The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego had been on my radar for a while. I’ve always had a thing for a Chateau Marmont, Hotel Chelsea-type situation – bohemian, storied, a little rough around the edges.
Originally opened in 1946 as 'Imig Manor,' the property hosted its fair share of Hollywood royalty, from Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope to Lana Turner and Harry James – who, as legend has it, became a regular at the hotel bar after his sets. After closing its doors for a stretch, the hotel reopened in July 2023 following a $31 million renovation and a newfound sense of swank. Naturally, I had to see it for myself.
