket...the single rooms are beautiful and good WIFI! The tacos were exquisite and a great time was had by all! The whales were outstanding...more on that later.

FYI...make sure you have a reservation at Caracoles, Malarrimo or Cowboy as they were full.

David K - 2-16-2013 at 12:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaOkie
Come On, Give me a break - a deposit on space heaters!!! I used to really look forward to a stop at Malarrimos, but enough is enough.


It all depends on your perspective I quess. I see it as a service.

We stayed at five separate motels on our last trip, none had heaters. Mallarrimo was the only one to offer a space heater. We opted not to get it as we don't sleep in a heated room. In San Quintin I would have paid to have one though, as it was 39 F degrees when we got up.

Obviously the owner has gotten tired of replacing stolen heaters, can't blame them for their solution to the problem. Again not a fee, but a refundable deposit.

Ken


Baja Cactus rooms have heating and AC, for next time...?