Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Free hotel & restaurant parking
Flat screen television
All news cable networks
HD TV channels
Children under 18 stay free in same room with parents
Clock radio with MP3 plug-in
Custom designer furniture to match each theme
Hypo-allergenic bedding and pillows
Iron and ironing board
Telephone
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent steakhouse and large portions
Friendly/kind staff and great spa service
Unique, quirky and memorable decor
Pool, hot tub and beautiful gardens
On-site dining options (Copper Cafe) and good bar cocktails
Cons:
Not very ADA compliant (no elevators/ramps; narrow bathroom doors; carpet impeding mobility)
Rooms feel old/tired, dark and sometimes cramped
Small beds and uncomfortable pillows for some guests
Expensive / poor value for money
Slow or unclear check-in and check-out; limited parking

Categories

Cleanliness
8.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Service
9.3
Staff repeatedly described as great and kind (spa staff and general staff praised), though some guests reported slow or unclear check-in/check-out interactions.
Location
9.6
Unique, memorable hill-top location seen as magical and iconic; scenic gardens and proximity to the 101 are highlights, though one reviewer noted it was a long drive for a short stay.
Room Quality
6.5
Multiple comments about rooms feeling tired/old, dark, cramped or awkward (round rooms), uncomfortable beds and pillows, carpet hindering mobility and small bathroom/door issues for accessibility.
Amenities
9.7
Strong positive mentions of pool, hot tub, spa (facial), gardens, steakhouse, Copper Cafe and lively on-site activities; parking was noted as a minor limitation.
Value for Money
6
Several guests called the property 'very expensive' and felt the overall cost was high relative to expectations.
Food and Beverage
9.8
Repeated praise for the steakhouse (delicious, large portions), breakfast and distinctive dining experiences; bar cocktails (martini) were also praised.
Overall Experience
9.3
Overall very positive and memorable stay with a unique, eclectic atmosphere that many guests found magical, tempered by accessibility, room comfort and price concerns.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-30 19:06

Property Description

Discover the Madonna Inn - a legendary destination in San Luis Obispo, California since 1958. We proudly offer 110 uniquely themed guest rooms, world-class dining, famous cakes, boutique shopping, luxurious spa treatments, and unforgettable experiences on-property and beyond! Located halfway between San Francisco & Los Angeles, Madonna Inn is situated in the heart of San Luis Obispo - minutes away from Downtown SLO and Central Coast Wine Country. Check-in 4:00 p.m., check-out 12:00 p.m.

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: SBP

Property Policies

  • Check-in / check-out

    Check-in from 16:00:00, check-out until 12:00:00.

  • Minimum age

    Guests must be at least 18 years old to check in.

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed; charges may apply.

  • Payment

    Payment: pay at the property.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 1403 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.6
Service: 9.3
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 6.5
Amenities: 9.7
Value for Money: 6
Food and Beverage: 9.8
Overall Experience: 9.3
N
Nataliia • couple • us
10
2026-11-01 • via Nuitee
D
Deirdre • couple • ca
10
2026-10-31 • via Nuitee
C
Colleen • family_with_children • us
10
A night at the Madonna Inn..very nice!
Pros:

The big bathroom, 2 sinks, great shower, quiet location. Friendly staff.
Comfy beds.....lovely grounds to walk about. Good coffee shop, nice bar.

Cons:

Pillows....too lumpy. Improve the pillows and the canopies in our room need dusting on top....

2026-10-29 • via Nuitee
M
martha • couple • us
9
Very relaxing and enjoyable, close to all the sights that the central coast has to offer.
Pros:

Close to home, plenty of parking arrived early and room wasn’t ready but received a pool pass so I could use facilities

Cons:

A little pricey

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
R
robert • solo_traveller • us
10
Majestic Madonna!
Pros:

Always an exceptional stay! Beautiful rooms, grounds, restaurant!

Cons:

We couldn't stay longer!

2026-10-26 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • us
8
2026-10-25 • via Nuitee
S
Shannon • couple • us
7
Disappointed I couldn’t experience everything the Madonna Inn is known for!
Pros:

The steaks at the restaurant were excellent and all staff were great! However, facility could spend money to make it more ADA compliant for wheelchair bond people. No elevators or ramps to view Gift shop and other rooms other than 1st level.

Cons:

I was in a wheelchair, but not in a handicap room, so my room was not great. The bathroom door was too small so my husband had to help me use the toilet. Carpet made it hard for me to get around plus I couldn’t shower. Bed was uncomfortable for my husband. Couldn’t see or experience anything on any other levels except for ground level. For example, the gift shop, the pool area, the cool bathrooms everyone talks about!

2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
C
Carla • extended_group • nz
7
A Disney type hotel, pretty amazing, great for kids, a once visit though…if you can afford it!
Pros:

The hotel relies on the quirkiness of the venue. However, I think the rooms look a little tired and maybe too shabby chic, the steak was nice, breakfast was nice.

Cons:

Bed was definitely too small in Time of your Life room. (Not big people either!!). Pillows not super comfy either. Room was very dark (good on a boiling hot day I suppose).
Check in took ages, receptionist was not speaking clearly (payment was taken shortly after I’d booked, about a month before, when Booking.com said it was pay at the property.
It was very expensive all round. Check out also took ages!

2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
M
MARY ANN • couple • us
10
2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • us
9
Excellent
Pros:

It was great! A very different experience and the Iconic look and everyone was kind.

Cons:

Expensive and far drive for only one night. And our friends tuleied to book 2 weeks in advance the same night and it was all booked. 2 separate times we tried to book together

2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
P
Pollock • couple • us
10
The Madonna Inn was every bit as magical as we hoped it would be
Pros:

Historical as well as eclectic! The whole property is so special and unique. As native California people we’ve driven by for years on the 101 on our trips between the Bay Area and Ventura/San Diego. As children, it looked magical sitting up on the hill next to the freeway. As adults we said let’s do a road trip and go check it out. We stayed two nights and it was just fantastic!

I also had a facial at the spa and it was wonderful, and included tea and pink cookies afterwards!

Cons:

Parking was a bit limited.

2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
C
Carolyn • couple • us
7
Very convenient with dinner, a bar and breakfast at the hotel, but somewhat uncomfortable hotel room
Pros:

It was nice that dinner and breakfast were all at the hotel and both experiences at the steakhouse and at the Copper Cafe were great and distinct from each other. The food at the steakhouse was delicious and with huge portions. I felt bad I had to throw out some of mine as I was on vacation I couldn't take it home. There was quite a bit going on around the property given there were weddings going on, but it was lively and everyone seemed to be having fun. Can't argue with that. The bar poured a very good martini.

Cons:

My husband loved the kitsch factor of this hotel but I guess I'm just not as into that. I felt the room was a little uncomfortable and crowded with furniture given it was a round room. If I had mobility issues, staying here would be a problem as you have to walk up a lot of circular staircases to the room and up and down a driveway with a grade to get to the restaurants from the rooms. It's also very dark on the walk to the rooms from the restaurants at night.

2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
T
Tejal • solo_traveller • us
8
Quirky over the top decor
Pros:

Quirky decor. Beautiful garden

Cons:

A bit old

2026-10-16 • via Nuitee
N
Nicole • couple • us
8
2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
A
Anna • solo_traveller • us
10
Such a memorable time in one of our favorite cities- first time staying at the Madonna Inn amd we will absolutely be com
Pros:

So much to explore ! Amazing garden, pool and surprises around every corner.

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth • couple • us
10
A great way to break up a long road trip.
Pros:

Pool/hottub....great way to relax

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • couple • us
8
2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
D
Diamonddes • couple • gb
10
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
R
Renu • family_with_children • us
5
Extremely overpriced for a room in the 100 building
Pros:

The restaurant theme was fabulous

Cons:

We stayed in one of the rooms in the 100 section, and unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. As soon as we walked in, the room had a very strong dusty smell, almost as if it hadn’t been opened or used in a long time. Even the bedsheets smelled dusty. There was visible dust along the back of the bed, and the carpet may have contributed to the stale smell throughout the room.

Beyond the cleanliness concerns, the room itself appeared worn and poorly maintained. There were chips in the furniture, cracks in the bathroom sink, and stains in the bathtub. These details made the room feel neglected rather than well cared for.

For the price we paid, over $300 for one night, I expected a much cleaner, fresher, and better-maintained room. Unfortunately, I don’t feel the experience was worth the price, and I was disappointed with the overall condition of the accommodations.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
F
F • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

This place is so iconic I'm so happy I got to experience it!

2026-10-10 • via Nuitee