See all properties

El Capitan Hotel

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for El Capitan Hotel

A spacious living area with a sofa, chairs, a coffee table, and artwork on the walls. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
A modern outdoor seating area with round tables, cushioned chairs, and a variety of plants. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
A modern hotel room with a large bed, a small table, a chair, and a view of the outdoors. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
A modern gym with various exercise equipment, large windows, and a unique wall mural. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
A cafe with a checkered floor, multiple seating areas including tables and benches, hanging plants, and a bar counter with stools. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
Luxury
4.0 star property
9.6

Exceptional

Upscale hotel near Merced County Fairgrounds

Located close to Merced County Courthouse Museum and Applegate Park Zoo, El Capitan Hotel provides a coffee shop/cafe, a bar, and a 24-hour gym. At the 3 on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and Californian cuisine. Free WiFi in public areas and a 24-hour business center are available to all guests.

Popular amenities

  • Parking available

AARP members, discover the perfect stay for every budget with our fantastic hotel deals.

From charming, budget-friendly stays to premium, full-service hotels, find the perfect place to unwind—no matter your travel style or budget

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 7 of 7 rooms

View all photos for Arbor Lane Queen

A hotel room with a large bed, a bedside table with a lamp, a mirror, and a wall with a cityscape wallpaper.

Arbor Lane Queen

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(13 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Arbor Lane King

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Arbor Lane King

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(41 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Main Street King

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a small table, a chair, and a view of the outdoors.

Main Street King

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(28 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Main Street Double Queen

A hotel room with two beds, each with a black headboard and white bedding. There is a green nightstand between the beds with a telephone and a small table. The walls have a pattern of black and white illustrations.

Main Street Double Queen

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(25 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Junior Suite

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a dining area, and a desk.

Junior Suite

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Suite

A modern living room with a sofa, coffee table, TV, and a dining area with chairs and a table.

Suite

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 52 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Suite - Accessible

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a sofa, a dining area, and a desk.

Suite - Accessible

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in Merced, El Capitan Hotel is in the historical district and near a train station. Merced County Courthouse Museum and Castle Air Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's popular attractions include Merced County Fairgrounds and Applegate Park Zoo. Merced College and Vista Ranch and Cellars are two other places to visit that come recommended. Relax and indulge in the area's winery tours, or seek out an adventure with ecotours, mountain biking, and mountain climbing nearby. Visit our Merced travel guide
Map
609 W MAIN STREET, Merced, CA, 95340

What's nearby

  • A white capitol building with a dome, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
    Merced County Courthouse Museum
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Regal Hollywood - Merced
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Poker Flats Casino
    6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Applegate Park Zoo
    16 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Merced County Fairgrounds
    18 min walk - 1.0 mile

Getting around

  • Merced Station
    14 min walk
  • Merced, CA (MCE-Merced Municipal)
    9 min drive

Restaurants

  • In-N-Out Burger
    10 min walk
  • The Sensory Place by ASIP
    5 min walk
  • Cousin's Corner
    7 min walk
  • Smash Bros
    8 min walk
  • Little Oven Pizza
    4 min walk

Similar properties

A buffet with various food items, including omelets and other dishes, arranged on a counter with a patterned tile backsplash.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Merced by IHG
Merced
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,000 reviews
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Merced by IHG
Compare similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Height restrictions apply for onsite parking
  • Covered valet parking on site (USD 15 per day)

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM for a fee: USD 20 per person
  • 3 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • Couples/private dining

Restaurants on site

  • Mainzer
  • Native Son
  • Rainbird
  • The Courtyard

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business center
  • 4 meeting rooms

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Elevator (80 inch wide door)
  • Low-height door lock
  • Low-height view port in door
  • Sign language-capable staff
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business center
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 2 buildings
  • Ballroom
  • Built in 2021
  • Communal living room
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Down comforter
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 49-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Visa

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Service fee: USD 5.61 per accommodation, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 20 per person
  • Covered valet parking fee: USD 15.00 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of GBAC STAR (Hyatt)

We should mention

Parking height restrictions apply

Frequently asked questions

Is El Capitan Hotel pet-friendly?

Yes, this hotel allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking?

Valet parking is available for USD 15.00 per day.

What time is check-in at El Capitan Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at El Capitan Hotel?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is El Capitan Hotel located?

Situated in the historical district, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Merced County Courthouse Museum, Mercy General Hospital, and Merced County Fairgrounds. Applegate Park Zoo and Merced College are also within 3 mi (5 km). Merced Station is 14 minutes by foot.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

El Capitan Hotel Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.4

Amenities

9.6

Staff & service

9.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1594 out of 1915 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 221 out of 1915 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 61 out of 1915 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 1915 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 1915 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good place nice restaurant and bar I will stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel and staff were amazing!!!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, great staff and good food.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff are always very kind and helpful. Jessica helped us check out today and she was wonderful! Very personable and even gave our dog a treat!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great customer service clean rooms
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoy staying at El Capitan Hotel. The rooms are very comfortable and I love the downtown location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was very clean, great stay! Front desk was very welcoming and got us checked in quickly!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love how clean it was and how friendly the staff was. They made my stay soooo nice!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
El Capitan Hotel is an incredible jewel in Northern California and specifically in Merced. The staff is magnificent, the grounds are impeccable and the design is calm and beautiful. Thank you so very much!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay and convenient location! The valet was also worth it.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice aesthetic clean and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful room - large, modern, well appointed, comfortable bed! Strep able coffee delicious Staff friendly and helpful
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very fancy and clean
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place very well maintained and very friendly staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was very tastefully decorated and the room was one of the nicest I’ve stayed in. The staff were very courteous and professional. There were many food/drink options and a very comfortable lobby. My only complaint would be the parking situation but that’s me being a princess.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this! Great location, lots of restaurants and bars. Easy parking and low-cost valet if you choose. Great restaurants, even on property.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable stay, clean room, lovely staff!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel, incredibly friendly staff, excellent dining.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved the hotel! Beautiful, clean, staff are so kind. We stayed with our Maltese & Yorkie and it was perfect!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful place to stay! In a good location and staff were
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
amazing hotel, amazing staff great location everything you need for visiting Merced area
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was an amazing stay. Very clean and accommodating!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had an absolutely fabulous stay at the El Capitan Hotel! From the moment we arrived, the staff was amazing—so friendly, welcoming, and attentive. Our room was beautiful, comfortable, and had such a wonderful feel to it. The amenities were fantastic, and I especially loved that they use Beekman products—it was such a nice touch and really made the experience feel even more top-notch. Overall, our stay was amazing from beginning to end. We truly enjoyed everything about the hotel and will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Front desk and staff are always great! As a pet owner, I appreciate how pet friendly and extremely welcoming they are of pets. Unfortunately, the rooms always have a little scent of past pet visitors.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026