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El Capitan Hotel

3.5 star property
VIP Access

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Photo gallery for El Capitan Hotel

Lobby
1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe
Meeting facility
Exterior detail
Indoor wedding

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Bar

Explore the area

View in a map
609 W MAIN STREET, Merced, CA, 95340
  • Place, Merced County Courthouse Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Merced County Fairgrounds
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Merced College
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Merced, CA (MCE-Merced Municipal)
    ‪9 min drive‬
VIP Access
Curated for quality and service, VIP Access stays consistently receive our highest guest ratings.
  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for BONUS+ members
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Room options

View all photos for Arbor Lane Queen

1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Arbor Lane Queen

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

View all photos for Arbor Lane King

1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Arbor Lane King

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(29 reviews)
  • 28 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Main Street King

Main Street King | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Main Street King

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

View all photos for Main Street Double Queen

Main Street Double Queen | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Main Street Double Queen

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(19 reviews)
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Junior Suite

1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Junior Suite

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

View all photos for Suite

Suite | 1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Suite

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

View all photos for Suite - Accessible

1 bedroom, premium bedding, down duvets, in-room safe

Suite - Accessible

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

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About this property

El Capitan Hotel

Hotel with 3 restaurants, a quick walk to Merced County Courthouse Museum
This smoke-free hotel features 3 restaurants, a 24-hour fitness centre and a bar/lounge. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a 24-hour business centre, a coffee shop/cafe and valet parking.
El Capitan Hotel offers 114 air-conditioned accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers. Beds feature down duvets and premium bedding. 49-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels and Netflix.

Bathrooms include a shower, bathrobes, slippers and designer toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include a hairdryer and an iron/ironing board. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include a 24-hour fitness centre.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the comfortable beds at El Capitan Hotel. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Regal Hollywood - Merced. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus 3 restaurants and a 24-hour gym. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls.
  • Free Wi-Fi in some public areas
  • Enjoy Californian cuisine while dining at Rainbird
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Valet parking available for a fee
  • Services include a concierge, a porter and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests really like the accommodation for the cleanliness and comfy beds
  • 7 minutes by foot from Merced County Courthouse Museum and a 1-minute drive from Merced County Fairgrounds
  • Dogs welcome free of charge
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
There are 3 restaurants on site, along with a coffee shop/cafΘ. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Business amenities include a 24-hour business centre and 4 meeting rooms.

Public spaces have free WiFi. The business-friendly El Capitan Hotel also features a 24-hour fitness centre, concierge services, and a front desk safe. For a fee, parking is available.

This 3.5-star Merced hotel is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast daily from 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Rainbird – This restaurant specialises in Californian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations are required.
Native Son – This café specialises in Californian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
The Courtyard – This bistro specialises in American cuisine and serves lunch, dinner and light fare. Guests can enjoy al fresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.
Mainzer – This diner specialises in American cuisine and serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Height restrictions apply for on-site 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 centre
  • 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
  • Lift (203 centimetre 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 centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 2 buildings
  • Ballroom
  • Built in 2021
  • Communal living room
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

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

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Dressing gowns
  • 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

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets are welcome and stay free
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Service fee: USD 5.61 per accommodation, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of GBAC STAR (Hyatt)
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.

We should mention

  • Children stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.

Property is also known as

El Capitan Hotel Hotel
El Capitan Hotel Merced
El Capitan Hotel Hotel Merced
El Capitan Hotel part of JdV by Hyatt
El Capitan Hotel Merced a Joie De Vivre Hotel

Reviews

El Capitan Hotel Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1214 out of 1485 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 187 out of 1485 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 49 out of 1485 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 1485 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 1485 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jace

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lizzie

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous hotel. Highly recommend. Great service and amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tony, Fort Worth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this hotel. The only complaint I have is not having access from the parking garage.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

lilianna

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central , liked it a lot. Everything within drivable distance
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

heidi

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a great experience at this lovely hotel. The room was comfortable and spacious and the staff was amazing. I ate at both restaurants in the lobby and was very very happy with my meal and cocktails. The location is great – right in the heart of Historic Main St., Merced
Rainbird restaurant in the lobby of the hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly, clean place to stay in Merced! Great location walking distance to multiple restaurants. Second stay here. Will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirby

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoyed my stay at the El Capitan. Staff was always friendly pleasant and eager to be helpful. The room was immaculately clean and very comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jesus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice area
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Juan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great experience!

The front desk staff was very helpful during both check in and check out! The room was very nice and comfortable! We will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

margaret

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The best interior design. Old hotel with modern "old library" twist. Very friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melva

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved staying here during visit with son and family! Very cute boutique hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great spaces, friendly staff, walkable neighborhood. Lovely stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Adolfo

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sridhar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Its good
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay!

We were just there overnight for business but it was great. The restaurant was remarkable. The staff was very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Zipporah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
My boyfriend and I were excited to stay here for a week—it looked nicer than other 5-star hotels in Merced. Unfortunately, the experience was the opposite. The walls have terrible insulation, so there's no privacy—you can hear everything, and apparently so can the neighbors. We even got noise complaints on nights we weren’t in the room, which felt invasive and discriminatory. It was impossible to relax. We couldn’t enjoy the TV or Wi-Fi (which they charge $5/day for), and felt like we were in a library. Meanwhile, actual noise like trains, cars, and loud party events at night didn’t seem to bother staff. The hotel is on a noisy street, and the area doesn’t match the high prices they charge. The amenities were disappointing: no free breakfast, tiny fridge, no microwave unless requested, slow-draining sink, and poor room service. The attitude from some staff made us feel unheard and judged—even when we explained the false complaints with proof. Thankfully, a kind employee gave us a refund, and we went to Best Western where we were finally able to rest. Overall, this place prioritizes appearance over comfort or fairness. Would not recommend if you want peace, privacy, or basic hospitality.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Elliott

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The El Capitan hotel is a perfect stop for someone who looking for a 1-2 night stay in between traveling. The thing that makes this hotel is the staff and the rooms. The staff were incredibly friendly, professional and explained everything clearly. They allow dogs here and even gave one of ours a toy! The rooms are clean and spacious with some nice amenities. What we didn’t appreciate was the restaurants. One had very little to offer besides a few basic sandwiches and drinks while the other was fine dining. We ended up ordering food from another place outside the property.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rae Ann

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diego

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
everyone was helpful and it was a very nice building.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A classic vibe! Great neon sign. Chic furnishings.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel. Cool vibe, comfortable and downtown Merced.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025