Van Gilder Hotel

Property class: 2.5
Victorian hotel in historical district in Seward

Choose dates to view prices

When visiting Seward, Van Gilder Hotel is a great choice to consider. Guests will have free perks like WiFi and self parking. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.

Reviews

6.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (10)

  • 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 (4)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Free self parking
  • Free area shuttle
  • Free toiletries

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

Suite, 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

1 Queen - Shared Bath

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

One Queen & 1 Twin

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

2 Full Beds

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

Annex 1 Queen Bed

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Apartment Annex

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Double Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
308 Adams Street, Seward, AK, 99664

What's nearby

  • Seward Community Library & Museum - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Alaska SeaLife Center - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Seward Waterfront Park - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Seward Boat Harbor - 1 min drive - 1.6 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Tidewater Taphouse - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Woody's Thai Kitchen - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Ray's Waterfront - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Breeze Inn Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Firebrand BBQ - ‬16 min walk

About this property

Van Gilder Hotel

  • When visiting Seward, Van Gilder Hotel is a great choice to consider. Guests will have free perks like WiFi and self parking. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.

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

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
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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

What to do

  • Fishing nearby

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.

Pets

  • Service animals exempt from fees

Policies

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector on site.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover

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 is there to do at Van Gilder Hotel and nearby?

Have fun during the warmer months with activities nearby such as fishing.

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.

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Reviews

Van Gilder Hotel Reviews

6.2

Good

6.6

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

7.4

Staff & service

5.4

Property conditions & facilities

Popular mentions

Room
Location
Bed
Building
Service staff
Historical
Shower
Bathroom
Booking
Furniture

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Very good

Although this property could use a little love, we had a wonderful stay! It was in the heart of downtown, the coffee was excellent, and we felt very safe and comfortable. If you don't mind staying in a historical (and haunted!) hotel, I highly recommend staying here - it was much nicer than when we stayed at the Breeze Inn last summer.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

I've seen a lot of people razz on this property. Yes it is old and could use some maintenance. It does have character and was very comfortable for us to stay overnight. I would go back again. If you can't lug your luggage up a couple flights of stairs, maybe you should hit the gym. Have an adventure.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Served its purpose of a place to sleep. Walking distance to shops and restaurants. I liked the antique vibe although it may not be for everyone. Everything was clean and the beds were comfortable.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Neat historic hotel, we had a great stay. The building is old and looks rough from the outside but rooms were fine. Our shower had a plumbing problem. The staff immediately had a repair person working on it and moved us to a new room. The staff was prompt and handled it great. It is right in downtown Seward so really nice to walk to the shops and aquarium etc. Lots of shops and restaurants very close by!
Verified review

2/10 Poor

Location was great
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Wonderful and professional staff made our stay easy and enjoyable. Great location.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Clean, friendly staff.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Fantastic location and very friendly/helpful staff. Perfect place to stay while exploring Seward.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Very professional, friendly staff
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Nice, old historical hotel, well maintained, antique settings in rooms.
Verified review

6/10 Good

Bathroom was clean. If you just need a place to stay, this place gets the job done. Staff was friendly. Needs some updates, but I was safe and slept peacefully.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Very convenient location. Historic hotel.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

A unique hotel and have a sense of history.
Verified review

4/10 Fair

The history was interesting.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

perfect location, old historic building

We had a good stay. The Van Gilder is a historic hotel with some age and issues, but was clean and relatively comfortable. The location was definitely the reason to stay here! It is within walking distance of everything in Seward, with amazing views of the water and downtown.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Quint and historical building in an excellent location
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Interesting, historic hotel. Beds were extremely comfortable! No elevator. Great location - close to shops, restaurants and the water.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

hotel was quaint, but old - had alot of history which was very interesting
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Had charm. Staff very friendly, excellent location - a few steps away from the main shopping and dining street.
Verified review

6/10 Good

The hotel is dated with part of the charm being haunted for those into that. My wife didn't like the haunted part and we both would have appreciated things more maintained. The location was awesome, with walking access to the best restaurants and water.
Verified review

4/10 Fair

The staff Was very gracious!
Verified review

8/10 Very good

This historic hotel was absolutely amazing!! It is an older building and the furnishings and rooms do reflect it, but we had a phenomenal stay. The area around the hotel was convenient to the water, shops, food, and transportation. It’s easily walkable and enjoyable to explore the town.
Verified review

4/10 Fair

Use this hotel as a last resort.

This hotel will do in a pinch and that was what we were in. The bed and pillows were comfortable. The TV was good. The WiFi was good. The water pressure was terrible at the sink and almost non-existent at the shower.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Historic Place

The place is old, but that fact should not discourage. Staff were friendly, rooms were clean, bed was fabulous! Walking distance to an awesome restaurant and harbor. We stayed for another night!
Verified review

8/10 Very good

The hotel is definitely antiquated, but honestly, that’s part of the appeal. As one of Alaska’s most famous haunted hotels, the old-fashioned décor and historic feel really transport you back in time. The room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, the Wi-Fi worked well, and we appreciated having nice fans in the room. There were also beverages available in the lobby, which was a nice touch. The staff was wonderful. They were friendly, helpful, and proactive, sending us lots of suggestions for things to do in the area and checking in to see if we needed anything. The location couldn’t have been much better. We were within walking distance of great restaurants, the harbor, the Alaska SeaLife Center, the library, and even a laundromat. Free parking was easy to find, along with street parking. For the price we thought it was a good value. A few things to know before you book: there are no blackout curtains, and with Alaska’s summer daylight, it was never dark in the room. If you’re sensitive to light when sleeping, plan accordingly. The shower was also a little underwhelming, with low water pressure and only lukewarm water. If you’re looking for lots of hotel amenities, this might not be the place for you. It’s a simple historic hotel with plenty of character but not a lot of extras. Is it haunted? Maybe! We didn’t experience anything spooky or creepy…thankfully. We just enjoyed staying in a unique piece of Alaska’s past.