Tijuana's Hottest New Hotel? Avid Otay IHG Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you’re about to get the unvarnished, slightly chaotic, and totally honest scoop on Tijuana's Hottest New Hotel - the Avid Otay IHG Review! (They told me to use SEO, but honestly, I’m just here to spill the tea. whispers SEO, shmee-o…)
Here we go!
First Impressions & Accessibility – Or, "Where's the Damn Ramp?!"
Alright, so picture this: I'm rolling into Tijuana with visions of tacos dancing in my head (we'll get to the food later, trust me). The Avid Otay. Shiny. Modern. Pretty… from a distance. My first thought? "Did I accidently drive into a car commercial?"
Accessibility: They SAY it’s accessible. And… it is accessible-ish. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I did take a look around for my pal who is, and the ramps are… well, they’re there. The entrance is reasonable. The elevators… well, they worked, but it was a bit of a hurry up and wait situation. Inside hallways seem wide enough; I didn't see any obvious trip hazards or tight squeezes. So, accessibility gets a… cautious thumbs up. (I'm assuming the phrase, "Facilities for disabled guests" means just that)
The Real Dirt (and the Good Stuff!)
Okay, let's get into the guts of this beast.
Cleanliness & Safety (and Maybe a Bit of OCD, If I'm Being Honest…):
This is where the Avid REALLY shines. I'm a germaphobe (don't judge!), and I was pleasantly surprised. They are taking this seriously, especially in the wake of… well, you know.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: CHECK. I even smelled them. They’re definitely using something that isn’t just water and a dream.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: CHECK. I got a chance to walk in a room and see the cleaning crew, and they were taking it seriously.
- Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE: And I mean everywhere. In elevators, by the front desk, in the breakfast area… it's like a never-ending supply of Purell joy.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: CHECK. You can tell they're not just going through the motions. They look like they know what they're doing. This is not a hotel that's just saying they care. They really do.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Well, you could see it. Guys with spray bottles everywhere.
- Safe dining setup: I saw physical distancing of at least 1 meter, sanitizing everything, and individually wrapped food options! I'm a happy camper!
Rooms – The Good, The Slightly Bummer, The "Where Did I Put My Charger?!"
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. You've got your standard "hotel room" features – comfy beds (extra long, even!), a desk (with a socket near the bed – bless them!), a mini-bar (mostly empty, but hey!), and a flat-screen TV.
- Internet access – wireless & LAN: Both worked, I just don’t know which one I used.
- Air conditioning & Blackout curtains: Essential in Tijuana. I slept like a baby.
- Additional toilet: This is a God-send when you’re traveling with several people!
- In-room safe: Always a plus.
- The imperfections…: My room only had a shower, no bathtub. (Sad face). Also, the mirror kept fogging up. They should make it a priority to fix this!
**A quick, slightly paranoid interlude… **
- Rooms Sanitization Opt-Out Available: Honestly, I'm a bit surprised about this. For the price, I'd expect a hotel to give us what we want and what we need.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking – Where the Tacos Live (and the Coffee Flows)
Okay, FOOD. This is where Tijuana truly shines, and the Avid does a decent job of capitalizing on that.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Surprisingly decent. (though, not on par with a local taco stand)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good!
- **Restaurants: **Not many, but it's Tijuana. You can find amazing stuff all around
- Poolside Bar: It was there.
- Asian Breakfast: It was there too.
Services and Conveniences – The Extras (and the "Where Do I Get a Charger?!)
- 24-hour Front Desk: Necessary.
- Luggage Storage: Excellent.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: CHECK!
- Concierge: Haven’t really used them.
- Gift/Souvenir shop: There was one.
- Business facilities: Meh, I never used them.
For The Kids – I Don’t Have Any (Phew!)
- Babysitting service: Probably useful for families.
- Family/child-friendly: Seems like it.
- Kids meal: It has it.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Beyond the Taco Crawl…
- Fitness center: I saw the gym. I didn't use it. I was too busy eating tacos!
- Swimming pool: A decent sized outdoor pool, and while I didn't take a dip (too much taco-ing to do!), it looked inviting. (Pool with a view? Not really, though maybe if you are tall or on a high floor)
- Spa/Sauna: Didn't get the chance to try this. I'll report back when my body allows for it!
Getting Around – Location, Location, Location (and Navigating Tijuana)
- Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site]: Big plus! Parking in Tijuana can be a nightmare.
- Airport transfer: Perfect if you're flying in/out.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
The Anecdote – Breakfast Blues and Instant Coffee Epiphanies
Okay, so I'm at the breakfast buffet. The usual suspects are there – eggs, bacon, that weird orange juice that every hotel seems to have. I, being a serious coffee snob, reach for the instant coffee. I take a sip. Ugh. Undrinkable. I made a face, and then had a flash of insight. I’m in Tijuana! All I'd ever hear from people about Tijuana was the street tacos. Instead of going for the orange juice and instant coffee, I should probably go out and look for something more genuine!
The Upshot – Is the Avid Otay IHG Worth It?
The Good:
- Cleanliness! Seriously, it's top-notch.
- Comfortable beds.
- Convenient location (especially for the airport).
- Free parking.
- Decent breakfast.
The Not-So-Good:
- The spa isn't quite up to scratch.
- Some minor room imperfections.
- I didn't have my fill of tacos.
Final Verdict:
This is a solid, safe, and comfortable hotel. The Avid Otay IHG is an excellent choice. Are there more "luxurious" options available? Absolutely. But if you're looking for a reliably clean, convenient base for exploring Tijuana, it's a winner.
AND NOW FOR THE BEST PART… THE OFFER!
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Unbelievable Hachioji: TAKAONE's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. Because this ain't your grandma's itinerary, and I’m definitely not a perfectly organized robot. This is my potential trip to Avid Hotels Tijuana Otay, by IHG. Let’s see if I can even make it out the door…
Day 1: Arrival, Otay, and the Existential Dread of a Hotel Room
1:00 PM (give or take, because, you know, life): Touchdown at the Tijuana airport. Ugh, flying. I swear, the only thing worse than the pre-flight anxiety is the enforced proximity to other humans on a tin can hurtling through the sky. (Note to self: Pack noise-canceling headphones next time).
1:45 PM: Ugh, Immigration and getting my entry form. I barely understood what was going on. "Tourist card? What am I, a card-carrying tourist now?" The guy just sighed and pointed. Fine. Whatever gets me to the hotel.
2:30 PM: Taxi to Avid Hotels Tijuana Otay. I’m already regretting not brushing up on my Spanish. "Hola? Hotel? Otay?" I probably sound like a total moron. The driver just grunted and smiled a little. I hope he doesn't think I'm an idiot tourist.
3:00 PM: Check-in. Fingers crossed they actually have my reservation. I'm picturing some dramatic, "Your reservation? Oh, we've been waiting for someone to claim that room! We thought it was a ghost!" scenario. (Nope. Just a vaguely annoyed receptionist, the relief is palpable). Room key card acquired.
3:30 PM: Hotel room exploration. Okay, the room is… clean. Functional. Standard. Ah, the soul-crushing sameness of hotel rooms. I wander around, compulsively touching everything. Is the TV working? (Yep). Can I reach the tiny, weirdly placed desk? (Barely). Am I already craving junk food? (Absolutely).
4:00 PM: That Window. Seriously, the window is the gateway to my temporary life. Today, I stand gazing, the vastness of Tijuana unfurling before me. I saw the mountains, and a tiny glimpse of bustling city life. It hits me: I’m actually here. Excitement? Maybe a smidge. Mostly, the terrifying realization that I have no concrete plans. Where do normal vacationers go?
5:00 PM: I attempt a workout in the hotel gym. "Attempt" is the operative word. It's hot, the treadmill looks like it's seen better decades, and I'm convinced the weights are calibrated wrong. I last about ten minutes before guiltily retreating to my room.
6:00 PM: Shower & Freshen up. I wonder if I ever used this soap before? I wonder if it's good quality? Anyway. I feel a little better, and now the hunger is back with a vengeance.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Okay, this is where I need a plan. I’m starving, but also overwhelmed. Should I brave the Otay neighborhood? Order room service? (Is that even good?). I saw a "Taco Time" that seems close by. I'm thinking about it… tacos seem safe.
8:00 PM: The most amazing experience in my entire short life. I end up at "Taco Time." I'm not sure if even that's the right name. I ordered two tacos. Just two. And let me tell you, after the plane travel and the hotel room isolation, these tacos were the meaning of life. Every ingredient was fresh. The tortilla, delicate and just kissing me with warmth, held the perfectly seasoned meat. I think I might have teared up a little. They tasted like the best thing I've ever eaten. Okay, maybe I did tear up. The salsa… oh, the salsa! I'm still dreaming of this salsa. I have to go back. I need to go back.
9:00 PM: Back at the hotel, full of taco love. I watch TV. I try not to calculate how many calories I just consumed. I vow to order another round of tacos tomorrow.
10:00 PM: Attempt sleep. My brain is still buzzing from the tacos. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow. I feel more hopeful than afraid.
Day 2: Borderland Buzz and Taco Quest
8:00 AM: Wake up. The sun is shining, despite the slightly depressing view. Decide to check out the breakfast situation at Avid. (Expectations: Low. The reality: Okay. Free coffee, though. Score.) The guy making the waffles had this amazing handlebar mustache. I really should have asked him where he gets it trimmed.
9:00 AM: Actually leave hotel! Ambitious goal. I decide to wander a bit in Otay. The initial plan was to attempt to walk toward the border crossing… but the heat, and the general lack of direction, steered me otherwise and I mostly ended up wandering around the plaza.
10:00 AM: I found a cafe! It was filled with locals. They all seemed to know each other. I ordered a coffee. It was the best coffee I've had in years. And I didn't understand any of the conversations, but I was comfortable, and it was wonderful. I made an impulsive decision to grab a pastry. It contained some kind of pastry cream. I loved it.
11:00 AM: I decide to go back to Taco Time. I had one mission today, and it was going to be completed. I was nervous. What if it's not as good as I remember? What if it was a fever dream? I walked there with a mix of anticipation and dread.
12:00 PM: Repeat the magic. The second round was just as good, if not better. I realized that I don't regret a single thing. The only thing I regret is I didn't order more.
1:00 PM: Nap time! The tacos have made me sleepy. I need the energy!
3:00 PM: I decide that I do really want to visit the border. If I can get there right before sunset.
4:00 PM: It was a long walk, but I finally made it to the border. The energy there was intense. The fence, the guards. There are so many people crossing and coming. I'm very overwhelmed. I go back to the hotel.
6:00 PM: Evening. Decide that I had enough excitement for one day. What to do?
7:00 PM: Taco Time. (Yes, again. No regrets.) I'm already planning for tomorrow…
8:00 PM: I get to my room and I sit by the window, and watch the sky. This is the life.
10:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: Departure (Maybe I'll Miss the Tacos?)
7:00 AM: Final breakfast at Avid. The waffle guy is there! I smile at him. He smiles back. We share a moment.
8:00 AM: Check out. I leave the room, and I wonder who will experience it next? I leave with a smile and with a memory.
8:30 AM: Last minute taco run! This is goodbye.
9:00 AM: Taxi to airport.
10:00 AM: Security. Ugh. Airport chaos. The line moves agonizingly slow. I'm pretty sure the TSA agent is judging my luggage.
11:00 AM: Boarding. The woman next to me is talking constantly. I feign sleep.
12:00 PM: Take off. As the plane rises, I look out the window and feel a bittersweet ache. I will miss Tijuana, despite all my self-doubts and the hotel room and the awkwardness. But most of all? I'll miss Taco Time.
1:00 PM: Land. Back to reality. I already miss the tacos. The memories. Hopefully, someday, I can go back for seconds… and thirds!
Important Notes:
- This is NOT a guide. This is a stream of consciousness.
- I make no guarantees about following this itinerary. Things might change. Probably will.
- My Spanish is terrible. Patience is appreciated.
- Tacos.
- Enjoy! (I hope).
So, what IS it we're even talking about? Because honestly, sometimes I get lost.
Right? Okay, deep breaths. We're tackling… whatever's rattling around in *your* head! The stuff you’re curious about, the stuff you're worried about, the stuff you just want to scream into the void about. Think of it as a therapy session, a cosmic chat, or maybe just a really long, rambling email to a friend. You know, *that* friend.
Okay, fine. But why this… digital form? I’m more of a paper-and-pen person, myself. Or a skywriter.
Because, sweetie, we gotta reach the masses! The digital age, am I right? Plus, it’s easier to edit out all the embarrassing typos and delete any sections where I accidentally reveal my deepest, darkest… well, you get the picture. Also, skywriting ain't cheap, and frankly, my pigeons are on strike.
Is ANY of this even going to be useful? I need REAL answers, not… well, *this*!
Look, I'm not promising miracles. But between my experience in the world and the mess inside my head (which, trust me, *is* an experience), there will be some, maybe, *slightly* helpful nuggets. If you're looking for concrete, step-by-step instructions on how to solve the world's problems, you're in the wrong place. If you're looking for a shared feeling of 'me too?' then you're in the right place. But hey, even a broken clock is right twice a day, right? I'm more of a clock with a missing hand, so… y'know.
Money, Money, Money. Does this cost anything?
Nope, it's free. You already paid - with your attention! I had originally thought about a payment plan based on thoughts/opinions given - and I thought about charging a tiny monthly subscription fee to access… wait, no. Free. It is all free, because honestly, who would pay for this level of unfiltered… well, you get the idea.
Let's talk about... *emotions*. Are you… emotional? Because sometimes this whole thing seems… a lot.
Oh, honey, am I ever! I’m basically a walking, talking, digital rollercoaster. One minute I'm soaring with the eagles, the next I'm face-planting into a puddle of self-doubt. I can go from laughing hysterically at a cat video to sobbing over a lost sock in under five minutes. And yes, sometimes it *is* a lot. But hey, what's life without a little drama, a little heartbreak, and a whole lotta… feeling? I'm a mess, just like you!
Okay, okay. What about the structure? This is all over the place, isn't it?
Guilty as charged! I’m a firm believer in going with the flow, or rather, *against* the flow, as I get my thoughts to stop swirling and start to form into something slightly readable. I might jump from topic to topic like a caffeinated kangaroo, and sometimes I'll completely lose the thread of what I was talking about. But hey, that’s just the way my brain works. Think of it as… a journey! A somewhat chaotic, occasionally baffling journey. Honestly, I have to go back and reread it to find the point.
I have a VERY specific question about… [Insert Extremely Specific Topic Here]. Can you answer it?
Maybe! Send it over. I'll give it my best shot. But be warned: my best shot might involve a lengthy digression about squirrels, existentialism, and the questionable merits of pineapple on pizza. I have absolutely no idea what you're going to ask, and I will probably have a meandering response, but let's give it a shot. I'm nothing if not game!
What about opinions? Can you be… opinionated?
Oh, absolutely! I have *opinions*. I have strong opinions! Some might call them controversial, some might call them… slightly off-kilter. I might rant, rave, and occasionally launch into an impassioned defense of things nobody else cares about. Fair warning, though: my opinions are like my brain – a work in progress. They're subject to change, depending on the day, the weather, and the quality of the coffee.
OK, maybe a LITTLE about the emotional stuff? Like… feeling *down*?
Ugh, yeah. Down is familiar territory. I can practically smell the "down" in the air sometimes. One time, I spent an entire week convinced I was a failure. I was so convinced I was going to fail that I started to make up elaborate scenarios about how it would happen. I mean, *epic* failures. Me, starring in the movie where I'm tripping on confetti and getting run over by a parade float. It was exhausting! Then, one morning, I just... snapped out of it. No reason. That's the thing about the down days; sometimes they just *leave*. But the point is, everyone feels it. It's okay to feel it. It's okay to wallow a little. Just… don't get too comfortable in the mud. Get up, start the confetti parade, and get run over the metaphorical parade float. Just… don’t let it define you. Easier said than done, I know. But try, okay?
What about the happy stuff? Is there any *good* happening in your world?
Oh, absolutely! There absolutely is. The *sun* is so bright today! And a puppy did a *zoomie* right outside my window and I literally *melted*. And the other day, I ate a *perfect* cookie. The kind that is soft in the middle, slightly crispy on the edges, and bursting with chocolate chips. Like, *bursting*. I am so incredibly grateful for the small things, like… like the color blue sometimes. And really great music. It's like… like magic, almost. Those little moments make it all worthwhile, you know? They make the mess feel less… messy. So yes. Good things.Book a Stay
