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The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows facts for kids
| The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows | |
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| Hotel facts and statistics | |
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| Location | 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104 |
| Coordinates | 32°45′18″N 117°8′26″W / 32.75500°N 117.14056°W |
| Opening date | 1 July 1946 |
| Management | R.A. Rauch & Associates, Inc. |
| No. of restaurants | 2 |
| No. of rooms | 131 |
| of which suites | 32 |
| Parking | Covered Garage and Exterior Parking Available |
| No. of floors | 5 |
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows is a famous hotel in San Diego, California, United States. It first opened its doors on July 1, 1946. This historic hotel was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 31, 2012, recognizing its special importance.
Contents
A Look Back: The Lafayette Hotel's History
The hotel was first known as Imig Manor. It was owned by a local businessman named Larry Imig. Building the hotel cost about $2 million, which was a lot of money back then!
When Imig Manor opened in 1946, its very first guest was the famous comedian Bob Hope. Many other movie stars and celebrities also stayed there. The hotel's buildings and its amazing pool are full of stories from Hollywood's golden age in the 1940s and 1950s.
Changes Over Time: A New Road and New Owners
By 1960, a new highway called Interstate 8 became the main road through San Diego. This meant fewer cars drove past the hotel on El Cajon Boulevard. Because of this, the hotel eventually closed down.
Over the years, the building had several different owners. In 2004, a company called Hampstead Lafayette Partners bought the hotel and the land around it. They wanted to bring the Lafayette back to life as a special "boutique" hotel.
In 2010, a big project began to make the hotel look new again. This "facelift" cost $4 million and took a whole year. The city even helped with a loan to support the project. City Councilmember Todd Gloria said that these changes would bring back the hotel's old "glamour and opulence," meaning its fancy and luxurious style.
What Makes the Lafayette Hotel Special?
The Lafayette Hotel has many unique features that make it stand out.
The Famous Pool
One of the most famous parts of the hotel is its swimming pool. This pool was designed by Johnny Weissmuller, who was an Olympic swimmer and also played Tarzan in movies! Imagine swimming in a pool designed by a real movie star and athlete!
Rooms and Suites
The hotel has a large ballroom, perfect for parties and events. It also has 131 guest rooms and suites. Each of these suites is named after a famous person from film history, adding a touch of Hollywood magic to your stay.