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Van Gilder Hotel

2.5 star property
Victorian hotel in historical district in Seward

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Van Gilder Hotel

Reception
Exterior
Free WiFi, bed sheets
Shower, free toiletries, hair dryer, towels
Reception

Reviews

6,2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi
  • Free parking
    Free parking
Main amenities
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free area shuttle
  • Free bus station shuttle
  • Library
  • Microwave in a common area
  • Refrigerator in a common area
  • Concierge services
  • Luggage storage
  • Limited hour front desk
  • Tour/ticket assistance
Feel at home
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free self parking
  • Free area shuttle
  • Free toiletries

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

View all photos for 1 Queen - Shared Bath

Bathroom sink

1 Queen - Shared Bath

Highlights

Heating
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Double Room

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Apartment Annex

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Apartment Annex

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
Located in an annex building
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Annex 1 Queen Bed

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Annex 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Heating
Daily housekeeping
Located in an annex building
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for 2 Full Beds

Room amenity

2 Full Beds

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Suite, 2 Bedrooms

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Suite, 2 Bedrooms

Highlights

Heating
2 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About the area

Map
308 Adams Street, Seward, AK, 99664

What's nearby

  • Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Alaska SeaLife Center - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Seward Waterfront Park - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Seward Boat Harbor - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Mount Marathon - 2 min drive - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Kenai, AK (ENA-Kenai Municipal) - 139 min drive
  • Free area shuttle
  • Free bus station shuttle

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Highliner Restaurant - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Harbor Street Creamery - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Ray's Waterfront - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Woody's Thai Kitchen - ‬11 min walk

About this property

Van Gilder Hotel

Enjoy your visit to Seward with a stay at Van Gilder Hotel. Guests will have free perks like WiFi and self parking. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.

Languages

English, Spanish

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 20 rooms
  • Arranged over 3 floors

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
  • Express check-out available
  • Late check-in subject to availability
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
  • Check-out time is 11:00 AM

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions

Special check-in instructions

  • The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
  • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
  • If you are planning to arrive after 7:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

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

  • No cribs (infant beds)

Pets

  • Pets not allowed
  • Service animals welcome

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas
  • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

  • Free onsite self parking

Transfers

  • Free bus station shuttle

Offsite

  • Free area shuttle within 25 yards

Other information

  • Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator

Traveling with children

  • Free local shuttle

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Built in 1916
  • Library
  • Art gallery on site
  • Shopping mall on site
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Heating

Sleep well

  • Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi

More

  • Daily housekeeping

Fees & policies

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between September 10 and May 14.

Policies

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have elevators.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Also known as

Van Gilder
Van Gilder Hotel
Van Gilder Hotel Seward
Van Gilder Seward
Van Gilder Hotel Hotel
Van Gilder Hotel Seward
Van Gilder Hotel Hotel Seward

Frequently asked questions

Is Van Gilder Hotel currently open?
The property is closed between September 10 and May 14.
Are pets allowed at Van Gilder Hotel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at Van Gilder Hotel?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Van Gilder Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Express check-out is available.
What's the area around Van Gilder Hotel like?
Van Gilder Hotel is in the heart of Seward, a short 4-minute walk from Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center and 5 minutes' walk from Seward Waterfront Park.

Van Gilder Hotel Reviews

Reviews

6,2

Good

6,6/10

Cleanliness

7,4/10

Staff & service

5,4/10

Amenities

5,4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6,0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Very good

Great location. Hotel is an interesting place, if a little dated. Beds were comfortable, but the rooms could have been cleaner. We found a pubic hair on one of the beds and had an unexpected roommate (centipede). Aside from that, the location was great and the staff was excellent - very attentive. The coffee bar was a nice touch as well.
Shane, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

Stay Elsewhere
This is definitely an old hotel that needs some care. The exterior has peeling paint and plaster. The interior carpet is worn and dirty and the wallpaper is missing or peeling in places. We stayed on the 3rd floor (no elevator) so it was a chore to get luggage from the off-site parking lot to our room. The room had its own bathroom but not much else other than a bed and a TV stuck in an awkward corner that you had to view by locating next to the bathroom wall. Our room had hair and used dental floss on the bathroom floor when we checked in and there were no towels. We alerted the front desk and she took care of it quickly. There is no place to hang clothes and there is no drawer space. The shower and toilet area were very tight. There are no blackout curtains in the sleeping area and there are large billowy curtains next to the toilet area which are difficult to manage while using the toilet. I would not recommend this hotel. We had either blood or ketchup on our hallway door jam. Whatever it was, it should be cleaned off. I felt like I had done enough complaining so I did not bring it up. We stayed two nights. There is no daily maid service. I was shown where to get additional towels when I inquired about more linens. The water was lukewarm at best. They do not lock the main door at night so anyone can wander into the hotel. Our room door was pretty flimsy and someone could have easily come in. I should not have read about the 1950 murder in this hotel! haha
Tisha, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

2/10 Poor

This place is a fire trap. There is no ceiling in the shower and u can see the hallway through the opening. There is exposed lathe and plaster above that shower. The stairway carpet leading up to door has tears and holes in it and is tread bare. Plaster is falling off the exterior and looks run down. The interior smells OLD. When u look at this place, skid row comes to my mind.
tom, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great
Great
Eric, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Very cool haunted property 👻
Lynn, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review

4/10 Fair

Richard, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

Shakey stay
Old hotel, n0 elevator, no heat
Rich, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

We loved our stay at the property. It reminded me of hotels in Europe. The staff is truly amazing. Loved the common areas with tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Our room was clean. You couldn't ask for a better location for the old town shopping and dinning, touring the aquarium and the free shuttle stop is just across the street. So why only four stars? The hotel needs TLC: on the outside it needs stucco repair and paint, and the inside needs new carpet, replacing wallpaper, etc. I can look past these items, but the owner could really make this a perfect inn and help the staff shine with some capitol investment. Thank you to the entire staff for making our stay over four days feel like a home away from home.
Douglas, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

Frank, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

Had charm. Staff very friendly, excellent location - a few steps away from the main shopping and dining street.
Margaret, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

Kelly, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

The property is well located, with plenty of stores, bars, and diners in the vicinity. The rooms are small but adequate. There are free shuttles available in front of the hotel, with numbered stops, and the one in front of the hotel is Stop 9. The walls can be a little thin, allowing you to hear noises from other rooms. I had read before going that the shower did not have hot water, and unfortunately, it was not fixed. However, the staff is amazing and very helpful, they are the heart of the place. The space was clean, and I would go back.
Agustin, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Room was damp, musty and in disrepair. Wallpaper was about 50 years old and peeling off the walls. Corners of room had dirt and paint chips.
Loretta, 5-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

The bathroom needed a thorough cleaning of woodwork. Shower and sink were fine. Overall, it seemed run down. We never saw a staff person. Room was comfy and quiet. This is our 2nd stay here. I don’t think we’ll stay again.
Ann, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

4/10 Fair

The staff Was very gracious!
Cal, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Chris
The place was filthy and moldy. Peeling paint and mold was common. The red carpet in the room was white in the corners where the vacuum cleaner was not covering. I found a dirty cleanex and used earplug on my floor. The water for a shower was almost never warm and had to take cold showers. I only saw an employee once during my 5 days stay.
Chris, 5-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

Classic property but run down. Shared bathrooms
Amanda, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Eugene, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

The staff was wonderful. The building deemed as historical is in need of repair. wall paper coming unglued from the wall, the rusty heating return vents and the black mold running down the wall by the bed. A little glue, rust remover and bleach would really go a long way to spruce up the place
Jonathan, 4-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

4/10 Fair

Old building, had some mold issues, covered up with strong cleaner. Towels and bed questionably not cleaned prior to our visit. Hot water's sparse, don’t shower during prime times to do so.
Paul, 4-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

Carol, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

2/10 Poor

The property was in a great location. Unfortunately, the property was in a total state of disrepair! No one had hot water and everyone was angry! Every morning guests would meet in the coffee room and Vent! Other guests told me to demand a refund at the front desk so I did. The lady at the front desk told me that the boiler was old and that the owner has no intention of repairing it! I am going to pass that on to the city of Seward. They should revoke the Gilders license to operate. The front desk also refused to give me a refund and told me I needed to take it up with Expedia. Expedia told me that they’ve tried over and over to call the hotel but no one answers the phone! Shame on Expedia to list this hotel. The Hotel was filthy. The walls across from my room were just bare stained concrete. There was no lighting near my room, so we could not see to get the key in the door without using our iPhones as flashlights. There is no elevator. Many of the rooms have to share a bathroom, so beware before you rent!! My wife could not sleep In the room. And this put a real damper on our week in Seward. The bottom line, do not stay in the van Gilder. If you can’t find a better hotel on Expedia Drive VRBO Airbnb. There were plenty of very nice cottages available in the area.
James, 5-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Hot water was barely warm enough to shower.
Alan, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Bed was comfortable but no heat in the room. Had to climb 3 flights of stairs. Water was lukewarm.
Kayla, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

hotel was quaint, but old - had alot of history which was very interesting
Joanne, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review