Though I live 40 minutes away from downtown Ensenada, staying downtown for the night removes the drive and inhibitions on entertianment choices for the evening.

My favorite Ensenada hotel value, Hotel El Cid, was booked. After digging through hotels.com, I reserved a room at Hotel Posada El Rey Sol.

Why did some marketing person decide to dress up El Posada El Rey Sol’s name with a gringo nickname of “America’s Best Value Inn”? Was “Bubba’s” already taken?(some travel sites will list the hotel with its A.B.V.I. name)

Despite the double name confusion, I checked in without drama at 5PM on a rainy Saturday night. Was early enough to get a parking space in front of my room door on the first floor.

One thing about my experience with hotels in Mexico is managing expectations. Think more of a Motel 6 than a Billagio. Take your Motel 6 mindset, add some Mex colonial accents and tile and you have Hotel Posada El Rey Sol. The $80/night is not your typical $60 Motel 6 rate, but, your location is not Barstow, California.

What I like about this location at Lopez Mateos and Blancarte is that you are within 1/2 mile of everything that downtown Ensenada has to offer. And you miss the noise of the more exuberant north end of Avenida Lopez Mateos. As my car was securely parked inside the hotel’s courtyard(included in rate), I was able to walk to a handful of entertainment and food venues for fun that Saturday night.

Sheets were clean, smell was fresh, mattress was firm, bathroom was spotless, shower pressure/hotwaterwait was good and barely a peep could be heard from my neighbors on both sides. Wifi, in-room coffee service and bath soap & shampoo made it very comfy. Yes, there is a flat screen tv, but, that rarely gets my attention during my hotel stays.

Though the coffee was good, I prefer to venture out to a wifi cafe when traveling. Zu Taza, 50 meters west and 50 meters south was my relaxing wifi coffee shop choice to check out the world on my laptop.

I did receive a free continental breakfast or 50 peso discount on full menu from the hotel at their El Rey Sol Restaurant across the street. The rainy skies had turned blue in the morning, so I chose a table outside to check out the scene on Lopez Mateos with a good, not great, egg and machaca dish. The orange juice was fresh-squeezed and pulpy, yum.

I’ll give Posada El Rey Sol(“guest house of the sun king”)4 out of 5 crowns. If it were in the U.S., it would be downgraded one level. But, access to restaurants and nightlife in downtown Ensenada without driving is a big plus.

Stayed at this property for four nights, November of 2011, to watch the Baja 1000. Excellent location (just a few blocks from the start and finish) and close to all the restaurants and shopping areas. The room was clean, the hotel itself was nicely decorated, the rates were reasonable - it was perfect. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any one.

We stayed here while attending a wedding in Ensenada. I don't know if this is standard for hotels in the area, but it was very average. Cleanish. Interesting decor (chandelier on the wall with LED lightbulbs). Ok bed. Weird access to an alley that goes nowhere.

If I were staying in Ensenada again, I would probably look elsewhere.

When traveling throughout Mexico, clean bathroom are a must-have!! The cleaning staff at this hotel are consistent in ensuring that these facilities are clean for their customers. This is the biggest reason we stay at and continue to book our stay at the Posada El Rey Sol. This hotel also has great management and they are very accommodating. Ensenada is a safe city for American Tourists and I hope to see more Americans down there to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean type weather and wine country.