The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

It's a uniquely crafted, classic concept, of a place you can stay and play! It's a swirl of both Old Timey and New day appeal. Worth checking out and getting lost in its wonder, if you're up for a stay-cation or out of town adventure!

This is a fun place to spend a night or two. The decor is redolent of an earlier era with all kinds of entertaining aspects wherever one looks. There are several bars with different menus, from the large interior bar to the pool side to the bars downstairs in the Quixote restaurant and Gutters. One could spend the day visiting each one. The themes vary as one goes to each. For food choices, there is a 24 hour diner in the hotel with a 1950s diner-style decor, the Quixote restaurant (upscale mexican) or pool side. The room we had was amazing with all kinds of interesting touches you won't find elsewhere. Getting a pool balcony room was great as the pool lounges were all taken. The room bar was the most complete I've ever seen. The usual amenities (soap, shampoo, towels, coffee--but instant, flat screen tv, ac. there isn't any room service but you do get a text connection to ask for help with anything. It can get noisy at various times during the night with music from I don't know where. There is valet parking only $38/night. You could try street parking if you get lucky.

My sister and I had an unforgettable experience celebrating her birthday at The LaFayette. Despite staying only one night, we found it so delightful that the next day we almost had to be dragged out kicking and screaming! The hotel exudes magnificent charm and beauty, with meticulous attention to detail evident in the room decor, bar areas, and both the Diner and Quixote restaurant. You almost have to pinch yourself to realize you aren’t going to see Ava Gardner having a swim, bringing you back to present-day reality. This period hotel is an absolute jewel in the heart of San Diego. for couples, friends and of course, sisters. Well certainly be back!

We had a 5-star experience but we held back a star as a warning and heads up to weary travelers. It is a fun, fantastic and truly unique hotel, but it's not for those hoping to nod off at 9:00 after traveling from the East Coast or wanting to tuck the kiddos into bed for an early morning at Sea World. Go there knowing that this place attracts, especially on weekends, a lot of guests and locals in their 20s and 30s. Everyone is having a blast and you'll hear them, and the music, up to and past midnight. If you are up for joining in and tuning out when you're done and heading back to the room, we cannot recommend this enough. If you're not, try one of the hundreds of quiet chain hotels in the area. As local San Diegans, we have been very happy to see this historic place go from run-down eyesore a decade ago, to a thriving place for staycationers, like us, and visitors who tend to typically not venture a mile or two from the coast. The newest owners have done a particularly fantastic job fine-tuning the renovation. It turns out - and not surprisingly - they (CH) are also responsible for some of the other coolest places in SD, like Morning Glory, Seneca and Raised by Wolves. We had a 2nd floor room that faced the pool at the far end. We ate at Quixote, played games at The Gutter, watched live music at Lou Lou's and had a nightcap at the Lobby Bar. We were not aware going in that it would be as loud as it was and there was a room party below us that went on too long past midnight, but it was quiet and relaxed the next morning and we enjoyed drinking coffee from Beginners out on our balcony until checkout. The staff is excellent and we were thanked for our stay personally by the outstanding manager, Nicole, on the way out. It was an amazing experience and we highly recommend it... to most.

I read an article about a San Diego hotel 2 mi from the zoo, that was built in 1946, and recently underwent a major overhaul. In addition, I wanted to visit my cuz, so I booked a floor level, pool access room w/ a king bed: I was glad I did. I never saw The Lafayette b4 the makeover. However, my cuz said it was ghetto as was the neighborhood, until being redeveloped in recent years. Now the neighborhood is the place to be, and is full of young professionals. This crowd likes having places they can eat and drink at nearby. I was able to walk out the back door to my room and park myself on a lounge chair. At the pool it was easy to order food & drink. The room was spacious and had the coolest in-room bar I've ever seen (although I did not partake). There are 7 themed bars on the property, and the main bar did not disappoint. All of the bartenders were friendly and serious about their craft. I recently stayed at the Bellagio in Vegas. My experience at TL was so much better. The valet was really nice, Drew was able to check me in early, and the service everywhere was top notch. I visited four of the bars on the property during my one night stay. I can't wait to stay again so I can visit the other three. If you don’t have kids, this is a better place to stay vs the chains in Hotel Circle.

The staff at this hotel made all the difference. I came to celebrate my bday and although my party didn’t make it, the staff from the concierge to the valet were immensely helpful, genuine, and polite in every way. At one point I needed assistance with a wardrobe malfunction from a female associate (Dani) and she indeed came to my rescue! The front desk staff was bubbly and informative. So Thankful that you have your 24 hour diner in which the staff there was also phenomenal! Thank you so much for everything I will be recommending and returning :) 💗

Travelling from Switzerland to do a road trip in SoCal we decided to stay at the Lafayette. We were in for a treat. If you like to dive back into time and enjoy some "great Gatsby vibes" this is a great place to stay. The rooms, the Bar, the Pool, the bowling and arcade everything was like a time capsule from back in the day with lots of glamour. Our 4 year old son enjoyed it as well especially the pool and "the Gutter" with a lovely bar, where he got an apple juice and us parents enjoyed a delicious cocktail watching the bowling alley and playing unlimited arcade games for free. The chillout lounge music at the pool was relaxing and swimming a couple of lanes in the mildly heated pool as well. Service at the reception, bars, pool area and the restaurant was always friendly and pleasant. Only minor thing I can mention, what could be improved is perhaps playing some electro swing which would match the theme of the hotel. Also for on weekends, to have some animation dancers / acrobatic performances around the pool (maybe they do, we were not staying over the weekend....) as they have in several hotels in Ibiza - Spain - the Ushuaia Hotel for example. Regardless, when we will be back in San Diego we will definitely stay here again and highly recommend this place to our friends and family. This is a very special place and a refreshing change from the standard corporate chain hotels.

Can't say enough how much this hotel has it all. Incredible decor and mood/vibe. Excellent service along the way. It feels like everything has a personal touch. The 'mini'-bar inside the room is one of the most unexpected pleasures of a hotel room I've ever experienced. Absolute love the attention to detail and fun in every nook. The room we had which was standard is small -- so if you're looking for space, I'd circle a suite or upgrade. The bed was probably the most soft, comfortable bed I've slept in while traveling anywhere. Other highlights: diner is incredible. Hearty, old-school vibe and its even open 24/7. Pool is great -- large enough for a real dip or dive. And the bowling alley bar is huge -- good pool tables and even some skee-ball. Will staycation here in the future. 5-stars.

Reviewed today This hotel was just redone and you can see why Esquire made it their fav new hotel foe 2024. Everything is just so well thought out, between lobby, bars, diner and pool. It has a very old hollywood type of vibe especially in the rooms. We had a pool view king and the room was very comfortable and spacious. Next time we go we will do pool side, as the balcony for our room was nice but a bit tight. It would be nice to be able to walk right out to the pool from the room. The service was EXCEPTIONAL and is a big part of why we enjoyed our time there. Every person working seems very focused on providing their guests with a personal, friendly and accommodating experience.