La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant
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La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant

Ensenada Km 59.5, Ensenada, Ensenada Municipality 22765 Mexico
Traveller (173)
Room 20
Room & Suite (40)
Dining (29)

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About

#10 of 49 hotels in Ensenada
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Location
3.5 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
3.5 of 5 bubbles
Value
3.3 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
3.7 of 5 bubbles
Service
3.8 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
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Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Historic Hotel
Property amenities
Free parking
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Beach
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Private balcony
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms

Location

Ensenada Km 59.5, Ensenada, Ensenada Municipality 22765 Mexico
Name/address in local language

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
Gilbert E wrote a review Mar 2024
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Really love this place, has an old school charm you won't get a newer corporate hotels. if you are looking for an modern luxury experience, then this is not for you, but for the price, you will not find a better place. This place is family owned and the staff is very friendly.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dangermom wrote a review Oct 2020
California
3.0 of 5 bubbles
The food is extremely average and the drinks are so-so. BUT the gorgeous patio and perfect view almost makes it worth it. It's a fun place to go if your expectations for cuisine aren't high. I have never stayed at the hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Torrence S wrote a review Jan 2005
The O.C.
4.0 of 5 bubbles
My family and I have been going to La Fonda for years. However, on our last trip, just about everything of value was stolen from the room. It is a great place, a somewhat shoddily maintained rooms (do not expect much in the rooms other than being perched above a cliff/beach)...it is the definition of quaint...but the location is good, the ambiance great, and the food--excellent. It's a great beach getaway...an hour across the border.

BUT...after going there for years, one day, our room was cleaned-out. Wallets, rings, etc. The owner, who we've known for years exclaimed that nobody, ever, had had anything stolen from his hotel. It found this totally implausable and definitely untrue. It is Mexico, surrounded by powerty, and theft in rooms is still commonplace.

Go, enjoy yourselves, but be sure to not let the serenity fool you. Watch your things. Take what you don't want to have stolen with you...or hide it well. Also, they do have a safe at reception. Keep important things there, maybe.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDlynn wrote a review Dec 2020
Aubrey, Texas
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had this scheduled 3 months before we went . We went to celebrate my sisters bday. There were several shutdowns and lots of restrictions, but we made the most of it! La Fonda was exceptional, they were very helpful during our entire trip. We requested a room with a fire , but couldn’t get due to covid , so they upgraded us to a terrace room. It was perfect, 2 double beds , tv , sitting area and beautiful terrace view. The restaurant was closed, but open for room service, one night there we ordered the chicken tortilla soup, which was wonderful! They also gave us breakfast vouchers for the 3 mornings we were there. Breakfast was delicious! The location is perfect to all the local shops and during this time of covid, shops just opened and are at 25% capacity. The shops seemed very happy to see us there and were very welcoming. Only thing that happened during our stay that wasn’t great, was that my sister was using their blow dryer, which had no power and thought it would take forever to blow dry hair , however it cinged and burned off several pieces of hair, just recommend taking your own blow dryer. Other than that, no complaints. Very thankful to the hotel for taking care of us during this pandemic and welcoming us with open arms.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gloriaa wrote a review May 2023
Palm Springs, California
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Good portion of lobster but overpriced. The food didn't have flavor at all. We spent 100 dollars for 2 plates of lobster. The salsa, the chips and pico de gallo were also flavorless. Was the worst lunch. This place has good reviews but probably the reviews are not from people that are knowledgeable about the real food flavor from mexico. Waste of time and money. We got so less for the real value of the food.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exploreplayastj wrote a review Apr 2020
Tijuana, Mexico
5.0 of 5 bubbles
When visiting Playas de Tijuana it is worth a trip to La Fonda. A short 40 minute drive and you arrive at a wonderful restaurant. Great menu. Superb Service. Excellent Food. A short walk and your on the beach. Absolutely beautiful! ENJOY!
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Date of stay: April 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RN4travel wrote a review July 2021
Santa Fe, New Mexico
2.0 of 5 bubbles
We have been to La Fonda a few times.
This was not got this last time 6/21.
The place is crumbling, dirty, run down.
Had breakfast there, mediocre, coffee good, good meh.
Burned holes in table cloth. Filthy chairs.
Windows filthy, dead bugs on ledges.
Had cocktail in evening in bar, tasted horrible, like soap or chemicals, in the MARG.
Checked out spa, run down.
Just dirty all the way around., It’s lost it’s appeal.
#SAD
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Treelover63 wrote a review Aug 2005
Orange County, CA
1.0 of 5 bubbles
After eating at the very delicious La Fonda Brunch, paying for and checking in to our 2 rooms, we "locked" things up and went down to the beach. A little more than an hour later, I ran up to the room to grab my cash to purchase items from the local vendors. I had locked my purse in the car (parked directly in front of my room #1) and hid my carkeys in the kitchen "silverware drawer." Well someone broke into our room and found my keys, went onto steal my purse out of my car along with my daughter's hidden ipod, and my husband's cash. They then robbed our friend's room (next door) #6, stole all of their cash and their daughter's ipod, some clothes etc.
The American owner's initially appeared very concerned and tried to figure out how on earth someone could have broken into 2 rooms right in the very front of the hotel, in broad daylight, next to the office with 24/7 security.
Well the first clue was the demonstration of opening our door with a credit card... then of course the awareness of the lock being less secure than the one on my bathroom door at home... Then meeting the head of security around the age of maybe 20, who could only manage a smirk and continue to chew on a toothpick out of the corner of his mouth, and later seeing him working as a waiter.
This all was a very disheartening experience, as our families had been greatly looking forward to our Mexico getaway. But, to add to entire ordeal was our later treatment by the owners (from Newport Beach). In fact, the robbery almost seemed less offensive after was all said and done.
We figured between the two families we lost approximately $500 in cash, along with $1000 in property, plus my credit cards, license, checkbook, etc. How did the owner's treat us? Well they gave us two pitchers of margaritas. We had already each paid $150 for our rooms for two nights and spent over $100 at brunch.
When we ate our dinner at the La Fonda restuarant later in the evening, they wanted to tack on 10% charge for using a credit card (one that wasn't stolen), even though all of our cash was stolen out of their unsecured hotel rooms! We had many argumentative words about this.
We had had enough and decided that we didn't feel safe, plus the management treated us like we were Non-customers to say the least. When we were trying to leave in the morning--leaving a day early (we had already paid for the next night), we were verbally attacked by the owner irately screaming in my girlfriend's face that the "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE'RE NOT GIVING YOU ANYTHING ELSE, YOU KEEP WANTING MORE!!!" Well yes, we wanted more than 2 pitchers of margaritas and charged 10% more for having to use our credit cards--since our cash was all stolen... We wanted a refund for the night we were not going to stay--that we had already paid for. We hadn't signed or agreed to any kind of "No Refund" policy, and none was posted. They said they would give us a voucher to stay for free on some other night!!! Which they knew there was no way we would use!
So, live and learn from our naivete. Watch your valuables when in Mexico---keep them with you, and expect NOTHING from the owners from Newport Beach of LaFonda Hotel and Restuarant, but complete lack of regard for customer welfare. And, when you go to sleep at night, put a chair in front of the door, so you can at least hear when someone is coming in with their paper clip or my credit card...
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Date of stay: August 2005
2.0 of 5 bubblesValue
2.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandiash wrote a review May 2005
Las Vegas, NV
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Let me start by saying, I am in love with Mexico. I have stayed in many of the hotels surrounding and in Rosarita. La Fonda was highly rated on this site as well as personally by friends in San Diego. The rates are very reasonable and the setting is lovely on the cliffs. My problem is with organization and cleanliness. I had always heard how wonderful the Sunday brunch is, and let me tell you, I will NEVER go back. It was utter chaos. I can allow for that, I live in Las Vegas, I am no stranger to buffet chaos. What I could not tolerate was the rude restaurant staff and very poor service, AND the cockroach I found in my food. The bad part was, I had eaten half of the bowl of soup before I saw it in my spoon. I am not fussy, I find a hair in my food, I quietly take it out. I find two hairs in my food and I stop eating the food, but the cockroach was more than I could handle. To top it off, the staff was not accomodating regarding the situation. I went to my server on the side so as not to alarm the other guests or make a scene, when I explained what happened, he still handed me a bill for the brunch. I will NEVER go back. The roaches in the rooms and in the food were enough for me. I now stay at La Paloma, very happily every single time I visit(at least five times a year) La Paloma has this place beat, hands down.
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Date of stay: October 2004
2.0 of 5 bubblesValue
2.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
1.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fourpugs wrote a review Mar 2006
San Diego, California
+1
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I've been staying at La Fonda, located about 20 miles south of Rosarito, ever since I was a little kid. It's always been funky, eclectic, and unique. And, it still is, having just returned from a couple days' stay there. The changes, tho, are there and more are coming. The price bumped up a bit when the former owners, Dmitri and Sara, sold the place. Those great rooms with the fireplaces and patio are now "bungalows" and went up from $75/night to $125. They also have what they now term "regular" rooms for $100/night which I take to be the rooms by the roadside. Then there's the "Kinda La Fonda" for $75/night which apparently is not at La Fonda itself, but rather a couple of doors north, on the other side of the La Mision Hotel. Anyway, we got a bungalow, #21, and it was just like always; quirky, a few ants (but there was a can of Raid left for us), fabulous ocean views from the king-sized bed, and a shower that'll clean your engine block. The restaurant is an indoor/outdoor setting on the cliff overlooking a truly great beach, the food fabulous, and the bar equally good. One bummer: If you plan to stay Friday night, you now have to stay Saturday, too. New rule from new owners. I rated the place above average because of the ambience of the place rather than the facility itself. That's as much a reason as any as to why I keep going back.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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LParks8000 asked a question Feb 2020
San Clemente, California10 contributions1 helpful vote
Best rooms ?
Answer from trubride
Tracy, California24 contributions23 helpful votes
Yes that’s what i read on the Rosario’s fb page. Very sad.😢
Beth M asked a question Jan 2018
Los Angeles, California4 contributions1 helpful vote
Do you have a room available for Feb. 17 ? Gracias
Answer from 4EIEIO
Pasadena, California196 contributions42 helpful votes
Beth, you will need to call the hotel at +52 646 155 0872 to confirm room availability.
Nicoliproductions asked a question July 2017
Escondido, California
Do you have air conditioned rooms?
Answer from PeacefulBaja
Baja California Norte, Mexico92 contributions46 helpful votes
Not sure. Did you call the hotel? However, right at the beach it's pretty comfortable with the breeze.
Answer from Ron V
San Diego, California37 contributions27 helpful votes
Ha! I'm a customer, you need to contact the hotel.
FunInTheSun702 wrote a tip Feb 2019
Las Vegas, Nevada15 contributions11 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Not good for people with mobility issues with stairs."
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J P wrote a tip Aug 2018
Palm Springs, California26 contributions12 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"The have a band on the weekend, rooms on the far left end would be quitest."
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E A C wrote a tip Aug 2018
Newport Pagnell, United Kingdom104 contributions67 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"We had 22 which was lovely."
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Nuyenspoodle wrote a tip July 2018
Rainier, OR14 contributions12 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"I can't recommend any."
Read full review
MrTorito wrote a tip Nov 2017
Mexicali, Mexico17 contributions9 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"I really would not know since I just went to the Restaurant"
Read full review
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There are more places to choose from in the Ensenada area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
la fonda hotel, restaurant hotel rosarito, hotel la fonda rosarito, la fonda mexico
LOCATION
MexicoBaja CaliforniaBaja California NorteEnsenada MunicipalityEnsenada
NUMBER OF ROOMS
36
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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LA FONDA HOTEL & RESTAURANT - 2024 Reviews (Ensenada, Mexico) - Photos of Hotel - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant
Which popular attractions are close to La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant?
Nearby attractions include Straw Art Gallery (6.0 km) and Castillo del Diablo (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant?
Conveniently located restaurants include Splash Baja, The La Fonda Restaurant, and Maganas Restaurant Bar.
Does La Fonda Hotel & Restaurant have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.
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