North Park · Best Hotels in San Diego
Lafayette Hotel Review
Last updatedRanked #6 of 8 in Best Hotels in San Diego
The most fun hotel in San Diego, and the best value on this list.
Score breakdown
- Rooms84/100
- Location84/100
- Amenities82/100
- Value88/100
- Character90/100
The verdict on Lafayette Hotel
Ranked #6 of 8 — 85/100 in our Best Hotels in San Diego coverage
The Lafayette's renovation turned a faded landmark into a social hub with multiple bars, a restaurant, and the historic pool. It is inland in North Park, so you trade beach access for the county's best food and bar neighborhood.
What to book at Lafayette Hotel
Across our coverage the recommendation is consistent: Restored 1946 hotel and pool club.
Non-guests can access some pool and bar areas — book early on summer weekends.
Is Lafayette Hotel worth the rate?
Lafayette Hotel sits at $220–400/night — the budget band for this category. Nothing else we ranked in this category lands in the same price bracket, so the comparison is against cheaper or pricier alternatives rather than a like-for-like rival.
Lafayette Hotel FAQ
How much does Lafayette Hotel cost per night?
Lafayette Hotel is priced at $220–400/night, which puts it in the budget band for this category. There is no other option at the exact same price point on the same list, so treat it as its own bracket.
Is Lafayette Hotel worth it?
It scores 85/100, 0.6 points below the 85.6 average for its list. It still ranks, but there are stronger options nearby in score.
What should I book at Lafayette Hotel?
We recommend Restored 1946 hotel and pool club.
What else is nearby Lafayette Hotel?
Tribute Pizza (93/100 in our best pizza in san diego list) and Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream (93/100 in our best ice cream in san diego list) are also ranked in the same neighborhood, so it's easy to pair a visit.
What works
- Strong character — scored 90/100 in our ranking
- Strong value — scored 88/100 in our ranking
Know before you go
- Non-guests can access some pool and bar areas — book early on summer weekends.
The full review
The Lafayette's renovation turned a faded landmark into a social hub with multiple bars, a restaurant, and the historic pool. It is inland in North Park, so you trade beach access for the county's best food and bar neighborhood.
On our weighted scale it earns 85/100 — good for #6 of 8 places we evaluated for best hotels in san diego. We assess properties on the room, the location, the pool and grounds, service and what the published rate actually buys, and re-score after renovations or a change of brand.
What to book at Lafayette Hotel
Restored 1946 hotel and pool club
Typical rate: $220–400/night
How we scored Lafayette Hotel
Every score on this page comes from the same editorial rubric we apply to the whole category: rooms, location, amenities, value, character. The criteria are weighted toward what matters most in the category, compared against every other place we ranked in the same list rather than against an abstract ideal. We assess properties on the room, the location, the pool and grounds, service and what the published rate actually buys, and re-score after renovations or a change of brand. Scores are editorial judgments rather than aggregated user ratings.