The Pink & “Fabulously Tacky” Inn with a Waterfall Urinal, Caveman Room, and Famous Champagne Cake

Madonna Inn, California

Back in 1954, construction boss Alex Madonna bought 10 acres off Highway 101 with a wild dream. Four years later, on Christmas Eve 1958, he and his wife Phyllis opened the first 12 rooms of what would grow into a pink wonderland.

Alex had one rule: no room could look the same. What started as a roadside pit stop has grown into a 110-room fantasy land where pink reigns, waterfalls flush urinals, and rock caves become showers. Here are some facts about SLO’s most unique stay.

Hearst Castle Gave a Thank You Gift to the Inn

The hand-carved marble balustrade in the Gold Rush dining room came straight from Hearst Castle as gratitude to Alex Madonna for a favor.

Despite coming from different worlds, William Randolph Hearst and Alex Madonna respected each other. The detailed Renaissance-style carvings match the European treasures Hearst collected.

Madonna also found and saved architectural pieces from other historic California buildings that would have otherwise been lost.

A Hollywood Movie Designer Created the Waterfall Urinal

The famous rock waterfall urinal in the men’s restroom was created by Harvey Allen Warren, a Hollywood set designer who worked on major films in the 1950s. Motion sensors turn on the waterfall with hidden lights for more theatre. Look closely and you’ll notice copper plumbing fixtures right on the property.

This unusual bathroom feature shows up in travel shows and documentaries as one of the strangest bathroom features in America.

Alex Madonna Believed in Giving More than Expected

Alex Madonna once said that anyone can build one room and repeat it a thousand times because it’s cheaper. Though companies offered to franchise the Madonna Inn concept, he always said no. He believed the inn should stay a unique, family-owned place rather than a hotel chain.

Every Metal Decoration Was Handmade on Site

Every copper and brass item at the inn was made right there. That huge gold tree fixture in the main dining room, standing 16’4″ tall and 29’6″ wide, started as a leftover. Nothing came pre-made.

Skilled artisans hammered everything by hand. When you look around, you’ll find copper details in surprising places like door hinges and bathroom fixtures. The Madonna family kept a metal workshop on the property just for crafting these pieces, some items took more than 200 hours of handwork to finish.

Music Stars and Fashion Magazines Love Filming Here

Music videos from artists like Roxette, Foxes, Foxygen, Grimes, and Hey Violet have all been filmed at the Madonna Inn. “Weird Al” Yankovic mentioned the famous urinal in his 1978 song “Take Me Down.”

Fashion magazines including Vogue and Elle have used the inn as a backdrop for photo shoots. The property appears in independent films and TV shows regularly.

The inn now encourages photography throughout the property. They also keep an archive of media appearances dating back to the 1960s.

A Special Room for Couples with Height Differences

Room 182, called the “Tall & Short” room, has furniture made for couples where one person is much taller than the other. The bathroom counters come in different heights.

Even the bed has platforms you can adjust on each side. All around the room, you’ll see clothing hooks, mirrors, and seats at different heights. This smart design came years before modern accessibility features became common.

The room gets booked months ahead of time, usually by couples who appreciate its thoughtful design. It remains one of the most requested rooms at the inn.

Bavarian Woodcarver Made All Those Detailed Carvings

Alexander Zeller, a woodcarver from Bavaria, created all those detailed wood carvings throughout the inn. He used traditional European methods and made his own tools for each carving style.

During construction, Zeller trained apprentices who kept working at the inn for decades after. He set up a temporary workshop on-site while the inn was being built so he could make pieces that fit exactly where they needed to go.

Rooms with Real Rocks Host Weddings Year Round

Some of the rooms have actual rocks emerging from the walls. You can pick from several ceremony spots including the Secret Garden and Grand Ballroom. Many wedding parties work the inn’s signature pink color into their themes. Each wedding package includes custom cakes from the famous bakery.

Even the staff has decades of experience, from handling intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. About 200 weddings happen here every year (book two years ahead in advance).

Pink Champagne Cake Recipe Remains a Guarded Secret

That signature pink champagne cake has been drawing visitors since the 1960s. The recipe stays secret, though we know it contains real champagne in both the cake and frosting. If you want a whole cake, order at least 48 hours before you need it.

Each cake needs hand-piping to create those special rosette decorations that have become the inn’s dessert trademark. Bakers train for months to perfect this.

Horse Trails Spread Across a Thousand Acres of Land

For $105 per person, you can take a one-hour horseback ride across the property’s 1,000 acres which offers everything from easy paths to challenging routes. Morning rides often include seeing wildlife like deer and many bird species. The stables keep about 20 horses with different personalities to match riders of all skill levels.

During summer months, you can book special sunset rides with advance notice. Each ride includes a brief training session for safety and comfort.

Visiting the Madonna Inn

Address: 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco)

When planning your visit, it’s best to book 3-6 months ahead, especially for popular themed rooms or weekend stays. Remember that the property doesn’t allow pets, except for service animals as defined by ADA guidelines.