THE MISSION INN KICKS OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH 24TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016

The display features over 4.5 million lights, 400+ animated figures, a massive man-made sprig

of mistletoe and awe-inspiring lobby sights and scents such as three gingerbread villages, a 19-foot Christmas tree, and the aroma of spiced cookie throughout

(L: Festive Culinary Experiences; C: The Mission Inn Holiday Décor; R: Fireworks Display)

(RIVERSIDE, CA.; November 9, 2016)—The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa announces The Festival of Lights, a free, six-week display of over 4.5 million holiday lights illuminating Southern California’s historic landmark and AAA-Four Diamond hotel, from Friday, November 25 through Saturday, January 7. New this season, three Gingerbread Villages display in the lobby and the aroma of fresh baked cookies welcomes guests upon entry. The hotel offers numerous immersive experiences inspired by the spiced cookie, including festive spa treatments, cocktails and desserts, as well as a decked out Gingerbread Dreams Suite (starting at $1,432).

“The Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition my husband and I created for the community in 1992. We are thrilled to welcome over 200,000 visitors each year to enjoy the festivities and spend this special time of year with us,” says Owner and COO Kelly Roberts.

Festival of Lights

The “Switch-on” ceremony begins on Friday, November 25 at 4:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. The Festival of Lights features 400 animated angels, elves, Dickens carolers,

and vines of twinkling lights. Complementing the lights spectacle is a 12’ x 8’ man-made sprig of mistletoe, fresh snow, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Gingerbread Villages and Lobby Décor

New this season is the sweet scent of spiced cookies permeating the lobby and three Gingerbread Villages, constructed over 10 weeks using 500 pounds of gingerbread, icing, and candy. The three villages are:

• The Holly Jolly Polar Express, consisting of 150 pounds of gingerbread and 10,000 pieces of candy. This mountain landscape features a train passing through cottages and Santa and his reindeer riding through the sky.

• Casey’s Glamorous Gingerbread Wonderland, a confectionary replica of the hotel’s Parisian-style pink and black bakery, Casey’s Cupcakes, filled with intricately designed cupcakes, macarons, and more.

• Downtown Candy Cane Lane village, featuring ice-skating gingerbread men amongst festive homes with Santa’s sleigh of reindeer perched on a rooftop.

A 19-foot elaborately decorated noble fir brightens the lobby, completing a room full of festive décor and experiences inspired by the gingerbread theme.

Holiday Traditions

Throughout the season, The Mission Inn creates immersive holiday experiences for the whole family, including:

• The Gingerbread Dreams Suite decorated with a gingerbread themed tree, stockings, lights, and a collection of gingerbread homes. Four Glamorous Gingerbread Casey’s Cupcakes, a $200 dining credit, and a gingerbread cookie turndown amenity for four with hot cocoa or milk to complete the experience. Rates begin at $1,432. A list of other package options is available online.

• As part of the Elf Tuck In’s (November 26 through December 26), a resident elf delivers a present-filled stocking to children and tucks children into bed with a bedtime story. The experience, which includes a keepsake book of "’Twas the Night Before Christmas" and a Casey's Cupcake, is $50 per child.

• The Sunday Champagne Brunch with Santa (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., November

25 – December 25) features a mimosa brunch buffet with carved meats, a seafood station, and assorted sweets. Adults: $48; Children (age 5-11): $25 per person.

• “12 Days of Christmas” cocktails, available throughout the season, include a Five

Golden Rings spiked hot apple cider, an Eleven Pipers Piping hot buttered rum, and other seasonal hot toddies and festive drinks

• A sugar and spice Gingerbread Martini and Gingerbread-Cabernet Poached Pear Cake with cinnamon cream will be available at each of the resort’s restaurants as a seasonal treat.

Festive Spa Indulgence

Rejuvenate body and mind with the sweet and spiced aroma of holiday-inspired scrubs, massages, and more at the Tuscany-inspired Kelly’s Spa.

• The Gingerbread Dreams begins with a warm, bubbling hydrotherapy bath soak with almond oil and coconut milk and continues with a spiced gingersnap brown sugar and whisky scrub polish. This is followed by a warm shea and cocoa butter massage, scented with marshmallow notes (95 minutes / $225).

• The Holiday Delight starts with a citrus cilantro antioxidant bath soak and continues with a sea salt and pear-infused brandy body polish, followed by a ginger sorbet milk body massage with notes of natural ginger and grapefruit to awaken the senses (70 minutes / $185).

• Treasured Moments and Couples Treatment for romantics begins with a steaming butter brûlée and chicory root-infused wrap, a coconut oil scalp massage to soothe the mind, and ends with a shea, cocoa, and mango butter massage (100 minutes / $385).

About The AAA Four Diamond, Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Originally opened in 1903, The AAA Four Diamond, Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa incorporates design elements throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico and several Mediterranean countries. A AAA Four Diamond property, the hotel features 238 guest rooms, including 27 suites and 4 restaurants: Duane’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant and Wine Spectator’s 2016 “Best of Award of Excellence” for 20 consecutive years; Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro; Las Campanas Mexican Cuisine & Cantina; and The Mission Inn Restaurant and Spanish Patio. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa also features 54° at Duane’s, Casey’s Cupcakes, and The Presidential Lounge. The hotel is a recipient of the 2016 Historic Hotel Awards of Excellence “Best Historic Hotel”, “Best Historic Hotel” in America by USA Today’s 10Best.com and placed 5th in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards’ “Top Hotels in Southern California” category.

In addition, the hotel offers a serene swimming pool and Jacuzzi surrounded by lush gardens; a fitness center; a historic museum; Kelly’s Spa, a luxurious Tuscan-inspired spa founded by visionary Kelly Roberts who also serves as COO of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, a National Historic Landmark. The historic hotel is situated on an entire city block of the quaint Mission Inn District of Riverside, CA., features Mission-Revival style architecture inspired by the state’s 21 missions, and is home to a one-of-a-kind art collection. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-843-7755 or visit www.missioninn.com.

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Press Contacts:

Nicolette Dantas / Andrew Cosgrove Wagstaff Worldwide 323.871.1151 nicolette@wagstaffworldwide.com andrew@wagstaffworldwide.com