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tripledigitken
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a night in Cataviņa
Recently it was posted that the Los Pinos Group has bought the La Pinta in Catavina and will be upgrading the property. This is good news if they
mirror the work they have done in San Quintin at the old La Pinta, including lowering the prices.
We stayed overnight in Catavina heading north this trip as I wanted to get some evening shots there. We usually push on through to San Quintin
heading back home.
Well the prices are the same $89.00 (they gave us a 10% discount with Discover Baja). Why they haven't lowered the prices in the interim is beyond
me. The central areas in the courtyards were being remodeled with some colored concrete. In fact they started pouring concrete at 6:30 a.m. So much
for customer relations. I really hope they turn this property around and improve the staff as well. After staying at some hotels this trip with
really gracious owners/staff, it was a stark contrast to this property. Jardines, Iquana Inn, & Hotel Hacienda were all less per night, some by
over 40%!
The evening light was really good, by the way!
[Edited on 3-20-2011 by tripledigitken]
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Frank
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Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
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It sure does pay to wait for golden hour. You made some great shots Ken!
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Russ
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Niiiice!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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BigWooo
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Great Stuff Ken!
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Recently it was posted that the Los Pinos Group has bought the La Pinta in Catavina and will be upgrading the property. This is good news if they
mirror the work they have done in San Quintin at the old La Pinta, including lowering the prices.
We stayed overnight in Catavina heading north this trip as I wanted to get some evening shots there. We usually push on through to San Quintin
heading back home.
Well the prices are the same $89.00 (they gave us a 10% discount with Discover Baja). Why they haven't lowered the prices in the interim is beyond
me. The central areas in the courtyards were being remodeled with some colored concrete. In fact they started pouring concrete at 6:30 a.m. So much
for customer relations. I really hope they turn this property around and improve the staff as well. After staying at some hotels this trip with
really gracious owners/staff, it was a stark contrast to this property. Jardines, Iquana Inn, & Hotel Hacienda were all less per night, some by
over 40%!
The evening light was really good, by the way!
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I really love this time of day for desert photos... I can almost feel the air and hear the sounds! Thanks Ken.
Pricing will probably always be higher in Cataviņa because it is 100 miles from San Quintin and 230 miles from Ensenada where supplies would come
from... and they have to pay folks extra probably to live out there with not much else to do when they are not working (no theatres, restaurants,
doctors, etc.).
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Lauriboats
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Beautiful photos! I love that area.
What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
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Ken Bondy
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Beautiful Ken, bravo!! That is such a gorgeous, unique area and you really captured it well.
carpe diem!
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Bajahowodd
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They are magificent photos, Ken.
As to your comment about the rack rate, plus the construction-
I was wondering what the occupancy rate was the night you stayed. It was still, afterall,whale watching season, and we have experienced customers
being turned away during those months, if they didn't already have a reservation.
I completely agree with your observation about the many other excellent hotels that are far more welcoming, have far better amenities, and charge
less. Not so sure I would go with DK's observation, as much as the simple fact that unless you are camping, or are in an RV, this place is the only
game in town.
The early morning construction reminds me of some three years ago when we stayed at the Desert Inn in San Ignacio. They were remodeling the rooms and
started jack-hammering the tile floors at the crack of dawn!
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tripledigitken
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Thanks for the kind comments on the photos!
I will guess that there were 6 other rooms occupied. Only one other party was in the restaurant for dinner while we were there.
Note about whale season.
When we got our FMT's in SY the guy said that there were many tourists this year. (thought to myself just a spin, but no...!?)
Talking to Guillermo at Jardines, he said the same thing.
Pulling into Guerrero Negro at 4pm we went to Mallarimo no vacancy, none at Las Caracoles, none at Cowboy, stayed at El Morro.
Saw more gringo tourists on the road this trip as I have seen in 4 years!
Ken
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bajaguy
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Cowboy
We were at the Cowboy on the 16th, 17th and tonight, the 18th.......outstanding whale watching trip in Guerrero Negro with Shari!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, plenty of Nomads.....Shari, Standingwave, Woody, Santiago, Bajaguy, Bajablonde, Mulegenia and Bonanza Bucko
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Bajahowodd
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El Morro
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
Thanks for the kind comments on the photos!
I will guess that there were 6 other rooms occupied. Only one other party was in the restaurant for dinner while we were there.
Note about whale season.
When we got our FMT's in SY the guy said that there were many tourists this year. (thought to myself just a spin, but no...!?)
Talking to Guillermo at Jardines, he said the same thing.
Pulling into Guerrero Negro at 4pm we went to Mallarimo no vacancy, none at Las Caracoles, none at Cowboy, stayed at El Morro.
Saw more gringo tourists on the road this trip as I have seen in 4 years!
Ken |
Really interested in your take on El Morro, Ken.
It's been a number of years since we stayed there, and it was really awful. Wax ring on the toilet was leaking and the entire bathroom floor was
moldy. Not to mention that, at least then, outside the bathroom issues, the other three places you mentioned (Malarrimo, Caracoles, and Cowboy were so
much nicer.
I was actually surprised when we stayed at El Morro just outside Santa Rosalia, and found out it was the same ownership. Don't know if you have ever
stayed at El Morro Santa Rosalia, but the contrast between the two properties was night and day. Beautiful grounds. A pool. A decent restaurant. And,
I have actually mentioned it before on this forum, that the location, high above the Sea of Cortez, would do a resort proud. Again, that said, I'm
talking about a number of years since our stay at El Morro in GN.
So, just wondering about your thoughts on El Morro GN in 2011. Thanks.
[Edited on 3-19-2011 by Bajahowodd]
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tripledigitken
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Howard,
We were glad to find a room at El Morro in GN that night. It was $400 pesos and was clean with none of the issues you mentioned. Mind you it is not
as nice as the others properties in GN, but it is an option. The only complaint we had was about 11pm, we got to bed around 9pm, a grande tour bus
loaded with HS students rolled in and they yelled and ran around for at least 45 minutes before all was calm. Then at 7am they were up yelling and
running around for 30 minutes, meanwhile the bus wouldn't start, so they hung outside in the courtyard and made noise for another 30 minutes before
the adults led them off to eat breakfast. The bus eventually started before we were off to Malarrimo for breakfast.
Not anyone's fault just another memory of Baja that you laugh about later.
I agree with your take on EM in Santa Rosalia, with one exception I'm not crazy about the restaurant. We stay there occasionally and enjoy it too.
Tip...the chicken restaurant on the right side of the road just after you turn to go into SR is very good. (just across from Pepe's taco stand)
Ken
[Edited on 3-19-2011 by tripledigitken]
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Bajahowodd
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Ken,
It's just my personal opinion, but the three places you mentioned, are really the top three. Problem is that especially with Caracoles and Cowboy,
they have a really limited number of rooms. During most of the year, they don't fill up. But, during whale season, all bets are off. IMO, Cowboy is
probably the best bet, with the exception of travelers who don't speak at least some Spanish. Don't understand why Chevalo, the owner, doesn't appear
to be interested in cultivating the gringo tourist with at least a few English speaking employees. That said....
OMG!
That Chicken place in SR is a treasure. And truth be told, the El Morro resturant in SR is more like a fallback option. I've found that seasonality
factors into how acceptible they are. Won't even go into one experience we had there in the summer, with their so-called salad bar. But, that was just
a one time situation. And, as I mentioned, our experience at EM GN was a number of years ago. But, as you said, it would be down the list of
preference.
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BajaBlanca
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those pictures are just outstanding. more ???
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tripledigitken
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
those pictures are just outstanding. more ??? |
Thanks, but those are all I have till next trip down.
Ken
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redhilltown
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
those pictures are just outstanding. more ??? |
Thanks, but those are all I have till next trip down.
Ken |
Well...then....HURRY UP and get back down there!!!!! 
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Leo
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Great shots Ken. They make staying there overnight worthwile, however, if the hotel had better service, it would make it swell.
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
... Not so sure I would go with DK's observation, as much as the simple fact that unless you are camping, or are in an RV, this place is the only
game in town...
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Because facts are important:
It is not the 'only game in town'...
1) Cabaņas Linda (motel) is across the highway and just north of the hotel formerly called Desert Inn. Reviews have ranged from good (DianaT and
other's posts) to poor (Ken Cooke posts)
2) Rancho Santa Ynez 'bunk rooms', a mile south of hotel... actually quite nice and cozy with shower... need to arrange before Oscar and Matilda close
the cantina for the night.
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Bajahowodd
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Be serious, David.
Linda is totally third world, and Rancho Santa Ynez is a campground, despite the bunk rooms you mention.
Facts? Give me a break. I will gladly grant you that there are a number of Baja travelers who may find those two places acceptable. But, for the
"tenderfoot" tourist, the Desert Inn, or whatever its new name is, represents to only thing in the area that comes close to what the majority of
American tourists would find acceptable.
I was merely stating that for a majority of touriists in Baja, the "Hotel Mission Catavina", really is the only game in town. You really think that
the three women (three generations, going to see the whales) I was next to at the Desert Inn front desk two years ago at 6pm, who ended up over at
Cabanas Lindas for the night, are going to tell anyone that they found the best place to stay there?
The "Trotters" are world travelers, and while they have discrminating tastes, they will always take refuge in a place that will accept their dogs.
[Edited on 3-21-2011 by Bajahowodd]
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mtgoat666
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fair and balanced hotel reviews
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Be serious, David.
Linda is totally third world, and Rancho Santa Ynez is a campground, despite the bunk rooms you mention.
Facts? Give me a break. I will gladly grant you that there are a number of Baja travelers who may find those two places acceptable. But, for the
"tenderfoot" tourist, the Desert Inn, or whatever its new name is, represents to only thing in the area that comes close to what the majority of
American tourists would find acceptable.
I was merely stating that for a majority of touriists in Baja, the "Hotel Mission Catavina", really is the only game in town. You really think that
the three women (three generations, going to see the whales) I was next to at the Desert Inn front desk two years ago at 6pm, who ended up over at
Cabanas Lindas for the night, are going to tell anyone that they found the best place to stay there?
The "Trotters" are world travelers, and while they have discrminating tastes, they will always take refuge in a place that will accept their dogs.
[Edited on 3-21-2011 by Bajahowodd] |
bajahowood:
you are correct, the desert inn is only lodging in town that doesn't have fleas or hanta virus. it is also only restaurant in town that does not
serve salmonella for breakfast.
[Edited on 3-21-2011 by mtgoat666]
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