Mission Inn - Romantic Getaway

A Mission Inn romantic getaway with your loved one is a must. As many articles and studies have shown keeping the romance alive with your spouse is something we all should do. Plus who doesn’t love a mini vacation? And the Mission Inn in Riverside, California proved the best place for our quick, Southern California romantic getaway.

I’ll be honest, if I were to suggest Riverside to anyone as a romantic spot I’m certain I’ll be met with a wild look. I’m not going to sugar coat the fact that Riverside itself does need some help, but it is improving. Particularly downtown, where the Mission Inn is located. It’s gotten so much better that I complied a list of things to do in Riverside!

So our plan was to stay at the Mission Inn in downtown Riverside, and walk where ever we needed. We’re such car slaves in Southern Californian that I didn’t want to be anywhere near it. I wanted it to be romantic – cars are not.

Mission Inn – A Romatic Getaway

We arrive around noon to the Mission Inn on a Sunday in July and stayed one night. When we arrived we valeted the car. Yes, we valeted the car because we are not touching that car during our stay. Luckily, our room was ready too so we headed up to drop off our items. Get ready, because if you thought valet was fancy, I’m about to blow your mind – and frankly mine. We stayed in the Amistad Suite! Ann Rice stayed here and the suite is dedicated to her since the room inspired her book, “Angel Time.” Guys, I’ve never stayed in a suite, let alone an actual super amazing suite. This place, in laymen terms is FANCY. Upscale, grand, breathtaking, beautiful – just plan ridiculous. I mean there is a muraled dome above our bed with a massive chandelier.

Now listen, if you’re thinking of staying at the Mission Inn, in any room, it will be awesome. The place itself is so majestic and historic – you really can’t be disappointed. But an upgraded room doesn’t hurt!

The suites main feature is an amazing mural dome, in the middle of the room. It’s also a little trippy when you are laying in bed and wake up in the middle of the night and your eyes just keep going up.

As you enter to the right, there is a non-functioning, but grand, fireplace. Next you head into the bathroom with double sinks and a separate shower and toilet room – with it’s own phone. One does need a phone next to the toilet to feel super fancy. If you were to have turned to left after arriving in the room you would see a desk, a huge armoire, wine refrigerator and coffee maker. Oh yes, and two small balconies on either side of the room, so you can let everyone below know you’re staying in a hella fancy suite.

This place is amazing. So amazing, that I invited my family to come down and take a look. I know, it’s a romantic getaway but my husband is so understanding because my family has long loved the Mission Inn, in particular, my Dad so this was a big deal. I’m glad I got to share the suite with them. Everyone was in and out quickly because they understood how important this stay was to us.

After they left, we headed down to the pool – it was July after all. There were a fair amount of people and neither of us were really feeling it, so we decided to explore the grounds a bit more instead.

The Mission Inn is historic and grand with something around every corner – almost like a giant maze. You keep running into little pockets of wonder: a courtyard with a fountain, a spiraled staircase, and a chapel – just to name a few. This is a huge reason I love staying and just visiting the Mission Inn.

Kelly’s Spa at Mission Inn

After a quick walk around we were ready for our spa appointment at Kelly’s Spa – the hotel’s spa. Yes, I booked a spa experience because I wanted this to be an insanely pampering and relaxing trip. Plus my husband likes a good massage too, so happy campers all around! The spa feels rich and cozy.

Upon arrival you’re welcomed, shown around the spa, and then head to the dressing rooms to change into your bathrobe. Before we change they asked us which fruity drink we’d like and which lounge room we’ll be headed to – there are two. So we change and meet up in the lounge with our drinks waiting for us.

In the lounge there are also berries, nuts and some water too – should you be so inclined. We were. I’ve been to a few spas in my day but this felt decadent. I’ve never worn a robe and had a a fancy drink and berries waiting for me!

What’s a romantic getaway without a lavender tub soak followed by a couples massage? I’ll be honest, my husband was not feeling the tub thing, but he humored me anyways. Turns out we were escorted to our own private rooms for the soak. The room is dark, with candles lit, rose peddles are thrown on the floor mat. There are more berries, a chocolate and a Fiji water waiting for you next to the bubbled tub. Along with cold rags in ice and cucumbers for your eyes. Decadent. I loved all 20 minutes of it. Obviously my husband didn’t need 20 minutes in a tub, but he did find it relaxing.

Next it was time for the couples massage in our own cabana near the pool. Not so much a cabana but a fully enclosed tiny house. We picked our massage oil scents out, then laid down on the tables for an hours worth of even more relaxation. I’m fairly certain I heard snoring at one point. The massages were wonderful.

After, we headed back to another lounge for some water and more relaxation. It was divine. And if you aren’t staying in the spa you still get full access to the pool so you can really round out your experience. I can’t wait to go back to Kelly’s Spa! Girl’s trip next?

Dinner & Coffee

After the spa it was time for dinner. Believe it or not, downtown Riverside has some great options for dinner, within walking distance of the Mission Inn – so no car needed! We had originally planned on going to the hotel’s very upscale steak house Duane’s – but it’s closed on Sundays. So then we thought we’d head over to Mario’s Place, an Italian spot across the street but it’s closed on Sundays too. So there’s your disclaimer for staying there on Sundays!

We ended up not wanting to get to dressed up after all and headed’s to the Mission Inn’s Mexican restaurant – Las Campanas. Las Campanas was no back up option. It has great food and is located outside in their courtyard. It’s a beautiful setting that still felt like a romantic getaway. I highly recommend it, and the gucamole.

After dinner we decided to get some coffee across the street at Molinos Coffee and walk around the Mission Inn some more. It feels like a different place at night. Exploring the grounds is seriously just that fun. There are a million little place where you just keep commenting. Look at this! Oh cool! Pretty! After a while, we decided to retire back to the room.

Breakfast – Room Service

We had plans of going out for breakfast the next day, but our room was so amazing – why not room service? I’m not going to turn down the opportunity to feel like Pretty Woman in a fancy hotel suite eating room service.

We ordered room service and while we were waiting made ourselves some coffee. Then we opened the door and just soaked it all in – the trip, the room, the beautiful courtyard we were located in. Room service came and it was super tasty! I highly recommend ordering room service for your romantic getaway too.

We had a lazy Monday morning and decided to walk around downtown Riverside, since shops were now opened. After about an hour we decided to head back to the room, pack up and go home.

I highly recommend everyone take a Mission Inn romantic getaway in Riverside, California. It’s a great Southern California romantic trip. Whether you stay in a normal room, eat and explore or go full hog and stay in a suite and go to the spa – it really is worth it. The majestic ways of the Mission Inn and the richness about it, is what makes you feel so special and quite frankly, puts you in the mood to be romantic.

Trust me, it was so romantic that I’m due next month with our son. You do the math. Plus, it’s worth every penny to feel like a couple and just focus on your partner. I absolutely loved it.