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Van Gilder Hotel

2.5 star property
Travelers step into history at this city center hotel where staff know the stories behind every detail and nearby attractions beckon just steps away

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The Van Gilder Hotel blends historic charm with modern amenities in the city center. Guests can enjoy the on-site art gallery, shop at the nearby mall, or relax in the library. Free WiFi, self-parking, and an area shuttle make exploring easy.

Reviews

6.2 out of 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

View all photos for Suite, 2 Bedrooms

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Suite, 2 Bedrooms

Highlights

Heating
2 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • 2 bedrooms
  • 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

View all photos for 1 Queen - Shared Bath

1 Queen - Shared Bath | Bathroom sink

1 Queen - Shared Bath

Highlights

Heating
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for One Queen & 1 Twin

Free WiFi, bed sheets

One Queen & 1 Twin

Highlights

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

View all photos for 2 Full Beds

2 Full Beds | Room amenity

2 Full Beds

Highlights

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

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 Apartment Annex

Free WiFi, bed sheets

Apartment Annex

Highlights

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

Classic Double Room

Highlights

Heating
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
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About the neighborhood

Located in Seward, Van Gilder Hotel is in the city center and in the mountains. Seward Boat Harbor and Caines Head State Recreation Area are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kenai Fjords National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. Alaska SeaLife Center and Thumb Cove State Marine Park are also worth visiting. Take an opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as fishing. Visit our Seward travel guide
Map
99664, AK, Seward, 308 Adams Street

What's nearby

  • Seward Boat Harbor and waterfront panorama in fall, Seward, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, AK, USA. Seward is a city near Kenai Fjords National Park.
    Seward Waterfront Park
    4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Horned Puffin, Alaska Sealife Center, Seward, Alaska
    Alaska SeaLife Center
    4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • seward bay harbor in alaska
    Seward Boat Harbor
    1 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Seward Community Library & Museum
    3 min walk - 0.3 km

Getting around

  • Kenai, AK (ENA-Kenai Municipal)
    139 min drive

Restaurants

  • The Cookery
    3 min walk
  • The Breeze Inn Restaurant
    2 min drive
  • Seward Brewing Company
    3 min walk
  • Highliner Restaurant
    1 min walk
  • Firebrand BBQ
    16 min walk

About this property

Van Gilder Hotel

Historic hotel in the city center
Consider a stay at Van Gilder Hotel and take advantage of an art gallery on site, a shopping mall on site, and a library. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Additional perks include:
  • Free self parking
  • A free area shuttle, express check-out, and tour/ticket assistance
  • Luggage storage and concierge services
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Van Gilder Hotel offer amenities such as free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Showers and free toiletries
  • Heating and daily housekeeping

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  • Parking available
  • Housekeeping
  • Microwave
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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free area shuttle up to 25 yds
  • Free bus station shuttle
  • Free self parking on site

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Library
  • Shopping mall

Family friendly

  • Free area shuttle

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Shared refrigerator

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • In the mountains

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 3 floors
  • Built in 1916
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Victorian architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Express check-out available

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

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between September 10 and May 14.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is 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 pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Van Gilder Hotel?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Van Gilder Hotel?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Van Gilder Hotel located?

Located in the heart of Seward, this historic hotel is steps from Chugach Heritage Center and Seward Community Library & Museum. Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center and Alaska SeaLife Center are also within 5 minutes.

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Reviews

Van Gilder Hotel Reviews

6.2

6.6

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

7.4

Staff & service

5.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 100 out of 522 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 121 out of 522 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 109 out of 522 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 88 out of 522 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 104 out of 522 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean, friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Jasmine

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Wonderful and professional staff made our stay easy and enjoyable. Great location.

2/10 Terrible

Susan

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location was great
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness
Very professional, friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Derek

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Holly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

sherri

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Interesting, historic hotel. Beds were extremely comfortable! No elevator. Great location - close to shops, restaurants and the water.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Carol

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The history was interesting.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kelsi

Disliked: Staff & service

The Haunted Hotel

The Van Gilder gave me spooky Haunted vibes but I thought it was great as an experience because of the hauntedness. It would have been better if I was able to check in early and check out later so I didn’t have to carry my bags around Seward. Overall conveniently located lower end of town. Very close walk to waters edge, aquarium, coffee shop and other restaurants and stores. Also the Free Shuttle stop #9 is just outside and across the street.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

David

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness
liked interior decor. very historic. outside looked like it was decaying at places. no elevator and no breakfast. the lock on the door at our room was very hard to open with the key.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Christine

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The Hotel is old and historic and has a lot of potential. The room we were assigned initially was a two bedroom suite with a shared bath, however, the set up was strange and the shared bath was a sink in one bed room and a toilet and shower in the other bedroom, not a good set up when traveling with 4 adults. Sash, the reception lady was very nice and moved our rooms. The new rooms were cozy but the tv was mounted behind the bed, so you really couldn’t watch tv if you were lying in bed. We loved the history of the hotel and the location, but not sure we would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic location and very friendly/helpful staff. Perfect place to stay while exploring Seward.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

4/10 Poor

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very dilapidated old hotel with peeling paint inside and out. Creepy old windows without screens. Ran out of hot water during a short shower. The staff were very nice

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, old historical hotel, well maintained, antique settings in rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Juan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
What we like Location Staff Room was ok What we did not like The hotel was to hot The shower did not have cold water so water was to hot to take one
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Valerie

Disliked: Amenities
Very convenient location. Historic hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wei

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A unique hotel and have a sense of history.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quint and historical building in an excellent location
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
hotel was quaint, but old - had alot of history which was very interesting
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Margaret

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Had charm. Staff very friendly, excellent location - a few steps away from the main shopping and dining street.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Laure

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were really disappointed. The photos didn’t reflect the fact that the hotel outside paint is falling apart big time. The bed sheets had not been changed so we had to ask for them to be immediately changed. This has been done right away but we stayed with the bad feeling. On the positive side, shower water is perfectly warm, the hotel is quiet and it is great to be downtown. Overall at that night rate we would have expected much better.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Mark

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The rate was fair for the value received. This place could be so much more but I suppose then the rates would be so much more. In all fairness the bedroom and bathroom were clean and it wasn't that bad. The biggest negative is the radiator would not turn off so we had to keep both the bathroom and bedroom windows open at all times. If you are looking for an inexpensive place in Seward this will work. Just don't panic when you first pull up to the place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Cal

The staff Was very gracious!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024