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The Madonna Inn is a motel that better fits the description of a fantasy resort than the image of simple roadside accommodation. It’s lavish, it’s over the top, and it’s a perfect place to stay as a destination in and of itself or as a rest stop for weary travelers.

You’ll find the inn along the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco in San Luis Obispo County. It’s a big draw for the county and has been locally owned and operated since its opening day. It regularly receives four- and five-star reviews on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp.

History of Madonna Inn

The inn first opened its doors on Christmas Eve in 1958 with 12 rooms, each with a different theme. And for the first night’s guests, they were given the gift of a free stay — a delightful Christmas surprise. It came to be thanks to the work and dedication of husband-and-wife Alex and Phyllis Madonna.

Alex Madonna, whose early career was in construction work, saw the potential of Highway 101, which he was often working on. He thought it was a perfect place to serve the drivers on the busy roadway with a comfortable and fun place to stay as they went from one city to the next.

He and his wife set to work to bring his vision to life, though it’s likely neither of them could have expected the level of success the inn would eventually see. He handled the construction while she handled the interior decor.

The Appeal of the Motel

Although it’s not found in a major city, the Madonna Inn has become renowned, with people heading to the area just to stay there. So, what is it about this inn that draws so many people to it? While it’s hard to sum up with a single specific detail because there are so many details to take in, the best way to generalize its appeal is that it has a whole lot of character and personality.

The character and personality come through in the exterior design, themed rooms, dining options, tons of amenities, and the feeling of novelty that permeates the entire experience of visiting it.

Exterior Design

Starting from the inn’s flashing, bright pink sign welcoming travelers coming off the highway, the Madonna Inn has a bold, eye-catching design. Its exterior style is much like a ski chalet, with its large wood beams, natural stone base, and latticed windows, but it makes itself unique with, you guessed it, more bright pink details.

Beyond the pink, Alex’s structure includes many curves and spiraling staircases, which, according to his wife, is because he “didn’t like straight lines.” Some of the inn’s windows even become statements on the building by becoming artistic elements featuring etched glass and stained-glass details. Most of the details, including these decorative windows, are handcrafted and custom-made, truly making it an eclectic, unique building.

All these elements come together to hint at the character visitors will find inside its dining areas, shops, and rooms.

Themed Guest Rooms

When the doors first opened, the inn had only 12 rooms. Today, it has grown to offer over a hundred, and no two are the same. The rooms have names like Jungle Rock, Safari Room, Sugar & Spice, and San Francisco, which allude to what you’ll find in the rooms. What you’ll discover will extend beyond the decor or paint colors and incorporate the building’s structural design. Rooms like Jungle Rock showcase the stone base of the building and feature showers built off the stone base to emulate a waterfall falling over a stone backdrop.

With so many themes inspired by so many places, it’s surprising that there isn’t a Vegas-inspired room. However, if you wanted to bring a bit of the Vegas feeling into one of the rooms, you could unwind with an online casino where every new player can receive a 200 dollar no-deposit bonus. Nobody’s stopping you!

Dining Options

Madonna Inn is home to several different restaurants, bars, and a bakery. The food they provide is highly popular, especially their champagne pink cake, drawing in many repeat customers, travelers, and locals. Much like the exterior of the inn and its rooms, these dining options also lean into lavish designs and decor.

The Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge and Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House are two of the most popular options at the inn. Both are decorated with bright pink and floral motifs. At the steak house, the booths are upholstered in a bright pink with gold trim along the tops, candles seemingly float in the air, and flowers cascade from the ceiling.

The cocktail lounge offers a twist to the pink and floral décor, with the building’s structure exposed, adding a rugged and natural element that both contrasts and complements the decor.

Amenities

Adding to the over-the-top sense, the inn delivers amenities like a hot pink tennis court, basketball court, and pickleball court. Of course, if pink courts aren’t your thing, the inn offers a relaxing spa, horseback rides, live music space, and a dance floor to give guests precisely the stay they’re looking for.

Novelty

Madonna Inn’s character and personality are formed in many ways through the design and experiences offered to guests. These add up to a novel, one-of-a-kind place to visit.

Verdict: Dated or Masterpiece?

The building was never created with a specific style or time period in mind. Instead, it borrows inspiration from different times and places to deliver a unique and uplifting experience. This dedication to something unique makes this destination a kitschy, eccentric historical masterpiece.