First, I know Hotel Cascadas is not actually IN the Club Hong Kong strip club (Tijuana). But it's on top of it, and owned and operated by them. Secondly, there are lots of reviews of Club Hong Kong, and I didn't think TUSCL really needed another review of the club itself. What's not on TUSCL is much information about the Hotel. If you are staying in TJ for more than a couple of hours, getting a room at Hotel Cascadas is super convenient, and it pays for itself!
GET A ROOM!
As described in many reviews, when you visit Hong Kong, you can tip girls on stage and get lap dances ($20 for like 5 minutes!), but most of the girls will want you to go upstairs ("arriba") to one of the rooms where they will have sex with you for $80 to $100 for 30 minutes (or $60 if you are a shrewd negotiator and she is desperate). The room will cost $15 or so for the half hour, plus $1 for a condom. But if you have your own room, you only pay for the condom, and the girl can stay as longer, sometimes more than an hour, providing you work that out with her.
If you reserve your room online (goo.gl), it can be $5 to $10 less per night than just walking up. I was there in June for 4 nights, Monday through Thursday, and paid just $50 per night. By the time I took the 3rd girl up for sex, having a place to sleep it off only cost me $5!
ROOM AMENITIES
If you're staying overnight, they like to put you in a room on the 6th floor. The rooms are decently appointed and clean. The mattresses are NOT plush, pillow top, hotel mattresses like you would find at a 2-to-3-star $100/night American hotel chain. But they are decent enough. There are "end tables" affixed to the wall on either side of the bed. There is a flat screen attached to the wall with 12 or 13 channels, and 3 or 4 of them are porn (which can be helpful when you're over 40 having sex with a 20-something for the 4th time that day). If you want a remote for the the TV, you can get one for a $10 deposit, which is returned when you check out. Each room has a safe as well, though getting a key also requires a $10 deposit, which is also returned to you when you check out.
CHECK YOUR ROOM
When you get to your room, check to make sure everything works before you get comfortable.
- Check the room fan to make sure it comes on and that the motor does not sound like a jet engine (the switch is located on the wall across the room from the window). It can get pretty hot in there, and you don't want a fan that will sound like you're sleeping at the airport.
- Be sure your window has a curtain. The lights in the hallway are on all day and all night, and your room will not get dark overnight without a curtain. Plus, it adds extra privacy in case you actually slide the window open to get better circulation.
- Make sure the TV works. Some of the TV's have a really bad connection to the cable TV system.
If you find anything you don't like, change rooms. Yes, it's inconvenient to go to the desk and get a different key, but if you are staying for more than a couple of nights, you really want a room you can live with. They are very accommodating about letting you change rooms if you haven't messed anything up.
BED SHEETS AND TOWELS
Once you are sure you will want to stay in that room, you will probably need to remake the bed. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like having just one sheet, covered by a wool blanket, covered by a synthetic comforter. Find one of the housekeepers, or call Recepcion (01 or 02 on the phone) and ask for an additional sheet. Be ready to tip the guy a dollar. There are no fitted sheets, so I always carry some sheet straps ($5 at Walmart: goo.gl) to make the bottom sheet stay in place.
Then I usually ask the guy who brings the sheets for a couple extra towels. The room only comes with 2 towels, and if you shower between sessions, you need more than 2. Again, he'll want a tip.
GET AN ICE CHEST
If you want a fridge in your room, you have to get a master suite at twice the price, but the Oxxo (quickie mart) on Avenida Revolucion across from the Domino's Pizza has styrofoam coolers (in Spanish - hielera or "yay-LEH-ra") for cheap (map to walk there: goo.gl). Some of the other Oxxo's may have them as well. Fill it with ice, and put a few beverages in it. You will want to stay hydrated.
GET EAR PLUGS
Simple ear plugs are helpful when you decide to actually go to sleep. There is a crazy brass band that plays music on the street starting at about 11pm, and there are always sounds in the hallway, including housekeeping folks that don't necessarily understand that someone is trying to sleep.
WIFI - NOT REALLY
The hotel website says WiFi is available. There is, technically, a WiFi network, but it's crap. Don't count on having it. I have AT&T on my phone, and I didn't have much problem at all with data or voice service from my room, being on the 6th floor, so it doesn't bother me that WiFi just isn't there.
PLATINUM RIP OFF
Club Hong Kong offers a "platinum member card" for $50 and they promise 20% discounts on the hotel on certain nights and a free beverage and lots of other things. Unless you are going to stay in the hotel for more than 10 nights in a 4 month period, it probably is a waste of money since most of the "discounts" can be gotten for free using coupons they have available on their site. In my experience, though, the club staff don't really understand how the card or the coupons work, and you have to get a manager when you want to use them, and they are a huge hassle for very little benefit. In my opinion, don't waste your money and your time.
CONCLUSION
I like to stay at Hotel Cascadas when I go to TJ. The Hotel Ticuan, a few blocks away, is certainly a nicer hotel for only a little more money, but I love the convenience of being able to walk out to the street or into the club, and bring back a girl in just a few minutes. With a little advance preparation, it can be a comfortable place to stay, and you get your money's worth.
Nice detailed write-up; and as you mentioned; some good side info/intel often not mentioned in the numerous reviews of the club.
If I was to do TJ; I’d probably do as you and stay there for a couple of nights/days.
Questions:
is one allowed to take non HK girls into one’s room?
is one allowed to do the same in another hotel such as the other hotel you mentioned (i.e. take girls to one’s room)?
can one take an Adelitas girl to Cascadas or do Adelitas girls have to go to a particular hotel?
you mentioned the ceiling fan - does the hotel not have A/C?
Thanks for the write-up.