Pension California — Hotel in Baja California Sur

11-12/12||We three middle aged Brits are touring BC for two weeks. We had heard that LP was a more traditional and cheaper (with les tourists) city and booked a night here and three nights in an ABnB with a Spanish friend living in MC who was on holiday.||We arrived in the afternoon by bus from San Lucas and were dropped right outside to find a Boca Junior/Millwall coloured (blue and yellow) single story colonial caravanserai - marvellous!||Inside we went into a nicely decorated, bright, catholic (just enjoy those pictures around the walls) and eclectic decor lobby and communal space complete with manger sans BJ.||The cheerful young receptionist checked us in and directed us to our own room 25 in the corner by the road.||In we went through the big tall doors to find a big high multicoloured ceilinged room with four good size (American) single beds with clean fresh linen on and blankets.||The big windows were covered with lightweight thin curtains with a transparent pattern on so we felt a bit exposed at night as we were right by the road.||The lighting system was a pair of independent long fluorescent tube like LEds which were bright.||On a concrete table was an old-school crt TV with a SetTopBox (which we did not use). An A/C unit was also present which we did not use as it was quite cool mid December.||Furnishing included a wardrobe, set of shelves, bedside surfaces and a surface with electric sockets or devices.||The showerroom was rather tatty with no hooks, over mirror light (only central light) or electric socket for appliances or my extra plug in LED bulb. The shower hot water came on for the morning but if you wanted it any other time you had to ask reception. The shower was fine. Two soaps and a small bottle of shampoo/shower gel were supplied in a basket with the toilet paper on the cistern.||The water was low pressure But just enough to jet out my razor. ||The communal kitchen had a washing sink with soap for washing up. I cooked a breakfast with the frying pans available on the gas hob (bring your own lighter). There were no ingredients left out for sharing except for some passata which seemed to be OK. By the time you read this it may have gone mouldy if still there! ||There should be a system set up to leave good food behind for others. The plates were mostly plastic and worn, no glasses but lots of cups. Only a few metal knives and forks were available. ||There were lots of books and magazines for reading on rainy days.||There is a communal fridge by reception which is a branded CC one (where they get the fizzy drinks and water from - don't tell CC!).||In the morning we were woken to loud classical music which we assumed came from the fabric shop opposite but actually came from the morning concierge (an older man) but it was quite a change from the usual mariachi bands!||Overall we had four beds in a private room (25) for us for 450 a night in a large room which is cheap but it was very basic and bed head surfaces were very dusty (I half cleaned each just before leaving to make a point - it did it take long). The rooms need a deep clean rota I think. The cleaners spend a lot of time making the communal area pleasant (people generally clean up after themselves but full ash trays and cigarette bits are left around - there is smoking in the courtyard unfortunately which marred our al fresco breakfast). It was good chatting to others though for tips on whale watching or...

11-12/12||We three middle aged Brits are touring BC for two weeks. We had heard that LP was a more traditional and cheaper (with les tourists) city and booked a night here and three nights in an ABnB with a Spanish friend living in MC who was on holiday.||We arrived in the afternoon by bus from San Lucas and were dropped right outside to find a Boca Junior/Millwall coloured (blue and yellow) single story colonial caravanserai - marvellous!||Inside we went into a nicely decorated, bright, catholic (just enjoy those pictures around the walls) and eclectic decor lobby and communal space complete with manger sans BJ.||The cheerful young receptionist checked us in and directed us to our own room 25 in the corner by the road.||In we went through the big tall doors to find a big high multicoloured ceilinged room with four good size (American) single beds with clean fresh linen on and blankets.||The big windows were covered with lightweight thin curtains with a transparent pattern on so we felt a bit exposed at night as we were right by the road.||The lighting system was a pair of independent long fluorescent tube like LEds which were bright.||On a concrete table was an old-school crt TV with a SetTopBox (which we did not use). An A/C unit was also present which we did not use as it was quite cool mid December.||Furnishing included a wardrobe, set of shelves, bedside surfaces and a surface with electric sockets or devices.||The showerroom was rather tatty with no hooks, over mirror light (only central light) or electric socket for appliances or my extra plug in LED bulb. The shower hot water came on for the morning but if you wanted it any other time you had to ask reception. The shower was fine. Two soaps and a small bottle of shampoo/shower gel were supplied in a basket with the toilet paper on the cistern.||The water was low pressure But just enough to jet out my razor. ||The communal kitchen had a washing sink with soap for washing up. I cooked a breakfast with the frying pans available on the gas hob (bring your own lighter). There were no ingredients left out for sharing except for some passata which seemed to be OK. By the time you read this it may have gone mouldy if still there! ||There should be a system set up to leave good food behind for others. The plates were mostly plastic and worn, no glasses but lots of cups. Only a few metal knives and forks were available. ||There were lots of books and magazines for reading on rainy days.||There is a communal fridge by reception which is a branded CC one (where they get the fizzy drinks and water from - don't tell CC!).||In the morning we were woken to loud classical music which we assumed came from the fabric shop opposite but actually came from the morning concierge (an older man) but it was quite a change from the usual mariachi bands!||Overall we had four beds in a private room (25) for us for 450 a night in a large room which is cheap but it was very basic and bed head surfaces were very dusty (I half cleaned each just before leaving to make a point - it did it take long). The rooms need a deep clean rota I think. The cleaners spend a lot of time making the communal area pleasant (people generally clean up after themselves but full ash trays and cigarette bits are left around - there is smoking in the courtyard unfortunately which marred our al fresco breakfast). It was good chatting to others though for tips on whale watching or...

It's not a hotel, it's a pension. It's a dive. It's not fancy. Rooms are very simple and might even seem unattractive to some folks. There was hot water for my morning shower, but it took a couple of minutes for it to get to my bathroom. It's close to the Malecon and lots of businesses. There's a locally famous seafood taco stand just outside the front door. The municipal market is just down the street a block and a half.||||I loved it!||||All of that said, you need to understand that this place is great for an adventurous traveler who wants to experience local flavor and save his money for spending on fun stuff. When you step out of your room into the courtyard in the morning, you feel like you might be walking into a Hemingway novel. If you want luxury, go elsewhere. If you want a safe place to stay with a decent bed and a hot shower that's right in the middle of everything, go for it! Keep your expectations reasonably low and you'll be just fine.||||No A/C. There's a ceiling fan in the room that makes a hella racket and blows a damned gale. Didn't need it at night this time of year, but it'll be necessary at night in the summer heat. ||||The doors are padlocked from the outside. I carry a padlock and mine and theirs on the door, not because I felt unsafe, but just to be extra careful. Never had any issues with security. ||||I wouldn't recommend this to the average tourist, but if you like to travel off the beaten path, to support local businesses, and to save your coin for aspects of your adventure other than fancy sleeping...