BajaNomad - Ensenada hotel?

Ensenada hotel?

bigzaggin - 1-16-2013 at 05:38 PM

For the first time since I was like, 13, it seems I will have to spend a nite in Ensenada this coming week. The only hotel I have stayed at in N.Baja in the last 20 years is Old Mill and I could use a few recs from Nomads.

This is on my way down for a camping trip, so I'll be in a car loaded with gear aka need a very secure place to park...plus want the place to be very safe in general. Doesn't have to be in Ensenada...can be San Miguel area or maybe closer to Maneadero.

thanks!

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 05:48 PM

The San Nicolas on Lopez Mateos/First Street in Ensenada has a fenced and guarded parking lot. They also have a casino. It's within walking distance of everything worthwhile.

They probably have a website. I'll see if I can find it.

desertcpl - 1-16-2013 at 05:52 PM

we have always stayed at the San Nicolas,

very secure parking , 24 hr security

restaurant,pool, bar

and gambling casino, if your into that , we are not, but its a nice place

http://snhotelcasino.com/en/

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 05:52 PM

Here's something:

http://www.bestday.com.mx/Ensenada/Hoteles/San-Nicolas-Hotel...
==========================================

The only place worth considering south of town is Estero Beach.

Nothing around Maneadero.

john68 - 1-16-2013 at 05:55 PM

the Hotel Coral and Marina is a great place to stay. Secure parking, very good restaurant and reasonable rates if booked online. The walk-up prices are not so reasonable (I used a computer in the lobby and got the internet price).

hotelcoral.com

desertcpl - 1-16-2013 at 05:57 PM

thats funny Dennis, we both was on the same thing at the same time

Bajamatic - 1-16-2013 at 06:09 PM

Has anyone stayed at the Joker in southern Ens.? Half the price....

bigzaggin - 1-16-2013 at 06:12 PM

I've passed the Joker many times and wondered what it's like...seems like it has to be dumpy.

ites.

Bajamatic - 1-16-2013 at 06:21 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=17913#pid1544...

bigzaggin - 1-16-2013 at 06:23 PM

That thread is 6 years old. Not sure I wanna risk it.

Bajamatic - 1-16-2013 at 06:24 PM

seems fine - no mention of the parking except to say that you can change some tires if you want - or Bite a tire, vote for Gaul!

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigzaggin
I've passed the Joker many times and wondered what it's like...seems like it has to be dumpy.

Exactly. Last time I remember discussing it here, someone mentioned a strong odor of urine.
Lots of road noise too. You don't need any of that.

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=17913#pid1544...

Just for the record, I wasn't spayed or neutered. :lol:

paranewbi - 1-16-2013 at 07:02 PM

Stopped in at the Joker 2 years ago. Asked to see the room, wouldn't even step inside, thanked the clerk and left. enough said.

rts551 - 1-16-2013 at 07:05 PM

Little less pricey but secure (park in front of your room) is Motel Colon right beind the Nicholas.

Clean but old. Pet friendly.

bigzaggin - 1-16-2013 at 07:06 PM

I'll save The Joker for my forthcoming Acquire Head Lice and Bedbug Bites trip later this year...

Anyone else have recs for Ensenada area? We could theoretically camp as well, but can't make it all the way out to Punta Cabras zone...

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigzaggin
I'll save The Joker for my forthcoming Acquire Head Lice and Bedbug Bites trip later this year...

Anyone else have recs for Ensenada area? We could theoretically camp as well, but can't make it all the way out to Punta Cabras zone...

There's another thread around here about El Palomar in Sto. Tomas, south of Maneadero. They have a campground.

No consideration for Estero Beach? It's a winner.

bigzaggin - 1-16-2013 at 07:55 PM

Dennis - In 25+ years of going to Baja I have never once been to Estero...would it be a good/safe place to camp en route down?

durrelllrobert - 1-16-2013 at 07:56 PM

Check out the Hotel Azteca. Only 190 peso/nite for a single. Clean and secure parking (a lot of racing teams stay there with there trailors/rigs). It's on the east side of HIGHWAY 1 JUST PAST THE TURN OFF FOR ESTERO.

liknbaja127 - 1-16-2013 at 08:06 PM

Los Rosas, just before you get to town. Right on the water,great people
nice, nice rooms. the parking is very secure, easy in and out. the food is
good to.I think it's 85.oo us in the winter time.

DENNIS - 1-16-2013 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigzaggin
Dennis - In 25+ years of going to Baja I have never once been to Estero...would it be a good/safe place to camp en route down?

Probably the best. It's kinda pricey, but you arn't going to live there.

They have rooms and a good restaurant as well.

.

[Edited on 1-17-2013 by DENNIS]

J.P. - 1-16-2013 at 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
Has anyone stayed at the Joker in southern Ens.? Half the price....

On my trips to town lately as we have to pass the Joker It appears to be closed the other day it looked if the resturant was vacant.

bajadogs - 1-16-2013 at 08:45 PM

I like the Bahia Hotel right in downtown Ensenada. $50-$60 US a night. Secure parking right off the main drag, across the street from the big flag pole in the park with the big heads.

Good breakfast and friendly people.

Estero Beach Resort Hotel is a place to spend a weekend or vacation, not a place to crash for the night.

Paulina - 1-16-2013 at 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J.P.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
Has anyone stayed at the Joker in southern Ens.? Half the price....

On my trips to town lately as we have to pass the Joker It appears to be closed the other day it looked if the resturant was vacant.

Dern and I were both just commenting on this fact over the Christmas/New Year holiday. The Joker looked closed down, a chain link fence was stretched across the driveway, and the restaurant was empty, looked a mess inside. I'd bet my last Tab soda that the hotel is closed.

P>*)))>{

Tab soda, anyone?

EnsenadaDr - 1-16-2013 at 09:15 PM

Wow, Paulina, didn't know I had a TAB lover on this board like myself...but to get back to the topic at hand, when the electricity blew out 2 years ago I stayed at the Estero, no, it is NOT the best hotel and restaurant, the BEST restaurant in Ensenada, hands down, is the Hotel Coral. You can get a 30% discount on the food (the restaurant is phenomenal) and the spa. The Junior Suite runs $145 American dollars a night, and is the best bang for your buck. It is a 2 room beautifully decorated large apartment, with luxury accomodations in every nook and cranny, and a spectacular view of the marina and bay. The restaurant at the Coral has magnificent food and pretty reasonably priced. The Estero was way run down...and was a ghost town. Their restaurant is not the best, and service worst. Oh yes, someone mentioned Casa Natalie but that runs upwards of almost $300 American dollars a night...plus I think they have pretty snooty attitudes so I didn't bother. Las Rosas is beautiful, and they have great Italian food, but the rooms are very small and you could do the same in a smaller hotel.

bent-rim - 1-17-2013 at 07:03 AM

I second the Bahia. It's a little tired but it has secured parking.

JOKER

bajaguy - 1-17-2013 at 09:47 AM

The Joker is CLOSED......has been for several months.........

The Ensenada Fire Department should use it for live fire training and hopefully run out of water :lol:

desertcpl - 1-17-2013 at 03:11 PM

Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

EnsenadaDr - 1-17-2013 at 03:21 PM

Oh shoot, there is a place in the middle of the fields on your way from the Joker to Maneadero that has a hand written sign on the left side of the road that says Hotel, hourly rates...don't know what you'll find but can't be any worse than the Joker.

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

desertcpl - 1-17-2013 at 03:23 PM

:lol:

I would think not

DENNIS - 1-17-2013 at 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
...don't know what you'll find

Ya won't find much if ya don't bring it with you. These short term motels are as much a part of Mexico culture as is "the other woman." In fact, that's what they're for.....a place to take "the other woman."

durrelllrobert - 1-17-2013 at 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

There's always El Vaquero, right down the road

desertcpl - 1-17-2013 at 05:42 PM

exactly,, this is what MX is all about, well for some. like us old timers

:coolup:

BajaBlanca - 1-18-2013 at 08:52 AM

our favorite is the HOTEL CORTEZ

ask for the room with 2 queen size beds. It is in the back - very quiet except around Christmas time (parties parties parties) and the restaurant is absolutely exquisite.

This hotel is on the main tourist drag - one block off the water - and is at the very end.

The rates vary but hover around $60+

Have a great trip!

Parking is underground and there is a 24 hour security guard. Since we are usually loaded up to the hilt, this works.

EnsenadaDr - 1-18-2013 at 09:27 AM

Bob, I love it..you proved me right!! Dennis, why can't you stop thinking "dirt" and realize those truckers from Baja Sur might need a few hours sleep in Maneadero? I'll tell you one thing, if I was the other woman and I was taken to a place like that, the guy would soon be the forgotten other man.

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

There's always El Vaquero, right down the road

Villa Fontana

beachbum1A - 1-18-2013 at 09:34 AM

The Joker - what a joke! Good-by to a nasty place!
Here's a link to a hotel right downtown that has secure parking and is in the middle of everything.
http://www.villafontana.com.mx/index.htm

willardguy - 1-18-2013 at 09:57 AM

we always stay here. anthonys is one block west and paris is one block east, louie's tequila bar is right underneath you, and you can shop right from your balcony ! :coolup:

CortezBlue - 1-18-2013 at 06:59 PM

Playa Estero

DENNIS - 1-18-2013 at 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Bob, I love it..you proved me right!! Dennis, why can't you stop thinking "dirt"

It ain't dirt. It's a culture of infidelity. Ask any married woman.

Paulina - 1-18-2013 at 08:55 PM

2 hr. minimum? What is one supposed to do with the other hour and 56 minutes?

P>*)))>{

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

There's always El Vaquero, right down the road

LarryK - 1-18-2013 at 09:02 PM

I have stayed at the Motel Joya Mar twice and found it to be clean and quite. It is closed in with one entrance by the office. 400p per night. The address is Av Veracruz 360, tel 176 7430.
When you take the main drag south, go all the way past the beach where the rd Does a "y" look to the left and you will see the back of the buiding with the name on it. Quite and out of the way. Ony room for cars and trucks

EnsenadaDr - 1-18-2013 at 10:46 PM

That would be easy for me, Paulina...I am always looking for an opportune moment to cat nap!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulina
2 hr. minimum? What is one supposed to do with the other hour and 56 minutes?

P>*)))>{

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
Yes the Joker,, really going to miss this place, especially

the hourly rate for the rooms

:cool:

There's always El Vaquero, right down the road

jmusic3 - 1-21-2013 at 10:56 PM

Stayed a few times at Hotel California - decent rooms on the water, 40-50 bucks.
Very nice people running the place. It's on the ocean side of the main road just before you get into town coming South. Secure parking.

Here's a link: http://www.comercialmx.com/ZMKB323.htm

And it's only a few blocks from my all time fav taco spot, Taqueria El Flamazo!

cheers

jmusic3 - 1-21-2013 at 11:39 PM

Also, I might add - whenever it's nice enough weather, we always just camp at Playa Saldamando, north of town at km 94.

Gorgeous sites right on the water, on a very active wildlife bay. Spend the mornings sipping tea on the bluff watching dolphins, pelicans, cormorants, whales if you're lucky... $10/night, can't beat it. 10 minute drive from downtown.

Grab some fresh seafood from the market by the harbor, head back and grill it up, drink, sunset, campfire under the stars... I'll take that over a hotel any day, except a rainy one

cheers

BajaBlanca - 1-22-2013 at 02:31 AM

what a gorgeous site for camping!