episode 13: madonna inn
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
The Madonna Inn
was established in 1958 by Alex and Phylis Madonna, quickly becoming an iconic landmark on California’s Central Coast.
Before opening up the inn, Alex was a highway contractor and a cattleman. He grew up on a ranch outside of San Luis Obispo and his passions for construction and cattle are deeply woven into the fabric of what makes up the Madonna Inn.
Legend has it that Alex dreamed up the idea of the Madonna Inn on a napkin. He didn’t just want to build any old hotel, he wanted to build a roadside attraction that people were drawn to where they could enjoy a delicious meal and a nice stay.
When people think of the Madonna Inn, the first thing that comes to mind for most is the color pink. Alex chose pink because he believed it was a color that made people happy and he loved to see his wife Phylis in pink clothes.
Phyllis Madonna, along with being Alex’s partner, was the mastermind and inspiration behind the decor and designs within the inn. Alex had originally hired some designers to help put the rooms together, but when he realized most of what they chose was the same thing Phyllis chose, he asked her to do it instead.
Each of the Madonna Inn’s 110 unique guest rooms are built and designed differently. His granddaughter Audrey Peace DeFrisco said he did so intentionally, “so he could never make the same mistake twice.”
She describes the architecture as whimsical with alpine influence which harkens back to her grandfather’s Swiss roots. The Madonna Inn sits on over 1,000 acres and is laden with beautifully carved wood and enormous rocks. Some of the rooms themselves are constructed from rocks that weigh in excess of 200 tons each!
Audrey Pearce DeFrisco,
one of Alex and Phyllis’s granddaughters, says she hopes she never takes the rolling hills and open grassy spaces for granted, although she has come to realize that it’s something not everyone gets to regularly experience. Besides a luxury stay at the inn, the family is so grateful they can extend elements of agriculture and the western lifestyle to their guests.
The inn sits on the Madonna Ranch in the center of San Luis Obispo which is a working horse and cattle ranch still to this day. The Madonna children and grandchildren all grew up with a heavy ranching influence, riding horses, competing in rodeo, and learning how to rope at a young age.
Aside from luxurious overnight accommodations, on the property they also offer guests western experiences through the Madonna Inn Trail Rides. For many guests, this is their very first time ever being around horses, let alone having the opportunity to ride them.
Everything Alex Madonna did was over the top.
His granddaughter Audrey says that growing up it just felt normal to her because she didn’t know any different. Now she realizes just how special that was.
The Madonna Inn isn’t just a place to stay, it’s an experience. There are two restaurants on the property, a bakery, pool and spa, pink tennis courts, two bars, a secret garden, an expo center for large events, a luxury boutique, and several other shops. Sitting on the edge of downtown San Luis Obispo, it also offers a walking and bike path for guests to explore the town or a hike up Madonna Mountain for stunning 360º views of the city with a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean off in the distance.
Alex Madonna was passionate about cattle from pasture to plate. His favorite breed was Herefords, and, fun fact, he even used to run cattle with John Wayne himself. Unsurprisingly, he made the steakhouse the diamond of the inn that everyone comes to see, not only for the iconic circular pink and gold booths, but for the beef. When creating the Gold Rush Steakhouse, he knew he wanted the beef to be classic with salt and pepper cooked over an oak wood barbecue. The restaurant doesn't even have steak knives, just butter knives because Alex insisted they only offer high quality beef.
Besides their decor and delicious steakhouse, Madonna Inn is also famously known for their cakes. Their “circus cakes” are lavish, colorful, extravagantly decorated creations. Whether it’s for the county fair, a family branding, to celebrate a special occasion, everyone in the area knows a Madonna Inn cake as soon as they see it. Its iconic chocolate curls and decadent frosting is well known in San Luis Obispo County and beyond.
The BACKROAD COWGIRLS
are so grateful for the hospitality extended to us during our visit to the inn and much needed reprieve from van life. If you’re driving through the area, make a pitstop at the Madonna Inn for a delicious meal at the Gold Rush Steakhouse and treat yourself to an unforgettable stay in one of the 110 iconic rooms. We stayed in the Jungle Rock room and Kiah is still losing her mind about how epic it was to shower in a literal waterfall. Don’t forget the cake! Dessert is ALWAYS a must at the Madonna Inn.
Brought to you in partnership with:
Photography by Shelby Caitlin Photography
& from the Madonna Inn