About Lafayette Hotel Pool

The pool at the Lafayette Hotel is a scene, that’s for sure. The hotel itself was completely remodeled in 2023 and part of their focus was on bringing the outdoor pool and accompanying cocktail bar back to its SoCal 1940s Hollywood heyday when famous actors came to this hotel to drink cocktails and have affairs in private. There is a distinctly retro and elegant vibe to the pool and poolside bar, with cabanas, decorative lounge chairs, and occasional live music. Despite all the opulence, this place is still family-friendly and there are always a few kids playing about.

This place is ideal for a summertime pool party day. Get a cocktail at the bar, post up by the pool, and pretend you are Gregory Peck or Ava Gardner, hiding out from the press while sipping a drink in your oversized sunglasses and skimpy suit. Pretend that guy across the pool is the paparazzi always following you and not leaving you alone. Pretend… no wait your kid is calling you, go attend to them.

The hotel offers day passes to the pool without having to be a guest (purchased on their website). Once there, the pool bar serves beer and drinks and you can order food from the diner to be delivered to your seat poolside.

Best Parts

• Day drinking
• Soaking up the sun
• Pretending you are Gregory Peck

Behind The Counter

Lafayette Hotel was remodeled by Consortium Holdings (CH), a San Diego-based restaurant group that seemingly can do no wrong when they lay their hands on a project. They are the team behind Ironside Fish & Oyster, Neighborhood, Underbelly, False Idol, Youngblood, Morning Glory, Born and Raised, Raised By Wolves… is that enough? Because there is more.

Arsalun Tafazoli, the founder of CH and a local San Diegan, wanted to up the game of San Diego’s eating and drinking establishments back in 2007 and he has done that. He started from humble beginnings with Neighborhood, originally a craft beer bar in East Village, and has not stopped since. While CH is somewhat of an empire these days, at least it is a local empire. The San Diego equivalent of Danny Meyer in New York.