
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Best for travelers who want historic atmosphere, multiple dining choices and large event/wedding spaces.
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The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a grand, historic 4-star resort and National Historic Landmark in downtown Riverside with multiple restaurants, a museum collection, and a Tuscan-style full-service spa. Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley is a highly rated 3.5-star boutique-style hotel and full-service spa in Moreno Valley; read this if you want to compare a landmark resort spa experience with a smaller, well-reviewed regional spa hotel.
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Best for travelers who want historic atmosphere, multiple dining choices and large event/wedding spaces.

Best for travelers who want a compact, well-rated boutique hotel with a full-service spa and straightforward on-site amenities.
When The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa wins: choose The Mission Inn if you value historic architecture, a living museum on the property, multiple distinguished restaurants and large-event facilities (chapels, ballrooms, terraces) — it’s a destination hotel as much as a place to sleep.
When Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley wins: pick Ayres if you want a smaller, highly rated midscale property with straightforward amenities (free breakfast, fitness center, outdoor pool and on-site spa) and easy suburban access to Moreno Valley and nearby UCR.
Bottom line: The Mission Inn is the pick for atmosphere, dining variety and event-friendly spaces; Ayres Moreno Valley is the pragmatic choice for a boutique-feeling, well-reviewed spa hotel with simple, guest-friendly amenities.
| Category | The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa | Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Grand, museum-like historic resort with ornate public spaces and layered architecture | Boutique-style suburban hotel focused on comfortable guest rooms and a compact spa experience |
| Location | Downtown Riverside, within walking distance of museums, theaters and the convention center | Centrally located in Moreno Valley with easy driving access to regional points of interest |
| Size (rooms) | 238 rooms across 5 floors | 127 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | Family-friendly; children welcome | |
| Pools & hot tubs | Year-round heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi (open daily) | |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site restaurants & lounges (including Mission Inn Restaurant, Duane's Steakhouse, Bella Trattoria, Las Campanas, lounges and café options) | One on-site restaurant and one bar/lounge |
| Spa | Kelly’s Spa (Tuscan-inspired) — 12 treatment rooms, Roman-style baths and signature rituals | Full-service spa (reservations required); number of treatment rooms: Not published |
| Event & wedding spaces | Extensive: multiple chapels, ballrooms and ~20,000 sq ft of meeting/event space | Conference space and 1 meeting room (approx. 1,195 sq ft) |
| Free breakfast | Breakfast available for a fee (not complimentary) | Complimentary buffet breakfast |
| Parking | Valet and self-parking available for a surcharge; EV charging station on site | Free self parking and free RV/bus/truck parking; EV charging station listed |
The Mission Inn sits in the heart of Historic Downtown Riverside, steps from museums and the Fox Performing Arts Center.
Choose The Mission Inn for a stay that’s integrated with downtown Riverside’s cultural attractions.
Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley is centrally located in Moreno Valley with straightforward driving access to local attractions.
Choose Ayres Moreno Valley for convenient suburban access to Moreno Valley and nearby Riverside destinations by car.
The Mission Inn offers a range of historic rooms and suites within a National Historic Landmark property.
Expect traditional hotel rooms and suites with period details and varying layouts at The Mission Inn.
Ayres offers studio-style guestrooms and suites designed for comfort and convenience.
Ayres focuses on roomy studio configurations and predictable midscale comforts.
The Mission Inn offers multiple distinct dining venues covering casual to upscale.
If dining variety on property matters, The Mission Inn provides more choices and formal dining options.
Ayres has one on-site restaurant and a bar/lounge for casual meals and drinks.
Ayres suits travelers who want a simple on-site dining setup and complimentary breakfast.
The Mission Inn provides a year-round heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi as part of its resort amenities.
Mission Inn’s pool is part of the larger resort and spa experience, open year-round and tied to spa services.
Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley offers an outdoor pool and a hot tub for guests and spa visitors.
Ayres provides the expected hotel pool and hot tub for a comfortable stay without the ceremony of a large resort.
Kelly’s Spa at The Mission Inn is a full-service, destination-style spa with specialty treatments.
The Mission Inn’s spa is a major reason to stay if you want a multi-facility treatment experience.
Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley has a full-service spa and basic wellness facilities.
Ayres’ spa provides solid treatment options within a smaller, guest-focused hotel setting.

The Mission Inn — multiple restaurants and lounges covering steakhouse, Italian, Mexican and refined lounge options.

The Mission Inn — a National Historic Landmark with museum spaces, chapels and ornate public rooms.

Ayres Moreno Valley — a highly rated 3.5-star property with complimentary breakfast and straightforward amenities.

Ayres Moreno Valley — conference space with a single meeting room and convenient Moreno Valley location.
The Mission Inn’s Kelly’s Spa lists 12 treatment rooms and a Tuscan/Roman bathing setup; Ayres has a full-service spa but the supplier listing does not publish the number of treatment rooms.
Ayres Hotel & Spa Moreno Valley offers a complimentary buffet breakfast. The Mission Inn charges separately for breakfast (not complimentary).
The Mission Inn — it has multiple chapels, ballrooms and roughly 20,000 sq ft of event space for small-to-large weddings and conferences; Ayres has limited conference/meeting space (about 1,195 sq ft).
Yes — The Mission Inn’s spa accepts day visitors with reservations. Ayres requires reservations for spa treatments; contact the hotel for policies regarding outside guests.
Explore how The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·