El Caminante Bar & Bungalows

A very unique property in a superb location, even with the train running by it every now and again. The room was very well appointed and the bed was amazingly comfortable! The bar is a hidden gem with great service and wonderful cocktails! And we loved the record/cassette/CD player in the room. Such a cool touch. Highly recommend!!!

I had a lovely time! The room and outside patio was so beautiful. I loved the big comfy beautiful wooden four post bed and terracotta tile floor! It was perfect for my impromptu jaunt from the city. |I thought the location was going to be more obvious than it was but it was very chill and there wasn’t too much outside noise—just the calming ocean waves. The beach was a just a short walk away. The staff were also friendly and delightful to talk to. Aldo and Craig were super helpful and made the whole experience that much more memorable. The El Caminante was above and beyond my expectations!

Has an Air Bnb feel but provides the quality service of a Hotel. The check in bar area feels like you are lounging at a friend’s cottage and outside has ocean views to relax. I was surprised by the delicious food and portion size. The drinks were tasty. The high end bedding provided a comfy restful sleep. Just so many attention to details. I also love that they provide E-bikes to explore the town nearby,

Great visit beds were very comfortable, great bar and seating areas to chill out and pit fires at night. Great view and lying in bed listening to the ocean was really special. All the staff we met were super friendly! they have down an amazing job with a modest property and this will be our ‘go to’ place in the area. The add of the vinyl and record players was just fantastic. Loved this place.

We stayed here for a few nights before our wedding and I could not picture a more perfect place! ||The staff is exceptional. The grounds are beautiful. And the location is unbeatable. The food and drinks are amazing. Everything about this place is a 10/10. Definitely recommend to anyone and everyone!!!

We had a great experience at El Caminante! The location is excellent and only steps away from the sand. The renovated and refurbished interior and exterior are clean and new, but they keep the vintage Spanish character of the original. Customer service was on point and our breakfast quesadillas were delicious! Highly recommend.

We loved our room. Small, Yes, but super pretty and comfy. The bed was amazingly delicious. The train running in front was the only negative, but not enough to give 4 stars. The patio with the chimenea was a delight. I love all the hibiscus bushes everywhere. The hummingbirds were a special treat.

El Caminante is such a great spot. Its a historic that has been completely renovated. The vibe is great and the location across from beach is wonderful. My room had a killer patio and ocean view. Staff was great. For the price, I would rather stay in a boutique hotel like this any day.

We stayed here for our 28th anniversary and loved the ambiance! The setup is a bit unconventional; so if you prefer lots of space, this might not be the place for you. But if you appreciate something unique and original, this is the spot! We didn't dine on-site, but we did enjoy a good espresso. The coffee was great. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive. The property offers free e-bikes and parking, which is a nice bonus. However, parking is limited, we had to park on PCH one evening because all the spots were taken when we returned from a night out. Lots of restaurants nearby and a fantastic place to go for a run!

Want to start off by saying that we have been loyal customers to El Caminante since August of 2024. None of this matters to El Caminante, unfortunately, and for that we will never be staying here again. We have had several communication issues with them in the past, all which we had given them a pass and the benefit of the doubt time and time again. Unfortunately after this weekend, we will not be giving them a pass, our wedding weekend. We had several issues with our room, right off the bat. The biggest room and most expensive room on the premises, mind you. Half our room did not have electricity, the TV was not working, the internet was spotty, and when we had asked for the room to be refreshed several times with no one ever showing up other than to give us clean towels. My foot was black from how unclean the floors in our room were. Despite that again, I was willing to push forward and give them the benefit of the doubt. Last thing I needed on an already stressful weekend was arguing over nonsense. A wedding weekend that they never acknowledged or ever congratulated us for, by the way. Now comes the kicker, we had a huge wedding party coming over to utilize the bar and when we arrived on a Friday night, they were closed at right at 10pm and were turning us away despite our room being right above. We had a huge misunderstanding happen with our coordinator and the hotel management which was completely not their fault, however, the way it was handled was extremely lacking hospitality and customer service. Instead of being understanding that a ton of our wedding guest have arrived willing to pay for drinks, they told us there was nothing that could be done because we did not have a contract to keep them open later. We had no idea that this was the case and again, they did not one ounce of understanding that we were just as confused as they were. Thankfully the staff who we inconvenienced allowed us to stay in the patio and purchased pizza and wings for our guests. The managers of the establishment, however, couldn't even muster an apology without me sending an angry email, yet they let their staff take the brute of the punishment and the staff pay out of their pockets for the food that they so kindly provided because THEY felt bad, not the management team, the staff. We tipped the staff generously and apologized profusely for our misunderstanding of the situation. Come the next day and again, no apologies from anyone yet, the couple next door to us, however, who complained about noise were fully comped their room weekend stay. Because of noise. Yet, us who were lacking in several of the hotels amenities have been turned away now on several emails and phone calls. Claiming that they did what they could for us which was give us pizza and wings, pizza and wings that the staff paid out of their pocket. That we paid them back for. Lol. El Caminante does not know the first thing about hospitality and for that, they do not deserve your money or anyone's money. They do not deserve any recognition for anything other than having nice rooms that semi-function and a view of the ocean. If you're fully prepared to be exceptionally ignored, dismissed, and having to pull teeth just to get a semblance of good service, I would not recommend you come here. I would also like to point out that their room fees are extremely shady and always hidden. The price you pay for your nightly room fee is not going to be the final price and would highly recommend asking them for an invoice after your visit. They won't send you a final invoice without asking for one either, they will just endlessly charge your card. If you happen to be lucky enough to get them on the phone or emails (which they rarely answer), ask them for an invoice right away or ask them for one before you check out so you don't have to deal with the headache of getting someone to provide an inkling of service. I have still not heard anything back from any of the management staff since our stay. They have responded to a few of our reviews that we posted elsewhere apologizing, but have yet to respond to any emails or phone calls that I've been sending since last Sunday evening giving me a personal one on one apology.

Our new favorite hotel in capo!!! Gorgeous boutique hotel right across from the ocean. Decor was beautiful and Spanish style, and the service was even better. We were staying on a Friday night and the bar had a live dj, and the drinks were yummy. No complaints from us! Tip: bring electric bikes and go cruise around to all the cute local spots

Sundays are the best day to hang out here and today is gorgeous. You can see the ocean if you sit outside on the patio. They have a DJ playing which is fun. Ordering swordfish skewers and enjoying the fun beach vibes.

Had the pleasure of staying at this wonderful location. Everything was perfect. I love the rustic room with the old style spanish decor. It was super quiet even though its on the hwy. Location is great, its close to alot of places. Ocean across the hwy. Everyone who works there are so nice too. I will be back!

Very cute little boutique hotel right in front of the beach. The rooms were so nice and cozy. They had fire pits in front of the rooms downstairs and really cute seating area. Everyone was super sweet. They had a cute little bar/cafe area. The entire staff was really amazing, Michael who we saw in the morning was telling us how nice it was to work there and that they were going to change more things to add some recreational activities. I will definitely go back with my family and friends.

First the good. The staff were pleasant, if not groovy. The lobby was cozy, the recent renovations were tastefully executed, the honor bar was expertly curated and thorough, and the views from the rooms were some of the coasts finest! Now the bad. Being expert travelers, and having experienced numerous room types, I can unequivocally state that the standard rooms and El Caminante are far too small. We had to cut our stay short because the rooms just weren't sufficient and there was no room to spread our luggage out and unpack. If I had to guess I would say the rooms were 12x12 and most of that was taken by the king sized bed. If you require space and elbow room when traveling, I would not recommend El Caminante. Also, it is about 20 feet from Hwy 101 which makes for a noisy stay and there were no complimentary ear plugs which made for an unrestful stay.

Amazing location. With great ambiance. I like that the hotel is smaller, and they pay attention to the details in the room. I stayed for my birthday, and it was nice. Only problem was the bathroom shower wouldn't drain, I let the front desk know. So that was kind of not ideal. I still haven't gotten an Invoice for my stay, dispute calling and emailing. I love the hotel. Just wish the response was better.

What a great new place on Capistrano Beach in Dana Point. Rooms are cozy and comfortable. The start of the show was the view of the ocean and our own patio where you can sit and watch the ocean and people watch. Service was outstanding. Very nice , friendly and accommodating. Bartender is super cool and the staff in the bar is great. Fresh coffee drink in the morning and in the afternoon grab a beer or specialty cocktails and sit on the patio. Great view and very relaxing. The prices for the room was a great price and drinks and food are priced below market. We'll definitely be back!

Fantastic check in experience and very attentive staff. Looking forward to coming back to this gorgeous place

Overall awesome ambiance, great breakfast and drink (even know over priced). I loved the Spanish hacienda vibes with all the furniture, tile, doors, hand painted bathrooms. It was very thoughtful! The staff is very friendly and helpful! The morning crew was always my fav! The night crew were sweet and attentive but seemed less prepared for issues when arise. My only major downside was my TV didn't work, the beautiful door that went to the other room. If you wanted to have a conjoining room did not lock on my side. This wasn't an issue the first night as nobody was staying in the room next-door but the next night it did give me an uneasy feeling. I didn't bring it up and just use their robe to tie the door handles together since the couple next-door seemed nice and just reported it upon checking out. Also, if you're a light sleeper, you could quite literally hear right through those double doors into the next room. Positives! I loved the record player in the room. It was so fun to play Santana while getting ready and I love the outdoor patio and they had amazing Le Labo Santal 33 bathroom toiletries. The day beds were fun at sunset to read on and watch the sun go down! The street being right in front wasn't an issue for me and the train across the street did not bother me and 90% of the time it was a quick Amtrak traveler train. It was not loud in the room from that. Overall I loved this place and will very likely return soon! Special shoutout to the young man at the counter in the morning who also cooked! Great food and such amazing genuine customer service! Keep him around!

Excellent spot. Adorable boutique hotel/motel. Right on PCH. And the rooms were immaculate and surprisingly quiet. Lovely setting just across from the ocean. Whoever took on this renovation did it with care. All the appointments are true to the period, 1930's. Right down to the light switches and the fixtures. Beautifully done. We got here early. Shared with them that it was my husband's 70th birthday and the generously had upgraded us to a first floor bungalow with our own outside patio. Charming landscaping. All fresh, smartly planted and well cared for. Fountains throughout add to the ambiance. Worth a visit.

When you are visiting the Dana Point - San Juan Capistrano - San Clemente area and want a great place to stay, the El Caminante should be your first choice IF it is available. It is centrally located to all of the many attractions in this area with easy access on Pacific Coast Highway across from Capo Beach. The lobby lounge is a great place to enjoy one of the many unique and special cocktails offered. The outside patio dining is comfortable with pleasant ocean breezes and views. The menu offers unique and delicious food that is the creation of a master chef to enhance the charm of this one-of-a-kind hotel. While staying for a week we tried most of the items on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every item we had was excellent and came with a pleasant presentation. The several flavors of quiche were excellent as well as a large selection of gourmet pastries. There is enough variety of selections to satisfy almost everyone's taste. My wife and I had the pleasure of being among the first to enjoy this lovely, new boutique hotel this past week. The enticing pictures on its website capture the charm and uniqueness of this beautiful, lovingly restored Southern California landmark. The rooms are decorated with appointments one would only expect to find in an upscale small hotel from the comfortable four-poster beds to the custom tile and amenities in the bathroom to the fully stocked mini-bar and refrigerator to the cozy, private, patios with ocean views and a chimenea outside of the dutch doors to the room. The availability of electric bike rentals and complimentary passes to the many local state beach parks were so convenient. Free trolley stop just across street and entrance to free Capo Beach. Finally, and most importantly, the staff were so friendly and helpful!!

Wow!!! I lived in Capo Beach years ago and remember seeing it all run down... The remodel is incredible. Every little detail is so very thought out. The room, our patio, bar, outdoor seating, fire pits, and landscaping is gorgeous. We felt like we were in a world of our own. The staff were so kind, friendly and hospitable. Great food, drinks and aura. Unquestionably a hidden gem. Bravo to the new owners who put so much heart and soul into it. The romance and coziness of El Caminante is a must.

The area is beautiful and the rooms are super nice. We took the E bikes on a ride around the area and it was really fun. Everything was great but the only thing that threw us off was the restaurant food. The swordfish skewers were delicious but the menu literally is tinned fish....it wasn't terrible but I got the smoked salmon with sweet & spicy zhong and it came with bread, some salad and random pickles lol and it was $18. Pretty expensive when there's only 2 chunks of salmon The tres leches cake was almost frozen at the bottom which was weird and wasn't as wet and milky as it should be.. But overall, the stay itself was nice. I'd just eat somewhere else 100%.

Bad food bad service bad experience overall. Not honest with food and why would you take forever on a piece of birthday cake after already a gross dinner experience. Be honest and tell people it's frozen cake. Don't lie and they charge me $$$ for a bad birthday meal that was a gift. Took all the joy away from us. Not even apologetic about such long delay and gross can food and shrimp dish. All old stuff. So sad as the place is so nice. I hope they change their restaurant services up. I still paid and tipped but left a bad taste in my mouth for sure. A lot of lack of communication and professionalism for sure.

This place is absolutely stunning. They didn't miss a single attention to detail, including including Le Labo products in the bathroom! The bar is excellent as well, We will definitely return.

Got a chance to spend a couple hours here at this brand new spot. Vibe was great! Such a cool little area. The drinks and bites we had were great. Service was amazing and honestly can't wait to go back and try a few different cocktails off their list. Go check it out before everyone finds out about this spot!

Delicious drinks and amazing service. Vanessa is the bomb! Everything about this place is magical and it does not disappoint!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff is very friendly, love the Spanish decor and attention to detail, great location and views! The bar and outdoor sitting area is a cool place to enjoy a drink, listen to the music, and take in the ocean view. We will definitely be back!!

What a delight to have this property restored! I use to stay here many years ago when visiting family on Beach Road. My husband and I have stopped in a few time for drinks and we decided to do a quick 24 hour stay on 7/19. Check in was seamless and Zylah was a delight. It was a pleasure to meet the GM Didi, it was a delight to know Evolution Hospitality is the management company. I was lucky to work for them a few years back at the corporate office. Didi and I connected as we both worked with and knew the same great leaders. She is doll and she shared the history of this little gem. The room decor is outstanding, the robes are soft, great mattress, the toiletries are Santal and the added touch of a record player gives the room a vintage feel. The Dutch door led to a quaint patio with a gas chiminea, nice seating and great day beds lining the walkway. The lobby bar offers nice drinks and a comfy place to unwind. Great service! We live locally and will enjoy many more stays here! We returned Sunday morning with friends after church and enjoyed breakfast on the patio.

Drinks were slow and very expensive. The Ambiance was okay but too close to the PCH freeway traffic.

This boutique hotel was so great. The attention to detail to the Spanish revival is over the top! Bed was so comfy and service was awesome from Hunter at check in to our bartender who was a great girl from Simi Valley (sorry didnt catch her name)

Food was amazing - we had smoked fish canned with bread, hummus with cutest little carrots and radishes, peach burrata salad, and amazingly yummy swordfish skewers. Plus sangria and espresso martini very tasty. Room was so impressive - comfy and rustic but lots of amenities. Patio was very relaxing and had breath taking views. Staff was super helpful and everyone was so pleasant. Well done in this renovation. So many fun activities in the area. Free trolley and beach right across PCH! Beach food and fun

I recall this property when it was the only place on PCH and modest with Malm freestanding fireplaces. I grieved when it fell into disrepair, and rejoiced when new owners poured money into it and turned it into a jewel. I live locally. When an opportunity came up to stay I made reservations. Unfortunately, this is one of those places that has a local number that forwards to someone in another part of the country. The reservations people are great although limited in their access to information. Over 3 days and 4 different calls I could never reach the front desk by phone even on the night we were settled in our beautiful teeniny room. As well there is a 72 hour cancelation notice or forfeiture of the first night cost. There is no information on the management team forthcoming on the website by the way. Cassidy at the front desk was a delight and the place is gorgeous. However, we struggled with a non-intuitive TV. After an hour and two spotty calls to "whereever", I gave up. I was already irritated because lovely snacks and wine were attractively placed in the room, but overpriced. The undisclosed resort fee covered wifi and TV, (which we never could access), and rental of electric bikes which we didn't want. Why should we pay? When I decided to call the front desk for help with the TV. Guess what? No phone in the room. The cell phone reception is inconsistent, so in an emergency how do you reach someone short of running out to the check in building. I've stayed at such places before where one feels "played" and set up to spend more money than at first implied. I had had it. We got dressed, packed up and I returned the room cards to the desk personally. Cassidy and the second agent were of course pleasant, but I was too mad. We had checked in at 5:30pm October 13th, went for dinner, returned, and we checked out at 9:30pm same night. We left skid marks. Short of how sweet Cassidy was, the management has created an opaque impression which a good employee like her must operate under. I have rarely felt so unwelcome at a property, and unsafe due to the lack of phone. I doubt the owner/management IF they even look at this will care. There was every indication that they don't. What a shame. I definitely do NOT recommend this entrapment, and feel fortunate I had the option to leave even though it has cost me the night's rate. I will be watching like a hawk to see if there are any billing issues.

Yay is all I have to say!! I am so happy this place has opened. El Caminante is a small boutique hotel with a little cafe/bar patio. This is a most welcome addition to the Capo Beach area!! They just opened 8 days ago and the staff are cheerful, friendly, inviting and excited to welcome their new customers. A full kitchen will be coming at some point, but for now they have a full bar, coffee, amazing croissants, quiches, açaí and several other goodies. See the menu pic. I love the vibe they have going!

Stayed here with my wife for a little staycation. Staff was great. Food/bar service was amazing. Loved our patio and the little fire. Room was great with a very comfortable king size bed. The record player (which works) was also a fun touch. We will definitely be back!

Tried it out for breakfast and it was very good. Service and food both excellent with a nice venue to enjoy the sound of the surf. Traffic noise as well, but those are the breaks.

While a little pricy for a quick wknd get away, this locale is well worth the experience. The decor and ambiance create a lovely vibe with the Spanish style eclectic tile and custom made wood furniture. They have created an eclectic, homey, classy, antique atmosphere, that feels fitting for a relaxed and upscale beach vacation spot. The service was on point - Hunter was very hospitable and knowledgeable, kind and professional. This location right on PCH and accessibility to all towns in the vicinity (10 mins to San Juan Capistrano, 10 mins to Dana point Marina, and 10 mins to San Clemente) make it an ideal spot for a quick wknd get away. The cocktails and coffee were delicious. The patio with the chimenea, the high pressure shower, the record player in the room - even the train passing by on the other side of the freeway, just along the beach boardwalk (Capistrano Beach) - all added to the good vibes. Thanks for a great stay!

Just completely impressed! As a local to the area, we know what this place was previously! They have done an outstanding job!! Our room was beautiful, they didn't miss a step when it came to decor, and amenities! The staff is welcoming, personable and attentive. Bar and restaurant fabulous! Matt in the bar and restaurant "what a sweetheart". Can't wait to go again! Thank you for a memorable staycation!

Great stop for wonderful coffee and pastries. Vanessa our barista was very friendly and made amazing coffees. We enjoyed the pastries. Service was great, coffee tasted great, atmosphere wonderful. There was a gas fireplace, and very comfortable seating in the cozy area near the bar. The little bungalows looked very cute from outside, with their own little courtyards looking out toward the ocean. We did not stay there, but envied the location.

Review for the Bar only... None of the reviews detail the bar so here we go. My wife and I are locals and always looking for new options. Visited for happy hour on a Friday. Food: Limited selection of small plates but nice variety. We split the Peach & Burrata salad and it was very flavorful. Drinks: Full bar with a focused drink menu. We ordered from the specialty cocktails...nice presentation and color but not memorable. I'm sure they're still experimenting so I expect the menu to evolve. Don't come here for the wine or beer...very sparse selection...but it's not their focus. Service: Outstanding attention and very welcoming. It wasn't crowded but the service makes you want to come back. Interior: Cozy sitting area in front of the bar for cooler nights. However, it doubles as the waiting area for hotels guests so be prepared to share it with suitcases and families. Exterior (Location): The photos on Yelp/Google don't do the bar justice. They have a large sitting area on the hillside of the interior bar area...no ocean view but nice ambiance. The front area is also larger than we expected from the photos. It's tucked on the far south front side of the property but relaxing with an across-the-street ocean view. Parking: Parking is shared with hotel guests. We found it easy to find a place but I could see it becoming an issue as this place gains popularity. Conclusion: Wonderful option for a laid back evening with an ocean view. Highly recommend it and we'll definitely be back.

My bf surprised me with a stay at this amazing spot! And I only have 2 cons but let's start with the Pros. First, no, ABSOLUTELY NO DETAIL WAS SPARED IN THE REMODEL of this once run down motel. From the tiles to the doors, from the records and record player in each room (with library) to the sustainable complimentary water packaging, from the robes in the bathrooms to the fixtures in every corner of the room, from the outdoors cabanas for each room to the outdoor patio beautifully landscaped for each downstairs unit....this place is amazing just on visuals and aesthetics alone. The service is top notch as well from the desk to the bar to the outdoor restaurant/lounge area. Do try the swordfish skewers and the peach burrata salad *chefs kiss* They also have breakfast and coffee available in the morning At sunset the staff came to light the outdoor fire pit for a relaxing evening on the patio. I absolutely loved the Dutch doors on the front and back entries so you could listen to the sound of the waves without being fully exposed or just let the sunlight and beach air in. Cons, which I mentioned are 2 are these; I wish the rooms were a little bit bigger and I wish I got to spend more time here. I had a chance to meet the owners, who were nothing but humble and kind in addition to being extremely proud of their accomplishment. I highly recommend staying at this little slice of beach paradise. You won't regret it.

Perfect location. Quick drive to Doheny, Downtown San Clemente, Lantern District and the Marina. Aesthetically, so charming and beautiful. Historic meets Modern. Spanish accents throughout the Bungalow and Grounds. Very well curated with such great attention to detail. Extremely comfortable bed, luxurious bedding + Santal toiletries that smell heavenly. Beautiful Dutch doors that open up to an ocean breeze and cozy patio. Definitely grab a specialty cocktail at the Bar (Killer Dana was my fave), so delicious! Perfect place to unwind. We are already looking forward to our next visit!

Booked El Caminante for two nights for my coworkers and I and everything was perfect! This is easily one of my favorite hotels. All the staff were so awesome, funny, and attentive. The food and drinks were great. The design is perfect and the attention to detail incredible (Le Labo toiletries were a huge hit). All in all cannot recommend this place more. Cant wait to come back and sad to leave!

What a gem. Visit Santa Barbara in south OC. Gorgeous renovation of Spanish style motor hotel & bar/cafe. Sit in the beautiful patio, soak in the sun and ocean views. We enjoyed breakfast of acai bowl, quesadilla, breaky sammy, and fruit. Warm service from Jessica and property tour from GM Didi. This is a special place. Highly recommend for a relaxing meal or a memorable staycation! Love this place!

Did not honor our room reservation despite email confirmation. We now have no place to stay.

What a gem in Capistrano Beach! The bungalows are perfect for a weekend getaway or stay cation. Beautifully decorated, perfect ocean view location, and fabulous staff. We enjoyed coffee and light fare at the restaurant. They have a fullbar and cozy fireplace. Perfect meet-up place with friends. We'll be back!!!

Stay ca at its finest. Staff, location and attention to detail is awesome. Hunter, one of the mgrs.,five star everything. Book now this is a hidden gem and prices should go up.

I'm so sorry to do this, but the room my partner and I stayed in was completely unlivable. There was literally zero space, no space at all to move around. The staff was very nice and friendly. They clearly put a lot of work into the property, it is quite beautiful, but with a room that doesn't meet basic, basic standards the rest is hard to enjoy. One king bed took up literally the entire place. There is no closet, no space for any dresser, no bookcase or shelves for space, no real night stands, there's a small storage area at the back on the king size bed but that's it, along with a small wraparound shelf around the back and side of the bed that's only a few inches wide. It was about two feet between the wall and bed , wrapping around the room, with nowhere to unpack. It was so, so exhausting and not comfortable. The patio is huge which opens up from the room, I don't need all of that, just literally a table and a dresser to put our suitcases. The bathroom is unreal small. Zero counter space, a small area above the toilet that's a shelf for toiletries or putting items under the sink. The toilet would rock and forth whenever you sit on it, and the internet would constantly shut off. For the amount of money they charged, this is all pretty ridiculous. The TV is on the left side wall, so you have to turn your head while in bed to watch it. One bench at the bottom of the bed ended up being a place to put some clothing. There is literally nowhere else other than what I've mentioned. Maybe if someone stays here alone the room is actually able to be used properly. We could have stayed at other places in Dana Point for half the price and literally double the space.

My partner and I stayed only one night to enjoy the fireworks. Very relaxing with the fireplace on, drinks, no driving or looking for parking. This place pays attention to detail - the rooms are small, so is the bathroom - but the patio in front of the room is very spacey and the bed was very comfortable. Very good quality are also the robes - warm and elastic - and all the provided items like body lotion, shampoo etc. We also enjoyed our two free drinks offered at check in, had a great dinner and breakfast. The stuff is well trained and very friendly. This was a Super Mini Vacation we really enjoyed and we will be definitely back next year for July 4th and hopefully before. There was a small mishap which was simply solved - they have 30 rooms but only 20 parking spots - which is not a problem because there is plenty of parking across on PHC however the hotel was fully booked, we found parking, left to get some sushi because of the Holiday and our parking spot was taken. We parked a couple of hrs in front of our room until there was one spot available and no one from the hotel complained. So next time we know. Parking is first come first service. The management might consider making sensible changes to this situation. It was more of a learning experience than a problem and did not effect our stay. It is a cozy luxurious Boutique Hotel!

A Capistrano Beach gem restored to glory! Very welcoming staff! Thank you for the incredible stay Didi. My wife and I enjoyed a romantic evening and drinks at the oceanfront patio. The attention to detail throughout the property and the room decor is beautiful.The bed was very comfortable which made the recharge that much easier. See you again soon!

What a great place to stop for delicious and creative cocktails and yummy light meals and snacks served directly across the street from Capo Beach. Whether you eat outside in a cozy setting or inside the beautifully decorated bar/lounge room next to the fireplace, you will be served by a very friendly and helpful staff. My husband and I will definitely be returning!

I was very disappointed with the service we received from this hotel while trying to arrange accommodations for our wedding in May 2025. We were excited to find this new hotel because of its convenience and the opportunity to have all our loved ones stay together for our wedding weekend. However, despite numerous attempts to discuss rates for a large group booking, we experienced significant delays, lack of information and poor communication from Hunter. The rate provided was almost identical to the website rate, with no additional offers or flexibility for booking all 30 rooms. We also inquired about food & beverage packages, but received no information. At this point, it is not about the offered rate. This lack of follow-up and poor hospitality made us feel undervalued as potential guests. With our wedding still months away, we expected much better service and engagement. We were so excited for this potential hotel block and its truly disappointing that poor management prevented us from having this experience at El Caminante. My fiancé and I have never felt so unwelcome at a hotel.