It’s always nice to get a taste of the high life, especially when I’m enjoying myself on vacation. Sometimes I go for budget-friendly hotels, but I’ll never pass up treating myself to an upscale experience every once in a while.
Among the many hotels near San Diego’s Downtown area in University Heights, none embody the ideals of glitz and glam quite like The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, & Bungalows.
Originally opened in 1946, the 2.5 acre property underwent an extensive renovation that took 9 months and cost about 31 million dollars to complete. Now finished, this newly reopened San Diego jewel is better than ever!
Though guests stay just a short distance from city hotspots like Balboa Park and San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, stepping inside The Lafayette Hotel feels like stepping back through time! Both the interior and exterior are artfully decorated in a charming retro style that evokes a sense of upper class living for the duration of your stay, while a soundtrack of classical music enriches the setting.
Celebrate your love!
Celebrate your love in style with chic venues and luxury amenities!
Dating back to its opening in the mid-1940s, its long and storied history is filled with famous faces. Notable guests who’ve booked a stay include Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, and Bob Hope, among other Young Hollywood elites.
Delicious Food at Quixote Restaurant at the Lafayette Hotel Swim Club and Bungalows
Dining at The Lafayette Hotel
With two on-site restaurants, guests don’t have to leave the property to grab a fantastic meal or quick bite to eat. In the name of exceptional dining experiences, The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, & Bungalows has multiple unique options to offer you as its guest!
Beginner’s Diner serves classic Americana fare alongside dishes influenced by Jewish and Greek cuisine. The restaurant mimics a 1940s diner in immaculate detail, right down to the cakes in the display window. Open 24 hours a day, the diner will be open no matter when you’re ready to eat!
The hotel’s second restaurant, Quixote, spotlights authentic Mexican fare, including an array of Mezcal cocktails. It’s built with materials from a decommissioned Catholic church originally located in Mexico which has since been incorporated into the hotel.
The space retains the church's unique touches, from cobblestones and wood paneling to a pulpit-inspired bar. When you visit the restaurant, be sure to not miss the fine details, from the baroque pews to the stained-glass windows, as the hotel spared no expense to create this one of a kind eatery!
The Beautiful Pool at the Lafayette Hotel
Take a Swim
No overview of this hotel would be complete without a nod to its pool, which I think is exceptional. Fun fact: it was designed by Johnny Weissmuller, an Olympic swimmer and actor famous for playing Tarzan.
When you choose The Lafayette Hotel, you can swim in the pool or sunbathe on one of their comfortable lounge chairs. The pool bar, designed in the luxury rattan style of the 1980s, is a great place to grab a refreshing drink and take in this fashionable architecture that surrounds you.
The Lobby Bar at the Lafayette Hotel
The Lobby Bar
When you’ve had your fill at the hotel’s pool, make sure to visit the swanky and stylish Lobby Bar!
At The Lobby Bar, you’ll find tables arranged in a circular layout around a stunning centerpiece: a large statue of Atlas, plus a hand-painted ceiling by Joao Incerti. Wood and wrought iron accents bring the throwback atmosphere of the bar to life, as does the selection of cocktails and other refreshments available.
The Lobby Bar is open daily from 11:00am to 11:00pm.
Traveling with a Dog?
For those on a staycation or a trip with a dog, know that the hotel is dog-friendly. There is a nonrefundable pet fee, and the hotel’s pet policy does not allow for cats. Guests may bring up to two animals weighing no more than 45 pounds each.
Metro Station next to the Convention Center in the Gaslamp Quarter San Diego
Easy to Get To
It’s also worth noting that the hotel is a quick 15 minute rideshare (Uber and Lyft are both offered in the city) from the San Diego International Airport (SAN).
If you choose to rent a car or drive in on your own, the hotel offers valet and daily parking.