Hotel Corona Plaza Rosarito

The Hotel Corona Plaza Rosarito won't win any style (or substance) awards, though travelers who want to pay rock-bottom rates to spend their days on the beach might find something to like here. Let us rephrase: They might find something to like so long as expectations are heavily managed. Inside, the ceilings are low, the floors feature white tiles, and bright green is used everywhere from the furniture to the walls in the lobby. Unfortunately, the lobby is probably the best-kept section of the hotel and it's often crowded with guests using the free Wi-Fi. The restaurant is decorated with plain tan walls, tiled floor, and a mix of chairs and tables -- some of which are wood and others are foldable metal. Most guests are budget travelers enticed by the prices, but often disappointed by the state of the hotel upon arrival. 

Hotel Corona Plaza Rosarito’s best feature -- by far -- is its location, as it’s only a two-minute walk to the beach. It takes eight minutes on foot to reach a good selection of restaurants and shops on touristy Boulevard Benito Juarez. However, there are restaurants and bars closer to the hotel for travelers who want to grab something quickly. The Baja Sand Festival is held a 16-minute walk away. A day trip to Tijuana takes 35 minutes by car. It’s a 40-minute drive to Tijuana International Airport, and it should take around an hour to reach San Diego (in the U.S.) by car, depending on traffic at the border.  

There’s a variety of room types like Single, Double, Junior Suites, and Suites, though for the most part, they all feature dated carpeting, old furniture, and bland decor. We also spotted visible grime and wear. There’s little to unite the rooms when it comes to style, and many units themselves feature a hodgepodge of mismatched furniture and random colorful walls that clash with one another. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs, though there's no air-conditioning, coffee- or tea-making facilities, or mini-fridges. Wi-Fi costs extra in the rooms. There’s not much that separates the Suites from Standard Rooms beyond extra space for a living room. Views vary between the city, pool, or ocean. The state of the bathrooms is just as underwhelming as the rooms. They have shower/tub combos with visible stains and grime, rusted shower rods, thin towels, and a small selection of free toiletries. Travelers have reported a lack of hot water in bathrooms and issues with the heating.  

With its casino now closed and no gym, the biggest draw at Hotel Corona Plaza Rosarito is its outdoor pool with a waterfall and hot tub. The pool is surrounded by artificial grass and loungers that haven't been replaced in at least 10 years. The pool itself looked fine upon our arrival, but other guests reported cleanliness issues during their visits. Guests can take advantage of an international restaurant and bar that serves free hot breakfasts, and a la carte lunches and dinners. Food generally scores good marks from previous guests -- one of the few positives of a stay here. The hotel has one fully-equipped meeting room that can hold up to 800 people. Wi-Fi is only free in the hotel's public spaces. There’s an underground parking garage on-site, though guests have reported issues with lighting, cleanliness, and upkeep.