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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Coffee
I really don't like Starbucks, but these are good for travel.....all you need is hot water
http://www.starbucks.com/coffee/via
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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Not too worried about it since I forget about the discount usually anyway...but people should know they need the card and it expires. They also gave
AAA discounts etc at one time.Don't know if they still do.
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
and you have to have the card. Last time I stayed there they said no card-no discount |
I suppose anybody can read Nomad and claim they are a registered member? The discount is like $3-4... since the rooms are less than $40. You could ask
to talk to Antonio if necessary. The Nomad card is free... Doug has posted the link for it if you can't find it.
Here it is Ralph: http://www.bajanomad.com/club/card.htm
[Edited on 1-23-2011 by David K] |
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
It is a lovely place to stay.
I have many times before and after this single incident.
However, about a year ago the clerk insisted on keeping my ID when I checked in, assured it would be in a safe place overnight.
As I checked out the next morning the day-clerk left the office and went directly to my room, saying he was "going to check it out". I felt the need
to follow, and did. Come to find out he wanted to see that I'd left the very soft, new and comfortable pillows (4 in number) behind, i.e. not "lifted"
them.
Then and only then was my passport returned to me.
I understand the need for security-- and my golly those pillows were really nice-- but this whole event made me feel rather uncomfortable.
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I have stayed there for years. I have met Antonio on numerous occasions and also give my BajaNomad number when/if I make a reservation. If I walk in
without a reservation I still show my Nomad ID.
Nevertheless, they have always held my CA driver's License overnight and have always done the room inspection upon checkout. It did
make me nervous the first time. For one thing, they have my credit card information if I use it. They also have my vital information which is on my
driver's license.
After the first time, I became more comfortable with the procedure. I realize that it is Antonio's policy and I understand the reason. Being in the
motel business they must have the occasional bad apple who steals stuff. However, this is the only business in the world, that I have experienced,
that insists on holding your ID. Once in awhile a bartender, somewhere, will want to hang onto my credit card if I start a tab. I refuse. I never let
it out of my sight! It provides the opportunity for ID theft. Furthermore, if the clerk and/or I get distracted and forget to give/get it back, I am
really in a bind.
I have never brought it up with Antonio. I would like him to know that, with ID theft running rampant, people are reluctant to surrender their ID for
them to hold. It is a leap of faith on our (the customer's) part. If I didn't know Antonio and trust him, and if I hadn't read about the Baja Cactus
(posted by DK), before my first stay, I would be inclined to walk out. Holding one's ID is very off-putish! (Uh oh...that last work looks like a bad
word in Spanish, but it is not intended to be.  
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
Member Is Offline
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We stayed there en route. I think it is about as good of a stopover motel as can be made so close to the thoroughfare. It is walking distance to
several good places to eat. You leave the next morning feeling clean. It's all good except for the overflow parking lot. My rig might have been safe
there, but I would have had a nagging feeling all night if I didn't carry all my stuff in the room and carry it all back out the next morning. If I
had one of those close parking spots, I could have rested more assured without all the extra work.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
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yes it happens. a number of years ago they gave me the wrong License back which I didn't catch until way later - oMy bad or not being more attentive
(surprised the store clerk when I showed him a ladies Arizona DL)...and I know of one other person (which I will not embarrass) that left his passport
behind.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
We stayed there en route. I think it is about as good of a stopover motel as can be so close to the thoroughfare. It is walking distance to several
good places to eat. You leave the next morning feeling clean. It's all good except for the overflow parking lot. My rig might have been safe there,
but I would have had a nagging feeling all night if I didn't carry all my stuff in the room and carry it all back out the next morning. If I had one
of those close parking spots, I could have rested more assured without all the extra work. |
I too should have added that it is a great motel! The cleanest, best accommodations one could want. I don't think I have ever asked for, or have been
offered a Nomad discount. It never occurred to me.
In regards to the overflow parking lot, they do lock the gate around 11 PM. They also have a security guy who roams around at night. I have often left
my trailer in there with no problem. I believe they also have a remote camera for the parking lot, somewhere in the lobby.
In addition, they allow owners of motorhomes, campers and trailers to stay in their vehicles overnight if there is room in the parking lot. That too,
is added security. I don't know what they have to pay; I have always taken a room. I usually meet those guys and they have always been nice people.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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I have to agree with Zac. Given the quality and value at "rack rate", why even think about asking for a discount? At the rates he charges, you gotta
know that Antonio is running on a thin margin. I can think of a number of hotels up and down Baja that I wouldn't think twice about haggling for a
discount. But not Baja Cactus.
As for those who mentioned the front desk asking to hold you ID upon check-in, It happened twice to us. Upon thinking about it, I recall having to
surrender my passport upon check-in at hotels in several foreign countries. Is Baja Cactus still doing this?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64848
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, it was common in Europe back in '85 when I was on tour, to hold our passports when we checked into hotel rooms, even though we were traveling
with a tour group.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18377
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Yes, it was common in Europe back in '85 when I was on tour, to hold our passports when we checked into hotel rooms, even though we were traveling
with a tour group. |
dk: a lot has changed in 26 years! in old days europeans were asking for your passport to register your visit with the police. don't think that is
what baja cactus is doing -- they are just holding your valuable(s) hostage so you don't trash the room or steal the TV
re leaving drivers licenses with hotels of rental agencies, i carry my expired DL with me and leave that when people ask to hold DL. i don't care
about losing expired ID cards.
but watch out, i forgot one day and gave the expired ID to TSA at airport - they harrassed me for carrying 2 IDs (luckily they did not send me in back
for a groping)
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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We traveled extensively throughout Europe last year and in no country did they ask to keep our documetns:
POLAND
GERMANY
FRANCE
ITALY
SLOVAKIA
CZECK REP
(we went to Hungary and Austria but didnt stay over)
In Italy they wanted to write down our passport number in order to let us use the internet in an internet cafe and we refused. Went to the local
McDonald's and used the wifi and later on had friends who were Italian sign in so we could use the computers. But isn't asking for a passport to use
the internet just the oddest request ?
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Greece comes to mind. I specifically recall that happening in Athens. That said, perhaps as the EU has gradually sunk into the minds of the Europeans,
it may no longer happen. After all, unlike North America, a citizen of an EU country may travel throughout with nothing more than a photo ID.
As for Antonio's practice, I mentioned it before. He's working on a razor thin margin, and has rooms with top notch amentities. Perhaps it's the price
you pay for the price you pay.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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and obviously, something happened at Baja Cactus to make this be the norm.
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karmatourer
Nomad
Posts: 118
Registered: 12-2-2010
Location: SW Fla.
Member Is Offline
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Sounds like an overnight stay is in the works on the way down.Is it safe to park my moto there overnight-ie,is there a gate to close in the late
evening or can I just roll it into the room (it's almost new and very clean).
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3511
Registered: 8-27-2003
Member Is Online
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I've always wondered what would happen if you got in an accident and the policia wanted your drivers license? It seems to me that a $10 or $20
deposit would do the same thing and is common at many places in Baja.
The other problem is often we get up at 5:00am to leave and you have to go find the night watchman, sometimes not so easy, to open up and get your ID
back.
Having said this, we will still stay there as it's a great place run by a good man and family.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by karmatourer
Sounds like an overnight stay is in the works on the way down.Is it safe to park my moto there overnight-ie,is there a gate to close in the late
evening or can I just roll it into the room (it's almost new and very clean). |
The fenced lot to the side is usually locked at night but I'm not sure I'd chance it with a new bike.
The older rooms towards the road should be easy to get your bike into - ground floor (and you'll sleep better not worrying about your bike). They are
a bit dated as compared to the rooms in the newer building but clean and comfortable.
[Edited on 1-31-2011 by Diver]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: |
In regards to the overflow parking lot, they do lock the gate around 11 PM. They also have a security guy who roams around at night. I have often left
my trailer in there with no problem. I believe they also have a remote camera for the parking lot, somewhere in the lobby.
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i always look at that low back wall. it would take minutes to scale it, cut my board racks and be gone with my boards....
my boards are like pets. they go everywhere with me, including inside my room!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64848
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Just FYI, there are security cameras covering motel grounds, lobby and the overflow (gated) parking area....
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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how does a camera help when your stuff is gone in the morning? not saying there are theivery problems, but it only takes once to ruin someones trip.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18377
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
how does a camera help when your stuff is gone in the morning? not saying there are theivery problems, but it only takes once to ruin someones trip.
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perhaps the crackerjack security guards watch the cameras, and spring into action at first indication of thieves in the compound.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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the guy roaming the grounds?
so let's say i'm a dirtbag who wants to snatch some boards from a parking lot. i know there is a roaming guard. even though i'm a dirtbag i still am
sorta smart (i graduated 3rd grade!) for my age. i wait until the guy pokes his head around the corner to scan the lot and as soon as he continues on
his way i jump the wall. 2 swipes of my really sharp knife gets me two boards, which are over the wall before the roaming guard even takes 20 steps.
cameras don't deter crime. cameras record the crime. just ask the Geezer Bandit......
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