Photography Stores Los Angeles
Monday, March 7th, 2011
The history of California, luxury merge in the Mission Historic Hotel
Most people can not really think of a distinctively Riverside, California.
However, getting down the highway and find one of the most unique getaway experience in the state – an experience takes you through the early California architecture and through the efforts of parents to preserve the city's past Riverside. Right in the middle of all this is a inn so great that presidents have married there honeymoon there, and even the trees planted there.
It is always a good sign when the Instead you'll be staying has a street named after him – and thus locate our destination was particularly easy when we take the Mission Inn Road exit of the highway and found We immediately surrounded by the historic Spanish architecture on every corner. We realized that the churches, historical museums and shops are within walking distance one another and, above all, was our weekend – the Historic Mission Inn.
Just inside the arch of adobe, covered with ivy, walk through a courtyard with lush vegetation before reaching our first glimpse of the majestic lobby area. spectacular chandeliers and giant wooden beams complement the elegant flower patterned carpet to create the feeling that this building was both luxurious and historic. grand lobby is the only piano made by Steinway for the Centennial 1876. But this was only the beginning – the Historic Mission Inn is like a fun house for those who marvel at the historic and creative architecture. Something unusual is waiting in each corner.
The historic Mission Inn in the beginning gives the impression that might have been a real mission or monastery, which with its 239 rooms, including 28 suites. But a careful reading of its history, this palatial hotel, built as the city of Riverside father of Frank Miller, who had taken the original Glenwood Tavern built in 1874, and becomes a small hotel that opened in 1903. Over the years Miller continued to expand the inn to the popular Mission architecture Renaissance so prevalent in California, but mixing architectural styles and ornamental details of the U.S. Southwest and several Mediterranean countries – and of course, the missions of California.
The inn closed for seven years in the late 80's for $ 55 million renovation and then reopened in 1992 to rave reviews. Today, the inn is located in a city block and has a total of 320,000 square meters. Is included in the National Register of Historic Places and is a California State Historic Landmark. President Nixon was married here, President Reagan honeymoon here and President Teddy Roosevelt planted a tree on their land. There is even a chair still in the house which was built for 300 pound William Howard Taft, also a visitor to the inn. Of course, dozens of stars film and other dignitaries also have spent time at the inn, and its unique architecture has served as backdrop for a series of films from 1913.
The rooms and suites – which offer many unique floor plans – are almost as interesting architecturally and exterior of the inn. The living room in our series was appointed with antiques – a little smarter than others – and see a comfortable bedroom with canopy bed. Our unit had an L-shaped floor and beyond the room Living there was a large table and four chairs that could double in a work area or a dining table. There was no talking, but once they hit the streets the whole there was a series of stairs, corridors and gateways that offer a variety of stunning views of the special architecture of the inn.
The inn has several restaurants Duane winners that has a particularly long list of awards for writers and restaurant Wine Spectator Magazine. Although relatively new Campanas, Las Vegas, the restaurant Mexican hotel, is beginning to appear on award lists many – and we could see why. We enjoyed a great variety of dishes that all seemed to have a charm special.
The inn has a heated pool all year round and Jacuzzi area to relax, but if you want the latest, Spa pamper you to Kelly I do not want to go home. A recent addition to the historic mission Inn – and especially popular with local residents – Kelly features a variety of shrubs, polishes, body wraps, therapeutic baths, massages and facials. Being treated like a king is not cheap – plan to spend about $ 250 per half day about $ 400 for a full day, although that can vary depending on the treatments.
There are several museums in walking distance from the hotel. Nearby are the Riverside Municipal Museum, Riverside Art Museum, California Museum of Photography and the Riverside Ballet Theater. There is even a museum right in the Mission Inn. Of Indeed, there is strong community support for historic preservation in Riverside and many historic buildings in the city are open to the public. More than 100 attractions city, 20 National Register sites and two national monuments have been designated by the Council of the City of Riverside.
The architecture of the Mission Revival is everywhere in Riverside, and what appears to be churches. The Unitarian Church-Unversalist is particularly striking, with its Norman Gothic style architecture. Another building Gothic is the Magnolia United Presbyterian Church, the oldest church building in Riverside. Like the Mission Hotel, the Union Pacific Depot is an example Mission Revival architecture.
Walking through the historic Mission Inn district, there is a mission symbol on flags and in several places around the inn – which is the symbol Raincross that was designed for the Mission Inn and given to the city of Frank Miller.
There are several antique shops and stores specialized in the historic Mission Inn. Many of the shops are small, but the Mission Gallery encompasses several floors of the old Sears building and offers a wide selection of antiques and collectibles, plus a deli, a flower shop and fine jewelry. In this case the store is a kind of collection – which has been there for over 65 years.
If restaurants, shopping, museum hopping and spa are not enough to keep you busy, Riverside is conveniently located for day trips to a couple of other popular getaway destinations – Big Bear Lake and the wineries of Temecula. Anyone who came within one hour drive from Riverside. Big Bear Lake offers a landscape reminiscent of the Sierra Nevada mountains, while there is a wine industry in Temecula offers a variety of rooms tasting and winery gift shops.
For us, however, the Mission Inn Historic District was much to keep us occupied during our brief stay in Riverside. Sometimes you can lose a lot in cities that just happened on the interstate.
IN BRIEF
WHERE: The historic Mission Inn is in Riverside, 55 miles east of Los Angeles, near the junction of highways 60 and 91. It is also easily accessible from the north or south via Interstate 215.
WHAT: The historic Mission Inn is one of the most spectacular and historic hotels in California. Riverside has an amazing history that is in evidence throughout the city. Interior has a warm climate with plenty of sunshine.
WHEN: A visit to Riverside can be very hot in summer but not unbearable. The best time to visit would be non-summer months.
WHY: Because there are not many historic hotels that have been restored to this degree. Combine that with the first-class dining and amenities luxury and the hotel itself is reason enough for the trip, although the surrounding museums and shops are not so interesting.
HOW: For more information Historic Hotel on Mission, call 800-843-7755 or visit www.missioninn.com. For more information about the city of Riverside, telephone 909-683-7100.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California beach vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest travel .
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