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Lafayette Hotel San Diego
- Where:
- Why:Northern to Southern California trip
- When:August 2025
- Who:Myself & best friend since childhood
"A maximalist journey back to Hollywood’s halcyon days"
Since opening its doors in 1946, The Lafayette Hotel and Club has been a “landmark of San Diego”, luring Hollywood’s elite down the California coast. Housed in an iconic American Colonial Revival architectural style building, it is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The legendary locale underwent a $31M renovation, reopening in 2024 under the helm of local hospitality heavyweights, CH Projects. Inside, camp and maximalist Wes Anderson-esque interiors capture the glory days of cinematic glamour, with the premises featuring 141 guest rooms and suites, a 24/7 diner, lobby bar, centerpiece pool club, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room supper club & live music venue, an Oaxacan Mezcalaria, and a private bowling alley & billiards bar.
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Check-in at the Lafayette Hotel and Club lobby
The Grand Budapest Hotel meets Southern California cool.
The property’s heart and soul, an iconic pool designed in 1946 by Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer and Hollywood movie star who played the original Tarzan in 1932
Every corner here is a cinematic masterpiece
The Poolside Queen Room and our private cabana, opening up directly onto the pool club
A welcome gift from the General Manager
You couldn’t name a hotel the Lafayette and not include luxe toiletry products from Dyptique Paris
No lack of F&B at the Lafayette, courtesy of San Diego’s leading hospitality group, CH Projects
Soaking up the sun at the pool bar and outdoor dining terrace
Grilled cheese, pickles and onion rings by the pool, my kind of place
A round of applause for Post Company’s designs, featuring handpainted murals by Brazilian artist João Incerti and silk embroidered banners by artist Meghan McAleavy
The concierge coffee cafe is a great place to take a Zoom call or start your morning
Beginner’s Diner, a classic 24/7 greasy spoon establishment conveniently located in the lobby
Embracing maximalism
I officially love San Diego
From morning until night, this place is always a vibe
Head downstairs to Lou Lou’s Jungle Room, jazzy since the 40s
A counterargument to the notion that the hotel mini bar is dead
The pool by night, a calming urban oasis in the heart of San Diego
Viva Las Lafayette Hotel and Club
Highs & Lows
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It’s always thrilling when hospitality people just get it. CH Projects has done an incredible job of reviving this San Diego gem.
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Each touchpoint has been carefully considered. EVERYTHING is branded beautifully from the personalized guest stationary, to the cocktail recipe guides, do not disturb door hangers, ice buckets, hair dryer and clothing steamer bags and beyond.
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Attentive staff and service available 24/7 via the text message concierge line (it actually works!)
Important Bits
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Type
Lifestyle Hotel
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Vibe
A maximalist movie set to live out your Hollywood dreams
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Location
2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
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Rooms
141 rooms and suites
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Pre-Arrival & Arrival Experience
Guests booking through lafayettehotelsd.com receive access to the hotel’s concierge text line, connecting you with the front desk 24/7. During my stay, they swiftly handled everything from dinner at Quixote to fresh towels and city tips. A chilled bottle of Prosecco and a handwritten note from GM Steve Slack set the welcome tone.
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Future Forward
The Lafayette Hotel and Club features in-shower refillable toiletries by Dyptique Paris (trés chic), filtered water waiting in-room in glass decanters, and a well stocked mini bar with glass-bottled imbibements.
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Music
The hotel’s music is expertly curated to the time of day, with mornings starting out slower with classic tunes and bossa nova beats, while afternoons turn into a clubby pool party. Pro tip: if you’re looking for a quieter stay, book a guest room in the main building away from the pool.
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Year Opened
1946
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Designed By
The Lafayette Hotel and Club’s landmarked building was renovated by San Diego-based firm, Tucker Sadler Architects, while the Wes Anderson-esque interiors were imagined and brought to life by CH Projects’ in-house creative team in collaboration with Post Company, the Brooklyn-based design studio behind everyone’s favorite boutique hotels.
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Health & Wellness
In staying on theme, the hotel’s in-house fitness room is decked out in maximalist purple workout equipment and features boxed waters for guests. A Turkish bath-style hamam, spa and sauna are set to open Fall 2025.
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Food
CH Projects, the team behind many of San Diego’s standout venues, brings its culinary edge to the Lafayette. Beginner’s Diner, a 24/7 lobby fixture, channels a 1940s greasy spoon with everything from omelets and tuna melts to buckwheat pancakes and a wagyu French dip. The pool bar and terrace follow suit with American classics served al fresco. By night, Quixote shifts the mood: an Oaxacan-inspired mezcalería by chef José Cepeda, set in interiors crafted from a decommissioned Mexican church. Highlights include Huitlacoche Tamal, Crab Corn Doughnut, Squash Blossom, Ensalada Exotica & Oaxacan Fondue.
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Bar, Events & Nightlife
The Lafayette buzzes from morning to late night, Lobby Bar cocktails, Pool Bar lounging, and after-hours at The Gutter, a billiards-and-bowling spot inspired by Henry Frick’s private alley. Below, Lou Lou’s Jungle Room hosts live music and supper club dinners for up to 580 guests, with Chef José Cepeda’s chophouse menu, Alicia Perry’s cocktails, and a restored 1940s stage once featured in Top Gun.
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Minibar & Retail
Whoever said the hotel mini bar is dead, clearly hasn’t stayed here. The tri-mirrored bar is well stocked with a great selection of fine spirits and mixers to play bartender with retro cocktail recipe cards in hand. You can open the French patio doors to your pool cabana and host a mini party. Cocktail mixing set, glassware, ice buckets (all branded of course) and fresh fruit are provided.
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Accessibility
Lafayette Hotel is ADA-compliant with specific adapted rooms for guests with reduced mobility, wheelchair parking and entrances, lifts for the pool, and accessible public restrooms and dining options in its restaurant and bars.
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Pet Friendly
Yes, very dog friendly.
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Children
You can, but preferably leave them at home.
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Price
Well priced and worth every penny!
- Tel.
- Website
Lafayette Hotel San Diego
Lafayette Hotel & Suites in San Diego, El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA, USA
SUP & Saddle Coronado
1201 1st St, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
Balboa Park
Balboa Park, San Diego, CA, USA
The Taco Stand
621 Pearl St, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
In the Area
Hotel Location Lafayette Hotel & Suites in San Diego, El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA, USA
You can easily spend an entire weekend at the Lafayette Hotel and Club without ever leaving the property. From lounging by the pool with a spritz in hand, to lunch at Beginner’s Diner, dinners at Quixote and bowling at The Gutter. Venture out and you’re at the crossroads of North Park and University Heights, with the rest of San Diego waiting for two perfect days of exploring.
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