I have visited Ensenada often although not for many years, so I knew locations but not the current hotel scene. I chose this one for location -- close to shops and eats, but not embedded among them; it's a few blocks from the tourist street, and as many from the Mexican shopping district, thus quiet but easy foot distance to either area. It's a simple place (exactly what I was looking for), very clean, and price is very moderate, front desk is extremely friendly and helpful. Between their broken English and my even more broken Spanish, we were directed to anything we asked for, mainly food, a good bakery, etc. (BTW, the tiny Mexican restaurant just to the left as one exits the hotel gets high ratings from my Mexican friends in Ensenada, although I didn't get a chance to try it myself).

I just recently returned from a two week stay in ensenada, MX July 17, 2005. Part of my stay required me to find I hotel. Hotel Del Valle is THE PLACE!!! It is 4 blocks west of the very popular Lopez Mateo (Calle Primera or Tourist Zone) on Avenida Riveroll. Getting to and fro has you walking through what seems to be unsaviory territory but that isn't true in the least. MX building codes are really non-existent. Once you arrive at the court yard and reception desk of Hotel Del Valle, you will be impressed and happy you chose this hotel. Trust me on this one! My room, number 103, was in excellent shape from bedroom area to the cleanliness of the bath and shower. Even the towels were arranged into characters and objects found on cruise ships. Mine had fans. I was quite impress. Each unit door is highly varnish and impeccably presented. The parking area is well lighted and from my observation very secure because of the location of the front desk. Theft or damage of ones vehicle is next to impossible without the front desk being aware of it. The front desk spoke enough English to answer most questions. For those with Spanish, butchered Spanish will do also. I had just completed a two week course in basic Spanish so renting a room was a breeze. This hotel isn't a Motel 6 nor is it a Hyatt. I best guess would be something like an Embassy Suites. At least in my room, I had a new TV with cable and a remote control. The funishing we in excellent shape with no cigarette burns or other noticable damages. OH! OH! I smelled no smoke. I don't know if smoking is allowed. A large percentage of the local population smoke.