Why the Madonna Inn Is So Iconic
If you’ve spent any time on social media (and love pink), you’ve seen photos or video of the Madonna Inn. Since opening it’s doors on Christmas Eve in 1958, the Madonna Inn quickly became on the California’s most iconic (and adorable) hotels. Built by Alex and Phyllis Madonna, the property was thoroughly designed to be unique and has since spawned plenty of imitations, though none of them can truly match the beauty of the Madonna Inn. Here’s a look at our purely pink getaway at Madonna Inn.
Hey! 💖
Some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I might earn a tiny commission—at no extra cost to you. I only share stuff I genuinely love, pinky promise! 🤞
Planning a Weekend Getaway to San Luis Obispo
My friend Emily and I have both had this hotel on our bucket lists for a while; however, San Luis Obispo isn’t really close to Vegas, and it’s definitely a longer drive than Los Angeles. So did we plan an entire weekend getaway around staying at this hotel? Yes, yes we did. And we have zero regrets.
Choosing the Perfect Pink Room at Madonna Inn
I’ll preface by saying that the Madonna Inn, even on an off night, can be a splurge. The fancier the room, the higher the price, and chances are, you have a specific room or theme in mind. Emily and I wanted pink, which certainly made our choices wider. We spent a little extra to get the Elegance room and we absolutely loved it.
We expected a hotel that practically doubles as a roadside attraction to be tired and maybe a little cheap, and we were pleasantly surprised that the hotel had kitsch to spare while also being clearly well-maintained.
First Impressions: Arriving at the Madonna Inn
Our first impression as we passed the entry sign right off the freeway was that it felt like entering a theme park. The wide private roads, numerous signs, and spacious parking lot certainly implied we were in for well, something.
We were checked in quickly and given through instructions on how to drive to the building that held our room. You’re going to want to drive because this property is pretty large. Driving can also help you explore the grounds a little more to discover some of the cutest little hidden spots that are more than a little Instagrammable.
Inside the Room: Elegance Room Review
The room was better than the photos—the yellowish light of the photos online didn’t really do the space justice. The beds were comfy, the light fixtures were insanely gorgeous, and every little detail was well-designed and well-kept.
The cute little branded pink touches and the faux opulence of the room made it perfectly kitschy while staying a hair under the “over-the-top” limit. Our only real complaint—parking can get a little tricky on busy nights and many cars were making their own spaces in the massive unlined lot.
Dining at Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House
We had dinner reservations and thank God we did since it was a holiday weekend and Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House was packed. We loved the people-watching since many people understood the assignment and were dressed in pink.
The restaurant, like the hotel, is somewhat spendy; however, it was actually pretty fantastic.
What We Ordered: Dinner & Pink Champagne Cake
The main courses each come with a choice of soup or salad and housemade focaccia along with dinner rolls (I may or may not have filled up on rolls, oops).
We had already discussed ordering prime rib and decided to split it in addition to the pork chops which honestly, were some of the best pork chops I’ve ever had.
As foodies, we honestly were trying to keep our expectations low for dinner and the restaurant blew our expectations out of the water (coupled with the outstanding service, we would both happily return).
We didn’t order dessert since we had already pre-ordered the famous pink champagne cake (if you don’t love pink, you’re not gonna love this cake, it literally tasted pink in the best way possible). We may also have taken the cake all around the hotel to take selfies with it (wow).
Madonna Inn Amenities & Things to Do
Though we didn’t partake in all of the hotel’s amenities, we were pretty impressed with what we saw and would both happily consider another visit in the future.
If you like horseback riding, there are facilities and a trail onsite. If you want to enjoy the pool, it;s the cutest little thing with a fantastic view of the hills. There’s also a spa and a lot of cute shops for pampering and retail therapy (I may have gone a little crazy in the basement wine store’s confectionary).
Is a Getaway at Madonna Inn Worth It?
If you’re looking to visit Madonna Inn, I’d highly recommend booking a couple different rooms since each space is a unique experience. We only stayed the one night, which was plenty for one room, but I would love to return and pick out a completely different room on my next visit. Check out the Madonna Inn rooms here!
Check out more road trip stories here!
