San Diego’s beloved LaFayette Hotel & Club celebrates a momentous occasion on July 12 as it unveils its full transformation into a luxurious haven of design and cultural experiences.
Owned and developed by CH Projects, renowned for their acclaimed restaurant and bar destinations, the new LaFayette Hotel & Club embodies the unique cultural fabric of San Diego. With a meticulous renovation that pays homage to the hotel’s glamorous past, the property now offers guests an immersive and spirited escape into a bygone era.
Situated in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood, the LaFayette Hotel & Club holds a significant place in the city’s history. Built in 1946 by entrepreneur Larry Imig, the Colonial-style hotel quickly became a haven for young Hollywood stars, hosting luminaries such as Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope. After changing ownership multiple times over the years, the hotel underwent its first proper renovation, masterfully designed by Brooklyn-based Post Company. The transformation encompasses all 139 rooms, eight new food and beverage outlets, and the iconic signature pool that remains the focal point of the property. Music producer Swizz Beats has curated a custom-built speaker system, while the overall aesthetic captures the hotel’s glamorous past and showcases modern craftsmanship within an eclectic collection of spaces.
CH Projects founder Arsalun Tafazoli expressed his pride in the LaFayette Hotel & Club, which represents the culmination of their 17-year journey to create social spaces that authentically reflect San Diego’s underappreciated cultural scene. The hotel serves as a testament to their mission of celebrating the city’s unique subcultures and providing elements of escapism. Tafazoli noted that a hotel offers the most complex canvas for socialization and deep connection, and the LaFayette Hotel & Club epitomizes their commitment to honoring tradition while creating something new and surreal for guests to discover.
The new LaFayette Hotel & Club invites guests on a creative exploration through a multidimensional design concept that goes beyond traditional luxury. Each of the hotel’s 139 rooms and food and beverage outlets exudes accessible luxury, showcasing custom-designed linens, thoughtfully curated in-room bars by cocktail expert Paul McGee, and a range of unique dining experiences.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a formal entry adorned with rich plastered crown moldings, vintage checkered marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and lush greenery. The lobby features a dedicated café kiosk serving coffee and pastries, as well as a retail space offering diverse products curated by Swish Projects. The lobby restrooms evoke the charm of Grand Hotel water closets, with decorative tiles, deep basin sinks, and aged unlacquered brass fixtures that exude an Old-World ambiance.
The LaFayette Hotel & Club offers various types of accommodations rooted in traditional Victorian, Tudor, and Gothic details. From wallpaper ceilings to fabric-draped canopy beds and burled bar carts, each room immerses guests in a fanciful experience where design elements double as functional sculpture or art. The Suze Suites surrounding the outdoor pool exhibit irreverent maximalism with layered patterns, bright textiles, and ornate lighting. The Townhouses, styled in Spanish Mission architecture, feature whimsical textiles and distinct furniture juxtaposed with classical textured flooring and wrought iron details.
The hotel’s food and beverage offerings are equally exceptional, with a diverse range of dining experiences that mirror the grandeur and delight found throughout the property. The outlets will be introduced in two phases, with Phase I offering the authentic 1940s-inspired Beginners Diner, the circular Lobby Bar bathed in natural light, the Oaxacan-inspired Quixote concept and Mezcalería, and the vibrant Pool Bar with its Amalfi Coast-inspired ambiance. Phase II will introduce the luxurious European-style restaurant, Le Horse Continental Room, as well as the golden era jazz and night club, Lulu’s Jungle Room & The Mississippi Room.
In addition to the extraordinary dining experiences, the LaFayette Hotel & Club plans to introduce Russian, Roman, and Turkish baths in Fall 2023, further enriching the spa and wellness offerings.
Room rates at the LaFayette Hotel & Club start at $299, offering guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in a truly remarkable experience. Located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA, the hotel invites guests to explore its rich history and embrace the cultural oasis it has become. For updates, follow @thelafayette on Instagram or visit lafayettehotelsd.com.
