Madonna Inn Photo Spots: The Ultimate Retro Travel Photography Guide
No room key? No problem!
Step into the world of vintage allure at Madonna Inn, where you don’t need a room key to unlock a treasure trove of iconic photo spots.
Join Amber Maureen Lu AKA Eatdrinkcat and Jeannie with a J for a tour of some fave photo spots at Madonna Inn that you can check out on your next visit.
Photo Spot 1: The Madonna Inn Entrance Sign
As you arrive at your destination you’ll be greeted by this ICONIC sign. If you’re quick you can grab a photo in front of it, but beware, you might need to dodge traffic to get the right angle. If you’d rather not risk your carcass colliding with a Cadillac, you might hold out for the OTHER sign location on the far side of the parking lot at Photo Spot #11.
Photo Spot 2: Restaurant Entrance
Whether you're drawn to the quirky pink accents, bold pastel backdrops, or unique architectural details, Madonna Inn provides endless opportunities for picture-perfect moments. If you only have time for one quick photo, we recommend the entrance to the Madonna Goldrush Steakhouse. It’s classic Madonna Inn pink with beautiful landscaping and if you have a sharp eye you can spot the quintessential goblets in the shop window above.
Photo tip: squat down and shoot from a LOW angle to get as much of the Inn as possible. You can have your subject lean forward slightly to compensate for the low angle.
Photo Spot 3: The Pink Steps
Is it a stairway to heaven? Nope, just the steps up to the Shops at Madonna Inn. Although if you like pink and glitter, it might feel like you’re in heaven!
Just inside the door from PhotoSpot number 2 you’ll find these stairs. It can be a little bust during dinner service when the Steakhouse is open so we recommend trying this location in the early afternoon when there’s still some light but before things get too busy.
Photo Spot 4: The Bathrooms!?
The women's bathroom at Madonna Inn is a whimsical, Instagram-worthy gem that’s practically made for a photo op. Step into a world of dreamy, old-school glamour with its vibrant pink and gold accents, lavish marble countertops, and sparkling chandeliers. The stunning, vintage-inspired tiles and ornate details create a unique atmosphere, transporting you to a bygone era of luxurious decor. This bathroom can get very busy during events so again, we might recommend a visit earlier in the day if you want to snap a photo solo. The bathroom is located DOWNSTAIRS to your left.
Photo tip: You may have to try a few angles to get the best photo. A longer exposure with no flash will get the best results.
Photo Spot #5: The Fireplace
Who doesn’t love a roaring fireplace? What better place to get toasty with a delicious cocktail from the bar around the corner? While the bar itself is pretty amazing, it’s a little hard to get a great photo so we recommend popping juuuust around the corner to this fireplace where you can hopefully catch a little light coming in through the stained-glass windows and feature that amazing Madonna Inn carpet in your photo.
Photo Spot #6: The Goblet Wall of the Shops at Madonna Inn
Head up those stairs from Photo Spot number 3 and check out the Shops at Madonna Inn there are TWO big shops upstairs and one downstairs near the bathrooms. The first upstairs shop features primarily clothing but if you head up to the cash register and take a left you’ll end up at the goblet wall. These goblets are a pretty famous souvenir (as well as used in the steakhouse) so take a picture since there are too many to take home.
Also, if you see a color you love make sure you buy it. Colors change seasonally and I’ve seldom seen the same mix of shades twice so don’t miss out if you see one you can’t live without.
Photo Spot #7: Spa/Pool Path
If you have a little more time to wander the grounds of Madonna Inn, we recommend heading up the path to the Spa/Pool at the hilltop by Building 3. While you do need a room key to access the pool, the walkway itself is lovely and features some amazing views of the Inn and the surrounding hillsides. This is a nice little stroll and well-worth spending 20 minutes or so stretching your legs after hours in the car.
Photo Spot #8: Secret Garden Entrance
The Secret Garden is the worst-kept secret on property, as it’s well-marked by signs on all sides. Primarily a wedding location, the “garden” itself is pretty empty and not really photo-worthy, but the gate (at the top entrance) is pretty cute if you’re looking for a spot that literally says, “Madonna Inn.”
Photo tip: don’t just stand back by the gate. Step into the frame and strike a fun pose like Jeannie! It will make your photos more dynamic.
Photo Spot #9: Guest Room Exteriors, Building 3
Building 3 is the BIG building at the top of the hill. This building features the most unique architecture and has many hidden nooks and crannies that make for great photos. This specific spot can be found if you follow the sign pointing to rooms 137-143. We likes the ground floor specifically for the moody look of the open shade.
Madonna Inn rooms open directly to the exterior pathways, so if you’re there around checkout time (noon) you may be able to peek and check out some of the cooler rooms while they are cleaning for the next guest. It’s a great way to scout out your room for your next trip.
Photo Spot #10: Sweeping Staircase, Building 3
By this time you’ve seen me mention Building 3 multiple times. That’s because this is the biggest building with the most unique architecture. We love the winding staircase for pictures and the vibe just screams “Madonna Inn.”
And hopefully, you enjoy stairs if you’ve booked a top floor as there are no elevators at the Madonna Inn so you’ll be hauling all your suitcase up those beautiful steps.
Photo Spot #11: The Madonna Inn Freeway Sign
There are 2 fabulous signs at Madonna Inn. Photo Spot #1 at the entrance and this sign in the parking lot. This sign is the BIG one that you see from the freeway. While you don’t have to dodge traffic to get a photo with this sign, it does require a little bit of trial and error to get the whole sign in frame.
Photo Tip: Get the sign framed up in your camera the way you want it to appear then direct the subject to the best positioning. Again, this is a photo where you’ll need to squat down to get a low angle to capture the full sign. If you’re using a phone for photos, flipping your phone upside down will help you achieve a lower angle.
We hope you’ve enjoyed all these photo spots! If you take photos at the Madonna Inn using any of our tips please tag us, Eatdrinkcat & Jeannie with a J. We love seeing your photos! Check out our Madonna Inn photo locations video on Instagram for additional location details.