Madonna Inn

I asked a friend recently to tell me about their most memorable hotel experience.   “The Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California,” he said without hesitation.  “They have caveman rooms!”

As it turns out, the Madonna Inn offers a variety of themed suites to fulfill just about every vacation fantasy.  Inspiration for the 110 themed suites ranges from merry-go-rounds to Yosemite National Park’s Bridal Veil Falls.  Sixteen of these suites include a unique “rock shower” and fourteen include in-room waterfalls!

Peeking out of a rock shower at the Madonna Inn

According to the Madonna Inn’s web site, most of the rock used to make these extraordinary amenities were taken from the 2,200 acres on which the Inn sits.  The owners took special care to use local materials and artisans whenever possible to create this unique hotel.

Room rates start out at $179 per night, but you’ll have to pay at least $209 for a rock shower in the Love Birds suite.  Waterfalls start out at $219 per night for the Rocky Mountain suite.

In addition to unusually themed rooms, Madonna Inn offers an on-site celestial Day Spa, fine dining, shopping, and “the largest convention center on the Central Coast”.  This sounds like it would be a fun place to host a wedding!

Photo credit (and Madonna Inn hat tip): Adam Avitable