Three months ago, Mark and I visited the Madonna Inn, which is a vintage hotel in San Luis Obispo (SLO), CA. Built and ran by the legendary businessman Alex Madonna, it has kept its fascinating late-fifties decor. Ready to travel back in time?
Sign along the highway
Main lodge
The bakery section is famous for its cakes.
Boots and bar stools
Restaurant area – yes, it was before Christmas
Little alleys and shops everywhere inside.
Banquet/dining room
Pink dominates!
The owner and builder Alex Madonna
The wine cellar
Women’s bathroom
Men’s bathroom
The history of this unique establishment can be found here.
This is my contribution for Wordless Wednesday.
Have you ever visited or stayed in a place like the Madonna Inn?
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February 13, 2019 at 11:42
Wow, that is colorful. How unique.
February 14, 2019 at 15:49
I had no idea places like this existed anymore, Alex. Luckily, a local guy told us about it and encouraged us to check the hotel out.
February 13, 2019 at 11:56
I did visit it years and years ago, when my children were small! Your photos have reawakened old memories.
Jude
February 14, 2019 at 15:54
Hi Jude! I had no idea you – and so many others – have visited the Madonna Inn! It surely is a landmark around SLO. Who would have known?
February 13, 2019 at 12:35
HI Liesbet
Madonna Inn is truly amazing. I’ve been by it many times, but never thought to go in and just check it out. I’m heading that direction in a few months, maybe I can stop in.
Safe Travels
Laura
February 14, 2019 at 15:56
Hi Laura! I’m sure you’ve driven that highway many times. Right by the sign. I hope your curiosity will lead you towards the exit for a quick look at this place on your next trip south. It’s very easy to make the little detour and parking is plentiful. If I could go again, I might be tempted to buy something from their bakery.
February 13, 2019 at 12:51
Love it! Especially the bathrooms – what a small fun, odd space to design. Will have to put it on my list to visit!
February 14, 2019 at 15:58
You should go, Duwan, especially since you two are quite the explorers as well. I felt a bit weird browsing around without buying anything, but one room led us to the next and into the bathrooms, which are the most unique ones (esthetically anyway) we ever stepped foot in.
February 13, 2019 at 12:57
Hi Liesbet – I visited Madonna Inn years ago when I did my road trip in California. Glad to know it’s still in business. Your photos brought back fun memories.
February 14, 2019 at 16:00
How interesting that the Madonna Inn was part of your California road trip, Natalie. I had no idea it is so famous and well-known around North America, based on some of my Canadian blogging friends having been there as well. Fascinating! I bet it could have been one of those places located on Route 66. 🙂
February 13, 2019 at 14:39
I’ve stopped by several times to look around but have never stayed there. My favorites were the bathrooms (Paul stood by the door as I checked out the various men’s room).
February 14, 2019 at 16:02
Haha, you are more adventurous than me, Janis. Mark held the door open to this men’s bathroom as well, but I didn’t explore any further or any others. We didn’t have a lot of time during this visit, as we were meeting someone, but I wouldn’t mind going back one day and investigating a bit more. 🙂
February 13, 2019 at 17:32
Richard and I have never been to the Madonna Inn, but that is exactly the type of place that we like to stay when traveling. Awesome photos!
February 14, 2019 at 16:03
Thanks, Donna. If you like character (and I know you guys do), this is the place to stay. Although Mazatlán doesn’t sound like a bad alternative. 🙂
February 13, 2019 at 17:33
Money never guarantees a person is going to have good interior design taste. Very unique and looks like an interesting place to visit though it does make my minimalist soul shutter 🙂
February 14, 2019 at 16:05
Haha, I hear you, Suzanne. One could use the word lavish to describe this place. I found it having a unique character and enjoyed stepping back in time. The decor and colors were fascinating. But, we could have done without the exuberant Christmas decorations. 🙂 And, we would never be able to afford staying here either, although the rooms sound fascinating as well.
February 13, 2019 at 18:17
YES, and you brought back fond memories. When our kids were young we stopped here for a night on our way to San Diego (from the SF bay area). The most difficult part was deciding which room we wanted to stay in (my son and husband wanted the cowboy room, my daughter and I wanted the girlie fairy room). I think we compromised and stayed in something like the rock n roll room. 🙂 Then when our son was 17 and looking at colleges (like Cal Poly in San Lois Obispo) we stayed at the Madonna again. The kids thought it too ‘uncool’ in their teenage years. Bet they’d love it again now. xo
February 14, 2019 at 16:08
Oh Pam, how nice you actually stayed at this place. We didn’t get to check out the rooms, but your description sounds fascinating! Did you take any photos? So funny that you had a hard time choosing a room for the family. I guess sterile hotels where all the rooms are alike, don’t create that problem. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story. I truly enjoyed reading it! Here I thought people might have visited or stayed in similar hotels, but so many of my readers have actually stopped (or even stayed like you) in this exact establishment. It makes my day.
February 13, 2019 at 18:29
Wow! How cool is THAT!!
You just don’t see those beautiful hotels anymore.
Did it have vibrating beds? I remember those when I was a kid and we traveled.
Thanks for sharing!
– Lisa
February 14, 2019 at 16:12
Hi Lisa! Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. I actually didn’t stay at the Madonna Inn. My husband and I just stopped for a quick look around the main lodge. You made me curious about vibrating beds, though, since I have no idea what those are like. I grew up in Belgium and we never stayed in motels or hotels as a family. Our country is too small for long-distance travel and for our family vacations, we drove down to southern France in one long haul and rented self-catering apartments.
February 14, 2019 at 10:37
What a fab place!
February 14, 2019 at 16:12
For sure! 🙂
February 14, 2019 at 20:46
This seems like such an unique place to go. Thank you so much for sharing, I’ll definitely be checking this place out!
http://www.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
February 18, 2019 at 18:21
It’s a perfect piece of Americana that reminded me of Route 66 scenes or posters or advertisements. 🙂 Have fun checking it out!
February 15, 2019 at 04:35
No, I’ve never been or stayed at the Madonna Inn, Liesbet. What an interesting place. While scrolling through the photos, I was reminded of Good Fellas! Thanks for sharing your terrific photos. I hope you and Mark get a taste of warmer weather soon!
February 18, 2019 at 18:22
It looks like at least another week of chilly weather here in SoCal. Mark and I keep checking the map to see where it’s warm. The SE of the country seems like a better bet right now. But, the road to Florida is long. 🙂 Hope your neck of the woods isn’t too bad this winter!
February 15, 2019 at 08:09
Love finding places like this. The interior (fantastic pics btw) kind of reminds me of the El Rancho in Gallup New Mexico where i stopped on my modified Route 66 tour in 2007. So want to do another one. Missing the kitsch of the good ole USofA!
February 18, 2019 at 18:24
I never thought I would be lured in with said kitsch Lisa! It sure has its charms. We’ve driven through Gallup, NM before, but never stopped. We will have to remember your little excursion if we end up there again. I’m sure all these scenes are quite different from your current environs!
February 16, 2019 at 11:01
Wow…Such an amazing finding 🙂
February 18, 2019 at 18:29
Glad you liked it, Gilda!
February 17, 2019 at 10:30
Looks like a fun place to stay. I live in Michigan so too far for me to go visit. Glad you enjoyed it.
February 20, 2019 at 13:52
Hi Natalie! Thanks for swinging by and commenting from you far away. 🙂 I hope you’re doing alright up north! I hope the weather turns nicer again soon.
February 18, 2019 at 15:28
The guest rooms are even wilder than the public areas. I remember stopping there some 40+ years ago. Seems like it’s been there forever. I’ll have to check out the history link you provided.
February 20, 2019 at 13:54
Hi Leslie! It certainly appears that the Madonna Inn has been there forever. So many of my readers have been there, including you! I never expected that it was/is so known and popular. And, I’m curious about the rooms now as well, but I bet the only way to see those is by staying for the night.
February 18, 2019 at 15:59
I love places like this! Great shots!
February 20, 2019 at 13:55
Thanks, Robert! Lots of history and character at the Madonna Inn! 🙂
February 19, 2019 at 07:33
Well, we have actually been to SLO because like Pam we were looking at colleges with one of our sons. He ended up going to one in Santa Cruz but we enjoyed the exploration of this part of the coast.
This hotel is such a trip!!! Amazing how many others have been there and or stayed there. Thanks for sharing.
Peta
February 20, 2019 at 14:01
Looking for colleges (and visiting those areas in the meantime) is such an interesting concept to me, Peta, as I grew up in a small country. In Belgium, most Dutch speakers go to a Flemish college, usually close to home. I think I already knew where I’d go since being a teenager (the one closest by, a 25-minute train ride away, which doesn’t mean I didn’t stay in a dorm :-)), but there really would only have been three choices or so, all within an hour’s drive from each other.
February 19, 2019 at 14:12
I lived in the olden days, so it’s not hard for me to travel back in time. 🙂
In our last home built in 1957 the decor in one of the bathrooms was peach and green. We had to hire someone to “paint” the tiles white so the house would sell. Sad . . .
February 20, 2019 at 14:10
I’d love to see that bathroom of your last home, Marian. That’s fantastic (and, yes, so sad you had to change the color to be able to sell it). Was it one of those rooms that you showed every new visitor to the house? Our winter house sit in San Diego from last year (and one week this past January) was in an old and charismatic house as well. The wallpaper in the bathroom is black with interesting designs on it. Very special; every visitor to the house was in awe about this bathroom. 🙂
February 19, 2019 at 14:32
Very unique and ornate decor! What a find!
February 20, 2019 at 14:11
Hi Terri! I’m glad you liked the post and the Inn. I would think there are similar finds along Route 66. Maybe we can find a few more this spring…
February 19, 2019 at 23:58
Very cool! The rooms are gorgeous.
There’s a hotel here where each room is decorated to look like you’re in a different country (Roman Room, Acapulco Room, etc.) It did very well until the owners were caught secretly taping their guests. Not sure how their business does today.
February 20, 2019 at 14:12
That hotel in your area sounds like a fun one to check out as well, JH. If it is still around… and safe to visit. 🙂
February 27, 2019 at 02:23
C’mon up! (I recommend waiting for warmer weather.)
February 27, 2019 at 21:36
🙂 You don’t have to remind me of that part. I hope you’re staying warm!
February 20, 2019 at 10:43
What great pics! I did travel back, but the trip was way too short. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
February 20, 2019 at 14:12
Imagine how many trips you can take in one day like that! 🙂
December 19, 2021 at 22:53
Visiting on one of PeNdantry’s random raids, Liesbet. Nothing to report here – this post and the links all check out. Interesting place to stay.
December 20, 2021 at 01:48
Oh, that’s so nice of you, Amanda! I was wondering how this random post got another comment, haha. But of course, I remember your latest blog post. Thank you!!
October 10, 2024 at 23:06
Love the whimsical charm of the Madonna Inn! The unique decor and vibrant colors make it a perfect getaway. Your photos capture the fun atmosphere beautifully—can’t wait to visit and experience its quirks firsthand!
October 11, 2024 at 15:51
Hi David,
Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. Wow, time flies! It seems like forever ago when we stopped by the Madonna Inn. I hope you get to visit one day as well!