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Van Gilder Hotel

2.5 star property
Victorian hotel in Seward with free parking

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Van Gilder Hotel

Lobby
Reception
Shower, free toiletries, hair dryer, towels
Restaurant
Reception
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

  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking included

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Sep 7 - Sep 8
Check availability for tonight Sep 7 - Sep 8

Tomorrow

Sep 8 - Sep 9
Check availability for tomorrow Sep 8 - Sep 9
Available filters for rooms
Showing 8 of 8 rooms

View all photos for 1 Queen - Shared Bath

1 Queen - Shared Bath | Bathroom sink

1 Queen - Shared Bath

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Double Room

Highlights

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

View all photos for Apartment Annex

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Apartment Annex

Highlights

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

View all photos for Annex 1 Queen Bed

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Annex 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

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

View all photos for 2 Full Beds

2 Full Beds | Room amenity

2 Full Beds

Highlights

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

View all photos for One Queen & 1 Twin

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

One Queen & 1 Twin

Highlights

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

View all photos for Suite, 2 Bedrooms

1 bedroom, 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

1 bedroom, free WiFi, bed sheets

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

Highlights

Heating
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
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About the neighborhood

Map
308 Adams Street, Seward, AK, 99664

What's nearby

  • Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Seward Waterfront Park - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Alaska SeaLife Center - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Seward Boat Harbor - 2 min drive - 1.0 mile
  • Lowell Point State Recreation Site - 9 min drive - 2.8 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Firebrand BBQ - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Highliner Restaurant - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Alaska Seafood Grill - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Seward Brewing Company - ‬3 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 concierge services
  • Tour/ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • 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

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

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 at Van Gilder Hotel?

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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Van Gilder Hotel Reviews

Reviews

6.2
Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 517 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 119 out of 517 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 108 out of 517 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 88 out of 517 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 104 out of 517 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

5.4/10

Amenities

5.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

William

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

10/10 Excellent

Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved the historical memorabilia and stories as well as the friendly atmosphere.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claude

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love the old style hotel, staff was very nice
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason

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

6/10 Okay

Susan

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Hotel is a bit rough around the edges but very convenient and a fair value for the money. I was intrigued by the history and happy to find the free shuttle bus stop right across the street. The hostess was lovely and very helpful even loaning me her raincoat for the evening. I would stay again.
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.

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

2/10 Terrible

Susan

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

8/10 Good

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful old building. Pictures around building talking about its history. Great location. Friendly staff. And hot chocolate in the lobby, not just coffee!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Erin

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Property was run down outside, the inside was clean with a comfortable bed but tvs didn’t work and room was way overpriced.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Valerie

Liked: Staff & service
We love the Van Gilder. It is an historic building and therefore has some physical shortcomings but it makes up for it in customer service and location.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie-Lyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Bed was comfy. No A/C. Rundown and kinda dirty but sheets were clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael

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

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Coffee area was lovely
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Chester

Liked: Cleanliness
Old hotel
Stayed 1 night 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

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

shengzhong

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Old building, noise everywhere, very hot in the room.
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

4/10 Poor

Carol

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

10/10 Excellent

Jose Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Recepcionist was very helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Tammy

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The only place I can say was at least the bed sheets were clean. There is no ac so the window was open when we first got into our room and there was a crazy hallowing noise coming from a crack in the wall.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Lisa

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The property was conveniently located in the middle of town and I could walk to most everything I wanted to do. It was not in great condition. The staff was very nice/polite. I took pictures but I don't see an option to share here. Sorry to say I wouldn't recommend due to the condition of the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mona

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I felt as though I had stepped back in time.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Kevin

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
New name, hotel lysol, no hot water. Dump
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025