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Madonna Inn Frommer's Highly Recommended

100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
Rates from
$209.00+
Frommer's ReviewMap ItPhotos and Video
Location Off U.S. 101, Around Town
Phone 800/543-9666, 805/543-3000
Fax 805/543-1800
Web site www.madonnainn.com
Room Information 108 units
Prices $179-$284 double; from $349 suite
Credit Cards AE, DISC, MC, V
In Room Amenities A/C, flatscreen TV, fridge in most rooms, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe

Madonna Inn Review

This one you've got to see for yourself. The creative imaginations of owners Alex (now deceased) and Phyllis Madonna gave birth to the wildest -- and most superfluously showy -- fantasy world this side of Graceland. For more than 50 years, the only consistency throughout the hotel has been its color scheme: perpetual pink. Beyond that, the decor is a whimsical free-for-all. For example, the lobby men's room has a cascading rock-waterfall urinal and giant clamshell sinks (I hear the women's room is a hoot as well). The "Rock Rooms" with zebra- or tiger-patterned bedspreads and cascading waterfall showers conjure up thoughts of a Flintstones's Playboy palace. There are also blue rooms, red rooms, and over-the-top Spanish, Italian, Irish, Alps, Currier and Ives, Native American, Swiss, and hunting rooms. One guest room even features a trapezoidal bed -- it's 5 feet long on one side and 6 feet long on the other. The Silver Bar cocktail lounge and Gold Rush Steak House are also outlandishly ornate. In an effort to make the inn more a resort destination, an all-new state-of-the-art spa, pool (not just any pool, but one with a 30-foot beach-style entry and 25-foot cascading waterfall flowing into a lagoon), and fitness facility is underway on the grounds and should be completed by the time you read this. Even if you don't stay here, stop by for a liquid refresher and check it out, particularly around Christmastime.

Facilities:
2 restaurants; coffee shop; lounge; pool; full spa; retail shops; wine shop with daily tasting; limo service

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

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Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

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