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Anonymous
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Runaround at Alphonsinas
Just curious if anybody else has ever experienced this...
Last October, we went down to Alphonsinas as part of a MC trip (6 guys). We had previously made reservations by telephone (and we did have
reservations). We pull up to Alphonsinas and asked for our rooms, we were told by the head guy (Antonio?) that he had no reservations under our name
and no available rooms (BTW, the place looked almost deserted, a few folks sipping drinks on the patio but no vehicles in the parking lot, etc).
While he was vehemently denying that we had reservations, I look down to his reservation book and see my name. I point this out to him but he says
that it's for another date. He was not very pleasant either. It was almost as if he wanted us to beg him for a room. By then, my traveling companion
(who speaks fluent Spanish) was getting peeed and we were ready to head out and look for lodging. Then Antonio says, "wait a minute" or something
like that and looks around and said, "I can get you a room". We wait a few more minutes and, voila, 2 rooms magically are freed up. Needless to say,
we took the rooms but were sort of disillusioned by the whole experience. Believe me, our tipping at the end of the trip was heavily influenced by
the "misunderstanding" at the beginning of the trip. It was weird. After we got checked in, the head guy seemed very attentive and friendly and we
enjoyed ourselves immensely. Does he do this often? I know what you're thinking, 6 gringos with foul mouths, and no manners...Believe me, we had no
communication problem, we were not rude in any way or form and were not condescending in any manner also. I was tihinking about going back there to
visit and I mentionend that I was thinking about staying at Alphonsinas and he repeated pretty much the same story from some other people (unrelated)
that experienced this also. Thanks for any input, if not Alphonsinas, where else is a great spot to go to.
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Anonymous
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Sorry, must have had a run on... The last part of my letter should read like this...
I was thinking about going back to Gonzaga to visit and I mentioned to another friend that I was thinking about staying at Alphonsinas again and he
repeated pretty much the same story from some other people (unrelated) that experienced this misunderstanding also. Thanks for any input, if not
Alphonsinas, where else is a great spot to go to.
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Anonymous
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Alfonsina's
I'm having some kind of password trouble so I'm back to Anon. We are 10-12 year veterans at Alfonsina's and Antonio gave us the same routine last
month. While trying to check in he was very unfriendly and knew nothing about our reservations. He managed to "find" us three rooms all on the ocean
side; and the next day he was sweetness and light! He even remembered that one of the regulars wasn't with us; and checked on us a couple of times
over the stay. I can't figure it out. They were turning people away while we were there; but the standard answer (no matter what stinking papers you
had) was that they didn't have the reservation. Moral to the story is to just show up and take your chances. If he can't find rooms head across the
bay to Papa's.
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Sharksbaja
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he is probably just having "brain farts" as do all of us....but seems pretty rude.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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yankeeirishman
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and he lost good future bucks
Yeah, yeah! Old story this "fonz' joint. It seems that it's real popular with many...good food (there is!), good service (there is!) cheap rooms
(there was!). Your story is the same as my story I posted this past year. The rude aspiring fool (sounds like the same guy you had) told us.....after
looking in the sky for three minutes, that he had no rooms. Vacant parking lot on a Tuesday. A vast change from the first time we went
there...f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c.! I now tell all of my friends to sleep in their cars before going to that idiot again. He lost good future bucks with my
crowd. But watch this post,,,there be a lot of others telling you he was just having a bad day. Whatever?.1300 miles from home and in need of a room.
What control freaks there are here. Don\'t believe that post you just read!
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eetdrt88
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alfonsina's is one of the greatest spots to hang out in baja,i've had alot of fun there and met some very interesting characters....Antonio is a great
guy,but i've got to say he does like drama....more than once we've shown up for dinner and he's said that they're closed or out of food,then he gets
to listen to a bunch of grumbling and groaning from some hungry gringos and their kids but just as were ready to walk away....."Wait,come in I'll
make you something" and it always turns out to be a feast I think you have to see it from his perspective....he spends every day of his life at
that unbelievable spot....he probably needs to see a little drama every now and then
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Ken Bondy
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We were there also in October of last year. Had no problems with our reservations (three rooms) and Antonio was extremely pleasant and helpful for
our entire stay. We even had a car problem, and he went beyond the call of duty in helping us. For a tedious description of this see
http://www.kenbondy.com/images/ProfessionalArticles/Baja2004...
I am amazed that Antonio acted like this to several of you. We sure didn't see anything like that.
++Ken++
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Anonymous
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Yankee, Sharks, and Anon,
Thanks for the feedback, I really needed to validate whether or not this was a mistake or an ongoing problem. I really loved the atmosphere at
Alphonsinas (beside the check-in fiasco) and all in all we had a great time. But I don't want to do that all over again, especially if I have guests
that I'm taking to Baja and telling them that this place is great, yada-yada and then have this happen again. Thanks.
ps I do have a login for this forum but I'm having brain farts also and can't seem to get it right.
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meme
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Antonio/Alfonsinas
We arrived ther about a month agho also and had a similar experience! He said sorry no rooms! I forgot to mention we had no reservations! We were on
our way back via BOLa from Mulege. So when My husband asked if I wanted to just have a beer I said "No" we will need to get on our way to San Felipe
(HOME) as no rooms! All of a sudden Antonio says come let me look? So Jim went with him to look? All of a sudden he says you need two rooms OK! He
suddenly had two rooms! Did I mention they cost us $60 a nite each? Well they did! Last year they were $45 a nite! Seems like a BIG increase to
me!!!!!! 
Next we had 4 couples we knew arrive from San Felipe headed for BOLA! Antonio says "sorry no rooms he is expecting a big bunch of motorcycles (same
story he told us")
But, they said "OH No" we have reservations for 8 here made thru Alfonsinas son in Chula Vista. So Antonio says ok let me look? He does and VIOLA!! He
suddenly has 4 more rooms!!!!! We heard at $70 a nite!!
So looks to me like this is some kinda scam he's got going but not sure just what? Other than he is getting BIGGGGG Bucks for being the only game in
town!!!
Looks like someone needs to build a new motel in Gonzaga Bay!!! BTW! The rooms at Punta Bufeo are terible so sure not interested in staying there!!!
Cannot figure out WHY they don't get them fixed up and make some of the $$$ Alfonsina's does? I know you people that live at Gonzaga are not anxious
for others to come there but< Get used to it! It's gonna happen anyway! We have been going there at least once a year for 7 years! Will continue
I'm sure but sure don't much like what's going on there at Alfonsinas right now? Today Jim has taken (with friends with him) some new wind generator
blades(FREE) to Antonio at Alfonsinas as when we were there they had a wind storm and there's were all broken off. Would be nice to know we would not
be scammed for more $$$ next time we go there! We are always ready to help ALL of these people out so not very nice when we get taken for a ride! We
are not looking for any Freebies just looking for FAIR!!!
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David K
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Baja Angel and I stopped at Alfonsina's for a drink and to show her the place... this was January 2, on our way home from L.A. Bay http://vivabaja.com/105
Antonio greeted us like old friends (I go there 1-2 times a year is all) and it was Liz' first time.
Right away... Antonio offers us margaritas (on the house) for New Years...!!! I think he remembered me from the past two Thanksgivings, as I was a
guest of Doug Bowles and Brandi (each have homes on the beach, there)... also, he asked me to sign a Viva Baja sticker to replace one that was removed
from the sticker wall by some low life...
Perhaps he is tense without Irma there helping (unless she is back)? Antonio is not an owner, just a long time manager... Alfonsina and her sons
Joaquin and Roman own the place.
I suggest coming with camping gear, and stay at Campo Beluga (a couple miles south) if either Alfonsina's is full or Antonio's price is too high. Do
have dinner there, however!
[Edited on 5-10-2005 by David K]
[Edited on 5-10-2005 by David K]
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White Angel
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Ole Jauquin
Hey; found my "new" password! Anyway, Irma was not around in early April. I asked Antonio where she was and got no information other than a location.
I'm thinking that Antonio's problem is with Jauquin. Communication has never been a strong point down there. Phone numbers change; FAX's go
unanswered; the tienda down the air strip won't take messages anymore; and Jauquin never says "NO". So Antonio is left holding the bag. Perhaps if he
says "NO" and plays dumb, the folks without reservations just go away? It is a great spot and the food is good. I'd hate to think how popular it could
become with just a minimal amount of effort to accomadate reservations! The last few times we've been there the Yahoos with jet skis; jet boats; ATV's
and anything else they could power up were at it 18 hrs a day. That's not what we go to Gonzaga for. It's what we're trying to get away from. Maybe
Antonio should give out his own "good guestcards" and you flash it upon arrival-helps him remember that there are a few rooms availible.
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David K
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Yah, a sort of 'Club Gonzaga Bay Ole'
The only time I saw jet skis was when some (wealthy?) Mexican vacationers were staying at the motel... To each his own... I don't own any, but I
wouldn't cry if they were having fun on them... Having 4WD, I can always go to a beach away from others.
Here is the beach at Alfonsina's on Jan. 2...
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yankeeirishman
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I had land sharks all over me last year when I posted that this joint was a rude awakening!
Perhaps one of alfonsina's buddies here at the forum should copy this post and give it to him! The ?in crowd? may get it nice there?but what about
us?! Feed this joint to the sharks, I say.
By the way...real nice camps in that same area. Take a solar shower bag with ya.
What control freaks there are here. Don\'t believe that post you just read!
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BajaRob
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Alfonsinas
We stopped by for breakfast on the way down to GN on 3/8 and for dinner on the way home 3/10. Antonio was extremely gracious to our party of 10 both
ways. The food and service was excellent. For dinner he asked that we allow him to chose and prepare our meal. We agreed and what followed was
awesome. We were served a huge platter of fried shrimp and a huge platter of fried fish along with everything to build killer tacos along with rice
and beans. We can no longer drive by without stopping......... Rob
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eetdrt88
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Do not...
i repeat do not do as David K says and go down the beach and camp at Beluga....that place is terrible
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bajabob
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Got my password figured out...
Thanks for the information; I do agree with BajaRob that the food and hospitality was awesome once you got into the place. But that Antonio must have
a Sybil-like personality thing going on...
P.S. eedrt, Is the beach at Beluga bad or are you just joking?
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meme
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The food IS GREAT there! I'm sure unless or until there are other places to stay at Gozaga Bay we will continue to go there. I have outgrown camping
for sure! Motels are much nicer & easier(no solar shower bags) tho ofcourse more spendy! NOTHING changes the way these people operate UNTIl they
are READY to! So I guess we will all suffer along with Antonio until he chooses to change his ways?He has never been rude to anyone I know, just this
strange thing he now has regarding roomS!
BTW Jim had Pescado Ranchero there yesterday & As USUAL it was GREAT!
Antonio thanked him for the wind generator blades and said he would get them up today!
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A-OK
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| Quote: | Originally posted by eetdrt88
i repeat do not do as David K says and go down the beach and camp at Beluga....that place is terrible |
I second that.......Campo Beluga is a dump
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David K
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BajaBob (and others), they are joking with you... But 'lol' should be included with such "funny" statements.
It is like the 'Seven Sisters', ie. gringo name for unspecified points of awesome surf... not enough info. so the newbie can figure out where.
The Campo Beluga thing is a business however, and if that fellow (an American citizen of Mexican heritage who got fed up with civilization) doesn't
get enough business, then it will be gone. Everything I read has been positive... I only visited the place briefly to get the GPS for it and map the
roads to it.
So, don't keep Beluga a secret... it is plenty big enough for Nomad group camps as well as your solo camp. I read he was even going to open a small
tienda... The two story palapas are cool.
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Corky1
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Bob,
Good to see you finally remembered who you were??
I stayed there one night about 2 yrs ago. Nothing to fancy at the time but the shower water was hot. (well maybe warm)
Give it a try
Corky 
 
\"Keep The Rubberside Down\" |
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