Rate and special offer based on Check-in: May 30, 2013 Check-out: May 31, 2013

Lafayette Hotel and Suites

3 stars
2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
3.0
out of 5
314 reviews
Great location. Great staff beautiful grounds

Very friendly staff. Love the location. Beautiful rooms. Pool area clean and relaxing. See full review

  • raindrop
  • Jan 23, 2013
So beautiful, very clean, quiet, and restaurants walking distance

Husband and I stayed at the Lafayette 1 night on November 17, 2012 for my birthday. What a... See full review

  • caligurrl
  • Nov 19, 2012
Colonial-style mansion epitomizes elegance next to San Diego Zoo
Dating back to 1946, the Lafayette opened as a popular spot for celebrities and movie stars to socialize for nights at a time. With live music in the Red Fox Room and Piano Bar, the property still celebrates its Hollywood roots today. The Lafayette is the closest hotel to the San Diego Zoo. Guests receive free Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access and on-site parking is also available. The on-site L Bar & Grill overlooks the hotel's Olympic-sized, Terrazzo-tile swimming pool.
Highlights
  • Historic property dates back to 1946
  • Closest hotel to San Diego Zoo with free shuttle
  • Listen to live music in the Red Fox Room and Piano Bar
  • Free Wi-Fi
Rooms

The Lafayette Hotel & Suites offers 131 small but elegant rooms, including four suites. Each room comes standard with a flat-screen TV, mini refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer and an in-room safe. Complimentary high-speed Internet access is available in all rooms.

Features

Built by Larry Imig in 1946, the Lafayette Hotel & Suites spent its first few decades as a popular spot among celebrities and movie stars. In addition to an impressive guest list, several prominent local figures have been permanent residents, including clothier Bill Solof, restaurateur Ray Lubach and San Diego Padres manager Lefty O'Doul.

Despite extensive renovations in 2009 and 2010, much of Lafayette's historic grandeur still exists today. One highlight of the San Diego property is the original, Olympic-sized Terrazzo-tile pool.  Guests and locals flock to the Red Fox Room & Piano Bar, which still hosts nightly entertainment. Guests also receive complimentary access to an on-site fitness center and free Wi-Fi Internet access in the lobby. The hotel offers 24-hour laundry service (fees apply) and parking is also available on site.

All guests receive complimentary shuttle service to the San Diego Zoo.

The on-site restaurant, the L Bar & Grill, sits in the hotel lobby and overlooks the pool. Guests can order light snacks in the Red Fox Room and Piano Bar as well.

Dining

The Red Fox

Sample a delectable fusion of mouth-watering steak varieties and creativley prepared seafood favourites alongside refreshing cocktails.

Hours:
Monday – Thursday  (11am – Midnight)
Friday – Saturday (11am – 1:30am)
Sunday (4pm – 1:30am)

Imig's Kitchen & Bar

Start the day with a modern twist on breakfast and brunch served in a relaxing and open setting.The restaurant also serves mid-day cocktails.

Hours:
Everyday (7am – 3pm)

Holidaymakers at Lafayette Hotel and Suites can also try out sumtuos cuisines, craft beer and local homecooked meals at North Park neighbourhood restaurants nearby. The hotel front desk can arrange for recommendtions and reservations.

Transportation
  • MTS Bus (3 blocks)
  • San Diego Trolley (1 mi/1.5km)
  • San Diego International Airport (4 mi/6 km)
Attractions
  • San Diego Zoo (1 mi/1.5 km)
  • Petco Park (2 mi/3 km)
  • Old Town (3 mi/4.5 km)
  • Sea World (4 mi/6 km)
  • Qualcomm Stadium (5 mi/9 km)
  • Point Loma (6 mi/10 km)
Business
  • 10,000 square feet of meeting space
  • Courtyard for outdoor events
  • 24-hour business center

 

Lafayette Hotel and Suites Rooms

Manor King - 1 King Bed
Pillow top California King mattress , triple sheeting with duvet. Desk. Smart power with 3 outlets & 2 USB charging ports, iPod/MP3 Ready AM/FM Clock Radio. 37-inch LCD television with expanded cable including 4 Showtime channels. Complimentary wireless Internet . Laptop-compatible safe. Coffee maker. Traditional shower/tub combination featuring Speakman showerhead. Hair dryer. Air conditioning. Non-Smoking.
Manor Queen - Two Queen Beds
Two pillow top Queen mattresses , triple sheeting with duvet. Desk. Smart power with 3 outlets & 2 USB charging ports, iPod/MP3 Ready AM/FM Clock Radio. 37-inch LCD television with expanded cable including 4 Showtime channels. Complimentary wireless Internet. Laptop-compatible safe. Coffee maker. Traditional shower/tub combination featuring Speakman showerhead. Hair dryer, Air conditioning. Non-Smoking.
Poolside Room - 2 queen beds
Two pillow Top Queen Mattresses , triple sheeting with duvet. French doors opening directly onto or overlooking the famous Weissmuller Pool. Desk. Smart power with 3 power outlets & 2 USB charging ports, iPod/MP3 Ready AM/FM Clock Radio. 40-inch LCD television with expanded cable including 4 Showtime channels. Complimentary wireless Internet access. Laptop-compatible safe. Coffee Maker. Traditional shower/tub combination featuring Speakman showerhead. hair dryer, Air conditioning. Non-Smoking.
Suze Suites
Two private bedrooms separated by French doors each with its own bathroom, traditional shower/tub combination featuring Speakman showerhead. One room offers a twin over full bunk bed, multi-purpose dining table, 4 chairs, chalk board wall, smart power with 3 outlets & 2 USB charging ports and a 32-inch LCD television. Separate and private parents' bedroom has a pillow top California King mattress , triple sheeting with duvet, built in desk, microwave, refrigerator, laptop-compatible safe, I-Pod/MP3 ready clock radio, 40-inch flat screen TV, complimentary wireless internet and expanded cable including 4 Showtime stations. Non-Smoking.

Amenities

  • Wireless internet
  • Outdoor pool
  • No smoking rooms/facilities
General
No smoking rooms/facilities
Concierge
Elevators
Activities
Outdoor pool
Fitness center or spa
Health club
Night club
Solarium
Dining
Bar/Lounge
Restaurant
Services
Business center
Safe deposit box
Meeting/Banquet facilities
Conference facilities
Internet
Wireless internet
Accessibility
Handicapped rooms/facilities
Accessible facilities
Accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible elevators
Visual emergency alarm for hearing impaired guest
Ramp access to buildings

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Reviewer score 3.5 out of 5

Hotel Map

32.7547 -117.1407
Area served
San Diego, CA
Nearby airports
(SAN)San Diego International Airport
Area description
Located in North Park area of San Diego. One mile from San Diego Zoo, one mile from Mission Valley and minutes to downtown, SeaWorld and all San Diego Attractions.

Nearby points of interest

  • Qualcomm Stadium: 1.5 mi
  • Spanish Village Art Center: 1.5 mi
  • San Diego Zoo: 1.6 mi
  • Casa De Balboa: 1.6 mi
  • San Diego Natural History Museum: 1.6 mi
  • Fleet Space Theater and Science Center: 1.7 mi
  • Botanical Building: 1.7 mi
  • Timken Museum of Art: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Museum of Art: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Museum of Man: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Automotive Museum: 2 mi
  • San Diego Aerospace Museum: 2.1 mi
  • Firehouse Museum: 2.8 mi
  • Heritage Park: 2.9 mi
  • Junipero Serra Museum: 3.1 mi
  • Qualcomm Stadium: 1.5 mi
  • Spanish Village Art Center: 1.5 mi
  • San Diego Zoo: 1.6 mi
  • Casa De Balboa: 1.6 mi
  • San Diego Natural History Museum: 1.6 mi
  • Fleet Space Theater and Science Center: 1.7 mi
  • Botanical Building: 1.7 mi
  • Timken Museum of Art: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Museum of Art: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Museum of Man: 1.7 mi
  • San Diego Automotive Museum: 2 mi
  • San Diego Aerospace Museum: 2.1 mi
  • Firehouse Museum: 2.8 mi
  • Heritage Park: 2.9 mi
  • Junipero Serra Museum: 3.1 mi
  • Whaley House Museum: 3.1 mi
  • Old Town San Diego: 3.2 mi
  • Bazaar Del Mundo: 3.2 mi
  • Childrens Museum of San Diego: 3.4 mi
  • PETCO Park: 3.4 mi
  • Gaslamp Quarter: 3.5 mi
  • Port of San Diego: 3.7 mi
  • Mission Bay Park: 5 mi
  • Sea World: 5.2 mi
  • Hospitality Point: 5.5 mi
  • Family Fun Center: 5.5 mi
  • Pacific Beach: 6.5 mi
  • Belmont Park: 6.6 mi
  • Sunset Cliffs: 6.7 mi
  • Chula Vista Nature Center: 8.3 mi
  • Sorrento Valley: 9.8 mi
  • California Center For The Arts Museum: 25.2 mi
  • Legoland: 27.8 mi

Dining

Red Fox Steak House
The quintessential steakhouse that doesn't just reach for the lounge vibe, it helped define it. The entire interior was shipped to the United States for blonde cinema actress, Marion Davies, and was dismantled (again!) and installed at the Lafayette during the 1950's. If the history and nightly piano doesn't get you, the stiff cocktails, steak, and seafood surely will. Hours: Monday - Thursday (11am - Midnight) Friday - Saturday (11am - 1:30am) Sunday (4pm - 1:30am)
Imig's Kitchen & Bar
Loved by locals and guest alike, Imig's serves up a modern, casual and honest twist on breakfast and brunch. The relaxed and open setting gives guests the perfect space to gather daily for breakfast, brunch (or both, after all you're on vacation) or a mid-day custom cocktail overlooking the historic Weissmuller Pool. Hours: Everyday (7am - 3pm)
North Park Neighborhood Restaurants
Quickly becoming nationally recognized for it's culinary diversity and appreciation for craft beer, the neighborhood offers Lafayette guests an incredible opportunity for food exploration. We encourage you to dine with us once (ok, maybe twice) and then experience the local cuisine within our wonderful neighborhood! Our front desk can assist with recommendations and reservations.

Hotel Policies

Check-in:
1500
Check-out:
1100

Terms and conditions

Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.

The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.

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Guest Reviews (314)

Ratings and reviews for Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Overall score

3 / 5
314 out of 314
Amenities:
3.1
Room cleanliness:
3.4
Hotel staff:
3.7
Room comfort:
3.2
Location:
3.5
Value:
3.4

64% would recommend to a friend.

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Review this hotel
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
super angry mom
diamond bar, CA
Oct 12, 2009

the bad

staff at night duty is not friendly when check-in, we took more time to complete the check-in. The rooms are very old, especially bathroom, sink is cracking, no function for toilet flush... staff ignore those problem when we ask them to check or change room. The pictures online are different from real status, we feel cheating by them.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
1
Room comfort:
1
Location:
2
Value:
1
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Los Angeles
Dec 5, 2009

Yeesh

From the outside, this place looks great and I have heard that the pool area during the day (Sundays) is fabulous. However, the room we had was a room for disabled people. Ok, fine. But then we see that the smoke detector has been ripped out of the ceiling. Ok, fine. It's also freezing because the window doesn't quite shut fully. But to at least close the curtains, you have to pull them over the heater. So there's a fire hazard, and with no smoke detector, that doesn't seem too smart. The bed was made of some form of granite I think and sloped in the middle, forming a chasm you wished would swallow you whole so you would at least not have to feel the sheer bedrock you are sleeping on. The television, though it offered cable, was placed on a counter. Tasteful.[...]On the upside, there is a bar, pool, jacuzzi, game room, and free underground gated parking. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
1
Location:
2
Value:
2
Nightlife tip: In Hotel

The Red Fox Room next door is old timey and awesome if you want a drink and a cool piano bar vibe.

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Dyno
Business
San Francisco, CA
Jan 4, 2010

Worst hotel stay EVER

The photos are very decieving. My room wasnt clean, and was in general disrepair. (holes in the wall, scuff marks, dust, hairs on the blankets etc.) I checked the beds for bed bugs and didnt see anything, although they are hard to find, but I did see some bed bug stains (look it up online) on the sheets. When I arrived the water wasnt working. It was new years day, and after a night of partying I wanted nothing more than to go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and shower. Well toilet didnt flush & no water came out of the sink or shower... It wasnt fixed for another hour after that & the front desk acted like it was normal and didnt offer me anything for the inconvenience. It would be fine as a party hotel, which is what I found out it is... but I would never ever ever ever want to go here again. I'd think I died and went to hell. Big thumbs down.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
1
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
1
Location:
4
Value:
2
Trip purpose:

Business

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Phoenix, Az
Jan 19, 2010

Rude, and Dirty

We showed up 25 min before Noon. They had rooms available, but they said "there is no possible way we can check you in" They were quite rude about it. After our long drive we had to use the restrooms, we used the ones in the lobby, they were gross. Dirty and trashy. This is no place we wanted to stay, We ended up staying at another hotel and losing our money. We took a gamble, thought it would be cute and charming, but we were dead wrong.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
1
Room comfort:
1
Location:
1
Value:
1
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA
Feb 7, 2010

Lafayette

I would definitely have to say that this place is falsely advertising their establishment. The rooms are not as nice as they look on their pictures nor is the rest of the place. The staff is very unfriendly and rude

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
1
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
1
Room comfort:
1
Location:
1
Value:
1
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Schulzey mom of 3
Gilbert, AZ
Feb 17, 2010

San Diego

It was nothing like the pictures, the hotel was very old and dirty, small rooms, uncomfortable beds, bathrooms were horrible. We happened to get the room above the bar and did not sleep at all bc it was so noisy. The only good thing about this hotel was the breakfast.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
1
Location:
1
Value:
2
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Business
Monrovia, CA
Feb 28, 2010

Worst Hotel Stay Ever

I thought I was getting a great last minute deat at a 3-star hotel. What I got was a horrible deal at a horrible hotel. The place was dirty and unkempt. The TV, fridge & microwave were plugged into surge protector with a cord that was so short, it hung in the air & wouldn't stay plugged into the wall. I could hear my neighbor snoring all night. If I hadn't pre-paid I would have left. YUCK.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
1
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
2
Room comfort:
1
Location:
2
Value:
1
Trip purpose:

Business

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
washington,dc
Mar 22, 2010

Lafatette Hotel and Suites

arrived late / stayed one night / checked out the next morning.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
4
Room comfort:
1
Location:
3
Value:
2
Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Ventura, Ca
Apr 5, 2010

Not very good...

Great location, and the hotel has a lot of potential. However, it rained our first day...and low-and-behold there was a hole in the roof that leaked on my bed. The hotel gave us a different room, but not a credit for that miserable, cold night. So, I had a chance to sleep in 2 different rooms. They were big, but very dirty and in some cases disrepair. The carpets are from the 1970s or early 1980s. I'm not being unfairly critical, but there is now way to overlook the shape the rooms are in.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
2
Room cleanliness:
1
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
2
Location:
4
Value:
4
Entertainment tip: Short drive from hotel

Both the Zoo and Sea World are nearby.

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

1
Anonymous
Rancho Cucamonga
Apr 18, 2010

Worst hotel ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well we arrived the entry to hotel is on a busy street and the exit is blocked by parked cars and almost got into and accident. When we got into the hotel there is caution tape everywhere and construction going on. We were never informed of that when we booked the hotel. The room that we were given to stay in was a wreck the sink in the bathroom was hang off the wall. The bed was hard and pillows were hard and uncomfortable

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
1
Room cleanliness:
2
Hotel staff:
3
Room comfort:
1
Location:
1
Value:
1
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