Stayed here one night just passing through and didn't want to leave! The rooms were so clean and comfortable. Such a charming place. Highly recommend! read more

BEWARE: Hotel and staff were great. It was the FREIGHT TRAIN going by every hour or two all night long that got the 2 stars. read more

A charming West Texas gem with vintage flair and genuine hospitality. I've driven along I-10 between El Paso and points east more times than I can count, but somehow, I'd never stopped at Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn--a fact that has repeatedly surprised my physician, who has raved about it for years. Now I understand why. Hotel El Capitan is part of a small group of historic hotels in Texas (think Hotel Paisano in Marfa), and it brings that same kind of cinematic charm and small-town elegance to Van Horn. While most of the lodging in the area consists of typical roadside chains, El Capitan stands out as a true destination--picturesque, warm, and full of character. The experience begins with a beautiful courtyard that feels like a hidden oasis. There's a fountain at the center and plenty of outdoor seating, where guests can enjoy food and drinks from the on-site restaurant. Inside, the lobby is cozy and inviting--exactly the kind of place you want to settle into after a long drive. Though Van Horn is only about 90 minutes from El Paso, I was glad I made the decision to spend the night. My room had a charming mid-century vibe, with furniture that looked lovingly preserved from the 1950s or '60s. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and to my delight, the room included a private outdoor patio with two chaise lounges and a table--perfect for a quiet moment under the West Texas sky. The restaurant, like the hotel itself, keeps things traditional but thoughtful. The menu leans Texas-style with clear Mexican influences, and the service was warm and attentive. I ordered the pistachio-crusted chicken with a glass of wine, and it was the ideal wind-down meal. The next morning's breakfast buffet hit all the right notes--classic continental offerings with a few Southwestern touches that made it feel more personal. While I may not have frequent reasons to stay overnight in Van Horn, I'm really glad I took the detour this time. Hotel El Capitan is a little slice of West Texas history and hospitality, and it absolutely deserves its reputation as a must-see stop on the road. read more

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The hotel is cute, the staff are nice. I hate to say anything negative about people in hospitality as it's hard work, but I've never seen anything like this in a room let alone a $200 one. My bed was a bloody mess that covered all sheets and the pillows. I'm hesitant to post a picture because it's a bit gory. I'm honestly not sure how this can happen in a hotel room. I couldn't sleep in it. read more

Hotel El Capitan - Bloody mess - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

Historic old hotel. It's dated but it has a lot of charm. The restaurant had a really good dinner. We ate here more than once. The rooms were large. The bathrooms on the small side. Staff was very attentive. read more

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Never would have guessed this place existed until we read the reviews! Glad we are staying here! The restaurant is incredible. Hostess was phenomenal as well as our server! Where we would have gone and spent well over $200 for our drinks and tasty food anywhere else, our bill was only $99! We will consider this our regular stop halfway to Tucson. Highly recommend. Even the gentleman at the front desk was very helpful and courteous. read more

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We were driving through headed to El Paso and decided to stop in Van Horn and get dinner at the hotel's restaurant. This hotel is so lovely and has so much charm and character. I love how they have restored its history. My favorite were the vaults that they kept from when it was a bank. One is behind the bar where they store their liquor and the other one is a gift shop. The dinner was great and the service was so welcoming and on point. read more

Everything. From the warm cookies at checkin to the sumptuous dinner in the Gofer hole bar restaurant. Everything is just as I should be. Van Horns premier Hotel. read more

Amazing hotel Beautifully decorated for the holidays. The bar was cozy and relaxing read more

Hotel El Capitan - My traveling emotional support plant enjoying the fireplace. Lol - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

Stayed at this hotel for a night on my way back home. It is so unique and amazing! I really wanted to give it 4 stars because I am sensitive to smells and this hotel had a hint of a smell that was not bad but just odd smelling or something. Could not quite put my finger on it. Saying that, The smell thing(which is not bad just odd) was the ONLY negative I can tell you about. EVERYTHING ELSE AND I MEAN EVERYTHING ELSE WAS AMAZING!!!!! Let me just say this, I recently spent some time at The Savoy Hotel in London, England and as good as that was I am going to boast about The El Capitan. The room was clean, the bed linens were superior, the pillows were amazing. The bed was so comfortable! The bathroom linens were superior. The bathroom was sparkling clean. The shower was great! The bathroom fan and heater worked perfectly. The bedroom had a ceiling fan that made our nights rest so amazing!!!!! There was bottled water in our room free to us. This hotel blew me away. To top this ALL off, Alma, The very very nice lady at the front desk had HOT COFFEE in the hotel lobby ready at 4:30am to enjoy! It was the best coffee!!!! There is a cozy reading room with a small book store off to the side of the lobby that was just perfect to enjoy my morning coffee in. I cannot wait to go back and stay at The El Capitan again but for a longer stay. read more

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An unexpected gem! We were traveling from Texas to Arizona with our dog and I was looking online for a pet friendly chain hotel to stay the night. I then saw a billboard along I10 for the El Capitan and it read "pet friendly" so we checked it out. Upon arrival, we were able to book a room with the friendly front desk staff. The room, albeit small, was super cute and clean. It even had a nice outdoor patio with a water fountain. We had dinner at the restaurant and then their free breakfast in the morning. It was really good. They have a very cute outdoor courtyard so you can eat with your pet(s). The parking lot was very lit up at night so we felt our vehicle was protected. This place was a nice change from the cookie cutter chain hotels. Very unique, very southwest. We would most definitely stay here again!! read more

MUST stop on way to Big Bend National Park. This old Hoosier couple live historical hotels and El Capitan was overflowing. Parking was FREE, ample, easy and extremely well lit. Front courtyard needs a little TLC from a living Gardner, but was still sweet. Yes, rooms are on smaller side, but very clean. Bathrooms are the same. Great water pressure which feels great when you are on a road trip. Attached restaurant had bar stocked with thousands of liquors. Sylvia was our kind, informative waitress. Food and drinks were well prepared and tasty. I was allowed to take my second drink to our room. Cookies at front desk when we checked in were delicious. Highly recommend for a relaxing, enjoyable stop! Enjoy! read more

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We stayed at the Hotel El Capitan for a second time the 4th of April, 2025. We had dinner downstairs in the restaurant as we had done before. They offered a Flat Iron Steak, which is one of my favorites. I ordered it very rare and it was delicious! all the sides were great too. Good service and great surroundings in this former bank from the 1930s. We'll be back if we can get the suite room again. read more

Very cool place we stopped at on trip between Palm Springs and New York. Superbowl day - we watched game on in the restaurant. Had drinks and dinner. Very nice and food was good as well. Very down home vibe from our waitress. Highly recommend EL CAPITAIN!!! read more

Stayed here on our way to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It's a historical hotel that was refurbished. The courtyard and lobby are beautiful and it feels like you've stepped back in time. The front desk staff were friendly and checked us in quickly. The room was small but worked fine for our quick stay. A small bathroom but everything in it worked well! Had a small balcony overlooking the courtyard. We also ate at the hotel restaurant and had a wonderful experience. And from a drive around town, this hotel and restaurant are likely the best in town! (And affordable!) read more

Hotel El Capitan - Outside hotel - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

The trains ran all night long, finally dozed off at around 5 am. I am talking long muti engine freight trains with super loud air horns, appreciably less than a football field away. No clue how this place got its ratings. The folks here very nice, but after paying around $200 for a cramped room with tiny hard to tune in TV, just no fun despite nice folks that work here, read more

Hotel is great. Rooms and bathrooms are clean. Reastraunt/bar on-site. Great retro-vibes. Definitely a win.

If you drive from San Antonio to Santa Fe often, you likely never make it to Van Horn. This wonderful historic hotel should lure you away from your normal route since it is surely the most charming place you could overnight on the way. It can best be described as an oasis, and also took us right past Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The hotel, elegantly built in 1930, spent time as a bank but thankfully has been restored to its highest and best use. Try this route and you will thank me for it. Welcoming to dogs, by the way. read more

We love this hotel! Such a cool oasis in a remote place. It has been meticulously restored and modernized, and we have absolutely no complaints. You should come here if you are in the area. The restaurant is excellent. The staff is excellent and friendly. Everything is clean and up to date. So far, I have only lounged on the bed but it also feels very good. A true gem in the middle of nowhere. read more

This is a must if you are driving through West Texas on I10. It's an architectural gem with amazing accommodations. Great service. Excellent restaurant. I just can't say enough great things. I am so thrilled I finally got a chance to stay there. It is also pet friendly. My dog gave it 5 stars too. read more

Hotel El Capitan - Patio at El Capitan - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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It's just going to rate the restaurant first. The food was amazing. Had the prime burger which tasted like a burger from the backyard grill. Absolutely delicious. The fries were hot, crispy and very good. Also had the sweet and spicy shrimp which were fat and super tasty. Thank you for having Heineken Zero beer. To finish the meal was pecan pie loaded with pecans. Service was excellent. Only downside was the coffee. Otherwise a wonderful experience. read more

Very clean and nicely decorated The room was great and a very comfortable bed! The staff were all very nice read more

Gorgeous boutique hotel and the front facing rooms are well preserved and maintained. However for the premium price, the interior of rooms with private patios, unfortunately they have been neglected. Patio furniture was dirty. Outdoor fountain didn't work. Outdoor patio lights didn't work. Uninformed front desk staff. Poor communication from management about new breakfast program. Breakfast was less than to be desired although the fresh strawberries were sweet and delicious. As I had hoped for the hot breakfast of eggs (tasted like powdered), hash browns ( soggy), and link sausage (lil greasy), bagels, cereal, boxed oj and milk, low-fat yogurt, waffle maker, fresh tomatillo salsa, hot coffee with half and half minis. I had really hoped for the price we paid $180/night, that our experience and room would have met our expectations;( Dining room does not have outdoor seating. read more

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First visit to El Capitan Hotel in Van Horn, Texas. Built in the 1930s, it shares similar design elements with the Hotel Paisano in Marfa. Both constructed by  Henry Trost; I must say he got it right. Place is still beautiful as I sit on my private patio this morning. Yes, the place has it's quirks. It's 90 years old as I type this review! Bit of a draft from the patio door that could be felt even under the covers. Locks barely secure the door. The walls surrounding the patio were fairly tall so I didn't worry too much. Drinks in the bar were an excellent way to start your experience. House made rolls were uhhhmazing. GF had the wedge salad; I drank my dinner with one roll as an appetizer. We unfortunately didn't get the full spread Continental Breakfast as an employee called in. Best part of the stay was hearing some lonely cries around 5am in the hallway. A HUGE cat nicknamed Cheese Puff came into our room and hung out with us. Very talkative and friendly soul; reminded me of my kitty I have at home and some others I've met along my travels. One star knocked off because we didn't get any cooked food for breakfast. Otherwise, El Capitan is worth a visit if you happen to be in West Texas. Not too pricey versus it's sister hotel in Marfa. We're headed for steaks in Fabens, Texas as soon as I close this laptop. Haven't done a live review in awhile....Ol' Rooster signing out! read more

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If you're going through Van Horn, Tx and need a clean and comfortable hotel this is the best place to stay! Great dinner in the restaurant! The Staff was great in hotel and restaurant. read more

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The hotel has a rich history and friendly staff. The patio and lobby are charming. The breakfast included is very nice.

My son and I went to the Hotel El Camino for dinner. We loved the food and the service was great. The only complaint we had was that the acoustics were horrible. Between the noise of the other diners and the music we could not really carry on a conversation between us. read more

Hotel El Capitan - National Margarita Day - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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We were so excited to find an alternative accommodation in Van Horn. We typically stay at Holiday Inn Express when traveling. After reviewing the website and photos we quickly made a reservation and cut our drive a little short from the original destination of El Paso. We checked in, dropped our bags and were off to have a bite to eat. Overall the meal was excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the spinach artichoke dip and chips appetizer. It was by recommendation of the server. Our main entree and sides were yummy. The steak, shrimp, pork chop, green beans and asparagus were excellent. The mashed potatoes temperature was slightly warm, which with experience in the food industry, led me to believe the heating element for the potatoes was not working properly or maybe they were placed on the plate too soon before the other items were ready. We did mention it to the manager that was walking around checking on the guests. The meal was very filling and we could not indulge in dessert. Our loss I'm sure. We retreated to our room and decided to call it an early night as we had a bit of extra driving the following day. Unfortunately this is where the rainbows and butterflies experience faded. Unbeknownst to us we were about to experience a very rude awakening, literally. From the moment we turned the lights out and shut the curtains a cycle of passing trains started. Due to the proximity to the hotel the horn blasting was unnerving and jolting. Up until bedtime the experience and adventure of Hotel Capitan had been super cool. At least if we had gotten a heads up we could have picked up earplugs to drown out the trains. Maybe that should be a sweet and thoughtful complimentary item to hand out at check-in or left on your pillow with a cute poem to soften the negative experience. We ended up waking up 5 times and decided to leave at 3:30am. I would definitely consider staying again if we drive through the area, but not without earplugs. read more

Hotel El Capitan - Raspberry glazed pork chop, green beans and mashed potatoes. - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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What a quaint Historic Hotel in Van Horn, Texas. I saw Hotel El Capitan a few years ago and decided that the next time we drive through Van Horn, we would stay here instead of one of the chains along I-10. We had a king room with an enclosed patio. Yes, it's a little snug but that's what you get in older hotels. The bed was very comfortable, nice bath and the patio large enough to have a small patio table and lounger. The on-site restaurant is very good and I didn't feel it was overpriced at all. Had a great pecan encrusted salmon and a toasted smoked 1/2 chicken. They were both amazing. The complimentary breakfast was very good and filling. I saw that they had muffins and some other things but I couldn't get past the fresh made breakfast burritos! OMG, they were amazing and huge. They are also dog friendly which is a plus for us. Staff was very pleasant, check in was quick. I would highly recommend staying here. read more

Hotel El Capitan - Hotel sign - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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adorable boutique hotel, with fun historical facts. Hotel is clean and well furnished. Each of the 50 rooms has been remodeled and has a private bath. The baths are small but nicely adorned with penny tile flooring. The rooms are small and quaint with everything you need for a good nights rest. One suggestion for this hotel is to offer complimentary earplugs in the room as the walls tend to be thinner and the train is mere yards away and drives through frequently! we also ate at the on-site resturant/bar. Our service was efficient and the food was good, except the ceviche. (shrimp appetizer) It was not tasty at all. However, everything else we ordered was great, pork chop meal and wedge salad. read more

Hotel El Capitan - court yard - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

Super. Through and through.., Friendly staff. Beautifully restored historic hotel. Great bed. Outstanding complimentary Breakfast. Fresh fruit. Hot food. Best strawberries we have eaten. This is a delightful stay place. Very friendly people. Locals, dining Room food was excellent. Reasonable price. Rain comes through town. Frequently! Not a interference. Sorta vintage nice! read more

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Probably the only place you would want to stay in actual downtown Van Horn. I was road tripping some and decided to stay here for the night before moving on to Carlsbad Caverns the next morning. It's perfect for that because the road to Carlsbad is literally right across the street from the parking lot. Older hotel, older smaller rooms, that have been nicely remodeled and looked like one of the reasons the rooms are so small because they added a bathroom and closet space to it. However, it was fine for me. Bedding was nice and mattress was comfortable. Bathroom was small but adequate. Front desk check in was easy and quick and everyone was friendly, to the point of forcing cookies on me. The bar and restaurant was pretty good. Food was about average, drinks were good and seemed reasonably priced. Lotta people working in town came in to eat and drink while I was there. Anyway, it's a nice old hotel. Rooms updated and comfortable. Not much else in town but I did notice passing back through there are a couple of chain hotels a few miles west of town. It was quiet and I'd have no problem staying here again. read more

Talk about finding a diamond in the rough! Hotel El Capitan was an amazing find for my wife and I. First of all, you walk in and the place looks great. It's like walking into a brand new upscale hotel in the 1930's. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the room was very comfortable and clean. We go a balcony room so we could sit outside in our own little secluded area and relax. The HUGE bonus is the restaurant/bar. We went down for dinner and we were blown away by the menu and the quality of the food we saw coming out of the kitchen. We didn't get too fancy, we just had hamburgers, but these were no ordinary hamburgers. They were huge, delicious and cooked to perfection. This will be our new spot when traveling across Texas! We may even just plan trips back here read more

I hoped that this place survived La Rona and I am so glad that it did!! I haven't had the opportunity to stop here since 2019, but revisited earlier this month and it was just as amazing. We intentionally planned to stay here and I'm so happy that we did. The restaurant and hotel staff were warm & gracious as ever and the entire experience was satisfying. My husband and I split the ribeye for dinner and it was amazing! Tip: Room 222 has another room attached to it and that was a nice feature while traveling with kiddos. I will ask specifically for this room the next time. read more

It is such a beautiful place. When we were there it was Decorated for Christmas and was awesome. Excellent restaurant and bar. Nice gardens. read more

Hotel El Capitan - Entryway/garden/fountain - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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I did research on this hotel prior and I was so excited about the history and the architecture and then when I was there, I wish I could've spent a couple more nights. Every single employee had the best personalities in the restaurant. The food menu was fabulous, and the food was delicious the bar you name it they could make it And my room was spectacular. I don't know what else to say! This will be a place we will return to! read more

Just a beautiful place to stay. Only problem we had was another guest hit my truck in the parking lot and left. No cameras in the parking lot for security. I didn't discover the damage until we were almost home. Damage is in the passenger side front panel. Local police said I had to come in to file a hit and run report. Are you kidding me? read more

This hotel is a tourist destination as a fully remodeled 1930s historical building. The first level of the hotel includes the lobby, a restaurant, and a small gift shop. It is decorated in a rustic, western theme that is warm and inviting. The staff at the front desk are friendly and helpful. They often have cookies and fruit-infused water available in the lobby. The hotel is pet-friendly and I enjoyed seeing the pets other guests brought in. I traveled here alone and was pleased to see that there is only one guest entrance, which I feel makes it safer for staff to keep on eye on who enters the hotel. Their parking lot can become quite full on weekend nights with the restaurant attracting a lot of visitors. If you are driving a large truck, you may need to park on the side of the road. I stayed in a one-bed room with no balcony. It was ADORABLE. I really loved the classic decor. Everything looked in good shape and the bed was super comfy. The room did get a little chilly at night near the large windows (it was 30° outside), but the heater kept up nicely and the bathroom had it's own heater as well. This hotel is older, so the walls are a little thin and you can hear guests talking and walking through the hallways or closing their doors. It is far enough away from I-10 that the highway noise is not too noticable. The train can be pretty noisy, but it is infrequent at night and many West Texans are used to it anyways. The continental breakfast is a bit of a let down. They have a few fruits and some pre-packaged snacks available as well as some pre-cooked type breakfast sandwiches or rolls. I wished they had some local pastries or other quick breakfast items that were a little more unique. Overall, I think this hotel is really cute and I felt very safe here. I cannot say this about many other spots in Van Horn. I would definitely suggest staying here if you find yourself out this way. read more

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What a pleasant surprise! We had a problem with another hotel and came here for dinner! Oh my gosh!! The food and service was wonderful! So we ended up staying at the hotel! Which did not disappoint! Friendly service, cute room, free laundry (wish I would've found that last night lol), cookies at checkin, and breakfast! I can't wait to come back! read more

Hotel El Capitan - Hotels Near Me - Van Horn, Texas

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Old style hotel built in 1910 . A stop that is a must as you are driving from CA to TX. It is also the cut off to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The food is great and service is equally as good. The house salad was fresh large full of veggies and mixed greens which was a perfect accompaniment to the pistachio crusted chicken fried steak. The steak is smothered with jalapeños gravy and a side of asparagus. The rooms have high ceilings and if you are lucky you can hear the train going by in the morning. We will be back. read more

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