There’s just something special about historic hotels that make you feel as though you’ve stepped back into time. I love the grand old buildings, steeped in the majestic splendor of days gone by. Earlier this month, my twin and I had the opportunity to spend a few days at the Mission Inn. The hotel sits prominently on an entire city block, anchoring the downtown area of Riverside California.
Originally, the property housed a modest two-story twelve-room adobe boarding house built in 1876. In 1880 Frank Miller purchased the house and the surrounding property from his father. By the turn of the century, Riverside was attracting east coast tourists wintering away from home, as well as investment entrepreneurs eager to profit from the local citrus industry. Mr. Miller recognized the need for a lodging establishment that could cater to the wealthy easterners. So in 1902, he built a four-story U-shaped resort hotel with a center courtyard.
The entrance, surrounded by citrus trees, is a copy of the San Gabriel Mission belfry.
This first section known as the Mission Wing, opened to guests in 1903 and contained architectural elements of the California Missions.
The Cloister Wing was built in 1910, increasing the number of guest rooms and adding a large music room and other public spaces.
The Spanish Wing was completed by 1914, adding more guest rooms, the Spanish Patio, and an art gallery. Mr. Miller was an avid art enthusiast and built the gallery to house his growing art and artifact collection. Two additional floors of guest rooms were added to this wing in 1920.
The Anton clock above the Spanish Patio features symbolic figures of California history, which rotate every fifteen minutes. The clock chimes are reminiscent of the bell tower in Balboa Park. Having grown up in San Diego, we loved hearing the chimes all weekend! In fact, the whole atmosphere of the hotel reminded us so much of San Diego that we thought if Balboa Park ever had a hotel, it would look just like the Mission Inn!
The Rotunda Wing was completed in 1931 and features a five-story open-air spiral staircase. Decorative wrought-iron railings depict the initials of the 21 California Missions.
Adjacent to the Rotunda is the beautiful St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, which houses an Eighteenth Century altar and Louis C. Tiffany stained glass windows. We got a glimpse of this bride and her father in the courtyard, waiting to walk down the aisle.
In 1956, the Miller family sold the Inn, where it experienced several changes in ownership, as well as the loss of many of the original art pieces and artifacts. The Inn was eventually purchased by the Historic Mission Inn Corporation, founded by long-time Riverside resident Duane R. Roberts. After undergoing an extensive renovation, the Mission Inn reopened to guests in 1992.
That same year, a modest holiday-lighting ceremony would start a new local tradition, and later become the acclaimed Festival of Lights. Lori and I were fortunate to be able to see it during our stay. It was just beautiful.
The hotel is an artistic and eclectic marvel. There are so many architectural details to see and so many little nooks and crannies to explore! There are stairs that lead to all sorts of floors and landings, and little alcoves that crop out of walkways overlooking the patio below. There is a roof-top rose garden, and cat-walks that afford a gorgeous view of the city. Beautiful fountains and hundreds of flowering pots adorn every level, and sparrows sing out of the colorful bougainvillea.
Lori and I spent several hours exploring; investigating each passageway, climbing each staircase, and finding new vistas at every turn.
We marveled at the old doors, the vintage metal spiral staircase tucked away in a tiny hallway corner, and the beautiful stain glass window partially covered by a newer wall addition. It was a glorious adventure!
And as a guests, we found the room very comfortable, the service impeccable, and the food delicious. This was the view from our room.
We had afternoon tea in the Spanish Patio and it was just lovely. We even had a little local visitor stop by our table to share our scones with us!
The Mission Inn Hotel is an architectural delight, not to mention a really fun place to stay!
On the journey toward Home,
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Lynn,
Thank you so much for this wonderful article/blog I just found! You did a lovely job and I’d love to share this article on one of our future social media postings.
Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
Thanks Ashley!
I would be honored to have you share the post. We had a lovely time there and can’t wait to go back! Please extend our appreciation to the staff!
You’re wonderful, thanks Lynn!