Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / San Diego / Lafayette Hotel & Club
Lafayette Hotel & Club
San Diego, California, United States · Independent · Core Luxury
Larry Imig started building the Lafayette in 1943, and it opened on July 1, 1946, as Imig Manor, the only US hotel built during World War II, with Bob Hope as its first guest. Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Bing Crosby followed, swimming in a 25-meter pool designed by Olympic gold medalist and screen Tarzan Johnny Weissmuller. A $31 million restoration has reopened the North Park hotel and club, and MICHELIN gave it One Key.
- Neighborhood: North Park
About Lafayette Hotel & Club
- The hotel opened on July 1, 1946, as Imig Manor; construction began in 1943, making it the only US hotel built during World War II.
- Bob Hope was the first guest, and Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn and Bing Crosby stayed in the early days.
- The 25-meter pool was designed by Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic gold medalist who played Tarzan on screen.
- Brooklyn-based design firm Post Company led a $31 million restoration of the two-acre Colonial-style property.
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open Lafayette Hotel & Club in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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