General Reports

[Phordphan]

Perhaps, but it's worth noting that the other top hotels in Tijuana operate at a price point in the $130 range. If the K Tower actually delivers a true a luxury hotel experience, a case can be made that's it worth the extra money over say the run of the mill Marriott or Hyatt. It may sound weird, but I prefer to either go really cheap, or really nice with my hotels. Mid range properties often leave me feeling cheated in terms of value.

You do raise an interesting point though. Are the pictures on the website too good to be true? There's some video of the hotel on YouTube that also looks impressive. And the reviews on TripAdvisor look good. But it's also new construction, so maybe the flaws are too subtle to pick up on at this stage.

It might be nice. But I've stayed in hotels all over Mexico. One common trait seems to be they are nice when they are brand spanking new. But after a few months of wear and tear, they look nice but if you scratch a bit deeper you find shit like no hot water, toilets that run, loose faucets, saggy beds, basically tons of deferred maintenance. The $100+ hotels in Tijuana seem to cater more to business travelers who have expense accounts. I'm sure the K Tower is similar. They are owned by Lucerna, which does have a nice hotel. But I've stayed in the best room (literally) in their Mexicali branch. Very nice, but similar issues that I mentioned above. Not bad enough to warrant major complaints, but enough so that you know you're in Mexico. For $200+ per night it should be world class because that is a world class price in Tijuana. And my educated guess is that it won't be worth the money, or, if it is at first, it will drop in value rapidly.

Frankly, if you're in that price range, AirBnB offers much better value and an entire house at your disposal.

[Phordphan]

I have stayed in Ticuan an found it to be great. I was wondering if I can save some dough by going cheap. I was looking at Aqua Rio in centro. Anyone stayed there? Any good?

I was there last weekend. I was in a double queen room. GF snores like a lumberjack. It had AC. But it never go hot enough to use it.

It's a decent, simple, plain, clean, motel in the USA sense. NOT a motel in the Mexican sense. Think Motel 6 maybe. Lots of families, travelers and a few hookers with clients thrown into the mix. They have a nice little bar / restaurant but it's closed for remodeling right now. The price is right, the location is good. It's absolutely not fancy and the parking is horrible. But there are worse.

[DramaFree11]

Just wondering what you paid. The trolley is cheap but a hassle. Thanks.

Yes, I have taken Uber from the airport several times, almost weekly. $24-30, each way. Very easy and I also became friends with one of the drivers that lives in Tijuana, but works in the states. Young guy, lots of connections in Tijuana.

[Dcrist0527]

Just wondering what you paid. The trolley is cheap but a hassle. Thanks.

I tried uber from airport to San Ysidro. Paid $25 ish + tip. It was a little quicker. But I will save $20 & take the trolley. Even though connecting with that bus is a pain. And I hate carrying luggage on the trolley. But the price is right.

[D Cups]

Just wondering what you paid. The trolley is cheap but a hassle. Thanks.

[DimndJoe]

Yes that is steep, I recently stayed at the Hilton LAX and it was around $200. Depending on what night and how many.

I'm torn. On the one hand, $200 is an absurd price to pay for a hotel in Tijuana. But if the pictures are a true indication of how nice the K Tower is, I'd say a fair comp across the border is the Hard Rock San Diego. And the Hard Rock goes for $380 a night. So a case can be made that that the Tijuana discount is already built into the price of the K Tower. But again, that's assuming the K Tower is as nice as it looks in the pictures (big if).

On a side note, it will be interesting too see if the K Tower can consistently sell out its rooms at a $200+ price point. It might be a candidate for steep discounts in a few months when it's not quite as shiny and new.

[DimndJoe]

$200/ night in Tijuana is stupid money. There is nothing in Tijuana that would merit that kind of money. This is not Vegas. The pix on their site are nice, but I will bet money they are not nearly as nice up close and personal. If you have to spend that kind of dosh, get something nice at the beach.

Perhaps, but it's worth noting that the other top hotels in Tijuana operate at a price point in the $130 range. If the K Tower actually delivers a true a luxury hotel experience, a case can be made that's it worth the extra money over say the run of the mill Marriott or Hyatt. It may sound weird, but I prefer to either go really cheap, or really nice with my hotels. Mid range properties often leave me feeling cheated in terms of value.

You do raise an interesting point though. Are the pictures on the website too good to be true? There's some video of the hotel on YouTube that also looks impressive. And the reviews on TripAdvisor look good. But it's also new construction, so maybe the flaws are too subtle to pick up on at this stage.

[WowNow]

No AC. Could be brutal during the summer.

Reading the reviews and seems like they have renovated some rooms to have AC. They are advertising rooms with AC:

Room.

Habitacion Standard con Aire Acondicionado why Calefaccion.

Do you have a recent experience?

[ScottHall]

Does anyone know of any red light tours or groups that cross and go to Zona Norte? I've long been curious about HK and Adelita, fueled by all the good info and research on here which I appreciate! I'm experienced but have never been to Tijuana.

Looking for a way to avoid going solo if possible for first time. Plan would be to drive down from LA and spend a few hours there, then leave around sunset. Thoughts?

Let's be real, it's not a safe place and I wouldn't even advise anyone to go there. This is one of those things where you're either about that life or you're not, if you are then you'll find a way to get there. But it's not hard once you get past your first time. I'd say the most anxiety is the 2 minute walk to the taxis right after you cross. Usually you can just blend in with all the other people walking. The taxi literally takes you to the front door of the club. Once you walk in that door it's like fucking magic, all of a sudden you're in Disneyland. Hk and Adelitas are almost next to each other, just go from one to the other and that's it. Stay inside the clubs and don't wander the streets. It's all business, taxi-clubs-taxi-border.

[Artisttyp]

Does anyone know of any red light tours or groups that cross and go to Zona Norte? I've long been curious about HK and Adelita, fueled by all the good info and research on here which I appreciate! I'm experienced but have never been to Tijuana.

Looking for a way to avoid going solo if possible for first time. Plan would be to drive down from LA and spend a few hours there, then leave around sunset. Thoughts?

I suggest you sign up to receive PM's. I am sure one of our trusted members can arrange a paid tour if that is what you desire.

[Artisttyp]

I have stayed in Ticuan an found it to be great. I was wondering if I can save some dough by going cheap. I was looking at Aqua Rio in centro. Anyone stayed there? Any good?

No AC. Could be brutal during the summer.

[WowNow]

I have stayed in Ticuan an found it to be great. I was wondering if I can save some dough by going cheap. I was looking at Aqua Rio in centro. Anyone stayed there? Any good?

[Phordphan]

Wow. That place looks amazing. It has a roof top pool with a sushi restaurant and rooms that are on par with Vegas suites. Ridiculously pricey by Tijuana standards at $200+ a night, but at least complimentary breakfast and WiFi is included in the rate. Also--it appears that it's significantly cheaper to book directly through their website.

Anyway, I could see myself doing one night at the Hotel Cascadas, and then moving over to the K Tower for a little R&R. Have any of you been to the K Tower or checked out the rooftop restaurant?

$200/ night in Tijuana is stupid money. There is nothing in Tijuana that would merit that kind of money. This is not Vegas. The pix on their site are nice, but I will bet money they are not nearly as nice up close and personal. If you have to spend that kind of dosh, get something nice at the beach.

[Phordphan]

Does anyone know of any red light tours or groups that cross and go to Zona Norte? I've long been curious about HK and Adelita, fueled by all the good info and research on here which I appreciate! I'm experienced but have never been to Tijuana.

Looking for a way to avoid going solo if possible for first time. Plan would be to drive down from LA and spend a few hours there, then leave around sunset. Thoughts?

Yes. Grow a pair and go. You don't need somebody to hold your hand and you certainly don't need some fugazi tour. There is a wealth of information here and on other sites.

Don't get shitfaced.

You are the boss. Remain in control, don't pay the first price quoted, never be afraid to walk away.

As a noob, don't wander around the ZN. If you want to stroll, go up to Revolucion where it's safer.

[Ninguno Especial]

Which bar / club has the cheapest beers? Sometimes I just want to sit around and drink, tired of paying $4 ($5 w tip) at HK and getting hounded by meseros.

The Burro Bar in the alley has really cheap beer but only the locals can stand the place. La Valentina bar had good prices a few years ago and still should be less than Adelita. Tropical and Chavelas have decent prices during certain hours and days at least.

Just outside the zona by the arch is Museo across from Nelson on Revo with beers for 30 pesos or under 2 bucks.