The Lafayette Hotel is Esquire Magazine’s New Hotel of the Year

The Lafayette Hotel & Club has been named the 2024 New Hotel of the Year by Esquire Magazine! The recognition underscores its commitment to excellence in hospitality and design, setting a new standard for luxury accommodations in San Diego.

The Lafayette Hotel

The property, which opened in July of 2023, is the vision of local hospitality brand CH Projects, which also operates some of San Diego’s top restaurants and bars, including YoungBlood, Raised by Wolves, Born & Raised, Neighborhood, Craft & Commerce, and Ironside.

The iconic Lafayette Hotel & Club reopened its doors in the buzzing neighborhood of North Park in San Diego, California. This maximalist dream was developed by CH Projects, with a $31M renovation.

The historic hotel is a two-and-a-half-acre Colonial-style hotel originally built in 1946 by entrepreneur Larry Imig as a haven for young Hollywood hosting.

The redesign was the first proper restoration of the property and was designed by CH Projects and Brooklyn-based Post Company, with seven new food and beverage outlets, including:

  • Oaxacan mezcal bar and eatery
  • 24/7 classic American diner with a nod to traditional Greek and Jewish food influences
  • 2-lane bowling alley
  • Multiple bars
  • 139 rooms which exude maximalist design and touches of traditional Victorian, Tudor, and Gothic details
  • The signature pool, originally designed by Johnny Weissmuller

The new design reflects the hotel’s deep history and tradition with a mix of more modern elements.

The second phase of the property is rolling out, including the recently opened jazz club and music venue Lou Lou’s Jungle Room—which has hosted iconic performers and immortalized movie scenes, including the serenade in “Top Gun”—and a European-style restaurant and Turkish and Roman-inspired spa.

See you there!

More info on Esquire Magazine’s New Hotel of the Year, The Lafayette Hotel & Club, can be found here. Follow them on Instagram for updates.

See you there, San Diego!

Share This Post
The Latest
Strauss Salome
Prepare for an evening of passion, power, and provocation as Strauss’s Salome takes center stage. Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s scandalous play, this gripping opera tells...
Mainly Mozart Culinary Concerto
Mainly Mozart is bringing back its Culinary Concerto, a one-of-a-kind evening where 25 award-winning chefs and 25 world-class winemakers come together for an unforgettable four-course...
global music stars
La Jolla Music Society is setting the stage for an unforgettable March lineup, featuring an eclectic mix of global music stars, classical virtuosi, early music...
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Spring’s most colorful spectacle is back! The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch will officially open for the 2025 season on Saturday, March 1, inviting visitors...
Matt Devine: Walk with Me
Matt Devine: Walk with Me, an immersive sculpture exhibition, is set to debut at Oceanside Museum of Art from March 1 to July 6, 2025....
OCEANS AT NIGHT: OCEANS OF LOVE
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is adding a splash of romance to its popular after-dark series with Oceans at...
Recently Featured Restaurants
Downtown La Mesa has a delicious new addition—Tour de Tapas, a restaurant offering Euro small plates and sips inspired by the culinary traditions of Spain,...
Tajima Crown Point is the latest addition to San Diego’s beloved ramen scene, officially opened on December 14 at 3782 Ingraham Street. Known for its...
Wildland in Carlsbad Village is officially opening its doors, bringing rustic cuisine and coastal-inspired dining to North County. This all-day restaurant, bar, and bakery from...
Aldea in La Jolla, a 2024 runner-up for San Diego Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant,” is setting a new standard for bold Baja-inspired cuisine and elevated...
Get ready for a coffee revolution, San Diego! Em Coffee House is bringing the magic of Vietnamese coffee culture to Mesa Town Center. This stunning...
AKA in Gaslamp Quarter, which just made its debut in the space that was the former home of Lavo, is setting out to revolutionize Asian-inspired...