I'm sharing this review because I couldn't find anything on TripAdvisor in the budget range (really couldn't find anything at all beyond the resort spa) in Tecate, so I had to just show up in town and
ask around for a decent hotel. There aren't many hotels/motels in Tecate, so one's choices are pretty limited. I was recommended this place by people from the Cruz Roja that I approached in the street!

It's a small hotel without many amenities but the outside decor does have some charm. There is a restaurant attached to the motel, but it's
only open from 8 am until 4 pm (and only until noon on Mondays). There
is also a bar above the restaurant that I believe is only open on weekends. The rooms have televisions with cable and telephones (the old rotary dial type). It's very clean and the I felt safe there for the three days I stayed. The staff was friendly and helpful, although you may have issues if you don't speak Spanish. The one downside of this place is that it is really not in walking distance to the center of town, so expect to pay about $4 for a taxi to get there or to the border.

I was told by a couple taxi drivers that the only other reputable hotels for tourists are the Hotel Juarez in the center of town and the
El Dorado, which isn't far from this place going towards the town center. I did stop at the El Dorado but didn't like the looks of it. It reminded me very much of an old 70s'-style motel with no personality whatsoever.

All in all, Motel La Hacienda was a decent place to stay and quite economical at 400 pesos, or about $37, per night.