Scenery and nightlife make Rosarito Beach one of the biggest resort areas in Baja.
Rosarito Beach (Playas de Rosarito) is 20 minutes south of the border from San Diego, California. Its great scenery, beautiful beaches, hopping night life and proximity to the boarder make Rosarito one of the biggest resorts in Baja, California. If you want to be in the thick of things, hotels along a four-mile strip along the beach on Boulevard Benito Juarez, are the places to be. If you want to party, Spring Break and Labor Day are the best times to come. For a quieter vacation, avoid those times at all cost.
Rosarito Beach Hotel
The 1920s hotel's grounds encompass an ocean pier; the town of Rosarito Beach grew up around this landmark. If the hotel sounds old and stodgy, the addition of a 17-story, 271-suite luxury condo-hotel with one- to three-bedroom penthouse suites, all with panoramic ocean views, have upped its game. If you don't choose to stay here, wander through its Mexican-style lobby or check out one of its restaurants. You will be in good company, as Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Joan Bennett and Kim Novak have slept here and a sign above the lobby entrance says, "Through this door pass the most beautiful women in the world."
Festival Plaza Hotel
Tequila is the house drink at the Rock and Roll Taco nightclub.
Part entertainment complex, part hotel, all party venue; the Festival Plaza Hotel and Entertainment Resort looks like a rollercoaster from the outside and offers 203 guestrooms in the heart of the action. Its Rock and Roll Taco nightclub parties until 3 a.m. and the hotel's center mall has a swimming pool, concert stage and a ferris wheel. Other amenities include a variety of restaurants and an on-site spa for massages, facial care and body treatments. Rooms with king- or queen-sized beds and penthouse suites all have ocean views.
Rosarito Inn
This hotel consists of a number of condo towers and each unit is individually decorated. One- to four-bedroom suites include various amenities such as microwaves, satellite television and queen- and king-size beds and many have ocean views. This property boasts its own water filtration system allowing guests to drink the water from the tap without fear of getting sick. The gated complex has 24-hour security, a number of swimming pools, a children's wading pool and a complete gym.
Las Olas Resort
The 5-star resort features luxurious 1,150-square-foot apartments with kitchens and ocean views and boasts four heated pools. Amenities include washers and dryers, air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, whirlpool tubs and balconies overlooking the ocean. The resort has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts and a large gym. Its restaurant and bar serves international cuisine.
Pueblito Inn
The Pueblito Inn is only a crawl away from the strip and is reasonably priced. Its 47 rooms have queen or double beds, cable television, wireless Internet, room service and air conditioning. There is a small heated pool; Mexican dishes, breakfast and appetizers are served at its restaurant-bar.
Tags: Rosarito Beach, ocean views, Festival Plaza, Festival Plaza Hotel, have ocean, have ocean views