“Opened in 1958 by married couple Alex and Phyllis Madonna, this iconic California getaway is the most colorful hotel we’ve found on the California coast. We are obsessed with their over-the-top decor—from the glittery walls and floral-patterned carpeting to the golden cherub chandeliers hanging overhead. Don’t leave before trying their famous Pink Champagne Cake!”

“Beloved drag queen Trixie Mattel owns this pink paradise in Palm Springs, and you can bet that her playful, kitschy style shines through. We love the theme rooms that offer guests the chance to sleep in a round, space-themed bed or under a heart-shaped mirror. The dreamy Barbara Bar in the lobby is not to be missed!”

“You would never know by looking at the outside of this historic home that the inside has been transformed into a fantasy-focused bed-and-breakfast with six themed suites featuring over-the-top details like a 1956 Cadillac turned into a queen-size bed. The setting is romantic and they bring breakfast straight to your door in the morning, so it’s a perfect getaway for any special occasion.”

“This romantic theme hotel is a work of art, and the married couple who own it are the artists and creators! The rooms have one-of-a-kind pieces, like a hand-carved seashell bed in the Sea Cave and giant 12-foot statues in the Egyptian-themed suite.”

“This restored vintage motel is the perfect stop on your Route 66 road trip! The property has retro cars and lots of history to explore, and there are even a couple of themed rooms, like the Elvis room, where the singer once stayed back in 1956, which is decked out with a pink Cadillac bench and other memorabilia in his honor.”

“We’re huge fans of the design at this restored vintage motel, where you’ll find lots of retro furniture and a disco ball with a preprogrammed ‘party switch’ in every room. Our favorite is the Honeymoon Suite, which has two bathtubs side by side for a happy couple to get their own space to relax in after a night of dancing.”

“This elaborate theme hotel has the coolest Space Odyssey room, where you sleep in a giant, light-up UFO bed. Besides that, you can visit the Hawaii room and bathe under a volcano, celebrate Christmas any time of year in the Starlight Glacier, or even take a trip to the shore in the middle of the Midwest winter in the Paradise Beach suite.”

“For big fans of retro romantic kitsch, this is our number one recommendation. Bathe in a giant champagne glass tub or a heart-shaped whirlpool, and sleep under a light-up star ceiling on a round bed surrounded by mirrors. Quite a fun throwback experience!”

“This is an incredibly elaborate theme hotel that features a fully decked-out dance club room with a light-up floor, a motorized seashell bed that opens and closes, and a Haunted Castle overnight experience that gave me nightmares for months. Weirdly enough, it’s still one of the coolest and most memorable theme hotel visits we’ve ever had!”

“Opened by a couple who spent many years working on Broadway, this hotel is truly theatrical. We love the larger-than-life designs that make you feel like a character in a fairy tale, especially when there’s an actual waterfall right on the property. The entire experience is magical!”