The Lafayette Hotel & Club is where Hollywood’s Golden Age meets modern-day San Diego flair, a maximalist extravaganza where no two common areas look alike. From the moment you walk through its grand entrance, the hotel radiates an air of glamorous nostalgia. A place where starlets once roamed, today, it offers a quirky mix of mid-century history, juxtaposing motifs, and an enlivening local vibe, making it a true gem in the heart of one of San Diego’s most hipster neighborhoods, North Park.
Since opening in 1946, The Lafayette has hosted legendary figures like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner. The hotel underwent a significant transformation—a $31-million makeover—and reopened in 2023 as a reborn legend with the superpower to reel in tourists and locals alike.
Inside, the rooms are a riot of color and texture, combining bold patterns, velvet, and tropical touches in a way that shouldn’t work but somehow does. Think tiger-striped canopies, palm-fringed lamps, and cheetah-print shades. It’s a visual feast in all directions. The poolside rooms are particularly sought-after, with direct access to the pool deck, the place to make a splash come summertime (locals can buy a day pass to the lido). For a quieter stay, the upper floors in the main building are an option, offering spacious suites with clawfoot tubs and separate living areas.
In terms of dining, The Lafayette continues its theme of delightful contrasts. Beginners is a 24-hour retro diner from the 1940s, serving elevated takes on American comfort food (Well, hello, Banana Bread Pudding French Toast). Then, there’s Quixote, a darker, more intimate spot where Oaxacan-inspired dishes accompany a setting decked out in vestiges from an erstwhile Mexican church. (Food-wise, for a fusion moment, order the Oaxaca Fondue: chorizo, tortillas, truffle, plus Oaxacan Cheese.) If cocktails are more your speed, the lobby bar serves up New Orleans classics, while Gutter, the hotel’s retro bowling alley, offers a superb place for a laid-back Manhattan (who knows, a few sips might have you bowling strike after strike?). The pool bar, serving tropical drinks and delicious bites, celebrates San Diego’s unmatched, almost always sunny weather. Oh, and let us not forget to mention the jazz club in the basement—it feels like a 1950s throwback, flaunting a shell-shaped stage.
The hotel spa is influenced by the design of traditional Turkish bathhouses, creating a shared space with saunas, steam rooms, and refreshing cold plunge baths.
Hipster haven North Park is at your doorstep—check out our recommendations on where to peruse in the ‘Top Takeaways’ below. Walk 20 minutes in the opposite direction to see historic Balboa Park and resident gayborhood, Hillcrest.
Dressed in a Mardi Gras-esque color scheme with lots of purple, The Lafayette staff is both attentive and friendly—San Diegans are perpetually lovely (but then again, how could one not be in a good mood every hour of the day when the weather is pretty much nonstop sunny and the beach is almost always at a finger’s length away?).
San Diego needed an extra fabulous boutique hotel; it was long overdue (I was born and raised here, so I feel my opinion has some merit?). The Lafayette proves my hometown isn’t just about its beautiful beaches—it’s quickly becoming an open-air emporium of creativity and urbane energy.
Top Takeaways
Location: North Park, San Diego
Address: 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA
Rating: Four-star
The Vibe: Um… minimalism? We don’t know her.
Food + Drink: The Lafayette offers a variety of dining and drinking options that cater to every mood. Beginners, a 24-hour retro diner, serves up elevated American comfort food, with the Banana Bread Pudding French Toast being an absolute must-try. For a more intimate experience, Quixote dishes out Oaxacan-inspired cuisine in a space adorned with elements from a former Mexican church—be sure to try the Oaxaca Fondue for the ultimate fusion bite. The Lobby Bar is perfect for sipping classic New Orleans cocktails in a lively setting, while Gutter, the retro bowling alley, offers craft cocktails and a laid-back atmosphere. If you’re looking to soak up the sun, the Pool Bar serves up tropical drinks and light bites. Lastly, for a nostalgic throwback, the Jazz Club in the basement captures the spirit of the 1950s with its shell-shaped stage and live music.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel: Hmmmm… I’m going to have to go with the design. It’s an artful assemblage of mismatching patterns: eccentric fabrics hug sofas, statement-making checkered-board floors show off the hotel’s main character energy, and the animal-printed lampshades are a vibe and a half.
Amenities: Pool, bars, restaurants, spa, 24-hour front desk, outlets for electric cars, parking
What’s Nearby: North Park, Balboa Park, Hillcrest, San Diego Zoo, The Observatory North Park (Concert Venue)
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? North Park is a hipster paradise, blissfully free of tourist crowds. If you’re in the area, be sure to stroll down North Park Main Street, the heart of the neighborhood. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of independent gems—from Day to Day Vintage, a thrift lover’s dream, to Verbatim Books, a cozy indie bookstore, to Pigment, a plant-filled boutique that’s basically Pinterest come to life, and Red Brontosaurus Records, where vinyl lovers can get their fix. And when it’s time to eat or drink, the area boasts a seriously stylish lineup of restaurants and bars, including Part Time Lover, an art-deco cocktail bar with a local DJ spinning the perfect soundtrack.
Rooms: 140 rooms, with poolside rooms and spacious suites featuring clawfoot tubs and separate living areas.
Pricing: Rates start at $250/night
Closest Airport: San Diego International Airport (SAN)