Downtown Los Angeles' Madcap Motel consists of 18 rooms of fantastical oddities. No, you can't stay overnight. Rather, guests "check-in" for just a few hours –– it's the latest arty-immersive experience, and moreover, an Instagram thirst trap.
Styled in nostalgic midcentury hues and various brandings, the hotel opened in April, about a year past its initial launch, which was flattened by the pandemic. No matter, on a recent night it seemed booked to capacity; guests can check-in through July, although a Halloween-themed Madcap Motel may mysteriously appear come October.
What's behind those 18 doors? Never what you expect, and that's the point for the perceptual-bending visit laid out over 17,000 square feet. There's a groovy wormhole, requisite fog (where are my feet?), folks in gray and white maid outfits, and others in lab coats. Also: trippy light displays, oversized and slanted furniture –– oh, and a bush you can chat up. It doesn't respond, other than to shake, often vigorously.
Perhaps the evening's best bet, in fact, was that bush. With friends, I got into deep and inappropriate banter with –– I think its name was "hedgie." The other light and mirror displays along with cheeky optical tricks seemed a bit old-fashioned, and perhaps that was the point: a chance to wistfully play "in an alternative dimension known as elsewhere" after a year-plus of pandemic isolation.
The Madcap Motel is located in downtown Los Angeles' arts district at 940 E. Fourth Street. The entrance is on South Hewitt Street.
Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40 ages 12+, $30 ages 4-11, and free for ages 3 and under.
