BajaNomad

Ensenada Blanca Hotel threatens to close

Kencito - 9-9-2013 at 02:15 PM

I know that they don't have many guests but I was surprised nonetheless they're threatening to close the big new hotel there.
Paging Carlos Slim.
http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n3116227.htm

Really, Villas Group??

Paula - 9-9-2013 at 08:35 PM

From this morning's Sudcaliforniano:

http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n3116227.htm

Villas sent a letter to the reporter that they are thinking of stopping further investment and closing operations at the hotel at Ensenada Blanca. It seems the government and environmentalists are not doing enough for them. They will take their funds and apply them to building a new hotel in Los Cabos.

Is this a serious threat, or just an attempt at manipulation?

[Edited on 9-10-2013 by Paula]

ligui - 9-10-2013 at 05:30 AM

Looks like it just came out in the paper today ? Date says sept 9th

bajario - 9-10-2013 at 06:49 AM

Why spend millions building this blight only to come to this realization? Did something change overnight?

vandenberg - 9-10-2013 at 08:19 AM

Always thought that building such an extensive resort in such a remote location was kind of folly.

Who wants to spend a vacation sitting around a swimming pool or walk on a not so pretty beach??

We've been there twice for lunch and not impressed.

If it closes, wouldn't surprise me one bit.

David K - 9-10-2013 at 08:28 AM

Karma? I thought it was very insulting of them to lock-out the local village from using 'their' beach and making the pangas port over on the east side next to the rocks.

Photo from July, 2009 looking from the panga area to the beach that is just south of the village, and far north from the resort:





[Edited on 9-10-2013 by David K]

Bajahowodd - 9-10-2013 at 05:05 PM

I always questioned their sanity, given how far South of town it is located, and the lack of flights. They get zero walk in business.

But then, Mayan Resorts built a huge complex at Rocky Point Puerto Penasco). Just like Villa has done with Aerocalifornia, Mayan is subsidizing flights into their property.

Maybe it's a matter of laundering cartel money...?

ncampion - 9-10-2013 at 06:20 PM

I hope if it does close that it doesn't negatively affect the flights to Loreto.

Paula - 9-10-2013 at 08:28 PM

I wonder what they are up to. A letter to a reporter complaining that they have not been treated well by the local powers that be could be a subtle (or not so subtle) form of pressure, rather than an announcement to be taken seriously.

I too hope that a closure (should it actually happen) doesn't affect flights. But other than the additional flights I don't really see that the resort does much good for locals or most tourists, either domestic or foreign.

I do know that locals have lost access to the beach-- one of my personal favorites, and that Semana Santa campers have lost that space. Most of the people I know who have been employed there, including arguably the best waiter in Loreto, have not been happy working there. And a Montana couple we know who have a Villas time share in Cabo and love it, and have exchanged it for others all over Mexico and been happy with their stays, say they will not come back to Ensenada Blanca for many reasons.

Could it be that this company that has a fairly good reputation in the time share world has found that it made a bad investment here? The winter weather isn't tropical enough to satisfy those seeking heat and white sand, access to Loreto is limited and difficult, and the restaurants don't measure up? And what has happened to the land for the golf course and the subdivision surrounding it in the recent weather? How is access right now on the two mile dirt road to the resort, and what sort of upkeep is urgently needed? Maybe they just aren't tough enough.

Bajahowodd - 9-11-2013 at 04:54 PM

I will say that despite the fact that they are so far South of town, they do offer free shuttle service to and from town. I've passed their mini buses a a couple of times.

As for their complaint about not getting government support, I'm sure that a few locals will concur when I say that for whatever the reason, the pavement on Mex 1 South of town, until the road heads up the hill toward Insurgentes is just about the worst stretch of pot hole infested highway in all of BCS. Never understood that. Maybe the government was waiting for Villa Group to pay for improvements. I dunno.

A last thought is that Villa Group has resorts in virtually all of the major Mexican resort towns. The nature of their projects is to attract families. So, let's ays you are an owner at Villa Group. You bring down an extended family because their units mostly cater to 6-12 occupancy. Would you rather be able to walk around Puerto Vallarta or Cabo, or be out there at Ensenada Blanca?

MexicoTed - 9-17-2013 at 11:06 PM

Even though I always thought the idea of such a huge resort on Ensenada Blanca was ridiculous and would take away from the locals and the environment, I must admit I was surprised when I stayed there last May. And I had stayed at both El Santuario and Danzante in the past.

I took Baja Blanca up on one of these free flights on Alaska to Loreto, and even though I wasn't required to at the Villa resort, they offered my a great deal and I took it. I usually like smaller hotels with charm, but decided to think out of the box.

My experience there was actually better than I expected. Obviously, it's a newer resort, but the rooms were great, the pools incredible, and I actually found the food to be pretty good. The water activities were nice too; paddle boarding and kayaking. And, I liked being in such a remote location and staying in a nice resort.

I also took the time to explore and on one of my walks I went to the village. I caught up with two employees of the hotel; a security guard and a maid. As we walked we spoke about how it was before. We also spoke about Loreto etc. They both told me they had trouble finding work in Loreto and that they were very happy with their job at Villa del Palmar. Many of the workers came from other parts of Mexico, but the resort hired locals too. I know they might have said this because I was a guest, but they both told me they were paid more and were treated well.

And as far as guest when I was there, it was mainly families and also two couples on their honeymoon who said they came there to get away from the resort towns. I'd say the resort had about 75-90 people staying there.

One last thing. I had spoke with the US marketing team for the resort and they did tell me that they were subsidizing a good portion of the Alaska flights to Loreto. So if they closed up shop, I am sure it would affect flights which would be a shame.

Anyway, I had an experience there that was the opposite of what I was expecting. I enjoyed it.

wilderone - 9-18-2013 at 08:50 AM

I don't doubt that one could enjoy a new hotel on a beach with a pool - to an extent. The problem is that this type of business is in competition with other tourist lodging and there is a lot of competition. Seems to me Ensenada Blanca would fall into a category of off-the-beaten path getaway - no discos, bars, shopping mall, Mexican village ambiance. Not a fishing lodge, snorkling so-so. Essentially, a quiet room on a quiet beach. LOTS of other choices in Baja and mainland Mexico for that and a whole lot more. You're sitting at home looking at Trip Advisor, reading about all the fun and adventure your vacation dollar can reap. Why would you choose Ensenada Blanca? Personally, I would be bored to death after 2 hours. One would necessarily have to go to Loreto for a semblance of vacation action - so why didn't they just build it on the outskirts of Loreto - close enough for one of those motorcycle jitneys to take you to town (like Mazatlan). Poorly planned - and they should know better.

David K - 9-18-2013 at 11:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
I don't doubt that one could enjoy a new hotel on a beach with a pool - to an extent. The problem is that this type of business is in competition with other tourist lodging and there is a lot of competition. Seems to me Ensenada Blanca would fall into a category of off-the-beaten path getaway - no discos, bars, shopping mall, Mexican village ambiance. Not a fishing lodge, snorkling so-so. Essentially, a quiet room on a quiet beach. LOTS of other choices in Baja and mainland Mexico for that and a whole lot more. You're sitting at home looking at Trip Advisor, reading about all the fun and adventure your vacation dollar can reap. Why would you choose Ensenada Blanca? Personally, I would be bored to death after 2 hours. One would necessarily have to go to Loreto for a semblance of vacation action - so why didn't they just build it on the outskirts of Loreto - close enough for one of those motorcycle jitneys to take you to town (like Mazatlan). Poorly planned - and they should know better.


There's a mission trail to Agua Verde from Ensenada Blanca (actually from Ligui mission)! Marv Patchen wrote about it when he, Aletha and others hiked it... see Desert Magazine Oct. & Nov. 1974 (link below) or Marv and Aletha's great book 'Baja Adventures by Land/Air/Sea' c1981.



http://dezertmagazine.com/mine/1974DM10/index.html

http://dezertmagazine.com/mine/1974DM11/index.html

[Edited on 9-19-2013 by David K]

chuckie - 9-19-2013 at 02:46 AM

I should think it would be ideally suited to our younger generation. TV, internet, A/C..They wouldnt even have to go outdoors.....

MexicoTed - 9-19-2013 at 09:05 AM

Chuckie you might be right. I hung out on the beach with the two couples on their honeymoon and both of them commented how they could of chosen a Mexican resort town, but wanted to be away from everything and "experience" nature. BUT they needed internet access, the nice amenities etc. to keep in touch I guess.

They did go to the islands, one couple hiked each day long distance, paddled boarded, went diving, etc. Different type of travelers now I guess.

It's too bad because that hotel probably could have worked better at about 1/4 the size. We'll see.