Nightly rates from $59
Rate and special offer based on Check-in: Feb 20, 2012 Check-out: Feb 21, 2012
Hotel Overview
Reviewer score
2.9
out of 5
270 reviews
Extended weekend getaway

The hotel is conveniently located for shopping, beaches, Balboa park and other attractions. The... See full review

  • Mile
  • Jan 17, 2012
A flashback

I loved the decor and style of the hotel I just wish that the website would have told me that the... See full review

  • Cici829
  • Jan 14, 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 complimentary continental breakfast, as well as free Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access. 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
  • Complimentary continental breakfast
  • 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 continental breakfast, 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).

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.

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.

Hotel Map

2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

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.

Amenities

  • Business center
  • Concierge
  • Conference Facilities
  • Fitness center
  • Free parking
  • Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
  • Health Club
  • High-speed Internet
  • Internet Access
  • Meeting/Banquet Facilities
  • Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Wireless Internet

Dining

Red Fox Steak House
This restaurant serves a menu full of red meat, including hamburgers and steak dinners.
L Bar & Grill
Located in the spacious lobby is the 1,500 square foot "L" bar & grill. The grill includes kitchen upgrades, a newly designed bar, a new pool table, and all new finishes. "L" bar & grill features daily specials, full bar service, and weekly live entertainment. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor terrace and fire pit that overlooks Lafayette Hotel's Olympic-sized pool.

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 (270)

Ratings and reviews for Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Overall score

2.9 / 5
270 out of 270
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
3.3
Hotel staff:
3.6
Room comfort:
3.1
Location:
3.5
Value:
3.4

61% would recommend to a friend.

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Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

4
Mari's stay
San Diego, CA, USA
Feb 8, 2012

One night stay

It was suprisingly a pretty nice room... It was clean, the beds were very comfortable, and the service was great. There is no breakfast really, just brea and fruit, but there are lots of places to go eat around there. The private parking structure was pretty nice, although very small. The TV's were a little old so I couldn't hook up my portable DVD player to it, but we got cable so it wasn't that big of a deal... Overall great stay and comfy clean room!

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

Reviewer score

4
TravelWebWriter
Chicago, IL, USA
Jan 31, 2012

Fantastic value and atmosphere for the price

As I pulled up to the historic manor house, I got the feeling that I wasn't in for the typical budget lodging experience. And Hotel Lafayette did not disappoint. I was greeted and helped by friendly, laid back staff who had no problem answering my questions. My room was not updated, but it was spotless (not even a stray hair in the bathroom) and offered comfy, modern bedding (duvet instead of a grungy old school bed spread). The hotel is still under renovation, but the common area work is being done quietly during the day. The workers were so quiet I almost took out a carpet layer on the stairs leading to my room. Since I was traveling on a tight budget, I chose this hotel for its free amenities. While the free wi-fi worked great, I passed on the weak continental breakfast (pastries and fruit) and invested in food up the street.

Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
Amenities:
3
Room cleanliness:
5
Hotel staff:
5
Room comfort:
4
Location:
3
Value:
5
Sightseeing tip: Long walk from hotel

If you're a runner looking for a nice route near your hotel, Lafayette is located just over a mile away from Balboa Park. To get there I ran through a neighborhood and along a trail.

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

3
Mile
sunny Arizona in the U.S.A.
Jan 17, 2012

Extended weekend getaway

The hotel is conveniently located for shopping, beaches, Balboa park and other attractions. The rooms and beds were comfortable and clean. The internet did NOT work and when we approached the staff they just threw their hands up and said "sorry its out of our control". The website said they have a continental breakfast to include bagels and waffles.... In fact, all that was ever offered was cheese, a small assortment of fruit, and frozen croissants or banana muffins which were never fresh or completely thawed.

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

Miguels in Old Town San Diego was outstanding. Great food and an incredible staff.

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

3
Cici829
Long Beach, CA, USA
Jan 14, 2012

A flashback

I loved the decor and style of the hotel I just wish that the website would have told me that the hotel was under renovation other than that everything was good.

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

Reviewer score

4
Dude22
California
Jan 8, 2012

Comfortable

At first I thought the place was gonna be a dump because of the old reviews I read but it turned out to be very nice and fluffy. The bed was nice, the room was comfortable....the only thing is the water pressure kept changing a bit

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

The red fox has nice live entertainment

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

4
TaHe
Pocatello, ID, USA
Dec 31, 2011

Pleasantly surprised on our zoo adventure

Would highly recommend for comfort and price combination. A great remodel. There has been some quality work done on the remodeling, which was still going on while we were there. It is older but comfortable with attention paid to the things that mattered to us, the bed, bathroom and air conditioner.

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

Reviewer score

4
Charlies
San Diego, California, EEUU
Dec 27, 2011

VERY GOOD . EXCELLENT LOCATED.

VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE. THE HOTEL IS CLOSE TO THE ZOO AND FREEWAYS

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

EXCELLENT IF TRAVEL BY AIR

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

4
jujubee
Riverside, CA, USA
Dec 27, 2011

Classic

The Hotel was under renovation in some areas, but the overall ambiance was idyllic. It was like stepping back in time, can't wait till they get done with the upgrades. The room could use a mini refrigerator and perhaps a microwave, but overall, it was pleasant stay. Worth returning to.

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

Accessible to everything San Diego and the freeways.

Review of Lafayette Hotel and Suites

Reviewer score

4
erastars
Pomona, CA, USA
Dec 25, 2011

Perfect loccation for our trip to the Zoo!

All of it was very enjoyable from the Customer Service to the Private Parking. The Hotel has a nice Retro Seek style in their room decor. The entire Hotel has a sort of 60's look, i loved it!

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

Reviewer score

4
Basia
Business
Mesa, AZ, USA
Dec 6, 2011

Business Trip

I love the historical aspect of the hotel and view of the famous olimpic pool( 2inches short). Great Experience. Thank you

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

Business

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