Welcome to the Hotel Playa Ensenada

ENSENADA¾ Hotel Playa Ensenada’s story began in 1924 when a group of entrepreneurs formed the Ensenada Beach Club, S. A., in Baja California to create the resort. This enterprise was founded in Mexico to capitalize on the profits made along the border during the prohibition in the U.S.; alcohol remained legal in Mexico during this time.   Between 1919 and 1933, many people had invested in casinos, hotels, broth els, and saloons south of the border where liquor was easy to obtain, buy, and sell. Ensenada was chosen for the site of the new beach club because of its competitive location 65 miles south of Tijuana and Mexicali. In 1928, the American professional boxer Jack Dempsey, once a world heavyweight champion, became the public face of Hotel Playa Ensenada which sold itself as a place to enjoy sportfishing, hunting, and beach activities.   By June 1, 1924, the beach club was comprised of 100 founding members, plus an advisory council of 10 members.   As a first step to ensure the success of the future hotel, investors arranged for transportation to get tourists from California to Ensenada. The club requested the services of a Los Angeles-based California Marine Transportation Company to authorize exclusive rates for passengers...