BajaNomad - Mini-Hotel Cabana Linda, Catavina

Why do some people say the Catavina Hotel Mision is overpriced?

Because of people's different financial situations???

But, I agree... for all they provide it is a bargain. I've stayed there a couple times long ago. I've just never been comfortable with the parking and lack of security there.

[Edited on 11-14-2018 by Pacifico]

gueribo - 11-13-2018 at 08:47 PM

Thanks for all these reviews, bajamary. Super helpful.

weebray - 11-14-2018 at 01:34 PM

Thank's for the review. I have been holding my tongue about Hotel Mission, a place we looked forward to every trip. Over the years their prices have outpaced reasonable inflation. But pesos aren't the problem. The problem is the abortion they recently attached to the N. end of one of the most charming motels in Mexico. They had to look no further than the front door to come up with a design for their badly needed expansion. Instead they slapped up the cheapest imitation of a poorly built motel four and a half. Not even a six. A fie on the owners. An insult.

bajamary1952 - 1-3-2019 at 05:39 PM

I drove by this motel today and locals told me it is CLOSED! There was no one around except the adjoining eating place.

bajatrailrider - 1-3-2019 at 09:12 PM

Dang I'm not picky but that place real bad. Lights did not work hot water not working. Cold shower water flooded bathroom room. The food they serve real bad. I now make a point to just pass the whole place.

thebajarunner - 1-4-2019 at 02:24 PM

So many side roads in Catavina for awesome scenic camping out.
Take a cot
Sleep under the stars
Catavina is the best camping spot on the entire peninsula

chippy - 1-4-2019 at 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

So many side roads in Catavina for awesome scenic camping out.
Take a cot
Sleep under the stars
Catavina is the best camping spot on the entire peninsula

I agree but this time of year I´ve woken up a few times freezing my but off with ice on my sleeping bag

David K - 1-4-2019 at 05:27 PM

Desert Bull just posted it is snowing on Hwy. 1 and attached a Mexican family video of snow falling 2-1/2 hrs north of Guerrero Negro. Looks like north of Laguna Chapala desert.

Frost on the bag- part of the Baja Experience

thebajarunner - 1-4-2019 at 06:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

So many side roads in Catavina for awesome scenic camping out.
Take a cot
Sleep under the stars
Catavina is the best camping spot on the entire peninsula

I agree but this time of year I´ve woken up a few times freezing my but off with ice on my sleeping bag

We usually go down in February, always sleep out under the stars
Frost on the bag is better than dew, at least you can shake it off and dry the bag quicker.
Been frosted often at Meling, Catavina and Potrero en route home.
It just adds to the fun
(Also helps to wear some thermal stuff)

Skipjack Joe - 1-6-2019 at 12:11 PM

Why do some people say the Catavina Hotel Mision is overpriced? Given where they are, they have to run everything by generator, haul all their supplies in, and still provide nice rooms, swimming pool, and an excellent restaurant...Some would think it is a bargain.

The restaurant charges you for the usage of their wifi. I've never experienced that in any other restaurant in Baja. That was a turn off for me.

Lee - 1-6-2019 at 02:45 PM

The restaurant charges you for the usage of their wifi. I've never experienced that in any other restaurant in Baja. That was a turn off for me.

Mision charges what the public will pay. To me, considering location, it's not overpriced. In GN, that would be overpriced. Never stayed there and never will. I've seen the rooms and they are fine and pool is nice.

I pay $140/night for a 2 bedroom suite full kitchen in Loreto. JZ would know what it costs at Mision on the malecon.

Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Skipjack Joe - 1-7-2019 at 04:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

The restaurant charges you for the usage of their wifi. I've never experienced that in any other restaurant in Baja. That was a turn off for me.

I agree. The price gouging occurs because they have no competition and can dictate their prices. But charging for Wifi usage in a restaurant is just bad business. Baja travelers often pick restaurants just to look at their emails while having lunch.

mtgoat666 - 1-7-2019 at 06:31 AM

The restaurant charges you for the usage of their wifi. I've never experienced that in any other restaurant in Baja. That was a turn off for me.

Their internet is satellite service. They have to do something to throttle usage. Fee/data cap is their way to offer you internet at off-grid location.

mjs - 1-7-2019 at 08:37 AM

Never thought I'd agree w/goat but yeah, their internet access costs them about $7/Gb. A couple guests streaming FB video can go through that pretty quickly. While I can live without most of the customers don't seem to mind paying for access. Which then becomes an issue with to many people trying to use to much data on a limited connection. Maybe their internet price is to low?

As for staying there, no complaints here. Even the new rooms in back (the old garage / generator building) are fine.

weebray - 1-7-2019 at 09:05 AM

Catavina Hotel Mission. And who among us is going to stand up and defend the useless appurtenance they recently attached to their north end? A slap in the face to the artisans that created the original masterpiece. It tells a lot about the mindset of the current owners. No class or respect. Avoid the dump, they only cater to money. (Rich European bikers) This kind of crass commercialism should not be encouraged.

[Edited on 1-7-2019 by weebray]

mjs - 1-7-2019 at 10:01 AM

Those rooms on the north end have been there for years. Were reserved for the truck drivers or those who knew to ask when the main hotel was full. Not advertised to the general public as you had to listen to the generator run all night. When they moved the generator across the road they converted the garage to three new rooms and opened up the other existing rooms to the GP.

You may not like them since they don't open to the pool / courtyard but I'd rather sleep there than at the mini-hotel (which I've done).

You're certainly free to sleep elsewhere. It's not the cheapest place in Baja but certainly not the most expensive either.

BTW, last time I was there (Nov), no European bikers but two groups of Mexican bikers from the mainland. Along with some off-roaders, some families and my group. All travelers looking for a clean bed and a decent meal in the middle of a very picturesque dessert. I don't think any of us were disappointed. YMMV.

weebray - 1-7-2019 at 11:12 AM

They did more than just remodel the garage. And they butchered the remod. It's the worst of new world Mexico. A wort on the bum of the Mona Lisa. Exploitation, spawned by the chance of location. The should be ashamed. Go ahead and stay there. If we support them they will add another story where the patio is.

Skipjack Joe - 1-7-2019 at 10:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

The restaurant charges you for the usage of their wifi. I've never experienced that in any other restaurant in Baja. That was a turn off for me.

Their internet is satellite service. They have to do something to throttle usage. Fee/data cap is their way to offer you internet at off-grid location.

weebray - 1-9-2019 at 08:07 AM

Suspicions confirmed. Friends were recently forced to stay in the "new" wing at hotel mission due to an abundance of French bikers. Their report was that when an architect was called for they sent a butcher. When albanil's were called for they sent car washers armed with rusty screwdrivers. May their cervezas always taste like warm pond scum.

El Cabrito - 1-13-2019 at 10:05 AM

Hi,

Does anyone know if they accept dogs at the Hotel Mission Catavina?

jedge42 - 1-13-2019 at 10:41 AM

Hi,

Does anyone know if they accept dogs at the Hotel Mission Catavina?

We have stayed there several times with our (~25kg) dog. I think they charge a bit extra for a pet fee, but no problem with her staying.

jake

El Cabrito - 1-13-2019 at 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jedge42

Hi,

Does anyone know if they accept dogs at the Hotel Mission Catavina?

We have stayed there several times with our (~25kg) dog. I think they charge a bit extra for a pet fee, but no problem with her staying.

jake

Thanks a lot Jake!

weebray - 1-13-2019 at 05:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jedge42

Hi,

Does anyone know if they accept dogs at the Hotel Mission Catavina?

We have stayed there several times with our (~25kg) dog. I think they charge a bit extra for a pet fee, but no problem with her staying.

jake

Thanks a lot Jake!

They do charge a BIT more for your dog, it is treated as if it were another person. I don't have my notes handy but I think it was 225 pesos. Point is, it was not "a bit".

jedge42 - 1-14-2019 at 07:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray

Quote: Originally posted by jedge42

Hi,

Does anyone know if they accept dogs at the Hotel Mission Catavina?

We have stayed there several times with our (~25kg) dog. I think they charge a bit extra for a pet fee, but no problem with her staying.

jake

Thanks a lot Jake!

They do charge a BIT more for your dog, it is treated as if it were another person. I don't have my notes handy but I think it was 225 pesos. Point is, it was not "a bit".

Ten bucks sounds about right; I don't remember for sure. We love the hotel, grounds, restaurant, and such, so it wasn't a big deal for us. Cataviña is a magical place ...

jake

weebray - 1-14-2019 at 08:42 AM

You are right, it's all about perspective. I will continue to ignore the place. Peace

CaboMagic - 1-26-2019 at 04:51 PM

Is this the place in discussion ? https://www.misionsantamariahoteles.com/catavina.html
Was this La Pinta 20+/- years ago ?
Thank you, Lori

David K - 1-26-2019 at 04:55 PM

The Hotel Cabaña Linda (that this thread is about) is the little motel on the east side of the highway.

The Hotel Misión Cataviña is the former Desert Inn/ La Pinta/ El Presidente (original Cataviña hotel).

norte - 1-26-2019 at 05:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray

Catavina Hotel Mission. And who among us is going to stand up and defend the useless appurtenance they recently attached to their north end? A slap in the face to the artisans that created the original masterpiece. It tells a lot about the mindset of the current owners. No class or respect. Avoid the dump, they only cater to money. (Rich European bikers) This kind of crass commercialism should not be encouraged.

[Edited on 1-7-2019 by weebray]

So you vote for the bedbugs? or do you have an alternative in the same area.

David K - 1-27-2019 at 09:47 AM

Is anyone operating the bunk rooms at Rancho Santa Ynez (2 kms south of the hotel)? Are Oscar and Matilda still there?
It was pretty deserted looking when I checked it out in 2017. We used to enjoy lunch at Santa Ynez over the years, 1980s-2000s.

weebray - 1-27-2019 at 11:05 AM

You can throw up all the "...and when did you stop beating your wife?" nonsense arguments you like. I'll stand by my assessment of the dump - alternatives?? You figure it out, others have gone before you.

David K - 1-27-2019 at 11:19 AM

???

norte - 1-27-2019 at 11:29 AM

???? sounds like an overdose of CDB.

willardguy - 1-27-2019 at 11:41 AM