Merced, CaliforniaDowntown Merced
El Capitan Hotel
Camp-chic railroad inn
Downtown Merced Merced, California
Renovated
2021
Price
$$
Rated for
Design Heritage LocalOutside the door
The house
A New WaterlooCamp-chic railroad inn
Built for rail travelers heading into Yosemite, this revitalized inn channels outdoor nostalgia right in the center of town.
What it’s good at
Notable
Interiors by Nicole Hollis match retro camp furnishings with custom landmark wallpaper.
Listed
Rainbird sources seasonal ingredients directly from Central Valley farms along the Yosemite route.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The rooms and suites are visually distinctive — the look is contemporary but retro-inspired, and contains numerous references to Merced’s (and California’s) history.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
The historic Mainzer Theatre sits just down the block, and the rest of downtown Merced is an easy walk.
The rooms
Rooms come in warm, earthy tones, fitted with record players and custom wallpaper depicting regional landmarks.
The gym
Treadmills and Peloton bikes face floor-to-ceiling windows in the gym, set beneath a teal ceiling.
Bar
Native Son
The blue-tiled bar serves espresso and pastries in the morning, then shifts to craft cocktails and wine at night.
Restaurant
Rainbird
Tan leather banquettes furnish the dining room, named for the regional bird whose call signals incoming rain and bountiful harvests.
At the table
Blue leather banquettes line diamond-tiled floors for morning coffee, and an open-air courtyard serves drinks in the evening.
How it began
President Ulysses S. Grant stayed at the original 1872 hotel, decades before the present building opened in 1912.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.