
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Best for guests who want a historic, downtown Riverside experience with multiple on-site restaurants and a recognized full-service spa.
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The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Riverside with multiple restaurants, a full-service spa, and a heated outdoor pool — read this if you want historic architecture, on-site dining variety, or a spa-focused stay. The Hilton Garden Inn Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga is a 3-star Hilton-brand hotel near Ontario Mills and Toyota Arena — read this if you want a modern, business- and shopping-oriented base near the Ontario airport.
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Best for guests who want a historic, downtown Riverside experience with multiple on-site restaurants and a recognized full-service spa.

Best for travelers wanting a convenient, brand-name hotel near Ontario Mills, Toyota Arena and Ontario International Airport with meeting space and an indoor pool.
When The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa wins: choose the Mission Inn if you value historic architecture, on-site cultural attractions (the Mission Inn Museum and guided tours), a variety of distinctive restaurants and lounges, or a destination spa experience (Kelly’s Spa).
When Hilton Garden Inn Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga wins: pick the Hilton Garden Inn if you need a straightforward, modern hotel near Ontario Mills, easy meeting/banquet space, predictable Hilton-brand service, or an indoor pool and 24-hour business/fitness facilities.
Bottom line: The Mission Inn is a city-center, full-service historic property and small-destination resort for dining, events and spa guests; the Hilton Garden Inn is a practical regional option for shopping, meetings, airport access and value-minded travelers.
| Category | The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa | Hilton Garden Inn Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, ornate National Historic Landmark with museum features and formal event spaces. | Contemporary, functional Hilton-brand hotel focused on shopping, meetings and airport-area travelers. |
| Location | Downtown Riverside — walkable to museums, Fox Performing Arts Center and the Riverside Convention Center. | Rancho Cucamonga near Ontario Mills and Toyota Arena; close to shopping and regional offices. |
| Size (rooms) | 238 rooms across 5 floors. | Not published |
| Star rating / guest score | 4-star (hotel marketing) / guest rating: Not published in dossier | 3-star / guest rating: 8.8 |
| Pools & hot tubs | Heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi (open daily, year-round). | Indoor pool and 1 hot tub. |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site restaurants and lounges (Mission Inn Restaurant, Duane's/Steakhouse, Bella Trattoria, Las Campanas, Presidential Lounge, California Lounge, Casey’s Cupcakes). | Great American Grille on-site with bar/lounge and limited room service; breakfast available for a surcharge. |
| Spa / wellness | Kelly’s Spa — full-service spa with 12 treatment rooms, sauna/steam and signature Roman-style bathing rituals. | Not published |
| Meetings & events | Large historic event inventory (about 20,000 sq ft, multiple chapels and ballrooms, capacities up to several hundred). | Conference space ~1281 sq ft with 2 meeting rooms and banquet facilities. |
| Accessible features | Fitness center and public spaces; guest-room accessibility details vary (contact property). | Wheelchair-accessible fitness center, meeting spaces, restaurant and parking; multiple accessible room types listed. |
| Parking & transport | Valet and self-parking (surcharge) plus on-site EV charging; walkable downtown setting. | Self parking (surcharge, uncovered) and uncovered parking; near Ontario Intl. Airport (preferred airport). |
The Mission Inn sits on Mission Inn Avenue in historic downtown Riverside within easy walking distance of local museums, theaters and the Riverside Convention Center.
Choose The Mission Inn for a walkable downtown stay connected to Riverside’s cultural attractions.
Hilton Garden Inn Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga is sited for shoppers and business travelers, a short drive from Ontario Mills and Toyota Arena.
Pick the Hilton Garden Inn for quick access to major shopping, arena events and airport connections.
The Mission Inn’s 238 rooms reflect the hotel’s historic setting and include several named room types and suites.
Expect characterful rooms that tie into the hotel’s historic architecture and collections.
Hilton Garden Inn offers standard Hilton-style guest rooms and a variety of accessible and premium room names.
The Hilton provides predictable, modern room choices with numerous accessible options and in-room appliances.
Dining at The Mission Inn spans several restaurants and lounges with distinct atmospheres and menus.
The Mission Inn suits food-focused stays and groups looking for varied on-site dining experiences.
Hilton Garden Inn’s primary on-site option is the Great American Grille with a bar/lounge and limited room service.
The Hilton is convenient for casual meals and quick breakfasts, with extensive nearby dining at the shopping mall.
The Mission Inn combines a year-round heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi with an on-site, award-recognized spa.
The Mission Inn is a better pick if a destination spa, outdoor pool time and spa packages are priorities.
Hilton Garden Inn features an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center geared toward business and family stays.
The Hilton is practical for families and business travelers who prefer an indoor pool and round-the-clock fitness/business services.
The Mission Inn centers wellness around Kelly’s Spa and evening drinks in historic lounges, plus downtown nightlife within walking distance.
Choose The Mission Inn for a spa-and-cocktails stay with cultural outings within walking distance.
Hilton Garden Inn focuses wellness on its fitness center and provides business-oriented evening options and easy access to mall entertainment.
The Hilton fits travelers who want in-house fitness, simple evening dining and quick access to mall entertainment.

Kelly’s Spa, signature Roman bathing rituals and pool/steam access make The Mission Inn the clear choice.

Hilton Garden Inn’s location near Ontario Mills and its short drive to Ontario Intl. Airport suit mall shoppers and airport arrivals.

Historic ballrooms, chapels and museum tours at The Mission Inn make it stronger for weddings and culturally minded stays.

Hilton Garden Inn offers dedicated meeting rooms, a 24-hour business center and consistent Hilton-brand amenities for business travelers.
The Mission Inn — it has Kelly’s Spa with signature treatments, Roman baths and spa packages; the Hilton’s listing does not publish an on-site spa.
Hilton Garden Inn Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga lists Ontario Intl. Airport as its preferred airport and is nearer to ONT than downtown Riverside.
The Mission Inn — it has extensive historic event spaces, multiple chapels and ballrooms and roughly 20,000 sq ft of meeting/event space.
Yes — both properties welcome guests of all ages; The Mission Inn explicitly markets as family-friendly and Hilton Garden Inn is not adults-only.
Explore how The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·