A vividly kitsch, grandly one-of-a-kind resort just off US Route 101, where the good times roll and no two rooms are the same.
  • Sleeps: Varies
  • Bedrooms: 110 rooms/suites
  • Bathroom: Varies
  • Minimum stay: Varies

Alive with riotous colour and bursting with happiness, Madonna Inn (no relation to the Queen of Pop) is a completely unique hotel stay and a full-blown sensory experience, all rolled into one.

Opened in 1958 by Alex and Phyllis Madonna – an architect and an interior designer, no less – Madonna Inn sits perfectly in between Los Angeles and San Francisco, just off Route 101.  

From the moment you feast your eyes upon the gigantic, hot-pink ‘Madonna Inn’ sign, set against that coastal mountain landscape, you know you’re in for something special.

Alex and Phyllis Madonna had just one mission: to “make more people happy”. As you enter the resort, you’ll see just how they’ve succeeded. Stretching out over 1,000 acres, the Madonna estate is vibrantly striking, with pops of that trademark hot-pink everywhere you look.  Meanwhile, the four-storey inn’s jaw-dropping architecture is created from natural rock formations, boulders, and intricate hand carvings (you can even spot some authentic dinosaur fossils in the walls).

Home to a wine cellar, a famous bakery and café, a California Gold Rush-inspired steak house with nightly entertainment, and a gilded cocktail lounge, you can also swim in a scenic hilltop infinity pool (complete with a sparkling, 45-foot waterfall), relax in a bubbling whirlpool, play tennis on a hot-pink court, and even shop ‘til you drop at the boutique and gift shops.

As if all that wasn’t quite enough, you can choose from 110 outrageously lavish rooms and suites…each one lovingly – and utterly individually – styled.  No matter which one you choose, you can expect a glorious combination of luxury, colour, custom-designed furniture, and more than a touch of wild creativity!

Just Heaven is a romantic blue-and-gold suite adorned with cherubs, multi-coloured glass and French furnishings, with a private viewing tower above the kingsize bed. Jungle Rock, meanwhile, is a real adventure of a suite, featuring natural rock walls and a cascading waterfall shower.

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At a glance

  • A gloriously unique, wildly colourful resort and spa, located just off Route 101, in between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Choose from 110 bespoke-styled rooms and suites.
  • The four-storey inn is crafted from native rock, boulders and ornate hand carvings. There’s a café and bakery, a steak house, cocktail bar, and shops on site, along with a spa and a hilltop infinity pool.
  • All rooms and suites are equipped with in-room WiFi, complimentary toiletries, extra-large pool towels…and fluffy robes.
  • The resort features nightly entertainment, along with activities that include wine tasting, hiking trails, mountain biking, and even a hot-pink tennis court!

Features

  • Family Friendly
  • Hot Tubs
  • Large Groups
  • Swimming Pools

Facilities

There are 110 themed guest rooms and suites, each with different facilities and occupancies. Please check the property website for full details.

Local activities

Onsite: Pool, fitness centre, shopping, live music, dancing, wine tasting, horseback trail rides, hiking, biking, tennis, basketball, garden games.

Offsite: Balloon rides, golf, surfing, farmers markets, paddle boarding, wildlife spotting. 

More information

Time of Your Life is encased in green, gold, and shimmering purple brick, to evoke a traditional Mardi Gras atmosphere. But if you fancy something a little more chic, the Crystal Room drips with old-school Hollywood glamour. Here you’ll discover a silver ceiling, a crystal-studded headboard, and black velvet-printed walls that flow into a vivid red carpet (of course).  

Oh, and if timeless sophistication is more your style, the Country Gentleman suite, decked in the style of a traditional English manor, is perfect. There’s even a crackling fireplace made from hand-placed native rock…ideal for a spot of evening storytelling.

“I want people to come in with a smile and leave with a smile,” Alex Madonna once famously said about this incredible Inn.  

All we can say is…just take one step inside, and you’ll find it incredibly hard not to oblige!

Things to note

There is a $15 resort fee that will be included in the rates.

Current Offers

Spa guests receive 20% off one item in the Spa or boutique. Also available are seasonal boutique trunk shows, spa specials, and food and drink offerings for hotel and non-hotel guests alike!

Where you'll be staying

San Luis Obispo, California

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