Top Merced Hotel Deals

Make the Most of Your Merced Stay

Gateway to natural wonders

Merced anchors California's Central Valley as the official gateway to Yosemite National Park, positioned less than 2 hours from the park's Arch Rock entrance via Highway 140. The city has evolved from its 1872 railroad origins into a surprisingly sophisticated destination, where downtown's restored Art Deco landmarks like the 1931 Merced Theatre stand alongside contemporary hotels. The arrival of UC Merced in 2005—the first new American research university of the 21st century—brought fresh energy to this agricultural hub, creating an unexpected blend of academic innovation and Central Valley authenticity.

Elevated dining and cultural revival

Downtown's transformation centers on Rainbird, where Executive Chef Quentin Garcia crafts tasting menus celebrating hyper-local ingredients in a Forbes-recognized setting that rivals anything in larger California cities. The quarterly Merced Art Hop activates the walkable Main Street District, recently designated as one of California's 14 official Cultural Districts. The Castle Air Museum houses over 70 restored military aircraft including an SR-71 Blackbird, while the Merced National Wildlife Refuge provides front-row access to 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes each winter.

Strategic Central Valley position

Merced Regional Airport offers direct connections to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, while Amtrak's San Joaquins line links the city to Sacramento and the Bay Area. Business travelers appreciate UC Merced's conference facilities and infrastructure serving the region's agricultural technology sector.

Frequently Asked Questions about Merced

Can I book hotels in Merced on Delta Stays using miles?

Yes, you can book your hotel stay in Merced using your Delta miles, or a combination of miles and cash. Upon accessing your Delta SkyMiles® account, you will find Member-valued offers at participating properties that could enhance your visit.

What are the benefits if I use Delta Stays to book my hotel stay in Merced?

As a SkyMiles Member, you will earn 2 miles per $1 spent on completed hotel stays and vacation rentals reserved through Delta Stays. Plus, you will receive access to Member promotions at select properties, along with the option to complete payment using miles, cash, or a combination. To ensure you earn your miles, simply sign in to your SkyMiles account or enter your SkyMiles number at checkout when paying with cash. Please allow up to 8 weeks after completing a stay for miles to appear in the SkyMiles account provided. Please also note that if you use miles to pay for any portion of your stay, you will not earn miles on that reservation, including any amount paid with cash.

What is the policy to change or cancel my hotel booking made through Delta Stays?

Each property maintains its own cancellation policy. We suggest reviewing the cancellation policies displayed in the detailed information for each hotel before completing your reservation. Some rates may be refundable, while others may be non-refundable. Please note that if you make changes to or cancel your booking, this may affect the number of miles you earn and receive in your account.

Can my Delta SkyMiles® American Express® Card be used for booking?

Your Delta SkyMiles® Gold, Platinum, or Reserve American Express® Card offers enhanced mileage earning potential along with a suite of benefits, including an annual statement credit up to $200 that can be utilized for prepaid accommodations when booking through Delta Cars and Stays. Please note that terms apply to these offerings. To gain a full understanding of your card's complete benefits package, we recommend visiting the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Credit Cards page where detailed information about all your cardholder privileges is available for review.

Can I earn MQDs on Delta Stays hotel bookings?

From time to time, Delta Stays may present special opportunities for SkyMiles Members to earn Medallion® Qualification Dollars on their hotel and vacation rental bookings made through Delta Stays. For the most current MQD earning opportunities and their associated requirements, we recommend visiting the dedicated Delta Stays MQD Offer page where you can review all available offers and their corresponding terms and conditions.

In order to book a hotel on Delta Stays, do I need to be a Delta SkyMiles Member?

Delta Stays provides hotel booking services to all customers. However, registering as a SkyMiles Member enhances your experience by allowing you to earn miles and access Member pricing and promotions. As a SkyMiles Member, you will receive 2 miles per $1 spent through Delta Cars and Stays (not including taxes and other charges). Joining the SkyMiles program is entirely free. Register today by visiting the delta.com.

On Delta Stays, can I book a vacation rental?

Yes, Delta Stays extends beyond conventional hotel offerings to include a wide selection of vacation rentals for your travel accommodations. Explore the variety of homes, condos, and unique accommodations powered by Vrbo on the Vacation Rentals page.

Which hotels have good ratings in Merced?

In Merced, you’ll find 18 hotels to choose from when you book on Delta Stays. El Capitan Hotel has a guest rating of 9.6 out of 10, and features 3 restaurants and a bar/lounge.

What's a good time of year to visit Merced?

To experience Merced during great weather, consider a visit in September when the temperature averages 75°F and the skies are mostly sunny with no rainfall. For off-peak prices and more deals on hotels, consider visiting during January when temperatures reach a cooler 55°F with mostly cloudy skies and light rain.

What hotels in Merced are near Merced County Fairgrounds?

The annual Merced County Fair transforms these grounds each June with live music, carnival rides, and regional cuisine that celebrates Central Valley agriculture and local traditions. One popular hotel is El Capitan Hotel which is an 18-minute walk.

What hotels in Merced are near Merced County Courthouse Museum?

Step into California's 1875 Italianate courthouse, now showcasing 3 floors of local history exhibits. The restored marble features and original architecture make this free museum worth exploring. Popular hotels include El Capitan Hotel which is steps away.

What hotels in Merced are near Applegate Park Zoo?

This intimate sanctuary rescues over 75 California animals, from bears to bobcats, where visitors can feed goats at the petting area and learn about local wildlife conservation efforts. One popular hotel is El Capitan Hotel which is a 15-minute walk.

*Terms and conditions:

Mileage Offer:

SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window on the base hotel rate for a completed hotel stay. Base hotel rate is the cost of the hotel room, before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking or upon checkout. Taxes and fees, gratuities, room service other booking charges, or any bookings which are paid or reduced by miles, redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit. For clarity, if miles are used as a form of payment (whether for all or a portion of the booking), no portion of the booking will be eligible to earn miles under this offer. Except with respect to the Hertz Mileage offer (listed below), SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per eligible US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Cars on the base car rental rate for a completed car qualifying rental booking (“Qualifying Dollars”). A qualifying rental booking includes rentals at a participating location for one or more days at rates other than travel industry rates or discounts, wholesale of tour package rates or discounts, wholesale tour package rates, insurance/dealer replacement rates, corporate and government rates, group travel discounts, or rentals in conjunction with a frequent flyer car award, or other corporate agreements applicable to the respective car company. Calculation of the applicable standard mileage offer is listed below by car rental company. Qualifying Dollars include the base car rental rate, which is the cost of the car rental before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking. Taxes, fees, other incidental charges, or other booking charges or any bookings which are paid or reduced by redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit and are not included in the Qualifying Dollars.

This mileage offer does not apply to stays or car rentals booked through Delta Vacations or any cruises booked through Delta Cruises.

Standard mileage offer for car rentals booked at https://www.delta.com/Opens in a new window or https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window:

Hertz Reservations:

• General SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Silver Medallions earn 5 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Gold Medallions earn 6 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Platinum Medallions earn 7 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Diamond Medallions earn 8 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Dollar and Thrifty Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis, Budget, Payless and SIXT Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 2 miles per Qualifying Dollar