We were four nearly senior ladies off on a three-day, mid-week jaunt to Puerto Penasco for the first time. The Vina del Mar was about the only hotel available during the secondary spring break week, and it was one of the cheapest we could find through the internet or booking agencies. We expected it might be a dump, but were all pleasantly surprised.
Although not lavish and showing some signs of wear, it was scrupulously cleaned constantly and the staff all went out of their way to satisfy us: the happy hour bartender in the swim-up (or walk down) bar was pleasant, helpful, and efficient with the $2 margaritas or pina coladas and $1 beers; the afternoon desk clerk answered all our questions and made dining recommendations, and the evening one helped me through the intricacies of using a Mexican phone card on the pay phone since none of our four cell phones worked over the border; the chambermaid made several trips to fulfill our requests for soap and more towels and listened to our complaints of water on the floor (which was eventually tracked down to my leaky cooler).
For $75 a night for the four of us we had a view of the ocean and central seaside plaza and were within walking distance of the shopping, restaurant, and shrimp market action in the old town area. It was a drive to any of the local beaches since the coast it fronts on was rocky, but we preferred walking through the town and driving to beaches rather than vice versa.
- Hotel Vina Del Mar
