I know this place has been talked about before, but it needs to be added to the hotel list.
It is my personal favorite when I want a nice place to stay. Located in Pueblo Amigo, of course. Here is the link:
http://www.hotelpuebloamigo.com/location.htm

I've paid anywhere from $83-96 this year, depending the night and who you talk with. You are better off calling ahead, or they may try to charge the full rack rate of $160! Just ask them for the weekend rate or the gamblers rate.

Whats the story on ownership of the hotel. When it was Holiday Inn Pueblo Amigo I think the owner was Jorge Hank, owner of LF and Caliente Sportsbooks. One of the guys working there says all the pictures of the kids are pictures of Hank's kids and some of the many animals he owns. Has anyone walked to the back of the hotel and seen the mountain lion in the cage? I guess he still owns it. The mountain lion and the pictures are still there last I saw in February.

Senor Hank is still the owner (and sole one at that) and they just had a b-day party for him (a month or so ago) that would put any Hollywood Celebrity party to shame. They built a huge stage (ala a rock show) where the dining area is and they brought in about 50 huge potted trees and stuffed animals...all for a jungle motiff. Speaking of which, the live mountain lion is no longer there but they have 2 huge parrots in that cage now. He's also "dating" the very beautiful Natalie who handles banquets at the PA and whose desk is right in front of the right (if you're facing them) elevator door.

Looks like a cool place...will they let you bring your amiga upstairs?
SB

I have never had a problem bringing chicas back to the PA. When you check in, just check in for 2. One night my amiga brought her amiga for a threesome and they charged be for another extra person...a small price to pay for the experience!

GREAT!!!!!.....I'm there, next time its PA for me :-) How tight is the security..ok to leave your stuff unattended in your room?
Thanks Aardvark.
SB

The only person who goes in your room while you're gone is the maid and/or the supervisor who puts chocolates on the pillow (usually only on weekends). I have left mucho $$$, cmaeras, & laptops unattended and there has NEVER been a problem.

They were charging $160.00 this weekend.

Said they had changed their rates.

Opted not to stay there, because 2 weeks ago it only cost me $83.oo plus $12.0-0 taxes.

Senor Hank must need to buy some more endangered species animals for his private zoo.

I'm "thinking" of a trip in a few weeks and if I can't get the "Aardvark rate" at the PA, I may have to check out the Villa Z. I may check on the Lucerna as it has easy access to Executive.

Ask for the gamblers rate next time.

I stayed at P.A. 5-24 thru 5-30 and upon making my reservation I was quoted a rate of $75 which reflected a 50% discount because of my Encore Travel Club membership. It wasn't until I got back home to NC that I realized that they charged me $88 per night. I immediately sent an email to the manager asking that my credit card be credited for the overcharge, and I have not heard back from them. Does anyone know who I should phone, if I haven't heard from them by Monday?

$75 is the base rate...there's also a few "service charges" & tax (I think) that they add on. I've never addressed the issue because I always get a suite at the reduced price and still think that $88ish is a great price for the suite.

Aardvark-
The contract that Encore Travel has with P.A. provides that members receive 50% off the regular or rack rate. I was told by the reservationist that the rack rate on the standard room was $150 and that my rate would, therefore, be $75. There is a total tax of 12% charged on top of that. I was charged $597.33 for six nights, when I should have been charged $504.00. I know that you spend a lot of time there, so, who would you suggest I contact to get it straightened out?
Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I have had no success in getting them to respond to my email. If
all else fails, I will contact the credit card company and contest the bill. That should get their attention.

Regretfully I don't have any of my bills at hand but I know I've seen other "service charges" that (even more regretfully) I have never contested AS I have ALWAYS been taken care of very well.

A contact person would have been the manager Ricardo but I think he's gone again. The best scenerio is to bring your bills with you on your next visit. Upon checking out...did you see this figure or did it grow from your check-out to your receiving your CC bill?

Avltourist, where do you get one of those Encore Travel books? Is that one of those huge things filled with discount restaurant coupons and the like? Thanks.

Tight Fit-
Encore Travel or Preferred Traveller, as they now go by, is a travel club that I joined back in the 80's that have half-price hotel rooms listed in almost every major city in the world. In T.J. they have contracts with Howard Johnson Hotel Conquistador, Plaza Las Glorias Hotel, Grand Hotel Tijuana and Hotel Pueblo Amigo. They also give discounts for several major auto rental agencies, airlines etc. I joined for the hotel discounts. They have a web site at www.preferredtraveller.com.

Aardvark-
My bill shows a 2% tax charge and a 10% tax charge, one going to one level of government and one going to another level of government.
Foolishly, I did not check my bill upon checking out. I was in a hurry to get to SAN and had never had a problem with my bill on my previous 5 stays at P.A.

Are you guys sure i can bring mi amiga back to this place???? How much extra for an occupancy of 2? standard room..nothing fancy.
SB

Salsa Boy,

No worries about you and your amiga. The room rate is the same for one as for two, but be sure to register for two. (it's an 'image' thing, and this kind of 'image' is important in Latin culture)

I have NEVER had ANY problems with chicas coming back to the PA. The only blip on the radar was one night when an amiga brought her amiga and it was after 11. The front desk called up and informed me that I'd be paying for an extra person. I said "fine" but the charge wasn't even on the bill. I've had MP outcalls in the afternoon, an amiga visit me in the early evening and then brought back a bar girl at about 2-3 with NO problems.

Thanks for the info Strikeeagle"F-15e" and Aardvark! Well now that I'm traveling solo to the Zona "LA amigo is history" I want to stay on the TJ side and want to to be dropped off at the front door of my hotel...no more walking 3 or 4 miles at 4:00am back to the parking lot and having to drive back to the motel.
So I should be chareged anywhere between $80-100 per night (weekday m-f)? I do not belong to any travel clubs other than the big auto one. What do the taxi drivers charge for a trip to the Zona form PA?
SB

My amiga, should she "dress-down" in order to get through security or can she arive in her "work" outfit?

Most 'working chicas' will change before leaving the club. They know not to wear their 'work cloths' on public for a number of reasons.

As for pricing, AAA will get you a discount (though I don't know this rate). Having a 'business' card will get you the 'corporate' rate, and that's generally half of the rack rate.


StrikeEagle

Strikeeagle if i was to step down a notch to a cheaper hotel what would you suggest? as back-up.
thanks
SB

Villa Zargosa (sp?) is an appropriate "step down" and their rooms have a price range from regular to deluxe with deluxe costing less then PA's regular room. One of the pluses is that it is right next to Revo.

"Zaragosa"

Here's the web page:

http://members.aol.com/hotellavilla/

Thanks Aardvark! I guess they to are cool with the chicas coming back to your room?
SB

Yea, though I can't speak from experience. I have heard though that it's easier to come back with the chica instead of having her arrive later as security is tight...though they seemingly let cars "disappear"!

The Villa Z is kinda funny - it is used by LOTS of guys who are there to visit the clubs. One morning as my chica and I walked thru the parking lot, she ID'd over half the people we saw as having been at AB!

But they do play games sometimes - security at night can seem to try to get a tip for allowing a chica in (which is total BS), and they play games with the rates sometimes.

But all in all it is a typical Motel 6 type of place, and it's clean, if a bit noisy.

Salsa Boy,
If you come back with the chica everything should be fine. The registration is for two people so security should not hassle you.

If the chica shows up later by herself make sure she has your room number and or name. All she has to do is go to the office and the clerk will call you to come down and pick her up from the office.

They balk at her sometimes walking in alone at night searching for your room. Some girls however seem to have no problem walking in and going to the room.

cool....thanks for the info, you guys are very helpful and informative, it's most appreciated.
SB

Does anyone know if PA's pool is usable right now?
I remember reading that it's been permanently covered for some time now.

Fordsy

I was there last month and the pool looked ok to me. Had water, no people in it but it was early am.

Jose

Just checked PA for current rate from US reservation no. (800)-386-6985

Quoted $145 for this Saturday. Regular room for 1 or 2 people.

Asked if corporate rate available:
Quoted $100 for regular room; $112 for suite

Jocannon,

The US 800# will always get you a high quote. The numbers that you posted are about the same that I've seen over the last year, or so. However, I'm willing to bet that you can, and will, get a better deal calling the 'local' number, and/or walking in with a business card in hand.

Experience tells me that you'll most likely end up at about $85US for a regular room, $95US for the suite. (if you're lucky, they'll give you a suite at the standard room rate)


Bueno Suerte,

StrikeEagle

Tell them you are a "gambler" and want to do some betting.
Or if you stayed there before (and got a decent rate), just tell them that. They keep track of all previous stays.
I hate how I am always quoted a different price, but a few weeks ago I got about $90.

Pollo,

You bring up a good point. I always make sure to suggest that I've stayed there before. If need be, I'll tell them the rate that I'm used to paying. And, if really pushed, I'll pull out my old receipt.

It's not like they have a 'frequent stay' program. But, the management clearly likes having 'regular' business clients. This would seem to be even truer given the bad economic times for them since 9/11.

PA is a 'real' business in the American sense. It seems to be much less fickle than most businesses in TJ. Perhaps this is a result of the kind of business they are, and their proximity to the border.


StrikeEagle

I posted this a long time ago, but the easy way to memorize the pa number is 1 800 FUNNY TJ

Just booked a room, and was quoted $110.00 for a suite at the corporate rate, taxes included. No AAA discount available, and only the "entertainment card" will get more of a discount. I decided to spring for the extra $$$ and stay here because of its location and reputation as a nicer place. Hope I don't find any cockroaches. Then again, when I'm relaxing, I'll be asleep, so as long as they stay clear of my sight and the bed, I won't care.

Indy,

Did you by chance get a quote on a standard room? Just wondering what they are currently quoting for these rooms.

Also, did you call the US 800 number? As has been posted before, this will get you the 'gringo rate' which generally is $10-20 extra per night. Still, your Suite rate of $110 is pretty much on par with my experiences over the past couple of years.

As for expectations, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The PA has been a favorite of mi amiga especial and myself for some time. Lots of grand memories.

Here's hoping that you make some good memories, yourself.


StrikeEagle

I think the "gambler's" rate may be a thing of the past. The last time I stayed there (December), I could still get the room for something like $88 (once I mentioned the gambler's rate. Before mentioning that, all haggling didn't get me below $100.)

Recently, I've been unable to get that low rate. When I mention the Gambler's rate, I'm informed that prices have changed.

I was informed recently that a "gambler" on this board was getting a $50ish rate for his time spent in the Caliente there. My most recent rate was $83 (before taxes & other charges!). When Ricardo was the manager, I was locked into a $70 rate (for a suite) that was fantastic.

I called the 800 number and was quoted $138US for a standard room. I asked for a corporate or AAA rate and the gal dropped the price down to $86US. Then I asked for the AAA rate for the junior suite and she said $96US. I then reached for my credit card and booked two rooms for my monger partner and I. Thanks to all, didn't take long to get a decent rate following the advice written above. Will be my first time staying in TJ, usually stay in SD and trolley down/cab back.

p.s. made reservation this week for a Thur/Fri stay (Aug 22 and 23).

You got a very reasonable deal for for a regular or jr suite room. I think will be happy with the hotel.

When you get there you might inquire if the Presidential suite is available. If it is and will be empty that night, you might see if you could get it for say $150.

I was quoted $450 for a Saturday night, but I was with Sampson and Milkman at the time and we were discussing a private party with maybe 10 people. When the catering director looked at Milky in his Spiderman outfit and looked at Sampson who was walking around with a case of cerveza under his arm, I think she bumped the rate $200.

ben as i recall she started around 75 and you negotiated her up to 450--also that was the presidential suite. i think the deal killer was when you asked her if she goes to the room. it probably didn't help when you asked if she had any daughters.

Same thing. I called the 1800 number and got $85. It's for coming saturday.

If you pay cash, and comitt to staying at least 4 nights per month, you can get a room at PB for $65-$70. Although I prefer the Camino Real or Grand, I stay at the PB, at least, once a month. Book the room via the internet phone number. And, mention you ar paying cash.

Stayed in the Presidential Suite (the room that the owner uses). Includes living room, dining area, bedroom and a large, marble-tiled bathroom with jacuzzi bath. Business has been slow so price was affordable. Decor of room was incredibly tacky (style of hotel's owner?), but jacuzzi bath was great for sharing. Great place to bring a chica.... Only problem: marble tile around bath slippery-when-wet -- almost broke my neck.

Service at hotel good (not excellent, but good). Slightly stale smell in some rooms (old building?), but Presidential Suite a great way to blow some money on impressing a chica...

How affordable?

I have stayed at the Pueblo Amigo about 8 times. I usually bring atleast one club girl back everytime I stay. They have never said anything about this so I think it is ok. The hotel is very nice, maybe the nicest in TJ. The restaurant is top quality and they even have a sport book and many tv to watch the games. I usually pay around 80-90 dollars for the regular room. Twice they have upgraded me to a jr. suite at no extra charge. I recommend this place.

I stayed there just last Saturday nite.

Cost was 94.00 out the door Sunday morning around 11 AM.

Brought a AB chica back, had a drink in the sports bar and went to the room, #411.

Never had a problem with the hotel staff at all.