The Lafayette reopened in July 2023 after a nine-month, $31-million renovation.
The hotel first opened in July 1946 as the Imig Manor.
Bob Hope was its first guest.
Credit:Courtesy of Kimberly Motos
After Conrad Hilton bought the property several years later, he changed the name to the Lafayette.
It once served as the headquarters of the San Diego Chargers, which Hiltons son, Barron, founded.
Later, it housed local radio stations as well as a call-girl business.
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The Lafayette Hotel & Club
In the mid-1990s, the hotel reopened.
If the interiors were a little tired,the locals didnt mind.
It has always been a local hangout.
Courtesy of Kimberly Motos
Inside, the footprint remains the same.
The old bandshell still graces the Mississippi Room, now rechristened Lou Lou’s Jungle Room.
Otherwise, though, the Lafayette has been transformed.
Courtesy of Kimberly Motos
Youre stimulated at every turn, Willis explains.
Heres what it’s crucial that you know about the reinvigoratedHotel Lafayette.
The Rooms
The Lafayette has 139 rooms.
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The hotels classic rooms with king- or queen-size beds start at $299 per night.
(In the pool wings, upstairs rooms are carpeted; downstairs feature floor tile.)
A spacious balcony overlooked the pool.
Jeff Chu/Travel + Leisure
The pool rooms come with a soundtrack: whatever music trickles in from the pool deck.
Its a top-notch playlist, compiled by Grammy-winning rap producer Swiss Beatz.
Many are atypical for hotel minibars: St. Germain, Bruichladdich Islay Barley whisky, Botanist gin.
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If youd prefer that someone else mix your drinks, wander out to the pool bar.
Or pick a stool or banquette in the lobby bar, which has the feel of a European plaza.
Wrought-iron street lamps augment the natural light pouring in through the glass roof.
His signature dish is the crab corn doughnut.
Cepedas moles and sauces are equally memorable.
Oh, and crickets.
Lounge away an afternoon on a striped chaise.
It reopened as a live-music venue in mid-January.
A Turkish bathinspired spa is scheduled to open in mid-2024.
An innovative fuel-cell system in the basement slashed the hotels greenhouse-gas emissions as well as energy consumption.
Dogs are welcome at the hotel ($100 fee); cats are not.
