The Madonna Inn, a roadside motel in California known for its themed rooms and kitsch decor, has seen a surge in popularity following the passing of Dolly Parton, a regular guest since the 1980s. The hotel has honored the late singer with a dedicated booth in its steakhouse, now a shrine to her memory.
A Unique Stay in California
The hotel offers a range of uniquely themed rooms and suites, each different from the next, catering to various personalities, as long as they are not fond of minimalism. The property is cited as one of Dolly Parton's favorite hotels, and she reportedly frequented it for decades.
Parton was particularly fond of Alex Madonna's Gold Rush Steak House, where she would sit in a specific golden booth and order an oak-grilled filet mignon with two sides of garlic bread. The hotel officially renamed the booth 'Dolly's Booth' in her honor, making it the only golden booth in the restaurant, surrounded by mirrors and pink-on-pink Baroque wallpaper.
Tribute to Dolly Parton
Following news of Parton's passing, the booth became a shrine, complete with a tribute photograph and a slice of Pink Champagne Cake with a solitary candle. The hotel declared that the table would always be reserved for her, though normal service has since resumed, allowing guests to book a seat at Dolly's table.
The hotel's occupancy is often high, and the surge of PR following Parton's passing has kept it firmly on the hospitality map.
The Old Mill Room Experience
The Old Mill room, located on the top floor of one of the hotel's buildings, features a working watermill and animated dancing figurines. The room includes two beds with roof-like structures and balconies accommodating circles of dancing figurines, all set against a hand-painted pastoral mural.
The room has switches that activate the waterwheel and the circling figurines, creating a soundtrack reminiscent of a miniature locomotive and an Alpine village. The experience is described as more of a post-sleep adventure, with a tip to turn the switches off before attempting to sleep.
