BajaNomad - Hotel in Punta Chivato For Sale

Hotel in Punta Chivato For Sale

Russ - 6-5-2013 at 04:22 PM

This just sent to me. It's probably an old listing but it is a beautiful Place.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-409878...

desertcpl - 6-5-2013 at 04:35 PM

yes it is,, wish I had a few extra Mil laying around and was 30 yrs younger

Vince - 6-5-2013 at 04:36 PM

I have been visiting Punta Chivato since the early 1960's and have always loved that place. A frequent stopover while fishing out of Mulege, a great place to have lunch before heading back. One time there was a major thunderstorm dumping rain on Serenidad airstrip when we were about to land, so we diverted to Punta Chivato and spent the night. We asked if they had air conditioning on this hot August afternoon when checking in and they responded," Si Senior, in every room". When we arrived to the room the air conditioning units were still in the crates, uninstalled. I loved it best when Bill Alvarado ran the hotel.

Barry A. - 6-5-2013 at 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vince
I have been visiting Punta Chivato since the early 1960's and have always loved that place. A frequent stopover while fishing out of Mulege, a great place to have lunch before heading back. One time there was a major thunderstorm dumping rain on Serenidad airstrip when we were about to land, so we diverted to Punta Chivato and spent the night. We asked if they had air conditioning on this hot August afternoon when checking in and they responded," Si Senior, in every room". When we arrived to the room the air conditioning units were still in the crates, uninstalled. I loved it best when Bill Alvarado ran the hotel.

The AC referred to was maybe the sea-breezes flowing thru------ :lol:

-we stayed there several nights quite a few years (15?) ago, and we were amazed at how cool it was in the rooms compared to where we were camping out on the Punta Chivato point campspot for 10 days-------this was in late May, and it was HOT. Margaritas helped. There was no-one else staying there, and we had the entire place to our selves. They cooked up a wonderful dinner for us------there were 6 of us, and they treated us like kings and queens. I think "the Italian" did own it then, and they were kinda strange, but we sure enjoyed our stay. We kidded about it being a "mafia" retreat.

Barry

chuckie - 6-6-2013 at 06:27 AM

My Daughter and I stayed there when it was semi abandoned..looooong time ago. We used to take the Diesel boat up there from Mulege, call the hotel on the radio, they would send a car down to get us. We watched the Olympics on their sattv, and stayed onite...I still think its awesome..I'm going to ask my wife if I can buy it :lol:

Hook - 6-6-2013 at 08:47 AM

Time for another reminiscent post by Roger, on the history of this hotel; complete with faded photos from his 70s film camera.

Barry A. - 6-6-2013 at 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
My Daughter and I stayed there when it was semi abandoned..looooong time ago. We used to take the Diesel boat up there from Mulege, call the hotel on the radio, they would send a car down to get us. We watched the Olympics on their sattv, and stayed onite...I still think its awesome..I'm going to ask my wife if I can buy it :lol:

We could all partner-up and make it an exclusive NOMADS retreat :light:

------what do you think?

Barry

David K - 6-6-2013 at 08:57 AM

It was one of my dad's favorite sites in Baja. I have a photo of him and my mom floating on rafts looking at the fish. The current would take you around the point. Erle Stanley Gardner has photos of it under construction by Dixon Collins in his 1967 'Off the Beaten Track in Baja'.

monoloco - 6-6-2013 at 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.

Quote:

We could all partner-up and make it an exclusive NOMADS retreat :light:

------what do you think?

Barry

Well, if we could just get 28 nomads to pony up $214,285.71 each, everyone could have their own room.

BajaBlanca - 6-6-2013 at 09:51 AM

that picture they have posted is beautiful! what an amazing site this hotel is on ..... just priceless.

[Edited on 6-6-2013 by BajaBlanca]

capt. mike - 6-6-2013 at 09:54 AM

Lou the author of One Hell of a Ride has the best anecdotes on the building of the orig PC hotel in the 50s.
sorry i read the book but can't recall his last name. His wife was a hollywood girl. i think he still is alive, in his 80s like his contemporary Don Johnson. Don told me many of the book's tales were exaggerated.....

tripledigitken - 6-6-2013 at 10:03 AM

Our first stay there must have been 1989 or 1990, during a Thanksgiving weekend. I will never forget that stay. (Talking about air conditioning made me think of just how cold it got those nights.)

I wish I had a photo of us and other guests standing cliffside watching an amazing sunset from that world class location. Of course that was before "the Italian", Bill Alvarado was the host then.

Perhaps a new owner can transform the property back to one that we all can enjoy again.

Ken

mulegejim - 6-6-2013 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
Lou the author of One Hell of a Ride has the best anecdotes on the building of the orig PC hotel in the 50s.
sorry i read the book but can't recall his last name. His wife was a hollywood girl. i think he still is alive, in his 80s like his contemporary Don Johnson. Don told me many of the book's tales were exaggerated.....

It is Lou Federico....interesting read as he also built the hotel above the river in Mulege first. Lots of great old photos. Agreed in it seems a bit exaggerated. Have talked to several of the old timers who flew into the hotel in Mulege in the old days and it was really something....Hollywood stars and all. If you can find the book it is interesting. In fact I believe Jayne Mansfield was wed to Matt Climber there in 1964. The remains of the hotel and Lou's house are still there above the river in Mulege.

[Edited on 6-6-2013 by mulegejim]

mtgoat666 - 6-6-2013 at 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-409878...

beautiful place, could be quite an interesting place,... but $6M for 28 units, or $214K/unit

sometimes the RE asking prices for large properties in Mexico are quite amusing :lol:

capt. mike - 6-6-2013 at 11:45 AM

based on the location, with airstrip, if the entitlements can get "fixed" $200K a door for a 1st class hotel is not out of the norm. If i had it i'd place a very large solar array there and get off the diesel genset that only goes on part of the day. I'd also put in solar AC.

Russ - 6-6-2013 at 11:47 AM

Location, Location, Location
It really isn't such a huge price. I mean it is a huge price but for the amount of land on the exclusive point maybe not so unreasonable.

Hook - 6-6-2013 at 12:05 PM

Yeah, but the poor access to the hotel and all the other competition that has sprung up around it make it a bad investment, IMO.

It cant stay in business through Nomad-type people who are willing to drive there from the border or drive in from the nearest airport. And it sure seems like general aviation to Mexico has been declining as a generation of pilots passes on.

Still, the Italian did nothing in terms of marketing to the US, Canada and Mexico that I ever saw. I seem to remember some ads directed at Europe, but that's about it. It would take a concerted media campaign and a plan to get people transported there.

mtgoat666 - 6-6-2013 at 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Yeah, but the poor access to the hotel and all the other competition that has sprung up around it make it a bad investment, IMO.

It cant stay in business through Nomad-type people who are willing to drive there from the border or drive in from the nearest airport. And it sure seems like general aviation to Mexico has been declining as a generation of pilots passes on.

Still, the Italian did nothing in terms of marketing to the US, Canada and Mexico that I ever saw. I seem to remember some ads directed at Europe, but that's about it. It would take a concerted media campaign and a plan to get people transported there.

owner probably got it for $600K and trying to sell it for $6M..
It should sell based on current financials of hotel, and i doubt his books/cash flow justify $6M,... he seems to be saying "my occupancy rate is low, I could not make it pay well, but you should pay high sales price to me as if you can make it pay well" :lol:

capt. mike - 6-6-2013 at 01:47 PM

i always heard it was backed by an org that needed some laundry done.

Russ - 6-6-2013 at 02:19 PM

If someone that didn't aggressively chase clients away they could probably bring in the spa type folks. Mountain bikes, quads, kayaks, boaters of all kinds and the hotel has the air field concession now too. There is a lot here to attract visitors. Also there are a lot of homes here now available as us old farts are fading from the scene.

capt. mike - 6-6-2013 at 03:21 PM

all they need to do is lower prices to market. They long ago wrote down the improvements. I think that was a load of laundry.... If i could get a fair rate there and reasonable meals and no barring of ice chests!! i'd gladly fly in and stay a week.

Bajahowodd - 6-6-2013 at 04:52 PM

Quote:

Like the ad states. "12 miles of dirty road." :lol:

mtgoat666 - 6-6-2013 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
If i could get a fair rate there and reasonable meals,... i'd gladly fly in and stay a week.

what is fair and reasonable?

p.s. on my bookshelf i got a copy of "mexico on $5 a day" :lol:

capt. mike - 6-7-2013 at 01:49 PM

something that competes with east cape resorts. As in Punta Pescadero for instance. Or one of the Van Wormer proerties.

$125 a nite for 2 with all meals.

Bajahowodd - 6-7-2013 at 03:59 PM

The Van Wormer properties were dumps last I visited there. Don't know if they have upgraded. That said, the Punta Chivato property is in a much more beautiful setting.

Barry A. - 6-7-2013 at 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The Van Wormer properties were dumps last I visited there. Don't know if they have upgraded. That said, the Punta Chivato property is in a much more beautiful setting.

Wow, that is sad to hear------loved "Punta Colorada" Van Wormer property and stayed there many times about 10 years ago on his package deals-----a real bargain.

Barry

capt. mike - 6-8-2013 at 10:15 AM

Been a few years but Punta Colo was always a hit with us. They even let us go up to Bobby and Chacha's house across the road and use the pool.

I got to land at the strip in front of their resort at Los Barriles a year before the closed it. The developer of costa Azul in SJ del Cabo once crashed his plane years before taking off from that Wormer resort in Barriles - shredded the plane, 4 pl Grumman, in a palm tree at the end and all walked away.

Hook - 6-8-2013 at 11:10 AM

I'd like to see them move away from that European plan or whatever it's called where they force you to buy your meals from them and it's built into the price. I dont mind driving into Mulege or SR for an occasional meal and there are other food options in the immediate area (or so I read). I hate eating at the same place, meal after meal. I dont care how good it is.

Of course, I'm sure they need that income and like the predictability of having kitchen staff available only when there are guests. Is the restaurant open to non-guests?

Does the hotel have any water sports rentals like kayaks or canoes or some small fishing boats? Is there a panguero fleet there? You gotta provide the clientele with some recreation options if you're all the way out there.

A basic courtesy dock would be nice.

Of course, the residents are thinking "....oh, please, no!!!!" :lol:

I cant imagine the rooms are much different than when I was last there in the late 90s. Maybe they have painted and upgraded the decor. Restaurant is probably more capable IF they have good kitchen staff.

I might pay 75-80 for a double. It's a great location.

capt. mike - 6-8-2013 at 01:12 PM

Actually Hook the renovations were quite spectacular compared to the old Punta Chivato Hotel when Bill had it. But you make good points. some people like a destination all in one deal and want to simply park and not go elsewhere. At Punta colo and pescadero you can option the European plan w/ meals - but both have no other close by restaurants so options are ltd. I found the food to be spectaular at east cape resorts plus we stocked our own bars and food with room refers. The Posada PC is all about an areshole mgr.....

Barry A. - 6-9-2013 at 10:20 AM

I and my friends loved the "all inclusive plan" at Punta Colorada and the couple of "free days" when you could grab a van and go any place you wanted for additional money. At the price, the "plan" was just fantastic, we thought, and the commradity (sp?) and fishing competition between all the guests at any one time was great!!!

We each have our priorities, and that system seemed to work for the Van Wornmer's as it was always full every time we flew down.

It was a long way from any distractions, and it WAS a Fishing resort, plain and simple. That worked for us and the fishing was always great or adaquate.

Barry

durrelllrobert - 6-9-2013 at 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
Actually Hook the renovations were quite spectacular compared to the old Punta Chivato Hotel when Bill had it. But you make good points. some people like a destination all in one deal and want to simply park and not go elsewhere. At Punta colo and pescadero you can option the European plan w/ meals - but both have no other close by restaurants so options are ltd. I found the food to be spectaular at east cape resorts plus we stocked our own bars and food with room refers. The Posada PC is all about an areshole mgr.....

I really dislike all inclusive resorts but my wife loves them. I enjoy leaving the resort and taking the bus (or even renting a car or motor scooter) to get out and see the town and eat where the natives eat.

off the market...

Whale-ista - 8-5-2013 at 06:47 PM

maybe they accepted an offer?

Did 28 Nomads come up with a down payment?

windgrrl - 8-5-2013 at 08:07 PM

The Van Wormers closed Punta Colorada last season. They have interests in developing other areas of the bay.

Punta Chivato could be very interesting to the kite sailing crowd. It was a well-known windsurfing spot at one time, but we're a dying breed.

capt. mike - 8-7-2013 at 03:28 PM

another good dirt strip gone........dang....

monoloco - 8-7-2013 at 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
The Van Wormers closed Punta Colorada last season. They have interests in developing other areas of the bay.

Punta Chivato could be very interesting to the kite sailing crowd. It was a well-known windsurfing spot at one time, but we're a dying breed.

The problem with windsurfing at Punta Chivato was that the wind seemed to always blow hardest at night, then get spotty during the day. Went there many times but never had an epic day. Camping there sucked, fine sand in everything.

Doug/Vamonos - 8-27-2013 at 10:16 AM

We had some great times at PC in the 1990's. Great fun camping and hiding out at the hotel during storms and in the bar. We made some great friends year after year. They loved our business and would cook our fish for a great meal. And cheap! Then the new people bought it. Yes, they cleaned it up. But they treated campers like trash. Such a freaking attitude. Needless to say after our first effort to visit they never got our business again. And they truly acted like they didn't want it. The problem with PC is it is in the middle of nowhere. If you don't come with a boat it is just a hot desert. And if you have the money to afford to stay there, why would you? So many options at that price. Baja is Baja.