The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows is a Colonial Revival building in San Diego that opened in 1946 and operates as a hotel with an integrated swim club and multiple dining venues. The property features patterned lobbies and colorful guest rooms with bold textiles and decor details, a large swimming pool with green, white, and pink checkered tiles, private bungalows, and several restaurants and bars including a retro diner serving classic comfort food and a restaurant focused on Oaxacan cuisine.
The building opened in 1946 and quickly attracted famous guests like Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner, making it a center of Hollywood glamour during that era. After decades of use as office space, the property was purchased in 2022 and underwent extensive restoration over nine months at a cost exceeding 31 million dollars, reopening in 2023 with renewed focus on its original charm and function.
The hotel's name references the French Marquis de Lafayette, and this historical connection shapes its Colonial Revival aesthetic visible throughout the property. Today the space functions as a social gathering point where guests and locals mix in the lively lobby and poolside areas, creating a place where community and leisure blend together.
The hotel sits in a lively neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and cultural venues within walking distance, including the nearby Balboa Park. All public spaces are fully accessible with ramps and elevators, and staff can be contacted by text message to receive recommendations for dining, drinks, or local attractions.
Johnny Weissmuller, the famous actor from the Tarzan films and Olympic swimming gold medalist, helped design the swimming pool, giving the area a Hollywood connection and athletic history. The property also served as a filming location for Top Gun, where a memorable musical performance took place, adding a layer of cinema history that draws visitors today.
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