I've stayed here twice and both times were fine. It is Merced's best hotel. I like that they have valet (which is $15 a night). Bed is comfortable, rooms are clean/spacious, and bathroom is clean but a little small. My only complaint is that I wish they had a microwave in the room. They do have a kettle for hot water, which is nice, but I prefer a microwave. Staff is so-so. Sometimes they are attentive and friendly and sometimes they don't really care I will continue to stay here when I go to Merced. read more

El Capitan Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

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Got severely rained on on the way home and found this gem in downtown Merced. Didn't know what to expect, but the overnight stay came out to be a very pleasant surprise. The staff was so helpful, the check-in was super smooth, and the room was just immaculate with a cozy modern vibe. The ceiling was high in the room. The bathroom was also beautiful and clean. We were so hungry late night and walked into their cafe and had spinach dip which came with homemade chips and they were so delicious. For breakfast, we walked a minute to Manizer and that will be another review read more

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What a surprise! Very nice, clean, upscale hotel. Staff were so nice, great location, and I was so comfortable. Restaurant in hotel was reasonably priced. read more

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This was a much nicer and cleaner choice of hotel to stay in merced that was nearby families. We were confused to where the front was at but eventually found it after we self parked behind the hotel at the hotel garage. Garage parking was limited. The hotel was modern and had nice chic decorations. There was restaurant inside the hotel but were close when we got there. The hotel room was clean and comfortable with all the bathroom essentials. The only con was that there's no closet. However it was a quick 1 night stay. read more

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Beautiful hotel/Beautiful room. Friendly/helpful staff. A coffee/bar onsite. Several restaurants near by. Really enjoyed our stay. Even extended our stay. read more

We've been looking for a mid-state place to stay on our trips up north and approached this with high hopes. It's cute and you can see, from the decor, that they were really trying to have a fun, upscale experience. Overall service was fine, parking was nearby and easy to use. However, there are several areas that really just don't work and why we won't be coming back. The biggest issue is the noise in the room - the walls are paper-thin, we could hear the folks in the next room talking in normal level voices (thank god they went to sleep early!). Streetside rooms are loud - we were on the alley, which would have been fine except for the early morning trash trucks. The housekeeping needed work. The services are a bit odd...a behind-the-main-desk snack offerings would make tons of money, but they've got nothing and the neighborhood isn't the best for finding a late night snack. We weren't impressed by the restaurants - I'd recommend going outside for that. Actually, the best breakfast is just down the street at Marie's Mexican Kitchen...breakfast enchiladas! read more

El Capitan Hotel - Outside is cute, Parking is behind the building. - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

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Front desk staff was very polite, professional. Front desk staff (Jasmine) gave our doggies their own plush/velvety/squeaky toy! Our room was large with a very comfortable king-sized bed. It looked newly-updated with a new carpet, which is unusual for a "pet room." The room was very clean and I loved the Beekman shampoo/conditioner/soap-nice touch! We didn't eat at the restaurants, so I have no review for them. The hotel was quiet, which is important to us. read more

I stayed here with a group of guests. The hotel is a well-hidden gem in Merced and I can only highly recommend it. Adriana served me and the group delicious drinks at night and was there in the morning to pour our morning coffee. She's very service oriented and the hotel should be happy to have someone as dedicated to her guests! read more

The rooms here are awesome. They're clean and have retro feel. The staff is friendly and helpful. This is one of if not the nicest hotels in the area read more

Clean, well decorated rooms, at a reasonable price. What else could you ask for? I also really enjoyed having the electric kettle in room. I never have time to stop for coffee while traveling. So this was great for me! read more

Stayed here once while in town for a wedding. The experience was decent. Layout is wonky, parking is wonky, food mediocre. There are not many options as far as hotels in Merced. PLEASE NOTE.....reservations are nonrefundable!!! We expected to visit family for a 1 night stay and made reservations online. Plans fell through. I cancelled within 48 hours of making reservations and 3 days prior to arrival. Never checked in. Now I am stuck with a credit on the books...... read more

Wow! This place is stunning! The decor is amazing! The facility is impeccably clean! I wanted to stay an extra day just to enjoy the beauty of the hotel! I couldn't believe that it was in such a small town! I'm trying to find a reason to return. For those who complained about noise, I heard one train in a distance (and I do live around trains, so I know how annoying they can be), it was not annoying at all! I enjoyed knowing that I had several choices for restaurants. Two of them are accessible in the hotel itself, and one associated with the hotel is less than a block down the street, which was the one I went to since my event ended later in the evening and it was open. The food was delicious. As for my room, I had all the amenities I needed, and the bed was comfortable! Although I didn't use it much, I enjoyed the choices of the TV and being able to hook my iPhone up to it and enjoy the apps I like to watch. In the morning, I was able to make a cup of tea in my room, and I went down and looked at the breakfast choices, which most would be marveled at. If I didn't have to rush to go to my next destination, I would have enjoyed a restaurant breakfast. The only part of the experience I would change is to have the offsite parking more accessible. read more

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Stayed here for a conference in October and it was great. Relatively quiet room, nice updated bathroom with plenty of counter space and the location is near many places to eat. read more

Wonderful helpful pleasant friendly staff Phenomenal experience. The restaurants and service courtesy was excellent. Looking forward to a stay there again in the future. read more

We stay here every year when we visit family and it is always the best experience! They always have a helpful and amazing staff, everything is always so clean and well kept. 10/10 recommend this hotel. read more

Wonderful in style Hotel, staff is very informative, with a very nice vintage format in the room. Lots of areas to rest. read more

El Capitan Hotel - A record player inside the rooms. - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

This is hands down my favorite hotel to stay at while in Merced or the surrounding area. This used to be a Hilton hotel but they went private like 6 months ago. Anyway, regardless of ownership this is probably one of the prettiest hotels in town. I would highly recommend it to anyone. It's centrally located in beautiful downtown Merced and close to a variety of restaurants and bars. The only downside is that the hotel is tucked between two railroad tracks which doesn't bother me. I love Merced and their friendly people and the beautiful neighborhood!! Merced is worth a visit and so is El Capitan!! El Capitan Hotel in Merced is a historic and elegant hotel that offers a variety of amenities and experiences. According to my web search, El Capitan Hotel was originally built in 1916 to serve train passengers and guests traveling to Yosemite National Park which explains why it is tucked between two railroad tracks. Don't worry they offer free earplugs on their nightstands should it be too loud for you. It was recently renovated and reopened in April 2021, after being a Hilton hotel for some time. It now features 114 guest rooms, a fitness center, a sun terrace, and four distinct dining options, including a restored historic theater. read more

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A nice hotel. Very helpful staff. Great gym. Cool retro decor. Thoughtful amenities including free ear plugs. I wish there was more parking in the parking garage. I ended up on the street because I wouldn't valet my car. Other than that, it was a nice stay. read more

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I think this might be the best hotel in Merced. If not, one of the top three for sure. We stayed 3 days here and 1 day at different hotel. The staff was knowledge of the area and things to do around town (there's not much to do in the area, we were there for an ongoing sporting event). I enjoyed my stay, breakfast, lunch, dinner and the bar without having to leave the hotel. We tried a few other restaurants while in town but they weren't that good to be honest. Hotel Decor 10/10 *El Capitan has a nice eccentric/upscale feel. Room Decor 10/10 *rooms had everything we needed: beverage station, comfy bed, refrigerator, table and lounge chair. Native Son Cafe cocktails 7/10 *suggest getting cocktails from the Rainbird restaurants. The bartenders were able to make a variety of different cocktails Rainbird Resturant 10/10 *suggest making a reservation, they were pretty booked/busy every evening of our stay. Valet Parking 10/10 They also have a parking garage next door, which also doubles as valley and was filled in the evening with city vehicles (good luck finding open parking in garage). read more

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Probably one of my favorite hotels so far in the Northern part of California! When I got into my room, it was like beautiful! I loved the vintage music player and telephone. The details in the room was an experience as well! The staff were so sweet and very helpful. The only thing was probably being able to hear upstairs and the rooms next to mine but I was exhausted when I got to my room so I was okay with sleeping thru it. Also, we had a great time outdoors in the patio area where we had a team happy hour and it was nice and intimate. We will be back in October for a big event in Merced and I am excited! I highly recommend! read more

My goto when I'm caught overnight in Merced. Always clean rooms and great hospitality. Great decor and inline with what you'd expect from a place costing 3x's as much. Love the complimentary water/sparkling fountains to fill your bottles. Located walking distance to good restaurants. Fitness center is well equipped and clean. Highly recommend for anyone in the area! read more

Had a great stay at El Capitan. We were just passing through so we only stayed a night. We stayed with our two small dogs and it was great. The design and decor were thoughtful and a vibe. Appreciated how there were multiple places to hang out and how convenient the restaurants and the shop were in the hotel. The ac worked great in our room and was thankful cause the heat was no joke outside. Every staff member was so friendly from the valet to the housekeepers. They even gave our pups a small toy and treat! read more

El Capitan Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

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Clean room, really comfortable and well decorated. Parking garage located around the corner or valet for only $15. Great restaurants on site which is a huge bonus! read more

This hotel blew my mind. Loved everything about it. The room was gorgeous and comfy. The decor is my dream furniture to have. Like I want to know where it's from so I can order it all. Has a gym with lots of equipment. Outdoor area with bar for ordering food and drinks. Cafe and restaurant located within the hotel. Valet and self parking available. I self parked and it's located close, a short walk to the hotel through a hotel key card walk way. read more

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This was a really nice surprise. I didn't expect such a nice hotel in Merced. A three day stay for a class reunion and it was perfect. The bar and restaurant were really nice. We had a junior suite which was perfect for the inevitable post reunion drop-ins. Parking garage was fine as well. I would definitely stay here again read more

Clean rooms & friendly staff. Make sure to try the Ricotta Pancakes during breakfast at rainbird downstairs. I will be staying here next time I return to visit family, thank you guys! read more

El Capitan Hotel - Ricotta Pancakes - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

What a nice surprise! The El Captitan is a wonderful hotel. The staff from desk clerks to valet and housekeepers were friendly and helpful. We had a King room and it has everything you need. The room was spotless and the bed was very comfortable. We went to the Rainbird restaurant at the hotel and it was phenomenal. They have a top notch chef and the service is excellent. In the morning we went to a cafe type restaurant there in the hotel. We had coffee and muffins. They also serve cocktails and lighter food. We will definitely be back. G Kelly read more

I stay here during my work visits. I usually do valet parking for $15 daily. Rooms are comfortable and newly remodeled. Love the vibe. Beds are soft and comfy, pillows are perfect softness. I love how soft the sheets are. I also like the filtered water & ice area on floor 3. read more

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Unfortunately I did not get to stay here, but I am writing a review because of the way the staff and hotel handled everything. I especially want to thank Ryan Anderson for assisting me and my friend who I was going to visit. Long story short - I was driving north to see a friend in the Georgetown area, and planned to stay at El Capitan on my way home from the visit. The Crozier fire broke out in my friend's area, and she was given evacuation orders. I had to cancel my trip. I called El Capitan to explain the situation, and my friend also called and spoke with Ryan. They handled the it was grace and understanding and I really can't thank them enough. Both my friend and I were under duress and stress with this, and I cannot wait to rebook at actually enjoy staying at El Capitan! read more

This is a lovely hotel. Great rooms, nice bedding, and the restaurant is a delicious ! The hotel is on a busy street and the hotel provides ear plugs if your a light sleeper. This is the nicest hotel in the area and if you're going to Yosemite or driving through this part of central California it's a great stop. The restaurant Redbirds is a find, just delicious.... read more

Had a beautiful breakfast there with my dad and family. They were very accommodating, especially on a busy day. I love the team and the staff who made our day even more special. And the food was good too. Thank you so much. read more

Nice hotel but the walls are paper thin, you can easily hear the folks in the next room.

What an amazing overnight stay. One of the highlights of a 4 day trip to Yosemite. Friendly staff, easy checkin, free parking. Had a wonderful meal and cocktails in the courtyard (the jazz music, martinis and beet salad made our day!) Really unique and nicely appointed rooms. Loved it and highly recommend! read more

This is a five star hotel for its value. We stayed here one night with 9k Hyatt points. Location: This area is pretty sad and dead. They got Mazier Theater around the corner and a new wine bar Hi-Fi Wine Bar and that's about it. We wonder who actually stay at this hotel. Parents visiting their college kids at UC Merced? Visiting Yosemite? Or a rest stop for driving between north and so cal? Parking: Free parking structure next to the hotel or valet parking. Room: We got junior king room as Globalist upgrade. The room is clean and spacious. Decor is cute and cozy. My favorite part of the room is the shampoo/conditioner/body wash dispensers on the shower wall. They use Beekman products, smell good. The dispensers give you generous amount of liquid, way better than usual small environmental not friendly bottles you see at other hotels. Soundproof isn't great like many other reviews said. Earplugs are provided if you need them. Hotel: They got a big courtyard with tons of seating area and fireplace with string lights above. Very cute place. They got a decent fitness center with Peloton bikes. They got one causal dining place and one fancier one, Birdsong. Globalist recognition: You got a Globalist goodie bag with half bottle wine, chocolate, almonds and dried fruit. Two water bottles a day. $20 breakfast credit per adult. Not bad. Again it's a great value. We would stay again if we are stopping by. read more

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Had to do some flight training in Merced for a few days and found this on the main strip close to the airport when searching for hotels. Absolutely amazing hotel establishment with a great gym, offstreet parking (parking garage next door), interior restaurants, beautiful interior patio, and modernized with a quant motif. Parking garage has a few cop cars so wasn't worried about security and the hotel is a few blocks from the Tesla supercharger. The room had everything I needed with a fridge, table, and great king sized mattress. Overall after my stay I would return and/or recommend for anyone looking to spend a night or a few in Merced as this lived beyond any expectation that I had. Cons: I only stayed here three nights. read more

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Upon entering hotel I saw a huge roach crawling across the floor. However the rooms and hotel itself is modern and aesthetically pleasing. The room seemed clean. read more

El Capitan Hotel - Lobby - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

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Of all the hotels that I've stayed at, El Capitan is easily one of the best experiences - once you get inside that is. I arrived around 11pm, and the entrance was extremely difficult to find. Parking is difficult, but once you find the parking structure, parking is thankfully included. The valet service is $15 / day and is a good way to avoid the trouble. The entrance is extremely difficult to find, but it's essentially where the Valet parking is. If you are walking from the parking structure, you'll need to walk around to the Valet. I wasted a good 15 minutes trying to find the entrance, and a phone call was not helpful as I was left on hold for 30 minutes - at 11pm at night! Once you make it inside, life is dandy. I got a single room, and I enjoyed all the amenities. I liked that they had filtered water and pump bottles in the shower to minimize waste. Although the space was tight, the experience there was super enjoyable that it really made up for the difficulty finding the entrance. The only annoyances were the regular sirens every other hour, but the hotel provided ear buds for a better sleeping experience. read more

Superb boutique hotel, exceptionally clean and spiffy, well designed with a lot of arty, non-corporate touches, great location on the main drag of downtown and super walkable, and with free parking (albeit a bit confusing in the beginning). Very sad to see it being converted to a non-Hyatt property after June 7th, but hopefully it will remain affordable. The drawing room has a sound system turntable and LP's with great coffee table books, even punk ones. Could it be any hipper? read more

We just spent the weekend at the El Capitan, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our room was spacious and attractive, and reasonably priced. Every person on the staff, from valet, to front desk, to housekeeping, to bell staff was welcoming and gracious -- we have seldom seen that level of helpfulness at any other property. The restaurant (Rainbird) staff were also outstanding, with a special shoutout to Mandy, who ensured all of our guests were well taken care-of in the patio. The location was convenient to restaurants and the historical downtown Merced area. We will definitely stay at the El Capitan on our next visit to Merced and highly recommend it! read more

Tonight we visited Native Sons. Enjoyed the Arugula salad and Portobello sandwich. I will definitely order the sandwich again. My favorite.... The CHIPS!!! Order the chips!! Again everyone we came in contact with was very friendly and helpful. Amanda our server for the evening was very attentive. read more

El Capitan Hotel - Portobello Sandwich.... The BEST a chips Arugula salad - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California