The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

KC★★★★★★★★★★4.0a week ago

We loved the Lafayette! We stayed in an upstairs pool balcony room and it was a sumptuous delight for the senses! Big time maximalist decor and we loved the “mini” bar with recipe cards and fixins for making various drinks. Far beyond the typical naked mini bottles of overpriced booze in other establishments. Even though newly remodeled, it still smells kind of like an old hotel. Not necessarily a negative, just part of the ambiance! The pool is lovely. We enjoyed an early morning swim and sun before check out. Well tended, food and drink service chair side, plenty of towels. One drawback was the food is not as varied as we expected given the number of different restaurants and bars on site. The diner and all of the other spots serving food (except the Mexican place) are serving the same stuff. That being said - the cherry pie in the diner was outstanding. And the champagne cocktail from the lobby bar was truly a well crafted delight. It’s a wonderful, whimsical place to spend a night.

Erik Shellenberger★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

An absolutely amazing hotel! We didn't stay here but we had a great time bar-hopping though its many bar locations. The hotel has several different rooms and themes and there's something for everyone. VERY Instgrammable visuals and extremely well done aesthetics. This hotel is a favorite of the ladies for this and for the dark and sexy vibe. Make it a point to see all of the different bars, they are all impressive and much different than each other.

Victoria Basso★★★★★★★★★★3.03 months ago

I was genuinely excited to stay here. I will be honest, social media influenced me. A few friends had also stayed and raved about it. That said, we travel differently. I am a luxury traveler at heart. I want the experience to feel seamless, elevated, and effortless from the moment we arrive. When I saw this hotel had earned a Michelin Key, which is a newer but prestigious rating system, I decided to give it a try. First impressions: the hotel is absolutely stunning. The design, the energy, and the aesthetic are beautiful. It is undeniably a vibe. It feels like a glamorous, lively party spot with strong personality. If you care about atmosphere and visual storytelling, this place delivers. However, the arrival experience did not match the luxury positioning. We were told there was no luggage cart available, and our room was on the fourth floor while the elevator only goes to the third. We had to carry our luggage up a flight of stairs. It also felt like valet staffing was limited. There were multiple cars arriving at once, and while the staff was kind, the process did not feel smooth. Asking for help with bags felt awkward, and at this price point, that part of the experience should feel seamless. The concierge who checked us in was incredibly gracious and kind. Truly lovely. But the overall check in flow lacked the polish I expect from a property marketed at this level. Our room was located above the bar, and the hotel thoughtfully provided earplugs in advance, acknowledging potential noise. Thankfully, it was not disruptive for us, but this is something future guests should be aware of. It is a lively hotel. The room itself was beautifully styled. The mini bar selection was excellent. However, attention to detail could be improved. The luxury cherries had clearly been opened and partially used, and the jar appeared to have been re-taped. The knife in the room also appeared used. These are not deal breakers and are easily fixable, but small details matter in a hotel positioning itself as elevated. The bathtub was quite small and definitely not the romantic two person soak one might imagine for a couples getaway. The biggest gap for me was the arrival and departure experience. Having stayed in other high end hotels, that part did not feel luxury level. It felt slightly disjointed. All that said, it is beautiful. It is fun. It is worth visiting. The energy is magnetic. I do think social media has played a role in the pricing and hype, and I personally felt it was slightly overpriced for the level of amenities provided. Would I stay again? Maybe, but I would go in understanding it is a design forward, high energy boutique hotel with personality, not a traditional luxury property focused on white glove service. If you are coming for the vibe, the aesthetic, and the scene, you will love it. If you are coming expecting seamless, quiet luxury, you may feel a slight disconnect.

Allison Krzesinski★★★★★★★★★★5.02 weeks ago

We had a wonderful stay at the Lafayette Hotel! The staff was incredibly friendly and welcomed us in such a kind way for our 10th Anniversary. The pool area is excellent and we enjoyed our room with the view of the pool. Thank you for a great stay! 🎉

ARNEL DELEON★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

This review is of the hotel area open to the public not the actual rooms. The place is beautiful especially in the inside. When visiting during the evening, the lighting throughout is unique. Especially the perimeter of the pool area. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The bars, cocktail waitresses and bartenders are fun and accommodating. Though crowded, it is a fun vibe. Definitely a place to see and be seen regardless of your age. Smack dab in the middle of El Cajon, this gem has brought business to the area and will be around for years to come. I'll be back for sure. Cheers Lafayette!