Van Gilder Hotel
Hotel in Seward, AK
2 guests · 2 bedrooms · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Includes essentialsKitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi, Parking and more
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About this hotel
Victorian hotel in Seward with free parking
This hotel features a microwave in a common area, a refrigerator in a common area, and concierge services. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free area shuttle are also provided. Other amenities include a library, express check-out, and tour/ticket assistance.
Change of towels is available on request.
Van Gilder Hotel offers 20 accommodations with complimentary toiletries. This Seward hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Hair dryers, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
This hotel features a microwave in a common area, a refrigerator in a common area, and concierge services. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free area shuttle are also provided. Other amenities include a library, express check-out, and tour/ticket assistance.
Change of towels is available on request.
Van Gilder Hotel offers 20 accommodations with complimentary toiletries. This Seward hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Hair dryers, change of towels, and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Smoking allowed
Parking
Map of Seward, AK
Available Rooms
Suite, 2 Bedrooms
Beds not specified
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Hotels.com for availability & pricing
Classic Room, 1 Queen Bed
Beds not specified
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Hotels.com for availability & pricing
1 Queen - Shared Bath
Beds not specified
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Hotels.com for availability & pricing
Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds
Beds not specified
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Hotels.com for availability & pricing
2 Full Beds
Beds not specified
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Hotels.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
2.0 / 5.0
Great location. Hotel is an interesting place, if a little dated. Beds were comfortable, but the rooms could have been cleaner. We found a pubic hair on one of the beds and had an unexpected roommate (centipede). Aside from that, the location was great and the staff was excellent - very attentive. The coffee bar was a nice touch as well.
4.0 / 5.0
It’s an older themed building. With coffee, tea, microwave, ref shared. Very close to dining and the bus stop
3.0 / 5.0
There's no hot water in the shower, also rooms are little cold at night
1.0 / 5.0
Terribly run down. In room, one of 2 electric outlet not working, shower didnt only drip but almost ran entire time. The bed sheets had not been changed, wrinkles in sheets frm previous occupants. Had to find other accomadations. I would NOT reccommend to anyone!!!! Cathy C. Night of 9/8/24
5.0 / 5.0
they are so friendly treat for us, we reach there early but check in is smoothly. the room is clearly. we feel very good.
1.0 / 5.0
This is definitely an old hotel that needs some care. The exterior has peeling paint and plaster. The interior carpet is worn and dirty and the wallpaper is missing or peeling in places. We stayed on the 3rd floor (no elevator) so it was a chore to get luggage from the off-site parking lot to our room. The room had its own bathroom but not much else other than a bed and a TV stuck in an awkward corner that you had to view by locating next to the bathroom wall. Our room had hair and used dental floss on the bathroom floor when we checked in and there were no towels. We alerted the front desk and she took care of it quickly. There is no place to hang clothes and there is no drawer space. The shower and toilet area were very tight. There are no blackout curtains in the sleeping area and there are large billowy curtains next to the toilet area which are difficult to manage while using the toilet. I would not recommend this hotel. We had either blood or ketchup on our hallway door jam. Whatever it was, it should be cleaned off. I felt like I had done enough complaining so I did not bring it up. We stayed two nights. There is no daily maid service. I was shown where to get additional towels when I inquired about more linens. The water was lukewarm at best. They do not lock the main door at night so anyone can wander into the hotel. Our room door was pretty flimsy and someone could have easily come in. I should not have read about the 1950 murder in this hotel! haha
1.0 / 5.0
This is definitely an old hotel that needs some care. The exterior has peeling paint and plaster. The interior carpet is worn and dirty and the wallpaper is missing or peeling in places. We stayed on the 3rd floor (no elevator) so it was a chore to get luggage from the off-site parking lot to our room. The room had its own bathroom but not much else other than a bed and a TV stuck in an awkward corner that you had to view by locating next to the bathroom wall. Our room had hair and used dental floss on the bathroom floor when we checked in and there were no towels. We alerted the front desk and she took care of it quickly. There is no place to hang clothes and there is no drawer space. The shower and toilet area were very tight. There are no blackout curtains in the sleeping area and there are large billowy curtains next to the toilet area which are difficult to manage while using the toilet. I would not recommend this hotel. We had either blood or ketchup on our hallway door jam. Whatever it was, it should be cleaned off. I felt like I had done enough complaining so I did not bring it up. We stayed two nights. There is no daily maid service. I was shown where to get additional towels when I inquired about more linens. The water was lukewarm at best. They do not lock the main door at night so anyone can wander into the hotel. Our room door was pretty flimsy and someone could have easily come in. I should not have read about the 1950 murder in this hotel! haha
0.5 / 5.0
This place is a fire trap. There is no ceiling in the shower and u can see the hallway through the opening. There is exposed lathe and plaster above that shower. The stairway carpet leading up to door has tears and holes in it and is tread bare. Plaster is falling off the exterior and looks run down. The interior smells OLD. When u look at this place, skid row comes to my mind.
0.5 / 5.0
This place is a fire trap. There is no ceiling in the shower and u can see the hallway through the opening. There is exposed lathe and plaster above that shower. The stairway carpet leading up to door has tears and holes in it and is tread bare. Plaster is falling off the exterior and looks run down. The interior smells OLD. When u look at this place, skid row comes to my mind.
3.0 / 5.0
Just what we expected. Older building, beds where comfortable
2.5 / 5.0
Great
5.0 / 5.0
I was so happy when I got to the Hotel and saw my room. It was very clean. Freshly painted. The floors were immaculate. The bed had clean sheets and it was very comfortable. I slept very well. I like to sleep in a cool room. It was nice because I could open the window if I needed air during the night. I was glad I had my own bathroom. The bathroom was large and very clean. I had all the hot water I needed.
My check in was smooth and check out was super easy. I can report I did not see any ghosts or have any hauntings. All in all I had a wonderful experience at the Van Gilder Hotel.
2.5 / 5.0
Great
3.0 / 5.0
It is a very old, historic hotel so don't expect much. I was disappointed in the temperature of the shower. It was only luke warm and the shower head was an old style that barely sprayed the water.
1.0 / 5.0
There was mold around the caulking at the sink. The bedding was old and didn’t feel clean. There was a sock left under the covers and the room had not been vacuumed for awhile, especially under the bed. The staff at the desk is there from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm and then the reception door is locked. The building is left unsecure after 9:00 pm and the location is in the old town of Seward near the waterfront. Anyone can enter the building and no staff are present. We would not stay there again.
3.0 / 5.0
The Van Gilder is a very old property. My room was on the 3rd floor. There is no elevator. I paid extra to have a private bathroom, otherwise you are sharing a small toilet room and a small shower room. There was no hot water at my sink. The first time I tried to take a shower there was no hot water at the shower. I went down to the office to ask about the absence of hot water and another guest said that she also had no hot water last night, but she did this morning..So rethinking my showering schedule away from heavy usage times I was able to get my next 2 showers in. My 3rd shower was luke warm.
There is a small eating room with microwave, small fridge, ice maker and 2 Kuerigs. The microwave would not run for more than 10 seconds unless I unplugged other appliances. The bed was fairly good. The room, linens and towels were clean. There were 2 available usable outlets. My door was rubbing REALLY hard at the head and was very difficult to open and close. The location is great. There is plenty of parking around the hotel and it is just off of 4th Ave where there is lots of food and drink available within a short walking distance. 5 minute drive to the marina.
5.0 / 5.0
Very cool haunted property 👻
1.0 / 5.0
Old hotel, n0 elevator, no heat
1.0 / 5.0
Old hotel, n0 elevator, no heat
4.0 / 5.0
We loved our stay at the property. It reminded me of hotels in Europe. The staff is truly amazing. Loved the common areas with tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Our room was clean. You couldn't ask for a better location for the old town shopping and dinning, touring the aquarium and the free shuttle stop is just across the street. So why only four stars? The hotel needs TLC: on the outside it needs stucco repair and paint, and the inside needs new carpet, replacing wallpaper, etc. I can look past these items, but the owner could really make this a perfect inn and help the staff shine with some capitol investment.
Thank you to the entire staff for making our stay over four days feel like a home away from home.
4.0 / 5.0
Had charm. Staff very friendly, excellent location - a few steps away from the main shopping and dining street.
4.0 / 5.0
The property is well located, with plenty of stores, bars, and diners in the vicinity. The rooms are small but adequate. There are free shuttles available in front of the hotel, with numbered stops, and the one in front of the hotel is Stop 9. The walls can be a little thin, allowing you to hear noises from other rooms. I had read before going that the shower did not have hot water, and unfortunately, it was not fixed. However, the staff is amazing and very helpful, they are the heart of the place. The space was clean, and I would go back.
0.5 / 5.0
Room was damp, musty and in disrepair. Wallpaper was about 50 years old and peeling off the walls. Corners of room had dirt and paint chips.
0.5 / 5.0
Room was damp, musty and in disrepair. Wallpaper was about 50 years old and peeling off the walls. Corners of room had dirt and paint chips.
3.0 / 5.0
The bathroom needed a thorough cleaning of woodwork. Shower and sink were fine.
Overall, it seemed run down.
We never saw a staff person.
Room was comfy and quiet.
This is our 2nd stay here.
I don’t think we’ll stay again.
0.5 / 5.0
The place was filthy and moldy. Peeling paint and mold was common. The red carpet in the room was white in the corners where the vacuum cleaner was not covering. I found a dirty cleanex and used earplug on my floor. The water for a shower was almost never warm and had to take cold showers. I only saw an employee once during my 5 days stay.
0.5 / 5.0
The place was filthy and moldy. Peeling paint and mold was common. The red carpet in the room was white in the corners where the vacuum cleaner was not covering. I found a dirty cleanex and used earplug on my floor. The water for a shower was almost never warm and had to take cold showers. I only saw an employee once during my 5 days stay.
2.0 / 5.0
The staff
Was very gracious!
2.0 / 5.0
Classic property but run down. Shared bathrooms
2.0 / 5.0
The staff was wonderful. The building deemed as historical is in need of repair. wall paper coming unglued from the wall, the rusty heating return vents and the black mold running down the wall by the bed. A little glue, rust remover and bleach would really go a long way to spruce up the place
2.0 / 5.0
Old building, had some mold issues, covered up with strong cleaner. Towels and bed questionably not cleaned prior to our visit. Hot water's sparse, don’t shower during prime times to do so.
1.0 / 5.0
Hot water was barely warm enough to shower.
3.0 / 5.0
Bed was comfortable but no heat in the room. Had to climb 3 flights of stairs. Water was lukewarm.
1.0 / 5.0
The property was in a great location. Unfortunately, the property was in a total state of disrepair! No one had hot water and everyone was angry! Every morning guests would meet in the coffee room and Vent! Other guests told me to demand a refund at the front desk so I did. The lady at the front desk told me that the boiler was old and that the owner has no intention of repairing it! I am going to pass that on to the city of Seward. They should revoke the Gilders license to operate. The front desk also refused to give me a refund and told me I needed to take it up with Expedia. Expedia told me that they’ve tried over and over to call the hotel but no one answers the phone! Shame on Expedia to list this hotel. The Hotel was filthy. The walls across from my room were just bare stained concrete. There was no lighting near my room, so we could not see to get the key in the door without using our iPhones as flashlights. There is no elevator. Many of the rooms have to share a bathroom, so beware before you rent!! My wife could not sleep In the room. And this put a real damper on our week in Seward. The bottom line, do not stay in the van Gilder. If you can’t find a better hotel on Expedia Drive VRBO Airbnb. There were plenty of very nice cottages available in the area.
2.5 / 5.0
hotel was quaint, but old - had alot of history which was very interesting
2.5 / 5.0
hotel was quaint, but old - had alot of history which was very interesting
5.0 / 5.0
We loved the historic charm of this hotel. Everything we needed
2.5 / 5.0
This hotel is very old 108 years old but it is in very good condition and loved staying there however since it's old there is no elevator and it is 3 story high so lots of stairs
2.5 / 5.0
This hotel is very old 108 years old but it is in very good condition and loved staying there however since it's old there is no elevator and it is 3 story high so lots of stairs
1.0 / 5.0
The property might be old and have a good rating but the property is very poorly managed they don’t even clean the rooms there is a lot of dirt behind the cart they cover it with a curtain due to that dirt we felt so uncomfortable to complaint there is none the plug points don’t work it’s a horrible experience
FAQs
How much does this hotel cost compared to others in Seward?
The average price for a rental in Seward is $223 per night. This rental is $83 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this hotel?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Van Gilder Hotel. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hotel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hotel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Van Gilder Hotel pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this hotel is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Van Gilder Hotel?
We found 4 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, smoking allowed, and parking.
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