Staycation at The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego
San Diego is well-loved by tourists—so much so that they’ve made it one of the world’s top travel destinations. But why should out-of-towners have all the fun?
It’s no secret that our city is jam-packed with phenomenal restaurants and supercool historical sites, all under the canopy of some of the most spectacular weather you can find. Sometimes, though, we San Diego locals forget just how lucky we are to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
When we plan a trip, our first thought is a unique and exciting international destination. If we’re not looking to cross oceans, we search for someplace stateside, but still outside our city limits.
Crazy, you say? Yeah, you’re on to us.
Maybe, like many of our friends, it took this past year to find a new appreciation for adventure and exploration close to home. Maybe you’ve shifted your sights to a nearby escape, too.
Enter the staycation.
We craved a place to unwind, to sip a drink by the pool and eat delicious food, with options for play within walking distance. A faraway trip didn’t make sense, but we refused to sacrifice that restorative feeling of getting away. We sat down to brainstorm with these parameters in mind, and instantly, the “DUH!” moment hit.
We knew where we’d make our escape: The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows.
Are they local? Yes.
Do they have a pool? Yes.
Can we drink by said pool? Yes.
Do they have great food onsite (in case our glass of wine by the pool turns to two and we don’t want to venture out)? Yes.
Is there cool stuff to do in the neighborhood? YES!
Our checklist, complete. The staycation destination, set.
The Lafayette Hotel – Then
Founded in 1946, The Lafayette Hotel is rich in history, San Diego and Hollywood alike.
Constructed along the city’s then busiest east-west corridor, US Interstate 80 (known today as El Cajon Boulevard), The Lafayette and neighboring businesses flourished in the 1940s and 50s. The hotel served as a home-away-from-home for many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, among them comedian Bob Hope, actresses Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Veronica Lake, singer Bing Crosby, and more.
The centerpiece of The Lafayette was the pool, designed by Tarzan actor and five-time Olympic gold medalist Johnny Weissmuller. After a day spent poolside, soaking up the sun with a cool drink in hand, guests made their way to the basement, where sounds of big, lively jazz bands filled the air. At The Lafayette, glamour prevailed from sunrise into the late hours of the night.
Opening Day of the Lafayette Pool – Courtesy of the Lafayette Hotel
Opening Day of the Lafayette Pool – Courtesy of the Lafayette Hotel
In 1959, US Interstate 80 was officially decommissioned, rerouting traffic to the new Interstate 8. The reduced traffic (and therefore guests) hit The Lafayette Hotel hard, while changing the socio-economic makeup of the surrounding area. It wasn’t until 2012, when the hotel underwent a 6-million-dollar renovation with the help of city redevelopment funds, that El Cajon Boulevard and its surrounding neighborhoods entered a new renaissance. The Lafayette came back to life.
The Lafayette Hotel – Now
Majestic in scale, with clean white pillars and fringes of lush palm trees, the Lafayette gleams as bright today as the day they opened their doors to Bob Hope (the hotel’s very first guest!). The moment you walk in, you know in your soul that you’re somewhere special.
The hotel, which attracts families, single travelers, groups, couples, and business professionals, has over 130 thoughtfully-designed rooms that lend this historic boutique hotel a distinctly modern and fresh feel. The Lafayette offers traditional suites, family suites with bunk beds to accompany a California king, and two or three-bedroom bungalows.
We opted for one of the spacious poolside rooms, featuring two queen-size beds with fabulous pillow-top mattresses, a Keurig coffee maker, free Wi-Fi, and cable TV to catch a late night movie. Most importantly, the room has double French doors that open right to the breathtaking Weissmuller Pool! Gazing out onto what feels like your very own private pool is reason alone to reserve poolside.
The Pool
Once celebrity central, The Lafayette Hotel’s historic Weissmuller Pool is the ultimate lounging place. You gain access with your room reservation or a member pass, but you can even opt for a day pass to test the waters. Here you’ll find a peaceful oasis amongst the palm trees and rich green landscaping—the perfect retreat from daily city life. You can soak up the sun (Ava Gardner-style) in a reclining lounge chair while indulging in refreshing cocktails and tasty snacks. For even more luxury, book a semi-private cabana with extra comfort and personalized service.
The Restaurant – HOPE 46
The Lafayette Hotel’s restaurant, HOPE 46, offers a full menu with a unique take on classic American cuisine. HOPE 46 serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, with innovative cocktails alongside thoughtfully-curated wine and beer. Our picks? The Blood and Sand cocktail: a delicate mix of single malt scotch, Antica, blood orange, and Cherry Heering, as well as a glass of Vina Sanzo Verdejo, a crisp Spanish white from the Rueda region.
For appetizers, we enjoyed Parmesan herb fries and roasted red pepper hummus, both of which would fare perfectly as standalone pool snacks. Our entrees included blackened salmon accompanied by roasted fall vegetables and a house aioli, and the “46 Burger,” featuring a half-pound of certified Angus beef with all of the fixings (cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and house aioli). A winning meal to cap our day of poolside bliss.
Plan Your Staycation
The Lafayette Hotel is the vacation (sans travel) you’ve been waiting for. Are you ready for your staycation?
Book your reservation at The Lafayette Hotel
Looking for ideas on activities during your staycation? Check out our North Park San Diego Travel Guide.
Let Us Know
What is your favorite memory at The Lafayette Hotel?