Brad & Susi P.

The Madonna Inn was a mystical, magical place to me as a child. My Dad drove charter bus trips on the weekends to tour Hearst Castle. He always came back with stories of how the busloads of people would stop, get off the bus and walk through the Madonna Inn..they were all especially fascinated with the restrooms. As a little girl I was intrigued and wondered what was so special about a hotel... When we as a family would take trips that would take us through San Luis Obispo I would strain to catch a glimpse of the Pink Gingerbread Castle and hope that one day I would be allowed to see the mysteries inside... Well I grew up, or at least I got older, and never did get the opportunity to visit. I met the love of my life when I was 15 and we married when I was 16. He was, and is, a musician and a mere 3 days after our Las Vegas wedding we headed to Texas and went “on the road” for a 10 year adventure in rock and roll. We traveled to many states and stayed at countless Inns and hotels across the United States. But always in the back of my mind was the dream of someday staying at the famed Madonna Inn and discovering her secrets for myself. Along came the internet and I was finally able to virtually open some of her secret doors and peek inside... Instead of satiating me and my curiosity, it only increased my desire to come visit in person. 

Well a mere 33 years later my husband and I had settled back in California. We saved up and decided to have a long overdue honeymoon. Where should we stay....? The MADONNA INN of course.. We chose a honeymoon package that included a couple's massage.. a picnic, horseback riding and even a cake and champagne.. We dined at the Gold Rush Steakhouse and were given the special golden booth overlooking all the grandeur of the restaurant. We even spend one of the rainy days of our stay swimming in the beautiful pool and luxuriating by the waterfall in the jacuzzi…both of which we had all to ourselves. We stayed in the Barrel Of Fun Suite and it certainly lived up to it’s name...We rode bicycles that we rented from the office.. and when ever we told anyone we were on our honeymoon, they would ask...how long have you been married?..  we would laugh and say, "33 years!!.. We wanted to make sure it would last before we invested in the honeymoon!!!” 

And yes I was finally able to discover the secrets of the restrooms....both men’s and women’s.. 

So the Madonna Inn will always hold a very special place in our hearts and in our lives.

We toast each other often with our Rose Glass goblets at home….

We would love to come back...and have a second honeymoon….. 38 years after our wedding!!!