The Lafayette Hotel is a Hotel located at 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104. It has received 2215 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars.
The address of The Lafayette Hotel: 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
The Lafayette Hotel has 4.3 stars from 2215 reviews
Hotel
"I love that I'm number three for writing a review on behalf of the soft opening at Lafayette on July 12, 23"
"Great Ambience and Rooms, But Crowded Bars Impact Guest Experience I recently stayed at this hotel and overall, it left me with mixed feelings"
"Meh"
"Stayed the night at this hotel"
"This has been one of the most unique hotel stays I have ever experienced! My fiancé and I stayed here on a Thursday just for 1 night for our engagement anniversary"
I love that I'm number three for writing a review on behalf of the soft opening at Lafayette on July 12, 23. I've been staying at the old hotel and pool for several years, so I was quite excited to see what these creative kids were going to come up with. My mind was not surprisingly blown. The EYES for design when it comes to shapes and colors, materials and patterns. If you love animal prints, you are going to want to make out with the furniture. The service: above bar, and I know will remain above bar because that's just what you guys do. The rooms: Posh, retro delight. I can't wait to come back on some psychedelic substances. Can I just say, that is one of the best mini bars that I've ever seen in my 49 years? Comfy comfy materials from towels which were the most yummiest to the bed sheets...so soft. I particularly fancied the snake motif, and just the effort made to create custom wallpaper, bedding, towels... Oh so signature! The pool: flawless The food: epic as expected, the diner was where we dined and I have the best turkey BLT of my life, very reasonably priced. The drinks: addictive, and also very reasonably priced. The atmosphere: always a vibe and there definitely was one with the music. Everything sounded spectacular. The speakers around the entire space or magnificent. Lighting and the lighting features were epic... I'm looking forward to seeing the vibe take hold after all the shock and ah visits over the next few weeks and months. This place will settle into a vibe. As usual, nothing was left out, and everything was for the imagination. ❤️ Recommendations to the hotel: Mattress protection covers for the beds. All that was between me and the mattress was a sheet. Not good for you or us. Watch all that glass poolside. All it takes is one broken glass to shut down and drain a pool. And one of that size and capacity will not be a fun refill. I think all the rooms, especially the ones by the pool, should have a poolside set. Room charging: nobody really asked us to verify who we were at times not even ask our name. I know you're still working those kinks out. This is more of a suggestion to you so people don't roll up and do charges to other people's rooms. Bottle openers for the room. Pool: another row of chairs to each side to accommodate more people by the pool. That was one thing that stuck with me was how is everybody going to enjoy a nice lounge chair by the pool. Room rates: Oh how epic it would be if you had a standard room rate for weekends and week nights for locals, as ultimately we are going to be your biggest, long time supporters. We paid $299 for the night of your Wednesday July 12th soft opening and that was perfect. We would love to be able to come Sunday through Thursday at that rate as a local. Pretty please. And honestly, this entire place should be free of children. That is just my personal opinion. Complete vibe wrecker at this place.
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Great Ambience and Rooms, But Crowded Bars Impact Guest Experience I recently stayed at this hotel and overall, it left me with mixed feelings. There were certainly some notable pros, including the beautiful ambience, well-maintained rooms, and excellent staff. However, there were also a few cons that significantly impacted my experience, mainly related to the crowded bars. Let's start with the positives. The hotel's ambience is truly remarkable. From the moment you step into the lobby, you're greeted with an inviting and stylish atmosphere. The interior design is modern, and the overall aesthetic is pleasing to the eye. The rooms are comfortable, spacious, and thoughtfully decorated with a very unique vibe to them. I found everything to be clean and well-maintained, which added to the overall positive experience. The staff members were friendly, attentive, and always ready to assist with any inquiries or requests. Their professionalism and commitment to providing excellent service were commendable. However, one major drawback I encountered was the overcrowded bars. It seemed that a significant portion of the crowd was comprised of individuals who were not hotel guests. This influx of external visitors made it extremely difficult to find a seat or get a drink at any of the hotel's bars. As a guest, it was frustrating to compete with non-guests for these basic amenities. It felt as though the hotel was overrun by anyone who decided to walk in off the street, which unfortunately diluted the overall experience for paying guests. The hotel management should take this issue seriously and consider implementing measures to ensure that the bars are primarily accessible to hotel guests. This might include setting a limit on the number of non-guests allowed in the bars or implementing a reservation system to guarantee seating for guests. By addressing this concern, the hotel could greatly enhance the experience for its paying customers and maintain the exclusivity and comfort they expect. In conclusion, while the hotel boasts an appealing ambience, well-appointed rooms, and a top-notch staff, the overcrowded bars significantly detracted from the overall guest experience. I hope that the management takes steps to address this issue and restore the exclusivity and comfort that should be enjoyed by those who have chosen to stay in this hotel.
Rooms: 3
Service: 3
Location: 2
Meh. There was so much hype over the renovation, but I think they forgot to train their staff. The service was horrendous! They tout this as a luxury hotel, but I get way better service at Denny's. The decor is lovely but that's where the good experience stops. I'm not sure who came up with the concept for the servers and the bartenders close but horrible.. they looked like they were pulled off the street and were put to work. that does not say luxury to me. We were there for a birthday celebration for my best friend. The drinks were overpriced and gross. The outside bar had no one at it, so when I walked up to get a drink, I was expecting to be served quickly. Boy, was I wrong! I stood there for nearly 5 mins without acknowledgment from either of the bartenders there. I had to get their attention to be served (and I was standing right in front of them, so there's no way they didn't see me). I can understand being busy, but at least look up and acknowledge the patron in front of you and say just a second. I was completely ignored, and then when I asked for a martini, they looked at me as if they didn't even know what that was or how to make it it was unbelievable. I had to tell them how to make it. They forgot the birthday girls' drinks and then made them incorrectly. And then try to say that I was paying for the drink when all I did was remind them that they were missing a drink. So I'm not sure where they got the communication that I was paying for the drink.. Don't get me wrong. I would have paid for a drink for my best friend. But she had ordered the drink previous to me showing up and had been waiting for at least 15 minutes to get her drink. The rest of the drinks for the table came shortly after I arrived, but hers didn't, and the server was nowhere to be found. So I had to flag somebody down and tell them that the birthday girl was missing her drink. I know most hotels cater to out of town guests. However, for those of us who are in town are more likely to be repeat customers and regulars. I'm looking for a go-to place to hang out on a regular basis. I was hoping that this would be just that, but it was a complete disappointment. I had such high hopes for this hotel after the renovation. It's sad that it was all hype and no follow through.
Service: 1
Stayed the night at this hotel. The aesthetics of this hotel are amazing. Their service is underwhelming and lackluster to say the least. I would not stay here again. To check in or check out there’s only one person that can help with this. I valeted my car 3 guys just looked at me to open my car door, no help with luggage. The literally saw me bringing my own bags down no one took it off my hands. Just saw me bringing it down, didn’t put my bags in my car. In short their service sucks! They are wearing costumes because they are performing as they are there to work. Wearing uniforms and sucking this bad should be a crime. Especially for the $$ they are charging. It doesn’t align with service. Their rooms are aesthetically cute and beautiful. No large mirrors in the rooms or safes. Room service non existent in my experience. Bar - cute, fun, and drinks are good. Coffee- delicious Diner- great food and drinks. Quixote- The food was delicious. It was really really good. Those cooks need a raise they know what they are doing! Cooks seem to be the only ones that take pride in their work. All their food and drinks are on point and they know how to do that right. So I’ll be back to consume food and drinks. Pool area - beautiful, experience ok service towards the end they forgot to put our order for drinks waiter about half our and we just cancelled the order and left. Pros- Aesthetic Instagramable Solid food Solid drinks Cons- Service is subpar in the hospitality area Need more employees Need employees that are their to provide excellent service Need employees that care Need better room Amenities Price for drinks are $15-20 per drink. Which is totally fine if they had exceptional service.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Rooms: 4
Service: 2
Location: 3
This has been one of the most unique hotel stays I have ever experienced! My fiancé and I stayed here on a Thursday just for 1 night for our engagement anniversary. Usually when we stay somewhere for 1 night, we go out and about in the surrounding area. This time was different. We didn’t want to leave. When we arrived at check in, we were kindly and warmly greeted by Drew from the front office. Immediately great vibes. He was so professional and fun and offered the best service. He also showed us to our room, which you don’t see that everyday. Great job making this stay very special Drew! The lobby itself from the door handles to the lighting to the scents was nothing I’ve ever seen. The details from every little font to texture were exquisite. The 24 diner has some of the best food. Patty melt gets the job done! The bar in the lobby was also amazing. Shout out to Juan our bartender that made us feel very welcomed. Great drinks. Our room itself was also immaculate. From the fender amp Bluetooth speaker to the comfy mattress. They also have a full bar in there with recipes to make your own cocktails. Never seen that before. The pool was gorgeous and looked like something straight out of a movie. Would I stay here again? Absolutely. Service and staff A+. Room was A+. I don’t have one complaint about this place and I wish I knew about it sooner.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Couple
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Rooms
Comfortable and lavish. Also cozy and fun.
Food & drinks
Everything was amazing. Tremendous.
Noteworthy details
Everything is like a movie set.
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Great value
Review of The Lafayette Hotel, San Diego The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego is a unique and charming hotel with a rich history. The hotel was built in 1926 and has been recently renovated, while still maintaining its original Art Deco style. The hotel's décor is truly tremendous, and it feels like stepping back in time when you walk through the doors. The hotel has a variety of room types to choose from, including standard rooms, suites, and even a turret suite. The rooms are all well-appointed and feature comfortable beds, modern amenities, and stunning views of the city or the hotel's courtyard. One of the things that makes The Lafayette Hotel so special is its attention to detail. Everything from the furniture to the artwork to the cocktails has been carefully curated to create a truly immersive experience. For example, the hotel's bar, The Red Fox, is known for its creative and delicious cocktails, which are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Another highlight of The Lafayette Hotel is its rooftop pool. The pool offers stunning views of the city and is the perfect place to relax and unwind on a hot day. The hotel also has a fitness center and a spa, so you can stay active and pampered during your stay. The Lafayette Hotel is a wonderful place to stay in San Diego. The hotel offers unique and stylish accommodations, a variety of amenities, and a friendly and welcoming staff. I highly recommend The Lafayette Hotel to anyone looking for a memorable and luxurious hotel experience.
While I thought the decor and overall vibe of the hotel was great, I was very disappointed in my stay. I specifically asked for the quietest and nicest king room. For that I was rewarded with construction workers starting at 7 AM which not only made it impossible to sleep, it ruined the whole purpose of having a relaxing sleep in day to ourselves. Buzzsaws and loud music and construction workers talking outside your door are unreasonable in any circumstance let alone at seven in the morning. Worst still was the fact that the hotel not only knew this was going on but failed to let the guests know of this fact when booking. I had assurances that the general manager would be reaching out to hear my concerns because this was troubling to the staff. I have received nothing. This tells me everything. I stayed at the old Lafayette many times and my experience was 100 times better in terms of my stay. They need to work on their customer service if they want repeat staying customers. The night club scene is robust and it’s worth checking out; cool bars and a rocking bowling alley downstairs! But it fails as a hotel at this juncture.
Rooms: 4
Service: 1
Location: 3
One of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed at. The attention to detail in all of the design for the whole place is incredible. Waking up here feels like being transported to old New Orleans, but with everything new, crisp, shiny and perfect. I would have given it a 5 star review (and probably will later on) except that there are growing pains for this very newly revamped hotel. The rooms are small and the bathroom is tiny. There are no stands for your luggage. There is a hot water maker and coffee but no mugs. An absolutely huge bar dominates the small space and so there is no place to put your clothing. The bed and bedding are wonderful. As good or better than what Marriott offers. So the lowdown on the room is that it’s comfortable but awkward. All of the staff are super friendly, helpful, and attractive. Being a new place not everyone knows what to do or when to do it. The pool bar has awesome drinks but it takes forever to get them. There is no bar food available. However, the people watching is great fun. I’m sure that we will be back and we’ll are looking forward to seeing how the place matures.
Rooms: 3
Service: 5
Location: 4
Awful-----Ugh!! I went to this hotel and ordered one Makers Mark on the rocks and saw the bartender use the jigger so I knew I wasn't going to get a good pour for a $20 drink. I decided to leave as it was crowded and not my scene. I was finally able to get the bartenders attention with about 5people waiting in line and he handed me the Card Reader. I quickly hit the tip button and ran my finger across the screen not even reading what was on it. It was one Makers Mark on the rocks so I was thinking max $20-25$ with tip. I look at my statement on my credit card the next day and it was for $346.28. Obviously the bartender put other peoples drinks on my tab. I called several times to discuss the situation and each time the person answering the phone promised to resolve the problem. After three weeks and 5-7 calls they never returned my call. I am now filing a credit card dispute. This is supposed to be a high end hotel. Worst Experience Ever!!
Travel group
Solo
Service: 1
My husband and I used to visit The Lafayette back in the day when they had pool parties on the weekends. We never imagined it could be better and more beautiful with the new ownership by Consortium Holdings. We moved away from San Diego in 2020; since then, we've always had difficulty finding a nice hotel to stay in when visiting. Hotel Circle is a little run down, and downtown is always full of tourists and nightlife. The new Lafayette Hotel is perfect and beautiful, and it's such a great addition to the North Park community. The hotel is full of little details, bars, restaurants, and a bowling alley, making the stay incredibly enjoyable. We can't wait to visit again and highly recommend everyone to check it out!
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Family
Rooms
Incredibly well-designed and full of details.
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Kid-friendly, Great value
Mostly Came in to check out the new renovation and grab a drink at the glass roof bar. Overall the place looks great and well done. It gives off old Hollywood/dapper vibes with great visuals and interesting decor. The Bar was Great, we walked up and where served promptly. I ordered a old fashion, while my wife ordered a more refreshing strawberry cucumber drink call a Pimm's Cup. Our Bartender made our drinks right away and you could see that he cared about the quality of the drinks he was putting out and he crafted away. The drinks where perfect and the whole place was chill but alive at the same time.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Couple
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Nearby activities
Quixote next door is great!
Food & drinks
Amazing Drinks!
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Romantic
We went for breakfast. Overall, design was “moe money than taste”. We tried to sit outside, but they were using a very intrusive drone to film when we were there. Moved inside. Food was meh. My friend ordered “well done” bacon. It was not. I got corned beef hash, big chunks of very fatty corned beef. Someone spent a good deal of money on deco, service was fine, but clearly management has no sense of the details to run a restaurant. “Spent a lot of money, but…overall, not good”. I would never go back, nor recommend it.
Travel group
Friends
Service: 3
Location: 3
Food & drinks
Nice presentation and decent service of mediocre (at best) food.
Noteworthy details
Overall art deco reproduction. Just okay. We did not stay, so no idea about the rooms.
Make sure you check out both of the restaurants. Amazing design, absolutely fabulous! Also go across the street to the new Red Fox room. It used to be at the Lafayette hotel property and I was so bummed that it moved. My parents used to go to dinner at the Red Fox Room and then dancing at the Lafayette hotel ballroom. All us kids ever got was one of those waxy paper bags with, "bones for Bonzo" written across the front in that cool '50s style. So much to see at this place just check it out. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on drinks just duck in and wander through, it's really a feast for the eyes! They have a bowling alley which is amazing, poolside bar, lobby bar and game room bar.
Service: 4
Location: 3
Went to the "Diner" to eat lunch, noisy there, our waitress was slow, the fries were Luke warm, the Club Sandwich was great. No parking at the place,and for a diner, it's real expensive. Go across the Street and eat at the "RED Fox! Way better food, nice atmosphere,and meter parking right outside.
Travel group
Friends
Service: 3
Location: 1
Rooms
We looked in at one of the rooms, two Queen beds, next to each other,mix match of furniture in a Very small room!
Food & drinks
Very EXPENSIVE!
Noteworthy details
They are still remodeling the place.
Hotel highlights
Luxury
For those of us living in Rockel, the visit to this hotel itself was a vacation.Before the remodeling of the interior where Ditelil is alive, it was such a big transformation with pictures and I really enjoyed the eyes. The terrace decorated like a greenhouse is so exotic. I feel like I've come far away for a vacation. The restaurant that opens 24 hours inside is very sentimental and I want to visit again with my friends
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Rooms: 5
Service: 4
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Romantic
I had a wonderful stay at the LaFayette. The restaurants and bars are beautiful, I highly recommend Quixote for amazing food. And the pool is wonderful. I was most impressed by their customer service. Drew at the front desk is a gem and super helpful. Everyone was very friendly and attentive. And I loved all the little details, like my name printed on their stationary. Wonderful experience and I’ll definitely stay there again.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
The toilet didn't work when we first arrived in our room. We couldn't use the underground parking because it was for valet only and our Tesla has to have the owner in the car (we had a extra key card at home but we're unaware that we wouldn't be able to pay and park our own vehilcle.). They have done a beautiful job remodeling the hotel and the toilet issue was fixed very quickly. I just can't give 5 stars when those two things were our first experiences.
Rooms: 4
Service: 4
Location: 4
I love the new renovations here in the atmosphere is great, love that they have games and the espresso martini is delicious! If you want to go on a romantic date with a little bit of fun added, I would recommend going here especially if you want to end the night in the hotel, which is gorgeous!
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Service: 4
Location: 4
Noteworthy details
The decor is awesome in the pool is huge!
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Romantic
Went to a Lafayette bar with friends. Super busy and crowded, we waited 20 minutes to order drinks and another 20 minutes to get our drinks. Drinks looked and tasted great, but considering that ice was by far the major component, they did not last long. Prices are quite high too. Would stay clear if you want to relax and do not want to spend half an hour waiting for an overpriced drink.
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Service: 3
Location: 4
This is a stunning property that you have to experience when you're in the San Diego area. We just stopped by for dinner at one of the restaurants in the hotel. Around the property, you'll find several options for food, drinks, and more. The decor is very cool, with low light or even dark in some of the areas within the hotel.
Travel group
Couple
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 4
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Romantic
Came here for drinks and fun, and ended up enjoying the ambiance, friendliness and professionalism of the staff, and of course the great conversation and company of interesting people! Definitely a go to place for both visitors and locals. Btw the cocktails are well prepared, the mixologists at this place know their craft!
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Friends
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Romantic
$31 Million dollar update and it looks better than ever! This was a fine middle class resort but with upgrade, it has become an Upper Class 4 star resort. And the new restaurants deserve reviews for this hotel has good money in great places and you will not be disappointed.
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Solo
Service: 4
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Great value
Fabulous hotel. Beautiful room, great food and delicious drinks. Everyone was friendly and super helpful. Bowling at the Gutter was a blast and last but not least the famous pool, it was lovely. Had a great time will be back again. Thanks for the memories! My son and I loved it.
Travel group
Family
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Luxury
OMG! The new renovation...WOW! What an amazing job. Absolutely beautiful. Just stunning. Visited some friends who were staying there, so got a sneak peak at their room over looking the pool, super cute. Had drinks in the circle bar, which were great. wonderful ambiance. Parking can definitely be tricky but they do offer valet.
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 4
I just spent my 30th there and I cannot say enough good things about this hotel. A true one of a kind experience from the decor, the friendly staff, great food. I loved walking down and getting a coffee every morning. No detail was left untouched. From a hand written note, to custom stationery. It was a special weekend!
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Amazing remodel to the Lafayette. As soon as you walk in it has an amazing vibe. You can hang out in multiple areas, the indoor bar, the restaurant, outdoor bar by the pool, or the indoor bar to the side that has a small bowling alley. Very swanky, very hip! We didn’t stay here but we came for a birthday. Had a great time!
Travel group
Friends
I went there a couple times and this is exactly what North park needed. However, I won’t be going back. It’s too hard to get a drink. My friends and I have to separate and see who can get the bartenders attention. It’s too exhausting so we just went somewhere else. I hope it gets better for their sake.
Service: 1
Location: 4
As locals, we popped into the hotel for a drink in the lobby bar. The staff is incredible and super friendly. Natalie was an amazing bartender. So many cool spots to visit in the hotel. You can spend all night there and visit seven + different spots - including the poolside bar and the bowling alley.
Service: 5
Location: 5
I didn't have time to really enjoy this place but I could see it was really amazing. They had a huge pool, several bars, a diner, a bowling alley and a billiards room. It was a beautiful place.
Travel group
Solo
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Romantic
Came for drinks and bowling, had an amazing time and experience. The place transports you into a whole different world with its decor, architecture and attention to small details. The staff were all so kind and helpful will be back without a doubt for a local staycation. More
Consortium really outdid themselves this time. Everything about this hotel (didn't check the rooms yet) is stunning. Some aspects of service need some polish (bussing needed!), but overall spectacular decor with the typically excellent Consortium cocktail quality.
The establishment boasts a pleasant environment with well-maintained restroom facilities. Visitors seeking a delightful experience at Lafayette are met with a charming atmosphere and a diverse array of attractive patrons. The venue features
We came here for lunch today. I got a patty melt and asked if they could add mushrooms. I was told that they only had 86 mushrooms so I couldn’t have any. We waited about 45 minutes for them to bring out a side of hash browns then another
My friend and I were excited to come check the place out! I haven't been before, but just moved into town and it's only a few blocks away from my office, so I was exited to possibly have another lunch spot, but that's not going to happen.
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the new Lafayette Hotel in San Diego, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I was in awe of the gorgeous décor that perfectly
Super cool place. Read about all the positives in other reviews. BUT UBER HERE. UBER UBER UBER. I’m not joking when I say finding parking is tough. You may get lucky and find one quick, you’re doing circles for 30+ mins. Guess it depends
Pretty cool hotel and pool after they renovated. They allow kids to sit at the bars though, which takes up spots for adults to sit (and is illegal I believe). Hoping that changes or maybe make it an adult-only hotel. The pool area seems
The recent remodel is incredible!!! The entire place feels so luxurious, WHILE BARELY ESCAPING feeling over the top or gaudy. Beautiful interior, fabulous pool, and even a bowling alley. The drinks were oh so good, and the service
What a unique atmosphere! Love the eclectic place. Excellent food, cocktails, and service. It felt like I was in Europe with the beautiful pool, bars, and outdoor seating. More
The hotel went through a major remodel and it is incredible. If you're looking for an experience, this is the place to stay. It has a retro, eclectic bougie feel. More