Indie Motels Rock Economic Recovery

I cannot make heads or tails of the City of Yuma's general development plan. I sometimes wonder if there is one. Why would the City approve 900 or so new hotel and motel units when the city already has so many - that run about 50% occupancy during 8 months out of the year? It is slightly annoying to this existing, long time lodging property owner. Well, I suppose more than slightly annoying, but I tend to loathe people with negative outlooks, so I will try to analyze this from a positive angle.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Don't be afraid to stay with an independent hotel or motel, especially if they are AAA approved. They can offer better service and a unique experience for much, much less!
  

On a recent visit I drove around town, all the way to the recent Cocopah development to the Hilton site on the riverfront, in order to assess all the massive new development approved in Yuma. Aside from the new mall, it appears that most of the development is in the form of new hotels.

What struck me the most was the seemingly senseless mass of hotels being built or already built, as the economy slowly collapses. It may appear to some that the little guy is getting crushed on all sides, and odds are against us. We were finally recovering from 9/11 when the economy collapses. Travel once again goes on the back burner for most. Then swine flu hits, with travel warnings to avoid Mexico, and here we are on the Mexican border. Meanwhile, the government planning in Yuma includes a massive increase in hotel lodging units! How much can we take? (Oops! I promised to be positive!)

All this does not bode well for "mom and pop" family owned motels and hotels, like me. Or, does it? The little guy has to try harder I suppose. We have to strive to be number one in something or several things. Here's our plan to rise from the ashes of 2008 and 2009 and outshine the competition, despite the government shun:

(1) We have personality and we boast it! Our bones might be older, but they still shine. Did you know we are the only hotel with balconies in all of Yuma? From curbside I think we are pretty appealing, with lots of landscaping, and well, cuteness. All the new hotels are cut from the same cloth, and look like the same old drab architecture, with no unique design features. I personally think all the new hotels resemble military barracks. (Oops, that's not nice!)

(2) We learn your name and treat you like family. We guarantee your satisfaction and go that extra mile to make you smile!

(3) We offer the best prices in all of Yuma and will beat our competition at least by $1.00 every time. (For details, pop on over to our Price Beat Guarantee). You won't believe the value until you see it. We are not strapped by high construction loans, and hefty chain pay outs, so we can undercut anyone in Yuma.

(4) We're independent. We can do things for you that a chain can't, because we are not laden with their rules. We make our own! Our new website is a perfect example of how we can be creative, and even better than the standardized, institutionalized, predictable, wholly owned competition.

I'm just sayin'! Given a chance, I think indie motels are going to rock the economic recovery!

Viva Los Algodones! Travel Tips for Visiting Mexico from Yuma

by Guest Blogger C.J. Crawford

Los Algodones is a small Mexican border town is located just minutes from Yuma and many travelers come from other states in the U.S. to take advantage of some of the services that are offered in this neighboring town.

EASY DIRECTIONS: Getting there is easy from the Yuma Cabana. Exit our driveway and turn right on 4th Avenue. Follow 4th Avenue about 2 miles and then turn left onto Interstate 8 (West). Stay on Interstate 8 for about 5 miles and exit at Algodones Road. Turn left at the top of the off ramp on Algodones Road and follow it about a mile to the Mexican border. Right before you get to the border, you can turn right in to a parking lot (owned and operated by a local Indian tribe) and pay for parking. Then just walk over the border. Once you cross over the border you'll have fun walking around and exploring the shops. Everything is within a few blocks so you won't need a car or taxi. 

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Flat rubber-soled shoes are recommended.
  

PASSPORT REQUIRED: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (click here to see official posting) requires everyone traveling to Mexico (and also Canada, Central & South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda) to hold a valid passport if they are traveling by sea or air. This extends to all border crossings, even by land. You need a passport with you to walk over the border from Algodones and to walk back across the border from Mexico.

CUSTOMS: If you are planning on purchasing any medications in quantity (more than a month's supply) please stop by the U.S. Customs office before going in to Mexico. Speak to a supervisor and find out exactly how much of your medications you will be allowed to carry back. Also, if you are buying for anyone else other than for yourself, watch out! Technically, you are not allowed to buy medications even for your spouse. (I found this out the hard way. I bought a family member a year's supply of asthma medicine and then ended up being sent into the interrogation room! It was not fun). You can find the U.S. Customs Service fine print here.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: When buying medicine at the pharmacies, check the pricing at several different stores. The prices do vary.

SHOPPING: Be cautious about buying famous brands like "Rolex" watches. Because they are likely counterfeit to begin with, you technically shouldn't bring them back in to the USA. However before I knew this I purchased several pairs of "Oakley" sunglasses for about $8 each and carried them over with out any problem. Usually, the customs people just wave you through. (By the way, the sunglasses ended up being junk and were a waste of money).

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Bargain! Bargain! Bargain! Never pay full price for the stuff the vendors want to sell you. Offering them low prices is part of the fun of being in Mexico.

EATING & DRINKING: Should you eat in the Mexican restaurants? I've eaten in a couple different Algodones restaurants when I was younger but now I'm more cautious. I eat before I go to Mexico. Have no fear drinking bottled beverages: beer, soda. Just don't pour it over ice. And don't drink the water. WARNING: Restrooms are hard to find, so plan ahead.

DENTAL & EYE CARE SERVICES: Many travelers have told us that they saved thousands of dollars by having their dental work done in Mexico while they stay at Yuma Cabana. Many of the dentists have state-of-the-art equipment, training and charge only a fraction of what similar work would cost in the USA.

Last time I checked, you can get a computerized eye exam for $10 or you can pay $39 for a pair of prescription glasses with the eye examination & glaucoma test included at no extra charge. Shop around for the best deal. If you can't wait for 2 hours for your glasses to be ready, they can mail them to you in the USA.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: To find the best service provider, get a recommendation from a friend.

DISCLAIMER: VISIT MEXICO AT YOUR OWN RISK. The Yuma Cabana Motel and the Yuma Cabana Blog has not formed any opinion and does not make any recommendations as to any kind of medical or dental treatment in Mexico (or USA) and does not assume any responsibility for any recommendations, opinions or advice that may be contained in these postings. By reading these postings, you waive any claim against Yuma Cabana Motel and the Yuma Cabana Blog for anything having to do with your visit to Mexico! So remember, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, talk to your friends, and DO NOT RELY on the information presented here. Having said all that, we appreciate hearing from those who would like to share their experiences in Algodones. Thanks!

It's the Economy Stupid

The Yuma Sun reports that Yuma County is following the rest of the State of Arizona in the economic downturn. The reports of the increasing numbers of people unemployed are a bit daunting, and the housing market continues to decline.

Is there any good news? Some suggest the federal stimulus package holds out hope for more jobs in Arizona, up to 70,000, and banks receiving money will help stimulate lending and home buying again.

The good news for the Yuma Cabana Motel is we have not had to reduce our workforce, and have been able to fill employment vacancies as they arise. We seem to be surviving pretty well considering the downturn. Our goal is to keep our employees working, and at the same time keep our prices low for our guests.

We are taking appropriate measures to save where we can without cutting corners in the quality of products and services we provide. We have been implementing eco-friendly policies for a while now, which is even more important during this downturn in the economy because these policies help us save. We ask our guests to help us save by reducing unnecessary laundry and cut back on electricity by turning out the lights.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Shop for a room like you would any other purchase. Drive by, look inside and see what you get for the money. You will be pleasantly surprised by what the Yuma Cabana has to offer for the price. It truly is hard to believe!
  

The fact that our price points are much lower than the newly constructed chain hotels is helping bring more price conscious business our way. We encourage you to drive by, check out one of our rooms before you decide - and see the value for yourself. Many of our guests, once they discover us, are so pleased to have found such a great place to stay at a fraction of the cost of other rooms in town, they wonder why they have been paying so much elsewhere, for essentially the same product. In addition, our stellar customer service and 100% satisfaction guarantee policy attracts customers and keeps them coming back.

Thank you for your continued and dedicated business. It is you that keeps us going and helps us do our part in keeping Yuma employed!

What is Yuma Cabana's Price Beat Guarantee?

To put it simply, our value cannot be beat! The Yuma Cabana Motel is a leader in price consciousness in Yuma, Arizona. This is the first ever PRICE-BEAT guarantee policy in all of Yuma. The YC strives to do whatever it can to keep business sound, and yet offer the best value possible. Even though the YC offers so much more for the price than some other properties listed below, the YC is very conscious of the need to keep prices as low as possible during this economic downturn. So take advantage of the best rates ever, undoubtedly making the YC the best value in all of Yuma, Arizona! (Please note: The Price Beat Guarantee does not apply during special events, to weekly rates and cannot be combined with any other discounts.)

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Join the YC Blog to keep track of our periodic specials and coupons. You can also follow the YC on Twitter!

How does Yuma Cabana’s Price–Beat Guarantee work?
If you find a lower price anywhere else in Yuma at another AAA rated establishment, the YC will not only match that price, but lower it by $1.00! Guaranteed!

How do I know which establishments are AAA rated?
Please check AAA’s website or consult its “Tourbook.” As of the date of this publication, the following establishments in Yuma, Arizona are rated by AAA:

One Diamond Rated
Motel 6 Yuma East

Two Diamond Rated
Yuma Cabana Motel
Best Western Coronado
Comfort Inn
Days Inn
Howard Johnson
Microtel
Oak Tree Inn
Quality Inn Airport
Shilo Inn
Yuma Super 8

Three Diamond Rated
Best Western Innsuites
Clarion
Fairfield Inn
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn/Express
La Fuente
Radisson
Springhill
Towneplace
Wingate

Are there any establishments not rated by AAA that you will price-beat?
Yes! Even though AAA offers comfort to guests that a certain minimum quality and standard has been met, there is competition from other non-AAA rated properties that are part of a chain. As such, as an exception to the rule, the YC will price-beat the following chain properties that are not AAA rated as of the date of this publication:

Knights Inn
Ramada
Rodeway
Travelodge

How do I prove the rate at another establishment is lower?
The YC keeps abreast of the best rates for you, and generally the YC's rates already beat everyone else, and in most cases are much, much lower than the properties listed in the Price-Beat Guarantee policy. If you know of a rate that is lower than the YC, let the front desk know and it will be verified for you at the time of booking by calling the property to confirm. However, if you are referring to an internet special rate, the front desk clerks will not, and cannot verify this for you. You must bring a printout from the properties’ website (not a third party website) with you at the time of check-in for the dates in question. (Third party rates are not accepted. Please see what is not included in our price-beat below). Most properties differentiate between 1 and 2 bed rates. The YC will match any 1 bed rate for a 1 bed room at the Yuma Cabana Motel, or a 2 bed rate for a 2 bed room at the Yuma Cabana Motel, subject to availability.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Join the YC Blog to keep track of our periodic specials and coupons. You can also follow the YC on Twitter!

What is not included in the Price-Beat Guarantee?
The YC will not price-beat any properties not listed in AAA, and not listed as an exception in the policy as an acceptable chain for the price-match guarantee. The YC will not price-beat any third party advertisement or third-party internet price (i.e. hotels.com, yahoo, expedia, etc.) All internet special rates offered by another properties’ website must be verified by the front desk clerk at the time of booking by bringing a printed page from the properties’ website with the rate for the dates in question. The front desk clerks cannot check internet rates for you. The YC cannot price-beat on our Suites as there are only four and they are extra large one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, incomparable to any other hotel room. But, the rates on the suites still remain quite low. The YC charges extra for pets, roll-a-ways, and adjoining kitchens. All rates are subject to tax. The price beat policy does not apply during special events, does not apply to weekly rates, and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Beat the Heat!

During the summer, traveling to Yuma can still be very pleasant, if you take precautions to beat the heat. This is really a very serious issue, because overheating can cause health problems faster than you might think, or even realize. When temperatures get in the triple digits, you need to plan ahead to make sure you hydrate, much more than normal.

If you arrive in Yuma via airplane, you need to pay even more attention - because you are suddenly transported to a very dry, hot environment - AND you probably have suffered from some dehydration during flight. It's a double whammy!

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Start hydrating before you begin travel by drinking extra water. My favorite brand of water is SMART water, because it contains electrolytes. For whatever reason I actually notice SMART water keeps me feeling great in Yuma.

Don't make my mistake! I have arrived in Yuma already dehydrated from the flight. I race to the motel, unpack and go to the grocery store to stock up for my stay. (I go to Frye's right down the street). While shopping in Frye's, I start to feel dizzy, and nauseous. It took a couple of times of this experience to realize I was suffering from some serious onset of dehydration, and if the matter isn't dealt with immediately, I guarantee you will end up in ER. So...even though it seems completely counter-intuitive, DRINK WATER. Lots of it, too. When you feel nauseous, the LAST thing you really want to do, is ingest anything. But, if you do drink water, right at that moment that you start feeling funky, it only takes about 15 minutes to start feeling better. Really. Suddenly you feel better, and realize how stupid you have been to have forgotten to drink water all along!

The desert heat is a killer, and you just need to keep your awareness level up. The weird thing is, you NEVER see the locals drinking water. It is just crazy. But their bodies are acclimated to the heat, UNLIKE yours.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Drink lots of water BEFORE you start feeling ill, and your trip will be much more enjoyable. If you make a mistake, and start feeling nauseous, force some water down RIGHT AWAY, and within a few minutes, you will feel better again.

WARNING: I am not a medical doctor, and I am just sharing my personal experience while traveling to the desert. If you are experiencing health issues, please seek the treatment of a medical professional!