Madonna Inn Gift Shop
Madonna Inn Gift Shop - Copyright © 2004–2023 Yelp Inc. Yelp and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California has enough character to make any guest feel like they have been transported to another world. Alex Madonna opened the then 12-room motel in 1958 with his wife, Phyllis.
- Madonna Inn Gift Shop
- What Started As A 12-Room Motel Has Grown Into A Huge, Beautiful Property
- Ultimately, What Makes This Property So Special Is Its 110 Uniquely Themed Rooms
- I Was Immediately Entranced When I Pulled Into The Parking Lot
- I Was Immediately Entranced When I Pulled Into The Parking Lot
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Madonna Inn Gift Shop
Soon after, another 40 rooms were added and the inn became a landmark of the central coast of California. Restaurants, shops, ballrooms and facilities came later, and the Madonna Inn now offers over 100 uniquely themed rooms. Read on to find out what my stay at the extravagant property was like.
The property is located on the west side of US Route 101 on the way through San Luis Obispo - making it an ideal destination to stop on a road trip up the California coast. It is located on the lower eastern part of the well-known Cerro San Luis Obispo hill, affectionately nicknamed "Madonna Mountain", which is a popular walking spot for tourists and locals alike.
After the inn's first 12 rooms were completed, demand for more rooms and public spaces led to rapid expansion across the 1,000 acre property. As the property expanded, more dining options were added - such as the more casual Copper Cafe, the bakery and coffee shop, and the upscale Gold Rush Steak House.
What Started As A 12-Room Motel Has Grown Into A Huge, Beautiful Property
There is also the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge, as well as gift shops, a large pool area and several indoor and outdoor event spaces. At Madonna Inn, there are 110 individually decorated guest rooms with features such as rock walls and fireplaces, waterfall showers, European fixtures and fine furnishings.
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When guests book at the inn, they can specify their room size and preferred amenities, and can choose which themed room they would like to stay in. From the Yosemite Rock Suite, which looks like it was taken from a scene in a national park, to the Swiss Rock Suite, inspired by Madonna's Swiss heritage and love of rocks, no two rooms are close to being
alike. Guests could stay in a different room every night for three months and have a unique experience each time. When I pulled into the pub's large car park, it felt like I was entering a destination straight out of a fairy tale. I knew the Madonna Inn was known for its creative decor and vibrant personality - inside and out - but this was even more colorful than expected.
Even the registration room was decorated in colour, and all the lampposts and rubbish bins on the property were pink. The main building was stained glass, and the outside of the pub is painted in different shades of pink, creating a distinctive sense of romance and whimsical fun.
Ultimately, What Makes This Property So Special Is Its 110 Uniquely Themed Rooms
The vibrant decor is no accident, every detail honoring the Madonnas' vibrant personalities and impressive business ventures - in addition to their influence on the rich history of the San Luis Obispo area. For example, the Gold Rush dining room has a hand-carved marble balustrade that came from the famous nearby Hearst Castle complex.
The main restaurant was still outdoor dining only due to COVID-19 safety protocols during my stay, but the temporary tented section of the parking lot had enough heat lamps to keep guests comfortable. If guests aren't looking for a full meal, the bakery's signature pink champagne cake is a local delicacy and a firm favorite among past guests.
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People probably drive dozens of miles for it, and those who don't want to buy a whole cake can buy a generous-sized slice to enjoy instead. After checking in, as I made my way to my room, I noticed that the outer door of each room was decorated differently.
This highlighted the amount of effort that goes into making each room feel very special from the moment guests arrive at the door. I spent the night in the Sky Room, a loft style suite located at the back of the pub. When I entered it felt like I was stepping on a cloud.
I Was Immediately Entranced When I Pulled Into The Parking Lot
There was a loft in my room which was accessible by climbing a steep staircase and contained two extra beds. I also had a balcony attached to my room that overlooked the green hills of San Luis Obispo. Every feature in my room was as curated as the lobby and common areas.
The bathroom was modern but clean and matched the color scheme of the room with blue and silver tiles. The authentic crystal chandelier hanging above my bed made me feel like royalty. Retiring for the night, I had a restless sleep. The inn is decades old, but the rooms are furnished with modern hotel comforts, such as quality mattresses and top-of-the-line bathroom fixtures - although I wasn't lucky enough to get a room with a real waterfall shower
As I spent more time exploring the property, I came across the pool area, which featured a full bar, two hot tubs, and exceptional views of the San Luis Obispo foothills. Another of my favorite areas of the property was the "secret garden". It felt like a peaceful oasis with all kinds of flowers, a fountain and a large lawn that is used to host events.
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Before I left, I had to stop by the on-site gift shop, which sells a variety of appropriate souvenirs and Madonna memorabilia to remember your stay. My favorite items were the signature crystal goblets (used for drinks in the restaurants) and the postcards showing every other room.
I Was Immediately Entranced When I Pulled Into The Parking Lot
In addition to its fun decor and impressive amenities, this property is ideally located for exploring the beautiful San Luis Obispo area. It's right off the 101 freeway near downtown, which means guests have easy access to restaurants and the local nightlife. Even those who don't want to leave the property can experience guided horseback riding up Cerro San Luis next door.
There are also walking and mountain biking trails up the mountain for those who prefer to explore on foot. While at the Madonna Inn, it felt as if I was transported back in time to an old world adventure - with all the comforts and conveniences of modern life.
It's an escape from the chaos of everyday life to a simpler (and more colorful) time. That, combined with the exceptional outdoor spaces and friendly service from everyone on the property, made for a pretty magical stay. Correction: A previous version of this story stated that guests were randomly assigned themed rooms, but guests can choose which themed room they stay in.
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