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El Capitan Hotel

Property class: 4

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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 cafe with a checkered floor, multiple seating areas including tables and benches, hanging plants, and a bar counter with stools. - 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 modern outdoor seating area with round tables, cushioned chairs, and a variety of plants. - El Capitan Hotel (Merced)
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. In addition to a 24-hour business center, guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Parking available

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

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
(24 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 rock climbing, mountain climbing, and mountain biking 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
  • Wendy's
    11 min walk
  • Smash Bros
    8 min walk

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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

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.

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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. 1585 out of 1904 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 219 out of 1904 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 63 out of 1904 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 1904 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 1904 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jenica

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

Leopoldo

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

Heidy

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

Alondra

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

robert

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

Michael

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

javier

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

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

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

Angela

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

Paola

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

Francesca

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

Thomas

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

christopher

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

Vanessa

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beds were comfortable and room was clean. Great price deal. The staff were attentive, nice and friendly. We could hear the train and people cruising driving by at night but it didn’t bother us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alexa

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

Derrill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely hotel, Great place to stay. Clean, Excellent experience
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, restaurant is great. Wonderful staff Great vibe
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gonzalo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best place in town
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our daughter just started at the UC in town and this is where we stay when in the area -- from the first college tour to now her first day of classes, I think we've now stayed at this hotel four times? It's really quite lovely. The staff are all so friendly and helpful across the board - from the cleaning staff to the front desk to the servers in the restaurants. The rooms are nice, the hotel is well-maintained. The AC is COLD, which is important for the hot summers. It's near restaurants, thrift stores, ice cream, wine bar, etc - all within a walkable distance. The ride to UC Merced's main campus is 14 minutes. It truly feels like a home away from home.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The El Capitan in Merced is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at; it is superior to all the 4/5 star chains. The decor and architecture is interesting and worth exploring. The service (front desk, doorman, coffee house/bar and employees walking around) is top notch and frankly unusual these days. The bed was perfect and I sleep on a TempurPedic at home. The layout of the room/bath was perfect. The in-house restaurant Rainbird was outstanding. Overall, I give the El Capitan a 10+ in every way. Hoping we have a reason to get back or go through Merced again soon, so we can stay at the El Capitan again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

George

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice restaurant within the property. Very friendly staff. Able to accommodate our large group for dinner
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Edgar

Liked: Staff & service
Great pet friendly hotel service ,great stay clean and updated rooms . Hallway was pretty stench it might come from the pet friendly facility . Was hoping to get the main street view but for some reason we got no view . That was my only complaint since my reservation had main street view .
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Doyle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a great time ! Thank you for the time to enjoy the bar staff. The front desk is amazing!! Can’t wait to see you guys again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026