FairBridge Inn & Suites Merced/Gateway to Yosemite
1199 Motel Dr, Merced, CA 95341, Merced, United States
Guest rating: 3.7 / 5
FairBridge Inn & Suites Merced/Gateway to Yosemite is a modest, budget-oriented hotel at 1199 Motel Dr in Merced, set near a residential area and just off the Golden State Highway. It’s positioned as a convenient base for regional road trips, about 52 miles from Yosemite National Park and 67 miles from the Sierra National Forest. The property offers practical essentials including free breakfast, free parking, and free Wi‑Fi. Rooms and suites are accessed via exterior entrances and are described as down-to-earth, with colorful accent walls, flat-screen TVs, Wi‑Fi, tea and coffeemaking facilities, and sitting areas. Around Merced, guests have a mix of local attractions nearby such as Casino Merced (about 2.0 km), the Merced Multicultural Arts Center (about 2.4 km), and the Merced County Courthouse Museum (about 2.5 km). Outdoor and family-friendly options in the area include Applegate Park and Merced’s Applegate Park Zoo (roughly 3.1–3.2 km) and Lake Yosemite County Park (about 9.2 km).
Best for
Best suited to budget-minded travelers who want straightforward amenities—free breakfast, free parking, and free Wi‑Fi—while being close to Merced’s city attractions and highway access. It can also work as an overnight stop for road-trippers heading toward Yosemite National Park, given its location off the Golden State Highway and “Gateway to Yosemite” positioning.
Travel tips
If you’re arriving by rail, Merced train station is about 2.15 km away, making short taxi/rideshare trips practical. For local outings, Casino Merced is within roughly 2 km, while Applegate Park, its zoo, and the Merced County Courthouse Museum are all within about 3.2 km. For longer nature drives, plan extra time for day trips to Lake Yosemite County Park (about 9.2 km) or the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (about 18.3 km).
What guests say
Reviews commonly mention strong value for the price and note that rooms are often perceived as clean and quiet. Some guests also call out courteous staff and a positive overall stay for a budget property. However, feedback is mixed, with some reports of rooms not meeting cleanliness expectations, including unpleasant odors. Service experiences can also vary, with at least one review describing notably poor customer service at the front desk and frustration around refunds.
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