Van Gilder Hotel

Hotels
5.7 (322 reviews)
308 Adams Street , Seward , us

listing image 1
Show all photos
Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Fax/photocopying
Non-smoking throughout
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Physical distancing rules followed
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean bathrooms
Friendly staff
Historic charm
Great location
Cons:
Dirty corners and baseboards
Service inconsistencies
Overpriced
Limited amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
4.7
Multiple reviews noted cleanliness issues, particularly with corners and baseboards being dirty.
Service
7.2
Mixed sentiments; some mentions of friendly staff, though some service issues were raised.
Location
7.2
Noted as a strong point with proximity to attractions and a free shuttle stop.
Room Quality
4.7
Concerns about room size, outdated facilities, and shared bath setups.
Amenities
4.7
Reviews indicated limited amenities, including no elevator and minimal breakfast options.
Value for Money
6.2
Some reviews highlight the hotel being overpriced for the quality.
Food and Beverage
4.7
Limited positive feedback on food options; breakfast received criticism.
Overall Experience
6.2
Overall experience varied, with charm mentioned but many cleanliness and service issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 09:24

Property Description

Welcome to Van Gilder Hotel, your cozy 2-star retreat in Seward.

Convenient Amenities: Enjoy complimentary WiFi and private parking during your stay at Van Gilder Hotel. Rest assured with fresh bed linen and towels provided in every room for your comfort.

Explore Nature: Immerse yourself in the beauty of Seward with hiking and other outdoor activities just moments away from the hotel.

Easy Travel: Located just 168 km from Kenai Municipal Airport, your journey to Van Gilder Hotel is hassle-free.

Book your stay at Van Gilder Hotel now and make unforgettable memories in scenic Seward!

Important information:

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: ENA

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 15 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

5.7
Based on 322 reviews
Cleanliness: 4.7
Service: 7.2
Location: 7.2
Room Quality: 4.7
Amenities: 4.7
Value for Money: 6.2
Food and Beverage: 4.7
Overall Experience: 6.2
T
Thomas • solo_traveller • us
8
Cool place. Lots of history within.
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
B
Bauyrzhan • solo_traveller • us
5
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
P
prashant • family_with_children • us
8
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
E
Erin • family_with_children • us
9
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
T
Terri • couple • us
5
The bed was comfortable
Pros:

Location is great

Cons:

It was dirty,, towel for shower was damp,, bed not bed correctly, no light bulb in bedside lamp,, tv in a spot you could even watch
Black mold! Come on

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
K
Keith • solo_traveller • us
8
Pros:

Historical aspects of the whole building. Lots of pictures in hallways. Location in downtown area.

2026-01-15 • via Nuitee
J
Jasmine
6
Pros:

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.

2025-09-23 • via Nuitee
M
Mahipal • family_with_children • us
8
2025-09-06 • via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
2
Don’t stay here
Pros:

The staff wouldn’t answer the emergency line they gave me if there were any problems. The window wouldn’t lock and it was next to the sketchy alley and it was moldy!

2025-09-05 • via Nuitee
E
Erin • family
4
Pros:

Property was run down outside, the inside was clean with a comfortable bed but tvs didn’t work and room was way overpriced.

2025-09-05 • via Nuitee
C
Clive • couple • gb
6
2025-09-04 • via Nuitee
K
Kelsi
8
The Haunted Hotel
Pros:

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.

2025-09-01 • via Nuitee
W
William • family
10
Pros:

Clean, friendly staff.

2025-09-01 • via Nuitee
T
Terry • couple • us
6
It served it’s purpose.
Pros:

I liked its character and charm.

Cons:

It could use a deep clean. Corners and baseboards were dirty. The lady that checked us in was on her phone the entire time I was registering and still on her cell phone when I went back to ask for toilet paper as our bathroom had none.

2025-08-31 • via Nuitee
C
Christine • friends
6
Pros:

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.

2025-08-31 • via Nuitee
W
William • family_with_children • us
7
Cons:

Room was small

2025-08-30 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • us
7
we were satisdied.
2025-08-29 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • family
6
Pros:

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.

2025-08-28 • via Nuitee
J
Jonathan • couple • de
7
Pros:

Sehr urig. Es war sauber. Hatten genug Platz. Eigenes Bad. Ruhige Lage, sehr nah am Stadtzentrum. Eigene Parkplätze.

Cons:

Nicht billig, für Seward Verhältnisse aber schon. Hat nach Putzmittel gerochen, konnte man durch Fenster lüften aber wegbekommen.

2025-08-28 • via Nuitee
V
vinita • family_with_children • gb
7
Pros:

Comfortable

Cons:

Breakfast

2025-08-28 • via Nuitee