My experience staying at the unique Madonna Inn in SLO
If you’ve ever driven through San Luis Obispo on Hwy 101, chances are you’ve seen or heard of the famous Madonna Inn. This quirky, over-the-top hotel is known for its wildly unique themed rooms and flamboyant pink decor.
I came across Madonna Inn when I was researching for a unique weekend getaway in California, not too far from home. I was drawn to it by the bright pink decor and whimsical-themed rooms.
Being a mom of two girls who would love all things pink, I decided to give it a try. San Luis Obispo is around a 3-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, and it was the perfect getaway for us.
We stayed at Madonna Inn for 2 nights and loved it. I would say that it is definitely worth staying at least once for the experience. Here’s everything you need to know about this historic inn in Central California.
Madonna Inn Review: Highlights
Madonna Inn isn’t your typical hotel. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a whimsical world where no design choice is too bold. Some of the highlights from my stay:
- Themed rooms – Each room has a completely different design, from Swiss chalet vibes to wild rock walls. Our Paris-themed room had yellow walls, gold and green accents, paintings of Paris streets, and a vintage, French-inspired aesthetic.
- The very pink restaurant area– The Cooper Cafe and the Gold Rush Steakhouse are famous for their hot pink decor, from the walls to the flower carpet to the velvet booths. It’s as pink as it sounds!
- Amenities and activities – There’s an outdoor pool, spa, bikes that you can borrow, horseback riding (paid), and a gift shop full of kitschy souvenirs like the unique water goblets.
Madonna Inn: Pros
Staying at Madonna Inn is a unique experience and definitely worth doing at least once. Below are some of the positives of staying here from our visit.
It’s unique!
Madonna Inn is not like any other hotel. It’s a boutique hotel with unique themed rooms. The very pink and bold cafe decor adds to its whimsical charm. Every inch of the property is designed to be bold and visually striking, making it feel more like an attraction than just a hotel.
A Historic California Landmark
Madonna Inn opened in 1958, founded by Alex and Phyllis Madonna as a roadside hotel that quickly became a popular California landmark. What started with just 12 rooms grew into a 110-room property, each uniquely themed.
The inn is well known for its whimsical design, signature pink aesthetic, and over-the-top charm. Over the years, Madonna Inn has attracted celebrities like Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani, all drawn to its eccentric charm and over-the-top decor.
Themed rooms
Madonna Inn is known for its unique themed rooms, and picking a room is a difficult decision with so many whimsy themes to choose from. As the rooms are usually sold out, you might end up picking what is available.
We stayed in the Paris Violets room for 2 nights, and it was large and spacious, perfect for our family of four. The Paris room felt like an old-world European escape, with luxurious textures and wall art with Paris streets. The heated bidet in the bathroom was a nice addition.
Other rooms go in completely different directions—think cowboy, safari, or even a room made almost entirely of rock. Many rooms have rock wall showers in the bathroom, though ours didn’t have that.
Very pink cafe
The restaurant building at Madonna Inn has several eateries, and they all have a very common theme – they are very pink! Whether it’s the bold pink flowers on the carpet, the pink leather chairs, or the pink ceiling decor, you will definitely think it’s over the top.
The Cooper Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has a small bakery section with stunning cakes. We ate lunch here, and it was ok, I thought. Nothing extraordinary.
We also tried the pink champagne cake, which everyone raved about, and it was ok, too. Nothing really remarkable to eat, but it was very pretty to look at.
The Gold Rush Steakhouse is dinner only and has beautiful decor with round pink booths. we did not eat here but checked it out during the day as its right next to the cafe.
The women’s restroom in the cafe is very elegant. My husband told me that the men’s restroom was unique, with a waterfall.
Amenities
Madonna Inn has a hilltop heated pool with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and a poolside bar with smoothies and cocktails.
Where can you see hot pink tennis courts? At Madonna Inn, of course! Great for tennis, basketball, and pickleball. You can get gear from the front desk.
The gift shop has a lot of souvenirs to buy, including the glass water goblets that are used in the cafe.
Activities
We rented bikes at the front desk and rode the trail next to the inn. They have kid-sized bikes as well.
We also booked a horseback trail riding session with the inn. It was a one-hour, beginner-friendly ride up on mountain trails. My kids loved it, although my horse was too lazy to walk and had to be guided a lot. Overall, it was a fun, family-friendly activity.
➡️ Check rates and availability for The Madonna Inn
Madonna Inn: Cons
Below are some of the negatives I can think of about staying here.
Availability
Madonna Inn is popular, and the themed rooms book up fast. If you have your eye on a specific room, you’ll want to plan well in advance.
Cost
Madonna Inn is not a budget-friendly stay. Rooms vary in price but expect to pay a premium for the experience. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends, so maybe stay during the week if you can.
Not walking to SLO downtown
The hotel is just off Highway 101, but it’s not within walking distance of downtown San Luis Obispo. You’ll need to drive or Uber if you want to explore beyond the hotel grounds. During our stay, we drove to the downtown for dinner as we didn’t want to eat in the cafe again.
Is staying here worth it?
If you love unique hotels, quirky decor, and themed experiences, Madonna Inn is absolutely worth a stay once. That said, it may not be the best fit if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills hotel or a budget-friendly option. Having stayed here once, it was done for me. We now stay in SLO downtown whenever we visit the area.
➡️ Check rates and availability for The Madonna Inn
Other options to stay in SLO
Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo (budget) – We recently stayed overnight at Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo to break up our drive from San Francisco to LA, and it turned out to be a great choice. The hotel offered a comfortable suite with a separate living area, a beautiful pool area, and a free hot breakfast. For the affordable rate, it was an excellent value.
Hotel San Luis Obispo (luxury) – A luxury hotel in downtown San Luis Obispo with restaurants, a bar, a pool, and a full-service spa.
Wrap up
Madonna Inn is a unique hotel in California with a whimsy feel, and my stay in the Paris room was definitely memorable. Whether you’re here for the pink decor, the themed rooms, or just to experience something different, it’s a one-of-a-kind getaway.
If you are not staying here, you can always stop here for a meal or a treat from the bakery and experience the pink extravaganza in the restaurant building.
➡️ Up next, check out my post about the top things to do in San Luis Obispo.
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