When the iconic Lafayette Hotel closed on Oct. 1, 2022, banners hung proclaiming “rebirth” in June 2023. Last month, the draping pronouncement came down, which meant imminent reopening or construction delay. Nine days into July, the latter is the circumstance. The establishment, located on El Cajon Blvd in San Diego neighborhood University Heights, isn’t yet ready for grand reopening.
Indications of continued construction can be seen on the Mississippi Street side of the building, although the frontage could fool anyone into thinking that the Lafyette is open for business—as the Featured Image and companion indicate. For good reason. Supposedly, the Lafayette reopens to the general public on July 12.
Sure enough, rooms are available to book online from that day. A one-night stay in Classic King or Queens will set you back $299 ($336.38 after taxes)—up to three or four people, respectively. Suppose you will attend San Diego Comic-Con, checking in on July 20 and out on the 24th. Plan on paying $2,245.50 after taxes, which works out to $561.38 per night. But if you’re traveling with three other SDCC attendees, shared cost is $140.34 per person, which isn’t bad booked last minute, quality of lodging, and convenient transportation location with respect to the San Diego Convention Center—8.3-km (5.2-mile) drive or about a 37-minute bus ride. Lyft or Uber would be faster, but expect higher fares.
Let’s talk photos. The first comes from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Vitals: f/2.2, ISO 50, 1/1800 sec, 13mm (film equivalent); 2:37 p.m. PDT, today. I used Leica Q2 for the other. Vitals, aperture manually set: f/5, ISO 100, 1/200 sec, 28mm; 2:38 p.m.