Lafayette Hotel Swim Club & Bungalows, San Diego
More photosExpert reviews
“With its gorgeous swimming pool, over-the-top lobby and multiple restaurants, bars and nightlife spots (including a bowling alley and live-music venue), the Lafayette Hotel is much more than a place to sleep.”
Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in San Diego.
“The Lafayette is a suspended-in-time Technicolor fantasy where you are the star—a 1940s movie star, that is—wandering between your cushy room and the pool, multiple restaurants, and boisterous bars in this mini neighborhood of a San Diego hotel complex.”
“The Lafayette reopened in July 2023 after a nine-month, $31-million renovation. Once at risk of being torn down, the hotel now explodes with vibrancy, as if to say — shout, really — that it isn’t going to waste this new lease on life.”
“Originally opened in the 1940s, the Lafayette was once frequented by stars like Ava Gardner and Bob Hope; it eventually became something of a budget hipster stay, but since its $31 million renovation by local restaurant group CH Projects, the Lafayette has been given a maximalist makeover for the 21st century.”
What guests liked
- Pool area
- Boutique style
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
All you need to know
The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego is like stepping into a glamorous throwback — but with a cool, modern twist. Built back in 1946, this Colonial-style hideaway once hosted big Hollywood names like Ava Gardner and Bob Hope.
Fast forward to 2023, and it reopened after a full $31 million renovation that totally honors its past — think crystal chandeliers, checkerboard marble floors, and that iconic pool designed by Olympic champ Johnny Weissmuller.
But it’s not just about vintage charm. The Lafayette now pulses with life, thanks to a bunch of new food and drink spots. From a retro 24-hour diner (Beginner’s Diner) to a luxe Parisian-style restaurant, a lively bowling alley, and a jazzy supper club called Lou Lou’s.
It’s been dubbed San Diego’s “party palace,” and with Esquire naming it the New Hotel of the Year in 2024, it’s clear this old-school icon has found its groove again.
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Location
Recent guest reviews
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