Honeymoons, proposals and small romantic stays at The Mission Inn
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Riverside that supports honeymoons, proposals and short romantic stays with intimate chapels, courtyards, a full-service spa (Kelly’s Spa), and several on-site restaurants and lounges. Couples often choose a Junior Suite or one of the historic guest rooms, book a couples spa package, and reserve a private dining or chapel time for proposals or micro-weddings.
In this guide
Where to stay for a romantic weekend
Choose a room that gives you privacy and a sense of occasion. The Junior Suite provides separate living space for quiet mornings and evening privacy; some historic rooms include decorative four-poster beds and painted domes if you prefer a more classical setting.
Other room options include Deluxe Room, Room (Mission), Room (Raincross), and Room (Glenwood). If you want a distinctly historic feel, ask about rooms with four‑poster beds or ornate ceilings when you reserve.
- Junior Suite — separate living area for private pre-dinner drinks (photo available).
- Room (Mission) — King Bed option for a compact, private stay.
- Room (Raincross) and Room (Glenwood) — king or queen bed choices for quieter corners of the property.
| Room type | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite | Separate sitting area for private moments; suits short honeymoons or anniversary stays |
| Room (Mission) | King Bed option for a cozier, private stay near hotel facilities |
| Deluxe Room | Flexible bed choices (1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds or 1 Queen Bed) for comfort and convenience |
Proposals and intimate ceremony spaces
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa offers several small, historic venues appropriate for proposals and intimate ceremonies. St. Cecilia Chapel accommodates very small gatherings and is specifically noted for intimate ceremonies.
The Oriental Courtyard and Atrio-style outdoor spaces provide romantic courtyard settings for a proposal or a small ceremony. If you want a formal chapel setting with Tiffany stained glass for a larger, but still intimate, moment, St. Francis of Assisi Chapel is also on site.
- St. Cecilia Chapel — ideal for very small ceremonies (capacity listed as up to 10 guests).
- Oriental Courtyard — garden, outdoor setting for cocktail-style proposals (capacity varies).
- St. Francis of Assisi Chapel — larger chapel with Tiffany stained-glass windows, seating up to 150.
| Venue | Best for |
|---|---|
| St. Cecilia Chapel | Very intimate proposals / micro-ceremonies (small guest count) |
| Oriental Courtyard | Outdoor proposal with a garden-like atmosphere |
| St. Francis of Assisi Chapel | Formal chapel proposals or ceremonies with stained-glass backdrop |
Spa experiences for couples
Kelly’s Spa (The Spa at the Mission Inn) offers villa-style treatment rooms, Roman-inspired bathing tubs, eucalyptus steam, and couples packages designed for two. Spa visits include access to the heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and relaxation lounges.
Popular couples offerings listed by the spa include the Lavender Couples Retreat and the Fountain of Youth bathing ritual; the spa also sells an in-house PALLAS skincare line used in signature treatments.
- Lavender Couples Retreat — Aromatherapy Roman Bath plus a couples massage in a villa setting.
- Fountain of Youth — Roman-style bathing ritual followed by body polish and massage (spa signature).
- Spa access includes pool, Jacuzzi, eucalyptus steam room and relaxation areas.
| What it includes | How it helps a proposal or honeymoon |
|---|---|
| Roman Bath and Couples Massage | Private time together, perfect before a dinner or proposal |
| Fountain of Youth ritual | Longer ritual that prepares skin and calms nerves for special moments |
| Spa villa booking | Offers privacy and a more intimate setting for small celebrations |
Dining and private meals
The hotel has multiple on-site restaurants and lounges that suit romantic meals: Mission Inn Restaurant (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch), Mission Inn Steakhouse (Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood), Bella Trattoria (Italian patio dining), the California Lounge and the Presidential Lounge.
For a quiet, elevated dinner consider Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood (the Mission Inn Steakhouse) which maintains an upscale business-casual dress code and suggests reservations. Bella Trattoria offers sidewalk and patio seating for a more casual romantic meal.
- Mission Inn Restaurant — brunch and seasonal menus; reservations accepted.
- Mission Inn Steakhouse (Duane’s) — dinner-focused, upscale business-casual dress code; reservations suggested.
- Bella Trattoria — Italian dishes with sidewalk/patio dining suitable for relaxed dates.
- Presidential Lounge — cocktails and a historic setting; the lounge references presidential visits in its décor.
| Venue | Best time to book |
|---|---|
| Mission Inn Restaurant | Dinner or Sunday brunch (reservations recommended) |
| Mission Inn Steakhouse / Duane’s | Dinner (book ahead; limited seating) |
| Bella Trattoria | Weekend lunch or relaxed dinner on the patio |
Timing, logistics and booking tips
Check-in at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. The hotel requires a debit or credit card at check-in and will authorize the full stay amount plus an additional incidental hold per its policy.
If you plan a proposal or a private dinner, reserve your chosen chapel, courtyard or private dining space in advance with the hotel events team; many small venues and spa villas are in demand and require advance booking.
- Reserve dining and spa appointments well ahead of your stay for weekend evenings.
- Ask the concierge about private dining or proposal set-up options and any additional fees.
- Confirm parking options (valet and self-parking are offered) and whether you need EV charging during your stay.
| Practical item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Check-in/out | Check-in 4:00 PM — check-out 11:00 AM |
| Payment/Deposit | Credit/debit card required; incidental authorization applies |
| Reservations | Book restaurants, spa, and event venues ahead — ask concierge for help |
Romantic day plans and nearby activities
Downtown Riverside is walkable and offers museums, galleries, and performing arts within minutes of the hotel. The Mission Inn is steps from the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, the California Museum of Photography, and the Fox Performing Arts Center.
If you want a daytime outing, consider a guided hotel museum tour, a walk through the Riverside Art Museum, or a short drive to Mount Rubidoux for a light hike and city views. Longer day trips (Disneyland, Palm Springs, or Joshua Tree) are possible by car from Riverside.
- Guided Mission Inn Museum tours — explore the hotel’s catacombs, chapels, and historic art.
- Riverside Art Museum and California Museum of Photography — both within a short walk.
- Mount Rubidoux — about 1.4 miles from the hotel for a short outdoor excursion.
| Activity | Approximate walk/drive from hotel |
|---|---|
| Riverside Metropolitan Museum | 1 minute walk |
| Riverside Art Museum | 4–5 minute walk |
| Mount Rubidoux | About 1.4 miles by foot or short drive |
