In the heart of downtown Merced, El Capitan Hotel offers a warm welcome with three on-site restaurants serving Californian cuisine and a 24-hour gym to keep you active. Connect to WiFi in public areas, unwind at the coffee shop or bar, and enjoy wedding services or concierge assistance from the helpful staff.
Merced County Courthouse Museum - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
Mercy General Hospital - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
Merced County Fairgrounds - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
Applegate Park Zoo - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
Merced College - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
Getting around
Merced, CA (MCE-Merced Municipal) - 9 min drive
Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 48 min drive
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl. Airport (SJC) - 128 min drive
Merced Station - 14 min walk
Restaurants
In-N-Out Burger - 10 min walk
Sonic Drive-In - 12 min walk
The Sensory Place by ASIP - 5 min walk
Taco Bell - 10 min walk
New Thai Cuisine - 7 min walk
About this property
El Capitan Hotel
At El Capitan Hotel, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of University of California Merced. Guests can visit the 24-hour fitness center for a workout or grab a bite to eat at Rainbird, one of 3 restaurants, which serves Californian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fellow travelers love the comfortable beds and helpful staff.
Languages
American (Sign language), English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese
At a glance
Hotel size
114 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
Children stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets allowed (2 total, up to 100 kg per pet)*
Service animals welcome
Pets must be supervised
Food and water bowls available
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Parking
Covered on-site valet parking (USD 15.00 per day)
Height restrictions apply for on-site parking
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge) each morning 6:00 AM–11:30 AM
3 restaurants
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Private dining
Traveling with children
Children stay free (see details)
What to do
Ecotours nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Working away
24-hour business center
4 meeting rooms
Services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Luggage storage
Wedding services
Porter/bellhop
Facilities
2 buildings/towers
Built in 2021
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Communal living room
24-hour fitness center
Accessibility
Braille/raised signage
Elevator
Elevator door width (inches): 80
Wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Assistive listening devices available
Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicle
Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
Wheelchair-accessible business center
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Visual alarms in hallways
Sign language-capable staff
Lowered peephole/view port in door
Lowered locks/deadbolt
Well-lit path to entrance
Stair-free path to entrance
Room amenities
Be entertained
49-inch flat-screen TV
Cable TV channels
Netflix
Streaming services
Home comfort
Air conditioning and heating
Coffee/tea maker
Bathrobes and slippers
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Down comforter
Blackout drapes/curtains
Premium bedding
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower only
Designer toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Desk
WiFi
Free local calls
Desk chair
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe (laptop compatible)
Special features
Dining
Rainbird - This restaurant specializes in Californian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are required.
Native Son - This café specializes in Californian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
The Courtyard - This bistro specializes in American cuisine and serves lunch, dinner, and light fare. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.
Mainzer - This diner specializes in American cuisine and serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately USD 20 per person
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 35.00 per accommodation, per night
Parking
Covered valet parking costs USD 15.00 per day
Parking height restrictions apply
Policies
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, American Express, Discover
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of GBAC STAR (Hyatt).
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
Frequently asked questions
Does El Capitan Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, El Capitan Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at El Capitan Hotel?
Yes, pets are welcome, with a limit of 2 total and maximum weight of 220 lbs per pet. There's a charge of USD 35.00 per accommodation, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees. Food and water bowls are available.
Is parking offered on site at El Capitan Hotel?
Yes. Valet parking costs USD 15.00 per day.
What are the check-in and check-out times at El Capitan Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Is there an onsite casino at El Capitan Hotel?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Poker Flats Casino (7-min walk) is nearby.
What is there to do at El Capitan Hotel and nearby?
Have fun with nearby activities like mountain biking, mountain climbing, and rock climbing. Additional recreation nearby includes ecotours. El Capitan Hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center.
Are there restaurants at or near El Capitan Hotel?
Yes, there are 3 onsite restaurants, featuring alfresco dining and Californian cuisine.
What's the area around El Capitan Hotel like?
El Capitan Hotel is a short 7-minute walk from Merced County Courthouse Museum and 19 minutes' walk from Merced County Fairgrounds. Travelers say the area is walkable and good for shopping.
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El Capitan Hotel Reviews
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.8/10
Cleanliness
9.6/10
Staff & service
9.4/10
Amenities
9.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
4 March 2025
Excellent Hotel
Great place to stay in downtown with many restaurants that are walking distance.
Eduardo
Eduardo, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
26 February 2025
Great Hotel
richard
richard, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
10 March 2025
Really liked the hotel. Clean, friendly staff, awesome view, like the building itself.
Adrienne
Adrienne, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
7 March 2025
The place to stay in Merced
All aspects of our stay at El Capitan from Valet parking, check in, Rainbird Restaurant, to room cleanliness and check out was excellent
Jerrold
Jerrold, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
9 March 2025
We loved our stay here! The room was nice and spacious. The large soaking tub was such a plus. And we especially loved that they had a little sign welcome our dog in the lobby- it made our day.
Audrey
Audrey, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
2 February 2025
Great place..
Ray
Ray, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
15 February 2025
Family trip
Very cute surprise in Merced, modern clean and great staff
andrew
andrew, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
21 February 2025
We always stay at the El Cap when visiting family in Merced.
It would be nice to have a discount code for the restaurants for online ordering.
Denise
Denise, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
9 December 2024
Beautiful hotel
Obed
Obed, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
2 December 2024
Loved the stay!
Jacseni
Jacseni, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
31 January 2025
Adventure
Really liked the old hotel vibe.
Cyndy
Cyndy, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
25 February 2025
Same
I have rated this Hotel a couple times already
Donald
Donald, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
1 January 2025
Very friendly staff. Clean and comfortable rooms. It’s also at a great location. We always stay here when we come to Merced.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
8 January 2025
Exceptional stay
This hotel was the cleanest place I've stayed at in a very long time!!! Iwas amazed with everywhere I went how clean it was.
Lillian
Lillian, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
1 February 2025
you will not be disappointed
Excellent hotel. Very high caliber. Room extremely and clean. Will def go back again
Leo
Leo, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
12 January 2025
NEAT PLACE
Was great! Comfortable and fair price
Ray
Ray, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
30 December 2024
Love this Hotel!!
Love it every time.
Staff is excellent!
Michael
Michael, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
14 November 2024
A great place to stay. Good service delicious food and good service.
Marjory
Marjory, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
26 January 2025
Always awesome!
Ray
Ray, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
18 January 2025
Recommended
Beautifull clean room.Will come back, prices are good too
Clara
Clara, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
13 November 2024
Always have a relaxing and private stay. Beautiful hotel.
Diego
Diego, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
21 October 2024
great hotel, amazing staff,
chris
chris, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 October 2024
Great hotel
It was a great hotel to stay at. The room was very nice and the staff were all great to me and my family.
Isaac
Isaac, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
25 November 2024
I like that they've brought this hotel back to life.
Todd
Todd, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
21 October 2024
Great stay in Merced
Wonderful hotel in downtown Merced! Beautifully decorated and great vibe!