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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
Bathroom
Reception
Front of property
Interior

Reviews

6.2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

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

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

View all photos for Room

Bathroom sink

Room

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

View all photos for Annex 1 Queen Bed

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Annex 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Heating
Located in an annex building
Daily housekeeping
  • 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 Single 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
  • Alaska SeaLife Center - 4 min walk
  • Seward Waterfront Park - 5 min walk
  • Seward Boat Harbor - 18 min walk
  • Lowell Point State Recreation Site - 8 min drive

Getting around

  • Kenai, AK (ENA-Kenai Municipal) - 139 min drive
  • Free local 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 such as WiFi and self-parking. Fellow travellers 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 cots (infant beds)

Pets

  • Pets not allowed
  • Service animals welcome

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas
  • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

  • Free on-site self-parking

Transfers

  • Free bus station shuttle

Off-site

  • Free area shuttle within 25 yards

Other information

  • Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Shared microwave
  • Shared fridge

Travelling 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 centre on-site
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Heating

Sleep well

  • Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer (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 10 September and 14 May.

Policies

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
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 10 September and 14 May.
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 Alaska SeaLife 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

10/10 Exceptional

brian, 4-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

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

8/10 Very good

Jared, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

It’s an older themed building. With coffee, tea, microwave, ref shared. Very close to dining and the bus stop
Jared, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Todd, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Terribly run down. In room, one of 2 electric outlet not working, shower didnt only drip but almost ran entire time. The bed sheets had not been changed, wrinkles in sheets frm previous occupants. Had to find other accomadations. I would NOT reccommend to anyone!!!! Cathy C. Night of 9/8/24
cathy, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

they are so friendly treat for us, we reach there early but check in is smoothly. the room is clearly. we feel very good.
robin, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia 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

4/10 Fair

😬
Retean, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia 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

6/10 Good

Just what we expected. Older building, beds where comfortable
Judi, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

I was so happy when I got to the Hotel and saw my room. It was very clean. Freshly painted. The floors were immaculate. The bed had clean sheets and it was very comfortable. I slept very well. I like to sleep in a cool room. It was nice because I could open the window if I needed air during the night. I was glad I had my own bathroom. The bathroom was large and very clean. I had all the hot water I needed. My check in was smooth and check out was super easy. I can report I did not see any ghosts or have any hauntings. All in all I had a wonderful experience at the Van Gilder Hotel.
Paula, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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

6/10 Good

It is a very old, historic hotel so don't expect much. I was disappointed in the temperature of the shower. It was only luke warm and the shower head was an old style that barely sprayed the water.
Maggie, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

There was mold around the caulking at the sink. The bedding was old and didn’t feel clean. There was a sock left under the covers and the room had not been vacuumed for awhile, especially under the bed. The staff at the desk is there from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm and then the reception door is locked. The building is left unsecure after 9:00 pm and the location is in the old town of Seward near the waterfront. Anyone can enter the building and no staff are present. We would not stay there again.
Dianne, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

The Van Gilder is a very old property. My room was on the 3rd floor. There is no elevator. I paid extra to have a private bathroom, otherwise you are sharing a small toilet room and a small shower room. There was no hot water at my sink. The first time I tried to take a shower there was no hot water at the shower. I went down to the office to ask about the absence of hot water and another guest said that she also had no hot water last night, but she did this morning..So rethinking my showering schedule away from heavy usage times I was able to get my next 2 showers in. My 3rd shower was luke warm. There is a small eating room with microwave, small fridge, ice maker and 2 Kuerigs. The microwave would not run for more than 10 seconds unless I unplugged other appliances. The bed was fairly good. The room, linens and towels were clean. There were 2 available usable outlets. My door was rubbing REALLY hard at the head and was very difficult to open and close. The location is great. There is plenty of parking around the hotel and it is just off of 4th Ave where there is lots of food and drink available within a short walking distance. 5 minute drive to the marina.
Norman, 8-night trip
Verified Expedia 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