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View all photos for Suite, 2 Bedrooms

A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, a window with curtains, a chandelier, and a framed picture on the wall.

Suite, 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a radiator, a window with curtains, a bedside lamp, and a mirror on the wall.

Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room

A bathroom with a white sink, gold faucets, and a large mirror with an ornate frame. There are wall-mounted lights above the mirror and a towel rack to the right.

Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for One Queen & 1 Twin

A bedroom with a bed, a desk, and a dresser.

One Queen & 1 Twin

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

View all photos for 2 Full Beds

A vintage black rotary dial telephone on a marble surface.

2 Full Beds

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Annex 1 Queen Bed

A bedroom with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, and curtains.

Annex 1 Queen Bed

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Apartment Annex

A bedroom with a bed, a desk, and a dresser.

Apartment Annex

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Classic Double Room

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

About the area

Seward

Van Gilder Hotel puts you in the heart of Seward, within steps of Chugach Heritage Center and Seward Community Library & Museum. Highlights at this historic hotel include free self-parking and a free area shuttle. .This Victorian hotel offers free WiFi in public areas, concierge services and a library. Other amenities include a microwave in a common area and a fridge in a common area. There's also the convenience of a free bus station shuttle. .In proximity to this Seward hotel you'll find Kenai Fjords National Park.

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

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

Van Gilder Hotel offers its guests a library, tour/ticket assistance, and concierge services. Public spaces have free WiFi. An area shuttle within 25 yards and a bus station shuttle are free. The historic Van Gilder Hotel also features express check-out, a microwave in a common area, and a fridge in a common area. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Victorian Seward hotel.

  • 20 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Built in 1916
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Library
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Microwave in a common area
  • Fridge in a common area
Van Gilder Hotel offers 20 accommodations with free toiletries. This Seward hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include a shower. Hairdryers, change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free area shuttle up to 25 yards
  • Free bus station shuttle
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Library
  • Shopping centre

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 lift

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 10 September and 14 May.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

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 fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in all accommodation.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in 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 parking available at Van Gilder Hotel?

Yep, Van Gilder Hotel has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Van Gilder Hotel?

Yep, Van Gilder Hotel is a short 5-minute walk from Seward Waterfront Park. Fun beach activities include fishing.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Van Gilder Hotel?

No, Van Gilder Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Van Gilder Hotel?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Van Gilder Hotel?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Van Gilder Hotel Reviews

Reviews

6.2
Rating 10 - Excellent. 121 out of 598 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 139 out of 598 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 126 out of 598 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 97 out of 598 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 115 out of 598 reviews

6.6/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

5.6/10

Amenities

5.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Convenient to downtown. Could use some sprucing up. Nice staff!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend to stay in this hotel. This is a century old hotel with all old furniture and tiny bathroom. Old style heater sitting just next to your bed. Look for something else. We stayed 2 nights
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Is the property old, yes, did it feel haunted, yep, is the paint chipping and wallpaper peeling, yes, does it have a smell, yes, is it overwhelming, no, does the hotel have charm, Yes, would I stay again Definitely! Shared bathroom situation was not horrible as I thought it would be. Never had issues, stayed 2 nights and will 100% stay here again. Clean, comfortable, and loved the overall “Shinning” feel. I recommend if you want a fun place to sleep or chill in the front room with coffee and a book. Has shared fridges and lots of old charm. Also amazing location and the food truck one street back was the best food I had in town. Try the tomatoes soup!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

2/10 Terrible

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

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

8/10 Good

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

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location in downtown - cool historic hotel :)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had. From the moment we arrived, the building looked neglected, with peeling paint and broken windows. The entire property is in very poor condition. The smell of mold is overwhelming throughout the hotel and inside the room. The bathroom is extremely old, the paint is peeling off the walls, and everything feels poorly maintained. The unpleasant odor made it very difficult to stay comfortably. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Please do yourself a favor and choose a different place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Ok for a haunted hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness
Old hotel
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

6/10 Okay

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
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The decor at the location was amazing. Feels like you're in the early 20th century.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified review

4/10 Poor

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

10/10 Excellent

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