Pages

▼

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Madonna Inn--It's All About PINK!


When I am on the road on a vacation I bring my laptop along to stay in touch as much as possible with my favorite blogs and to answer comments. Sometimes my computer time is limited, or Internet connections are slow, so I fall a little behind.  Luckily, I decided to catch up with Susan's Branch's wonderful blog the evening before my husband and I were going to drive up to the San Luis Obsipo. While browsing a few back posts on her blog, I came upon her description of the Madonna Inn on her "We Love Pink" blog post.  What a exceptionally fun place this is for anyone that loves the color pink!



The Madonna Inn, located at 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, opened for business in 1958. It quickly became a landmark on US Highway 101 in the Central Coast of California.  The Inn was created by Alex Madonna, a successful construction magnate and entrepreneur, with and his wife Phyllis.

The pink begins outside the inn, but it can hardly prepare you....



 ...for all the pink inside!



According to Susan Branch, "Mr. Madonna made the whole thing pink because he thought Mrs. Madonna 'looked good in pink.' "



The banquets are pink....



...the tables and chairs are pink...



 ...parts of the bar are pink




...the carpet and decorations are pink!



Almost everything is pink!


As Susan said in her blog post: "the men’s room downstairs is so interesting, there’s always a line of women waiting to get in to see it!"  No photo here, as I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, but it is one of the fun, quirky features of the inn you would want to see!



The fun does not end in the inn's lobby, men's room, Copper Cafe, Silver Bar, The Gold Rush Steak House Restaurant, or the attached bakery and pastry shop.  There are also 110 rooms, each decorated with a special theme.  If you go to this link you can see the whimsical names of the suites and a photo of how they are decorated. To continue the all pink theme, the room "Carin" was the one to choose, but there are many rooms in other colors available. One room, called "What's Left," is a patchwork of fabrics, carpet and wallpaper collected from other rooms.  If I had to chose, I thought Yosemite Rock was one of the nicest of the unusual rooms.  Which one would you chose?

Thanks, Susan, for letting us all know about the wonderful Madonna Inn!  I really enjoyed my visit!

I'm linking this post to:

Many thanks to all the blog hosts!


Bookmark and Share
at

60 comments:

  1. Barbara F.November 25, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    What a great place ~ I love that this couple's last name is Madonna! A little on the Pepto Bismol side but fun fun fun. Now I want to go see the men's room in this place. xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    Can anyone say "road trip"?

    Thanks for sharing this great post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. betsyNovember 25, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Interesting, but a little too rococo for my taste. Never the less, an great piece of Americana- or California-cana!

    ReplyDelete
  4. podsoNovember 25, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Interesting to say the least! Each room must have taken a ton of work AND imagination. The one you chose looks like one of the nicer ones! I'm sure it made a memory!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Natasha in OzNovember 25, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Wow, Beverly would love it here! I have never seen so much pink in one place!

    Happy Pink Saturday!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousNovember 25, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    I would love it as I would be in Bubble Gum PINK Heaven!! It is all so pretty!!
    Have a Great Weekend!
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. Old KittyNovember 25, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Patsy!! This is a quick comment because I am sooooooooooooooo flabergasted by this hotel and am going through each room with my jaw wide open! WOW! That's all I can say, WOW! IT'S CRAZY!!!!!! I cannot, cannot get my head round the rooms!! WOW!!!

    What a fabulous amazing find! thank you Patsy!!!
    Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  8. ClaudiaNovember 25, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Well, I am certainly in the pink after reading this! Leave it to you to have me wanting to stand on line at a men's room...

    ReplyDelete
  9. PondsideNovember 25, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    It is really something, isn't it?! We bought two of the most amazing cakes there to celebrate my cousin's anniversary - towers of the most delicious cake, cream, coconut, lemon - my mouth still waters at the memory.

    ReplyDelete
  10. MichelleNovember 25, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I would love to stay there just for the experience. Not only is the constant pinkness quirky, but the furniture/style is also so over the top.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My Little Home and GardenNovember 25, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    That is certainly something you don't see everyday. I had no idea such a place even existed. Fun to see!
    -Karen

    ReplyDelete
  12. LVNovember 25, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Thank you allowing me to enjoy this lovely area with you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ginny HartzlerNovember 25, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Did you stay here and take these pictures? Did you eat here, how was the food? Wow, it is really something!! Love the restaurant, bar, and wild carpeted staircase!

    ReplyDelete
  14. ButtercupNovember 25, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    As I sit here wearing my bright pink turtleneck, I know I need to add this to my list of places to visit. Pat, the pictures are terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  15. J.Rylie.CNovember 26, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    Very pretty!!


    Barbie and Ken, please come and see. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joanne KennedyNovember 26, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    LOL This place has been around forever. It really is very tacky though. It goes to show you that just because someone has money does not mean they have class. As many times as we have stopped here to look around I never heard about the mens room being a place of must see. They must have added something. Now I want to go again to find out :)

    This place almost closed down several times but I was always happy when I would find out that they ended up taking care of whatever the problems were and kept open.

    ReplyDelete
  17. JennyNovember 26, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    How wonderful! My Grandlittles would love this place! I am sooo ready for a road trip now.

    And I bet it makes your skin all glowy and healthy looking when you eat in that restaurant! Woo hoo!

    Hope your Thanksgiving weekend is relaxing and lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  18. From the KitchenNovember 26, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Interesting piece of Americana! I once read that the color pink is irritating to men and that women shouldn't wear the color. Did you see many irritated men in the hotel?

    Wonderful photos!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  19. TannaNovember 26, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    LOVE those pink banquets!!! What a great place to visit!! Thank you so much for the tour (you know I want to see that bathroom now!). Have a wonderful day, Pat! blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousNovember 26, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    WOW...how fun is that...love all the shades of pink!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Come Away With MeNovember 26, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    The Madonna Inn is a fun place to explore; it's definitely one of a kind!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Cindy AdkinsNovember 26, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Oh my goodness, what a fun post! Look at all that pink! Unbelievable! Thanks for sharing.
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  23. SarahNovember 26, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Pat, what an amazing place. Definitely a Pink Saturday feature. ;-)
    Thanks for sharing. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  24. My name is RietNovember 26, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Wow, what a special place. It certainly says pink. I love the stairs. Bbeautiful. What a great trip Pat.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Judy November 26, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Wow...that's a lot of pink! What a fun place to tour.

    I'm thinking we should send Beverly of Pink Saturday there for a destination holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  26. SavoringTime in the KitchenNovember 26, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Wow, that's a lot of pink! Not a color that I like, but you've got to hand it to them by doing things up in a big way. That's love ;)

    ReplyDelete
  27. La Petite GalleryNovember 27, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I like that fireplace.Too much pink for me.I though of Pepto
    Bismal also. Love to know what's in the mens room.

    yvonne
    we have part of the family living in that town.

    ReplyDelete
  28. black eyed susans kitchenNovember 27, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    From the pink booths to the lipstick colored bar stools...I loved every picture here!! It is now on my list for next time I get to the other side of the country. I hope you are enjoying the weather Pat!
    ♥, Susan

    ReplyDelete
  29. CindyNovember 27, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    What an interesting Inn, it is such a gorgeous place, it's almost over the top and yet, it is pleasing to the eye, I think.
    The Yosemite room sounds interesting.
    Hugs, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  30. eileeninmdNovember 27, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    What a fun place to visit. Wow, I never seen so much pink. Great photos. Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  31. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartNovember 27, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    A very beautiful place! Lots of pink and it is all very pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Gardening in a SandboxNovember 27, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Wow that is a lot of pink. So interesting I can see why people flock to see it. V

    ReplyDelete
  33. A Bit of the BlarneyNovember 27, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    So much pink!!! But it does look inviting! Wishing you well! Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  34. Judith @ Lavender CottageNovember 27, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    What a fun place to visit, what girl doesn't love pink!

    ReplyDelete
  35. MaryNovember 27, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Wow, what a fun place! You always share the best pictures, Pat! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  36. RajeshNovember 27, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Pretty pink place. They have arranged everything very neatly.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Kim, USANovember 27, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Wow somebody does love pink a lot! ^_^ It is very pretty!

    MYM

    ReplyDelete
  38. Ocean Breezes and Country SneezesNovember 27, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    What a fun place to visit! Kary from My Farmhouse Kitchen lives in SLO!!!

    Thanks for stopping by! Where were you in NH? I hope you had good weather!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Teacup-In-The-GardenNovember 28, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Wow, that's a lot of pink...
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful week,
    Markus

    ReplyDelete
  40. diane bNovember 28, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    It is an amazing place. It looks even more over the top than when we visited in 1970. great PINK shots.

    ReplyDelete
  41. OlaNovember 28, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    It looks like a Barbie house!

    ReplyDelete
  42. CarolNovember 28, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    What a fun place. Different, LOL, but fun! Men's room? Pink urinals? Best bathroom I've ever been in was at the Crazy Country Club! Funny!

    ReplyDelete
  43. TracyNovember 28, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    PINK HEAVEN... Amazing! I have to add that place to my must-see-before-dying-list! ;o) Moogie at the top had the right idea--any way of a bloggie gal-pals road trip to Pink Heaven?! Only in America... LOL! ;o) Happy Days, Pat ((HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  44. UnknownNovember 28, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Wow Pat almost too much pink for me. Very interesting though. Thanks for the photo tour. I am going back now and look inside. Enjoy your holidays time.
    QMM

    ReplyDelete
  45. RobinfromCANovember 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    I'm so glad you posted this! We've been there many times in the past but now we just drive by on our way to Pismo. I think we forget how unique it is! The Madonna Inn and all of it's wonderful tackiness is something everyone who visits the area should see! Next time we drive down the coast I think we need to pay a visit again!

    ReplyDelete
  46. ~Lavender Dreamer~November 28, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    What fun! You almost need sunglasses to enjoy all of this bright color! You visit the most amazing places! WOW! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  47. GailONovember 28, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Pat!

    I am glad I got back here in time to see this Madonna Inn post...I had guessed you might be posting about this:) I have read about this fantastic place a lot on the web recently and I am dying to go there! Your photos of it are completely professional!

    ReplyDelete
  48. YvetteNovember 28, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Oh what fabulously over the top place!! I'd love to visit.

    Thanks again for sharing your travels with us 'stay at homes', Pat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. YvetteNovember 28, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Oh what fabulously over the top place!! I'd love to visit.

    Thanks again for sharing your travels with us 'stay at homes', Pat. :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. UnknownNovember 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    WOW WHAT A NEAT PLACE1 YOUR PHOTOS ARE BEAUTIFUL THANKS FOR SHARING.

    ReplyDelete
  51. genieNovember 28, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    What a cool place to visit. I like pink, but I do not think I would want to work in a place all day with so much of it. I know you were glad you got to see it. Nice job this week. genie

    ReplyDelete
  52. JacquelineNovember 28, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    How fun is this! I just adore the tufted pink seats and the gorgeous carpet going up the stairs! What a fun place to go to.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Lisa@GrandmasBriefsNovember 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Wow! That is a lot of pink! I, too, am now on the list of inquiring minds wanting a glimpse of the men's room!

    ReplyDelete
  54. GracieNovember 29, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    I got a headache just looking at all that pink!

    ReplyDelete
  55. FranciscaNovember 29, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    All I can say is... Oh... My... LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  56. foto blog by stefano biasinNovember 29, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Hi,

    Thank you for your nice article on mille fiori favoriti. It will help me.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  57. Susan BranchNovember 30, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    Hi Pat....great post on the Madonna Inn! Wanted to mention that I had a Valentine's Party there for my twelve best girlfriends one year! I couldn't resist! I'm sure after seeing it you can see why! Everyone wore pink!

    The Madonnas are joie de vivre in action!

    Loved your photos! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Lisa November 30, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Amazing place and all the at color wow

    ReplyDelete
  59. UnknownDecember 3, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    WOW..this Inn looks amazing and I just love pink so I would just fall in love!! Thanks for sharing. I am having a giveaway on my blog and would love to see you enter!
    Daisy~

    ReplyDelete
  60. MadSnapperJune 8, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    my senses areon overload. between your and Bill and Diane, i am seeing bright colors right now. i would love to visit this place

    ReplyDelete

COMMENT MODERATION is in effect for all posts on my blog. to defer spam. Thank you for your comments! I always appreciate hearing from visitors to my blog.