Picture yourself waking up every morning to a glamorous wonderland and that’s exactly what it’s like at the Madonna Inn located in San Luis Obispo, California!🤩 Opening its doors to the public in 1958, the Madonna Inn has been a central California landmark for over 60 years and is also the perfect halfway point to stay at while driving up one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Pacific Coast Highway! Today you’ll still find vintage elements around the resort like glass work, copper, brass, and gorgeous wood carvings. It feels very charming and nostalgic like you’ve stepped back in time! And what makes the Madonna Inn truly special is the 110 guestrooms that are uniquely designed and themed to fit anyone’s whimsical imagination!
“I want people to come in with a smile and leave with a smile. It’s fun.” – Alex Madonna
Madonna Inn
📍100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
🖥 https://www.madonnainn.com
📞(805) 543-3000
💲Prices: ~$109-$383
Note: Each room is unique so make sure to reserve your dream room before it’s gone!
As soon as we pulled into the main parking lot, we were stunned by how adorable the main building of the Madonna Inn is. Surrounded by beautiful blue skies, mountains and green pastures, it has a vintage charm with an overwhelming amount of detail mixed with pops of hot pink! It almost feels like you’re at Disneyland!😍
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The registration office is located right next to the main building, and that’s where you’ll check-in. They also have a bunch of brochures with things to do in the area, and a nice display of postcards featuring photos of each of their 110 rooms. The rooms vary in availability and prices because no room is the same! Whether you’re looking for a girls’ getaway, a romantic suite, or a family retreat, there’s something for everyone at the Madonna Inn. So if there’s a room you’re interested in, it’s time to start crossing fingers in hopes that it’s available!
They also have bike rentals available for those that want to take in all the fresh California air and enjoy the outdoors. If this sounds like you, try renting a bike to take around the Madonna Inn bike trail! 🚲
To find the rooms there are three buildings, and each of the buildings has plenty of unassigned parking spaces. Our room was in building three, which features a patio area with tables, and a gorgeous spiral staircase engraved with hearts that lead up to our room!😍💕
Room
We were lucky to book the Merry Room, Room #164. The Merry room is a part of a trio collection called Merry-Go-Round. While the Merry room features a sparkling champagne design, the Go room features a glittering blue iridescent wallpaper, and the Round room has a vibrant green sequin wall with circus decor!🎪🤹🏼♂️
As soon as we walked into the Merry room, our jaws basically dropped to the cabernet-colored floor. This room is the definition of fabulous!🤩✨ The room was very spacious, glamorous, and cozy! So we felt right at home. Right above our king bed is the extravagant gold chandelier that bounces light off the glittering rose gold sequined walls! It’s literally the most beautiful room we’ve ever stayed in! Even though check out is at noon (later than most hotels we stay at) we still didn’t want to leave!
For room service, the hotel does offer a continental breakfast for $10 per person. All you have to do is fill out the form in your room and leave it outside your door by 10pm with the time desired. And in the morning, they’ll come and deliver it to you! The options are basic like apple or orange juice, baked croissants, and danishes, muffins, etc.
In the Merry Room there is a flat screen tv, custom ice bucket with 2 complimentary water bottles, cute antique vanity, closet with hangers, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, 2 comfy bathrobes, a safe, 2 pool towels, in-room Wi-Fi etc. And you can get a refrigerator upon request!
If you think the bedroom is too girly, wait until you check out the bathroom! The two French sinks have beautiful pink antique designs and right above them is a line of lights that are displayed with flowers.🌸 It’s seriously so darling and cute! Yet the most interesting thing in the bathroom is the toilet, yes the toilet!😜 While the room has a vintage vibe, the toilet is electronic and has controls for you to use the bidet washing feature and seat warmer. If anyone wants to get us a Christmas present, we’ll take one of those! lol
The shower is a stand-up shower and is pretty standard with a pretty colorful tile design. And if you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee, the coffee maker is placed between one of the sinks and the shower.
Each room also comes with a line of the Madonna Inn signature soaps and shampoo products from their very own spa. We think it’s so cool that the Madonna Inn has its own line of products! (Which you can find for sale at the gift shop.)
Girls’ night isn’t complete without some wine, of course! And we love that the Madonna Inn has their own private-label of wines available for purchase in their gift shop!🥂💖
Since each one of their 110 rooms is so unique, the next time we visit we would love to stay in one of these rooms:
Victorian Gardens
Carin Room
Dining at Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn has 3 on-site restaurants, along with a wine cellar, bakery, shops, and a cocktail lounge all at the resort so you don’t have to leave!
Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge
(Open Daily, 7am-10pm)
Right next to Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House, is the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge where you can grab a cocktail in one of their old fashioned pink leather chairs. It’s such a charming setting with vibrant red and blue roses on the carpet and a polished wood archway with floral carvings over the bar area. There are two tv’s if anyone doesn’t want to miss the game while enjoying a drink. And in case the bar gets too full, there are plenty of tufted armchairs to lounge in by the stained glass windows!
If you’re in the mood to try something new, you have to get the Pink Cloud signature cocktail! It’s a sweet cup of strawberry vodka, creme de cacao, strawberry puree and cream, blended and topped with whipped cream, pink sugar & a cherry! So cute, it’s like a dessert with a kick!🍒💕
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House
(Open Daily, 5pm-10pm)
Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House is one of the most extravagantly decorated restaurants we’ve ever stepped into! It’s like a fairytale forest with cherubs and trees intertwining with starry string lights and chandeliers. It’s like an overload of magic all in one room!👼🏼✨ On the weekends they have live music and dancing like salsa and tango night!
We made reservations and were able to grab a round booth right under a tree filled with decorative hearts.💕❤️ And of course everything was pink from the seats, the table, the menus, all the way down to the napkins! We even got to drink out of their famous Madonna Inn glass goblets! (Which are also available for purchase in the gift shop, or you can shop them online here.)
Our server was very helpful and suggested a few cocktails for us to start out with. For an appetizer we shared the Romesco Avocado Toast which comes on toasted bread, with a Romesco sauce (which is a tomato based sauce), and topped with roasted corn, feta cheese, & cilantro. It’s not your typical avocado toast, unusual but still really good!
For dinner we decided to order the Grilled Portobello that came with tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic, a baked potato and some asparagus on the side. Normally the dish is served with goat cheese but we decided to order it without it, and it was just okay. We also ordered the Atlantic Salmon which came with a baked potato and green beans on the side. The Salmon was decent, but nothing special.
The best part of our meal may have been dessert! Our server brought out an assortment of desserts on a big round tray. And of course we had to try their world-famous Pink Champagne Cake, which you can also buy as a whole cake in their Copper Cafe & Bakery!🎂💖
We didn’t enjoy our meal as much as we hoped too because the dishes were pretty bland in our opinion. The prices for the food are high for what you get, but we think it’s because you’re paying more for the atmosphere. We definitely suggest coming over to Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House for a round of cocktails, cake, and music!
Copper Cafe and Bakery
(Open Daily, 7am-10pm)
Inside of the Copper Cafe, you’ll be in a room filled with gorgeous wood carvings and brass detailing, it feels like you’re in Pinocchio’s house! During the mornings, it’s the only restaurant with food service for breakfast. They serve traditional favorites like different styles of omelets, pancakes & waffles. If you have an appetite for some sandwiches or salads later in the day, they start serving lunch at 11:00am. And if you have a sweet tooth, this is where you can find the famous Pink Champagne Cake!
Terrace Pool Bar
(Open Daily, 11am-6pm)
At the Terrace Pool Bar they have an array of sandwiches, wraps, and salads on the menu. They also have plenty of smoothies and signature cocktails to choose from to take to the pool!
Amenities
At the Madonna Inn they have plenty of amenities for a perfect getaway!
The Spa at Madonna Inn
Relax in luxury at The Spa.🧖🏼♀️ They have everything from the Madonna Signature Facial, a Caveman stone massage, or what we think is the most unique, the Sticks & Stones massage with heated Bamboo. And all massage treatments come with complimentary aromatherapy!
Pool and Fitness Center
(Open Daily, 7am-11pm)
You’ll want to lounge all day in their heated infinity pool and two jacuzzis. There’s also a 45-foot waterfall and 360-degree picturesque views of the central California mountains.⛰😍 You’ll also get a great view inside of the gym as you work up a sweat!
Gift Shop
Right next to the wine cellar is the gift shop. They have everything you can think of from Madonna Inn branded toiletries, magnets, wine, and baked goods. They even sell their world-famous Pick & Shovel Barbecue Sauce which is featured on the dinner menu at the Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House!
Activities
Madonna Inn has so many activities on-site that you won’t have to leave the property at all!
Wine-Tasting
Head over to the lower level (right next to the gift shop) to try their on-site wine tastings in the wine cellar. They also do gourmet chocolate or cheese pairings, how fancy?!🧀🍫🍷
The Madonna Inn even has its own private-label wine! And although we weren’t able to schedule a wine tasting, we did grab a bottle of Madonna Inn’s Sparkling Wine to take home with us!✨
Hiking & Biking
Take an afternoon to rent one of their pink bikes and go explore the property around the white picket fencing that goes beyond how far you can see! They also have hiking trails, Lemon Grove Loop and the Cerro San Luis Trail (aka Madonna Mountain) which is 4.6 miles roundtrip from Registration Office. Their views of the mountains surrounding the Madonna Inn are absolutely stunning!⛰🌈
Tennis & Basketball Courts
How unique is this tennis and basketball court?! This hot pink tennis court is free for guests to use and is a great way to get some exercise while being outdoors. We might need to start taking some lessons! 🎾👟
The Secret Garden
The secret garden is an enchanting area with flowers everywhere, you’ll truly feel like you’re in a fairytale!🌸💐 Under all the trees they have paths that lead to a pond and there’s also an area to play games like corn hole, bocce ball, or croquet with the family for a memorable experience. You can also book the secret garden for an event or your dream wedding!
Pros:
- We love the over the top fairytale forest decor!😍
- Our room was everything we could imagine plus more! It was outrageously glamorous and we loved all the details. Plus it was one of the most comfortable and coziest rooms we ever stayed in!
- All 110 guest rooms are individually decorated and no room is alike.
- We love that the Madonna Inn has outdoor activities, like their hiking trails and wine tasting.
- Check out is later than most hotels, 12pm.
- Close to downtown San Luis Obispo with restaurants and shopping.
Cons:
- The food options weren’t the best.
Around Town
Downtown San Luis Obispo is only a 5 min drive away! Head over there to walk around the outdoor shopping area. You’ll find deals at local boutiques and bigger brand names like H&M, Banana Republic, and more! There’s also cute restaurants and cafes! We can’t wait to come back and explore more of the SLO!
Our visit to the Madonna Inn felt like the perfect getaway to a real-life fairytale! Everything is so charming from all the details in the decor to the beautiful outdoor scenery. It’s probably the most extravagant place we’ve ever stayed! And with 110 individually decorated guest rooms, there’s so much to look forward to the next time we visit the Madonna Inn!😍✨
**Thank you Madonna Inn for hosting our stay and sponsoring this blog post!
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