BAJA'S DESERT INN HOTELS
When the Mexican government completed the transpeninsular highway in the 1970's it finally became possible for tourists to drive from the Mexico / US border to the tip of the Baja Peninsula at Cabo San Lucas. That is, of course, if the travelers didn't mind camping out every night.
In an effort to encourage tourism along the length of the entire peninsula, the government developed a chain of hotels along Baja Highway One in the least developed areas, spaced several hundred miles apart. The hotel chain was called La Pinta, and they were indeed instrumental in the development of tourism in Baja.
In 2008 the name of the hotel chain was changed to Desert Inn. Those hotels that were such a welcome sight in Baja 30 years ago are still a welcome sight for tired eyes today. Baja travelers looking for a warm meal, a cold drink, and a clean place to hang their hat continue to utilize the services of Baja's Desert Inn Hotels along the length of Baja.
Although each Desert Inn Hotel has a similar look, they are all a bit different. They all offer a professional front desk, good size rooms, a comfortable dining room with a small bar, and most of them offer a swimming pool (usually not heated). Parking is available in front of all Desert Inn Hotels, but the parking areas are not secure.
The Desert Inn rooms are not inexpensive. Many a Baja traveler has passed on the convenience of staying in the nearest Desert Inn Hotel because they did not want to part with $80+ US (or more for additional people). But for those who have been driving the Baja Highway all day and are tired and weary, the cost becomes overshadowed by the idea of a warm bed and a hot shower.
Over the years Baja has seen the construction of many new hotels throughout the Peninsula so the Desert Inn Hotels are not as critical as they were in the past. The Desert Inn in Catavina still serves a location where other lodging options are unavailable.
From north to south we have included a list of Baja's Desert Inn Hotels for your review:
DESERT INN HOTEL ENSENADA
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
An easy walk to the marina, a bit longer walk to the main shopping and drinking areas.
Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 22800.
Number of rooms: 52.
Rooms and suites.
Hotel amenities: Pool / Restaurant Las Carabelas / Las Margaritas Bar / meeting rooms for 30 people / parking.
Room amenities: Air conditioning / cable television / telephones.
Like most La Pinta hotels, this one has big rooms, a good central location and decent accommodations.
The restaurant is good, but do yourself a favor and go experiment with the other good restaurants in Ensenada.
DESERT INN HOTEL SAN QUINTIN
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
On a big beach, south of San Quintin off of Km. 11, west for 2.5 miles.
Number of rooms: 60.
On the beach.
Biggest of the La Pinta chain / some ocean views / restaurant / bar / tennis courts / horseback riding.
Like all of the La Pintas, this huge hotel offers all of the conveniences of home, with little Baja flavor.
If you are driving through town in the middle of the night, have no reservations, and need a clean room, this is one of your main options. The front desk is manned 24 hours a day!
DESERT INN HOTEL CATAVINA
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
On the Baja Highway, west side of the street.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 58.
Restaurant / bar / pool.
Like all of the La Pintas, this hotel offers all of the conveniences of home, with little Baja flavor.
If you are driving through the desert in the middle of the night, have no reservations, and need a clean room, this is one of your main options. The front desk is manned 24 hours a day!
Most folks love the Catavina area for the
spectacular large boulders, beautiful oasis valleys and raw desert scenery. There
is no other place in Baja that offers this wonderful combination, and Catavina is
always worth stopping for a delicious photo opportunity! For the truly adventurous,
the road just north of Catavina to the Pacific coast is some of Baja's most remote
terrain.
Carlos Fiesta once landed here in a helicopter for lunch!
DESERT INN HOTEL GUERRERO NEGRO
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
On the Baja Highway One next to the large eagle monument at the 28th parallel.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 28.
Big rooms / restaurant / pool / air conditioning / TV / all rooms facing the beach.
An easy walk to nothing. Sleep, eat, leave.
DESERT INN HOTEL SAN IGNACIO
Telephone (800) 336-5454.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Located off of Baja Highway One, one mile south of the highway intersection.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 28.
Pool / open courtyard / restaurant / bar / volleyball / air conditioning / on-site parking.
If you've seen one La Pinta Hotel, you've pretty much seen them all.
Clean accommodations, but not cheap. The front desk is usually open 24 hours,
so if you happen to drop looking for a room at 3:00 in the morning, you
should be able to get a room.
A short walk to the town square and the incredible mission.
DESERT INN HOTEL LORETO
Telephone 011-52 (613) 135-0025.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Web sites: www.lapintahotels.com.
On the beach.
On a big beach, north end of town.
Number of rooms: 49.
Big rooms / restaurant / pool / air conditioning / TV / all rooms facing the beach.
The hotel sits q-u-i-t-e a ways back from the beach, and most guests usually hang around the pool.
An easy walk to the marina.
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DESERT INN HOTEL ENSENADA
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
An easy walk to the marina, a bit longer walk to the main shopping and drinking areas.
Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, 22800.
Number of rooms: 52.
Rooms and suites.
Hotel amenities: Pool / Restaurant Las Carabelas / Las Margaritas Bar / meeting rooms for 30 people / parking.
Room amenities: Air conditioning / cable television / telephones.
Like most La Pinta hotels, this one has big rooms, a good central location and decent accommodations.
The restaurant is good, but do yourself a favor and go experiment with the other good restaurants in Ensenada.DESERT INN HOTEL SAN QUINTIN
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
On a big beach, south of San Quintin off of Km. 11, west for 2.5 miles.
Number of rooms: 60.
On the beach.
Biggest of the La Pinta chain / some ocean views / restaurant / bar / tennis courts / horseback riding.
Like all of the La Pintas, this huge hotel offers all of the conveniences of home, with little Baja flavor.
If you are driving through town in the middle of the night, have no reservations, and need a clean room, this is one of your main options. The front desk is manned 24 hours a day!DESERT INN HOTEL CATAVINA
Telephone 011-52 (646) 176-2601.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
On the Baja Highway, west side of the street.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 58.
Restaurant / bar / pool.
Like all of the La Pintas, this hotel offers all of the conveniences of home, with little Baja flavor.
If you are driving through the desert in the middle of the night, have no reservations, and need a clean room, this is one of your main options. The front desk is manned 24 hours a day!
Most folks love the Catavina area for the spectacular large boulders, beautiful oasis valleys and raw desert scenery. There is no other place in Baja that offers this wonderful combination, and Catavina is always worth stopping for a delicious photo opportunity! For the truly adventurous, the road just north of Catavina to the Pacific coast is some of Baja's most remote terrain.
Carlos Fiesta once landed here in a helicopter for lunch!DESERT INN HOTEL GUERRERO NEGRO
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
On the Baja Highway One next to the large eagle monument at the 28th parallel.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 28.
Big rooms / restaurant / pool / air conditioning / TV / all rooms facing the beach.
An easy walk to nothing. Sleep, eat, leave.DESERT INN HOTEL SAN IGNACIO
Telephone (800) 336-5454.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Located off of Baja Highway One, one mile south of the highway intersection.
Web site: www.lapintahotels.com.
Number of rooms: 28.
Pool / open courtyard / restaurant / bar / volleyball / air conditioning / on-site parking.
If you've seen one La Pinta Hotel, you've pretty much seen them all.
Clean accommodations, but not cheap. The front desk is usually open 24 hours, so if you happen to drop looking for a room at 3:00 in the morning, you should be able to get a room.
A short walk to the town square and the incredible mission.DESERT INN HOTEL LORETO
Telephone 011-52 (613) 135-0025.
Ensenada main office 011-52 (617) 176-2601.
Main office fax 011-52 (617) 176-3688.
Toll free (800) 336-5454.
Corporate address: Avenida Floresta at Bucaneros, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Web sites: www.lapintahotels.com.
On the beach.
On a big beach, north end of town.
Number of rooms: 49.
Big rooms / restaurant / pool / air conditioning / TV / all rooms facing the beach.
The hotel sits q-u-i-t-e a ways back from the beach, and most guests usually hang around the pool.
An easy walk to the marina.
BAJA'S DESERT INN HOTELS
When the Mexican government completed the transpeninsular highway in the 1970's it finally became possible for tourists to drive from the Mexico / US border to the tip of the Baja Peninsula at Cabo San Lucas. That is, of course, if the travelers didn't mind camping out every night.
In an effort to encourage tourism along the length of the entire peninsula, the government developed a chain of hotels along Baja Highway One in the least developed areas, spaced several hundred miles apart. The hotel chain was called La Pinta, and they were indeed instrumental in the development of tourism in Baja.
In 2008 the name of the hotel chain was changed to Desert Inn. Those hotels that were such a welcome sight in Baja 30 years ago are still a welcome sight for tired eyes today. Baja travelers looking for a warm meal, a cold drink, and a clean place to hang their hat continue to utilize the services of Baja's Desert Inn Hotels along the length of Baja.
Although each Desert Inn Hotel has a similar look, they are all a bit different. They all offer a professional front desk, good size rooms, a comfortable dining room with a small bar, and most of them offer a swimming pool (usually not heated). Parking is available in front of all Desert Inn Hotels, but the parking areas are not secure.
The Desert Inn rooms are not inexpensive. Many a Baja traveler has passed on the convenience of staying in the nearest Desert Inn Hotel because they did not want to part with $80+ US (or more for additional people). But for those who have been driving the Baja Highway all day and are tired and weary, the cost becomes overshadowed by the idea of a warm bed and a hot shower.
Over the years Baja has seen the construction of many new hotels throughout the Peninsula so the Desert Inn Hotels are not as critical as they were in the past. The Desert Inn in Catavina still serves a location where other lodging options are unavailable.
From north to south we have included a list of Baja's Desert Inn Hotels for your review: