"The El Capitan Hotel offers a clean and well-maintained environment with lovely rooms."
Sara from United States
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"This was an amazing visit highly recommend it The coffee shop was so cute and coffee was 10 out of 10."
Maria Chavez from United States
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"Beautiful property with a team that genuinely cares to ensure your stay exceeds all expectations."
Keith F from United States
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"I enjoyed feeling a little upscale, the staff at the front desk was amazing and everything was extremely clean."
Audrey from United States
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Historic 3-Star Boutique Hotel with On-Site Cinema and Rainbird Restaurant in Merced
Historic Architecture & Art
El Capitan Hotel occupies a historic building inspired by a 19th-century train depot. The hotel works with local artists on ongoing art exhibitions and hosts temporary art galleries on site. The hotel runs community initiatives promoting sustainability.
Rooms & Suites
El Capitan Hotel has 114 guest rooms and suites, including Deluxe King rooms and Junior King Suites. Some rooms include a record player with Bluetooth and a selection of albums. Standard complimentary earplugs are placed in rooms for restful nights.
Dining & Entertainment
Rainbird restaurant serves American cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Native Son bar offers artisan cocktails and local wines. The hotel has an on-site cinema with a full-service restaurant, plus a courtyard for outdoor dining, happy hour, and themed dinner nights.
Location & Nearby Attractions
El Capitan Hotel is 3 km from Merced Municipal Airport and 12 km from University of California, Merced and Castle Air Museum. The hotel sits in downtown Merced, near an ice-skating rink and within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. Merced is the gateway to Yosemite National Park, with Merced National Wildlife Refuge and California State University Stanislaus nearby.
Services & Pet-Friendly Amenities
The hotel provides complimentary valet service, a 24-hour front desk, and express check-in/check-out. Business guests have access to concierge service, luggage storage, and a fitness center with exercise equipment. At El Capitan Hotel, pets stay at no extra charge and the hotel supplies pet bowls.
Highlights
Rooms: 114 rooms with complimentary earplugs
Dining: Rainbird restaurant, Native Son bar, on-site cinema restaurant
Pet-Friendly: Pets stay at no extra charge
Services: Complimentary valet, 24-hour front desk, fitness center
Entertainment: Happy hour, themed dinner nights, art exhibitions
Location: Gateway to Yosemite National Park
Must-do experiences
Stroll through Applegate Park for scenic views and playful animals.
Taste the famous tri-tip sandwich at The Branding Iron in Merced.
Visit the Merced County Courthouse Museum for rich local history.
Explore the charming Merced Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings.
Discover art at the Merced Art Gallery, showcasing local talents.
Select your room type
El Capitan Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Deluxe Queen Room Two Queen Beds
2 persons
305 sq. feet
2 Double beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Junior King Suite
2 persons
305 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Suite
2 persons
305 sq. feet
1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
Bathtub
room details
Show all rooms
Price and Room Availability Calendar
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Facilities
El Capitan Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Facilities: Perfect
9.2/10Review score
General
No smoking on site
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Sports & Fitness
Fitness centre
Golf course
Services
Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Housekeeping
Welcome drink
Happy hour
Dining
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Dinner
Facilities for people with disabilities
Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled
Spa & Leisure
Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Room features
Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Media
Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
Carpeted floor
Curtains
Show more
El Capitan Hotel Location
609 W Main Street, Merced, CA 95340,
Map view
City landmarks
Zoo
Applegate Park Zoo
1.1 mi
Nearby
Public Building
Merced County Courthouse Museum
1700 ft
Gallery
Merced Multicultural Arts Center
400 ft
401 W 18th St
US Post Office
1200 ft
Restaurants
Toni's Courtyard Cafe
700 ft
516 W 18th St
The Branding Iron Restaurant
900 ft
640 W 16th St
Five Ten Bistro
900 ft
510 W Main St Ste A
Destino's
700 ft
460 W Main St
Fiesta Mexicana
1000 ft
530 W 16th St
Little Oven Pizza
1000 ft
433 W Main St
Bella Luna Bistro
1400 ft
350 West Main Street
King's Asian Cuisine
1300 ft
360 W Main St
Maries Mexican Kitchen
1700 ft
259 W Main St
Bangkok Thai Restaurant
1900 ft
235 W Main St
New China Cafe
2200 ft
1002 W Main St
Explore Merced
Local Highlights
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Merced Multicultural Arts Center
2 minutes' walk
Art exhibitions and community events in a vibrant space celebrating cultural diversity and artistic expression.
Merced County Courthouse Museum
6 minutes' walk
Historic courthouse featuring exhibits on local history, with free admission days and guided tours available.
Applegate Park Zoo
25 minutes walking
Family-friendly zoo with diverse animal exhibits and special events, perfect for children and adults alike.
Biking at Lake Yosemite
10 minutes' drive
Biking trails around a scenic lake. Rentals available nearby for a refreshing outdoor experience.
Relaxation Yoga at Merced Yoga
5 minutes' drive
Soothing yoga classes set in a tranquil environment. Perfect for stress relief and rejuvenation after travel.
Five Ten Bistro
3 minutes' walk
Contemporary café known for its fresh ingredients and creative dishes, ideal for casual dining or lunch breaks.
Fiesta Mexicana
4 minutes' walk
Authentic Mexican cuisine in a lively atmosphere, with vegetarian options and margaritas that are a must-try.
Toni's Courtyard Cafe
3 minutes' walk
Charming café featuring hearty breakfast options and fresh coffee, perfect for a relaxed start to your day.
Merced Theater
6 minutes' walk
Historic theater showcasing films, live music, and cultural performances for a delightful night out.
Aqua Pool & Lounge
10 minutes' drive
Chill spot with live music and a relaxed vibe, perfect for cocktails and unwinding in the evening.
Getting around California
City Centre
Merced 3 min · 700 ft
Airports
Merced Municipal (MCE) 6 min · 2.4 mi
Castle (MER) 20 min · 8.3 mi
Train
Merced Amtrak 11 min · 3000 ft
Train 2 min · 400 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Number of floors:
4
Number of rooms:
114
Former name
el capitan hotel merced, a joie de vivre hotel
Guest Reviews and Ratings
Feedback about El Capitan Hotel from previous guests about their experience.
Breakfast
9.4/10
Cleanliness
9.4/10
Comfort
9.4/10
Facilities
9.2/10
Free Wi-Fi
8.9/10
Location
9.2/10
Paid Wi-Fi
7.9/10
Staff
9.3/10
Value for money
9.0/10
Pros
Professional staff
Unique decor
Comfortable beds
Delicious food
Convenient location
Cons
Noise issues
High deposit
Limited night dining
Temperature control
Guest reviews
based on 928 reviews
9.0/10
No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.
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