By Last Updated on May 26, 2023
Only a 30 minute drive south of San Diego, Rosarito Beach is one of Southern California’s best weekend escapes. In the heart of Rosarito Beach, the Rosarito Beach Hotel in Mexico is one of its famous historic landmarks.
Though the hotel offers a myriad of rooms in its three towers – Coronado, Playas and Pacifico – it doesn’t exude the feel of a large resort and prices are extremely reasonable considering its direct beachfront location. Each building has its own pool and jacuzzi, and only guests in that tower can use each of these amenities.
As Baja California’s largest beachfront resort, the historic property built in 1926 pays homage to its Spanish Colonial past and the Mesoamerican cultures predating it. Murals, paintings and Mayan and Aztec art throughout the hotel celebrate Mexico’s colorful history.
Movie stars, presidents and international royalty have all stayed here and some of its bar tables are marked by plaques commemorating its rich and famous visitors. A sign above its lobby entrance states “Through this door pass the most beautiful women in the world.” Through these doors, the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak have indeed passed.
Rosarito Mexico hotels on the beach
The eight-story Coronado Tower offers a relaxed ambience capturing the warmth and feel of Mexico’s Old-World hospitality. Rooms and suites are decorated in bold colors and each accommodation offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline. Rooms feature one king or two double beds.
The Playas Tower features 70 suites equipped with kitchenettes, great for visiting families. Suites offer beach and fishing-pier views. Guests can choose between a one-bedroom suite sleeping up to four or opt for a two-level master suite with a spiral staircase leading to two upper bedrooms that can accommodate six.
The 17-story Pacifico Tower is the newest addition to the resort offering more modern Mexican décor with a range of suite options from studios to a three-bedroom, three-bath penthouse. These suites all boast panoramic ocean views yet still maintaining a Spanish Colonial Mission style décor. Depending on the choice, suites can sleep two in the studios and up to 10 in the penthouse suite.
Book your stay at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and Spa.
Getting to Rosarito Beach
Travelers can either drive and cross at the U.S./Mexican border or park at the San Ysidro Border Station and take the SDTJ shuttle service to the resort. The cost is $35 per person one way or $55 round trip. Children under the age of 9 are free and the trip takes less an hour.
Those who choose to drive should be aware that waits returning to the U.S. border can be very long. If you have Global Entry, an added benefit includes a border FastPass. However, a complementary one-time pass is included in your stay at the Rosarito Beach Hotel & Spa.
Why My Family Loves Rosarito Beach
Aside from being a short distance from San Diego, this laid-back Mexican paradise has it going on with picture-perfect weather, 20 miles of wide beaches for walks, stunning sunsets, a vibrant art scene, loads of fresh seafood and Baja chefs taking the foodie world by storm.
Rosarito also happens to be the gateway to Baja’s award-winning wine region of Valle de Guadalupe.
The resort fronts a lovely beach with a long wooden boardwalk. This stretch of sand also hosts n beach numerous bars all offering happy hour 2-for-1 drink specials throughout the day.
But the best part was falling asleep at night to the sounds of the rolling ocean surf from our oceanfront room.
Casa Playa Spa
Located in what was once part of the 1930s family mansion on the grounds of the Rosarito Beach Hotel in Mexico, the Casa Playa Spa is dedicated to pampering hotel guests in an atmosphere of elegance and serenity. A variety of massage, facials, and body treatments are available. Spa services include your choice of body treatment or massage, sauna, jacuzzi, steam cabin, relaxation room and tea service.
Our 60-minute Swedish couple’s massage was relaxing beyond belief and much more reasonably priced than most spas in the U.S. If you want to treat yourself and a significant other, this is the place to do just that.
For those who want to keep in shape, the resort also offers a fully-equipped fitness center.
Dining at the Resort
The Rosarito Beach Hotel in Mexico offers three dining venues for its guests.
Azteca Restaurant Bar located just off the lobby and open for all three meals is decorated with wonderful historical photographs of the hotel from 1926 to the present. Entrees feature delectable Mexican-inspired dishes.
Rosarito Lindo Y Que Rico Taco Shop is the newest addition offering house specialties such as taquitos, tortas and more. The taco shop is open from 3:00 PM to midnight daily with an early 1:00 pm Saturday opening and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For fine dining, Chambert’s Restaurant, situated in the 1935 mansion, presents an eclectic menu reflecting Nouvelle Baja Mediterranean cuisine including French classics such as Chateaubriand and Duck a L’Orange. Open for dinner, Chambert’s often features a pianist to create an even more romantic, intimate ambience.
Fun in the Sun
You’re right on the beach, so that means not having to pack chairs and umbrellas. These are all complimentary for Rosarito Hotel guests. If you’re hankering for a tropical drink or a cold cerveza, just walk a few steps to the palapa-covered beach bar and place your order.
The waves on Rosarito Beach are great for surfing and boogie-boarding and if you don’t have your own, they can be rented beachside. The hotel concierge can also hook guests up with horseback riding on the beach (one of our favorites here, especially at sunset) or other local activities such as fishing, hiking and golfing.
For those looking for a true-blue Mexican beachside vacation that seamlessly blends history with comfort, the Rosarito Beach Hotel and Spa delivers.
Book your stay at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and Spa.
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