Inland Empire Tub Crawl: Exploring Honeymoon Suites

Let's be honest, life calls for opportunities to do something new and fun. For our 3 year anniversary this year, I wanted to go on a tub crawl somewhere somewhat local. You know, a tub crawl? Instead of going to different bars, I thought it would be fun to stay in a couple different honeymoon suites in the area. After all, it gets hot in July, so a lot of outdoor activities are out of the question, and I didn't want to travel too far since we have been so busy lately. After doing some research, I found two spots in the Inland Empire that I thought would be fun, both featuring an in-room heart shaped jacuzzi tub and both at a Dynasty Suites Hotel. Although I had pretty low expectations going into it, we ended up having an incredible time. It was an experience worth doing again and definitely an experience worth sharing.

Redlands

Vintage heart tub in Redlands Dynasty Suites.

Our stay at the Dynasty Suites Redlands provided us with a surprisingly comfortable and romantic stay. Of our two stays this weekend, this one was our favorite for several reasons. Finding this honeymoon suite was like hitting a hotel jackpot, and I would definitely plan to stay here again. This suite's spacious layout and tasteful, yet simple, decor created a romantic and intimate atmosphere for our weekend getaway. A vintage whirlpool tub added a touch of luxury, perfect for a relaxing evening together, and was beautifully decorated with tiles and surrounded by mirrors for an added effect. We added some candles, rose petals, and a bottle of wine to tie the whole experience together.

(Pictured: The heart-shaped hot tub in the honeymoon suite.)

The bed in the room also featured a mirrored ceiling, which added an extra fun and romantic touch for the evening and was one of the main highlights of our stay. The room and tub were clean and well-kept and the AC worked exceptionally well for it being over 100 degrees outside.

(Pictured: Bed in the Redlands honeymoon suite.)

The exterior of the hotel was covered in vines, giving it a much nicer look than I was originally anticipating upon arrival. I'll admit that I'm a South County girl, and you just set your expectations low for hotels in the IE. There was a gazebo to sit on near the pool and jacuzzi, and the hotel even had a sauna outside. It was just too hot to use at the time, but I would imagine that it would be nice in the winter.

The hotel exterior.

Another highlight of our stay was the free breakfast in the morning. In addition to a coffee/hot chocolate machine for you to use all day across from the lobby, they served hot breakfast as well. I was impressed by the selection and how well stocked everything was, and an employee was constantly making sure the area was clean and well-kept. I'll admit we came pretty close to the end of breakfast and they still had plenty for us to eat.

If you would like to book this stay for yourself, here is their website. Please note this is a basic hotel, you need to book the honeymoon suite in order to get the heart-shaped tub. I always recommend calling when in doubt:

Dynasty Suites Redlands

Redlands was within close proximity to Big Bear, about an hour away, which is a lot closer than it would usually be to our house. Since it was so hot during our stay, we decided to go up to Big Bear and rent a boat to cool off in the mountains for the day. Here are some things to do if you decide to head up to Big Bear from Redlands:

Things to do in Big Bear

Riverside

Heart-shaped tub in the Riverside location.

The next stop of our weekend was the Dynasty Suites in Riverside, which was ideal for its central location to downtown and other things to do. I would have to say that this heart-shaped tub was overall more comfortable to use, although it was not as aesthetically pleasing as the vintage-style one, in my opinion. Another thing to note is that other than the heart-shaped tub, this room did not feel much like a honeymoon suite other than the fact that it was large. The overall design felt kind of random, and it did smell pretty strongly of cigarettes when entering. Also, breakfast was not included at this location. All of this can be overlooked, in my opinion, because the room was clean and the tub was wonderful, but I thought I would be transparent.

(Pictured: Interior of honeymoon suite at Dynasty Suites Riverside.)

Here is the link to this Dynasty Suites' website if you were looking to book this suite:

Dynasty Suites Riverside

While Visiting the Area:

Now speaking like a South County girl, I would have to say that there isn't enough to do in this area that warrants a post, especially in the summer. It was too hot to walk around downtown Redlands, go up to Mt. Rubidoux, or visit the Citrus State Park. If you plan your visit during a cooler time, these would be some activities to consider while in the area.

The Galleria at Tyler also has an indoor mini golf and arcade that we considered before going up to Big Bear, this could be a good option for an indoor activity on either a hot or rainy day.

Ay Mi Pa

Interior of Ay Mi Pa, including a live DJ.

If you end up at the Galleria at Tyler, I would highly recommend that you head over to Ay Mi Pa for dinner. This was a vibrant and beautifully decorated Tulum-inspired restaurant. I'll admit that when we walked up, it sounded like we were at the club. It seems like a popular spot for birthday celebrations, so if you were looking for a quiet dinner, then this would not be the place for you.

(Pictured: Food and interior of Ay Mi Pa.)

I was beyond impressed by all of the food items that we tried here, even down to their rice and beans. They offered a sangria flight that I also felt exceeded my expectations. My boyfriend ordered a diablo shrimp dish that was extremely good, and somehow also managed to be one of the spiciest restaurant dishes I have ever tried. Our overall experience was a solid 10/10, and they even had an area near the DJ where you could dance if you felt so inclined after dinner.

The Mission Inn

A courtyard of the Mission Inn.

We did take time to explore the Mission Inn and a little bit of downtown Riverside during our time there, as I think the Mission Inn is the coolest place in Riverside. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a historic and enchanting gem that exudes grandeur and charm. Its stunning architecture showcases a blend of diverse styles, including Spanish Gothic, Moorish, and Mediterranean influences.

Inside, the hotel's interior features intricate stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and unique artifacts from around the world, adding to its allure. It is a really neat place to just wander around the halls and discover the various patios, courtyard, and rooms the hotel has to offer. I stayed here once several years ago, and their rooms are comfortable and luxurious (but quite pricey, if I remember correctly.)

(Pictured: Inside and outside of the Mission Inn.)

The Mission Inn boasts an impressive collection of art and antiques, as well as an impressive overall history, dating back to 1876. This historic property has hosted numerous notable figures, including presidents and celebrities, further adding to its legacy. Overall, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside is a must-see if you find yourself in Riverside.

The Mission Galleria

(Pictured: Sales display at the Mission Galleria.)

If you are a lover of antique stores, then the Mission Galleria in Downtown Riverside is the place for you. This antique gallery showcases a diverse collection of unique artifacts and collections for sale, as well as items that are completely random. The sheer size of this shop could leave you wandering about for hours, and is a good place to start a conversation with pretty much anyone over the variety of stuff they have there.

After our anniversary weekend tub crawl, I would like to think that I further prove my point that you don't need to plan a high-end destination vacation to have a memorable time! I would highly encourage you to plan your own tub crawl sometime soon.