Yes the hotel is pretty cool within walking distance to restaurants, wine bars, coffee and delicious sandwiches. But disappointed with some of the communication read on. Front clerk failed to mention: When you arrive you may get mixed up seeing two black doors locked go around the corner on Main Street no sign to tell you that. Parking is free on 18th street very easy walk. WiFi is free no password needed. There is a gym on site. Choose "Main Street king" bed huge difference if you pick queen bed tiny room. $20 dollar difference worth it. Wine bar next door is great but you can purchase wine at the hotel cafe much cheaper. I kept going back to the wine bar next door really cool place and people. Try lovers deli for pizza or killer sandwiches walking distance. Great coffee and breakfast at hola cafe across from deli kinda. Enjoy read more

Third stay at El Capitan Hotel. Previous visits were great, this one was the weakest. Bathroom lotion was half empty and clearly used. Front desk felt less welcoming than before. I love this hotel for being dog-enthusiastic (treats and toys for pets), I had to ask if they stopped offering that heartwarming bonus. Also never received the food/beverage voucher that came with the Expedia booking. The bigger issue: my daughter needed an antacid. Nothing on hand--even most motels keep basic necessities available. Staff suggested I walk ~30 minutes in the dark to Walgreens. I'm a solo woman with my daughter. That's not acceptable. Rooms and design are still nice. Service and basic guest care slipped this time. read more

Love this hotel!! It's a classic modernized in the heart of Merced. Staff is accommodating and handles any issues quickly! Love all their restaurants and had one of the best cocktails in there outside lobby bar- a Mediterranean salty dog! Gin and grapefruit tonic. Simple yet amazing read more

El Capitan Hotel - Salty dog - Hotels Near Me - Merced, California

On this trip, El Capitan was a destination; our previous visit was so impressive (room, bar, personnel. ) This week was not as good. We splurged and ate at their restaurant, Rainbird. The food was attractive and my husband's goat cheese ravioli was excellent. I found the scallops too salty, the sweet potatoes too diluted, and as far as vegetables, the pea pods shown. Our bed was not comfortable and paint was peeling off the headboard. However, again we found the staff from valet, to desk, to waitress amazing!! I realize I should have asked for changes, but honestly, we were exhausted. My bad. read more

Great hotel rooms and excellent service, very accommodating. Good parking, in a decent part of town.

Pretty neat and clean hotel, access to it is a little confusing because the structure is not attached to the El Capitan hotel. You're better off parking on the street. The structure looks very sketchy anyway. We enjoyed our stay, there's no pool or hot tub, but there's a gym & an outdoor quad area. Lots of things walking distance like this nice little juice bar called kind neighborhood juice bar. I got to try some tasty smoothies that have a lot of great benefits. The hotel feels like it's a man's hotel because of the dark colors like dark forest green with black. The shower threw me off because it has only one door and it doesn't slide over so you have an open side to the shower so water is getting out as your showering, I love the colors in the bathroom though. They have FREE coffee in the room you just steep in your mug like a tea bag. Inside they also have an electric kettle for hot water. I like that they have ice and water on the 3rd floor. Best croissants around here are mankley's donuts. Best coffee is Hola Cafe. Cute little town of Merced. read more

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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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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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This hotel went above and beyond our expectations. Wonderful service, friendly staff, clean rooms, great little coffee shop and restaurant. Overall vibe was so cozy and had a nice vintage style. We loved it so much we booked an extra night. We'll definitely be back again when we're in town again. read more

I was pretty disappointed with this stay given the great reviews. The interior is very nice but that's pretty much it. Room: Clean, but walls were super thin and I barely slept during my one night stay due to someone that had a super loud kid nearby. Seems like the AC was also automatically turned off and wouldn't turn back on at some point during the night which was insanely irritating given how hot it was. This was literally middle of the night. Also, the bedside lamp didn't work which was annoying. Service: The guys who open the door for you at the entrance are very nice, but the guy at the front desk was not friendly at all. I had to greet him upon walking in, and I don't think he smiled once. Just an awkward and weird interaction. Parking: Annoying. It's in a separate structure that you have to walk over to and signage isn't great so good luck. I wouldn't go back. read more

Excellent hotel beautiful clean new rooms customer service is always on point. Hotel has its own bar/ restaurant very friendly staff. Geographically centered.on the strip. This will be my go to place when I come and visit. Thank you Joe Moreno. read more

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

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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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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Stayed here last week on a business trip and really enjoyed it! Beautiful refurbished hotel. Loved my nice clean room - had a comfy bed and a great shower. The shower was a walk-in that didn't have a door, so I was concerned the floor would be soaked, but O used the bath mat and it just had a few drops on it. Our group got coffee at Native Sun on our way to our morning meetings both days, and also had lunch there one day. I enjoyed everything. (Get the roast beef sandwich- yum!) We brought our own wine and sat on the beautiful outdoor patio to chat in the evening - asked the staff for plastic cups and they offered us wine glasses! Wow! Also ate one night at Mainzer and enjoyed the food there, too! (Go on taco Tuesday for great taco and margarita deals!) Overall it was a great experience. Definitely recommend! read more

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 at the hotel for one night, since I was in town for a conference. The hotel receives 5 stars for atmosphere, room, value, cleanliness, service, and amenities. However, the 1-star rating is for shady/suspect billing practices, which trumps the 5-star rating. I booked the room online last month, and the rate was $107/night, with taxes $135. When I went to check out, the young lady at the desk asked if I wanted a receipt. I answered, "Yes." Then, she explained that she could not give me a receipt because I booked through Expedia. I did not book my reservation through Expedia. I asked her what my rate was, and she said it was $87/night and that my total, including taxes, was $103. I explained that this was not what I had paid up front and that I would need a receipt to dispute it, since the price was off by $32. I again explained that I never booked through Expedia, and she explained that there is a glitch on their website and that sometimes customers are steered to 3rd-party websites. She also explained that if I need their services again, to call instead of using their website. What???!!! We're in the 21st century, where booking through websites is a common practice. The merchant knows there is a problem with their website, but they want me to make a reservation by phone? No, thank you. Thankfully, she provided me with a receipt, and when I got home after the conference, I called my credit card company. The customer service rep explained that the hotel industry sometimes uses this tactic -- having customers pay a higher rate through a third party, then explaining that the rate was lower and claiming they cannot provide a receipt. For the record, when I looked at my credit card bill the charge was to HotelsOne, not Expedia. In the future, if I am ever in that area again, I will either book elsewhere in the same city or stay in a different city. 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

Beautiful hotel in downtown Merced. An hour and a half away from El Portal--cozy, clean, and comfortable. Super friendly and attentive staff added to the pleasant atmosphere. 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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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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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 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 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

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

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

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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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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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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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

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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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 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

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

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