We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

The Van Gilder Hotel

308 Adams St., Seward, AK 99664
Hotel amenities
The Van Gilder Hotel
Ranked #10 of 15 hotels in Seward
Show the lowest price for this hotel*
Show Prices
*from our partners
Write a Review

69 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    9
    23
    17
    14
    6
Date Rating
Royal Oak, Michigan
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

I think how much you like the Van Gilder will depend upon how you're traveling. If you're solo like I was, or perhaps a young couple, I think you'll find it charming. I loved the historic feel--it's very 1909, or at least, it's what I feel 1909 must have been like. The ruby carpet, the dark and thin hallway, reminded... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
New Orleans, LA
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 January 2013

A friend and I planned our trip to Alaska months in advance. I selected this hotel based on their website and price. It is within walking distance of everything in town, esp. shopping and the waterfront. Great price online. Nice, friendly staff. Adequate free continental breakfast is served in the parlor and the fully stocked kitchen is available for other... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by UntilWeEatAgain for Seward
Hamilton, Montana
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 January 2013

This is a nice hotel with a friendly staff. I loved the decor and the old time feel of this hotel. The rooms were perfect and the bathroom was bigger than expected. This hotel is within walking distance of the stores and shops that line the streets. My favorite part was eating gelato on a bench overlooking the water. I... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by leejess62 for Seward
Chicago
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
13 hotel reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
52 helpful votes 52 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 September 2012

We had a very nice stay here during our quick visit to Seward. Our second floor room was small, but pleasant and very quiet. The attached bath was worth the extra cost. The downtown location was convenient and interesting. A shuttle bus stop was right across the street. Resurrection Bay was only a few blocks away. A word to the... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by CTDesign for Seward
Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 September 2012

We had Buy 1 get 1 free coupon from Toursaver. Rooms are small, clean, and basic-ours was next to the kitchen and we loved that since that allowed us to use it earlier than 8am. Made omelettes from the eggs they provide for our teens early am--Their continental breakfast was not substantial but healthy (they had kashi cereal and 12-grain... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 August 2012 via mobile

Against a backdrop of Marathon Mountain, with views down to Resurrection Bay, the location of the Van Gilder Hotel is hard to beat. Sadly, that's the only positive thing I have to say about this dreary hotel. Our room was dark and musty with two queen-sized beds shoe-horned into the available space. The vinyl-clad bathroom was reminiscent of the worst... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1

Travellers are raving about these Seward hotels

A Swan Nest Inn
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d571263?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Renfro\
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d125540?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Bear Creek Cabins
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1086932?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Alaska\
4.5 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d625978?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Whistle Stop Lodging
4 of 5 stars
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d670592?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_RavingAboutButton
Boston
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
11 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 August 2012 via mobile

We spent 2 nights at the Van Gilder Hotel, attracted by the idea of staying in a charming place full of antiques, etc, Instead it was rundown and the rooms were not especially clean. Our room was on the ground floor and overlooked a noisy alley--so a particularly grotty room. The hotel is well-located in the historic part of Seward... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 August 2012 via mobile

We reserved after reading about this hotel in Frommers. It sounded like a quaint and clean place to stay with a fun ghost story twist. Unfortunately, if I could describe it in one word, it would be "gross". It has a third world feel. The wood is rotting and the rooms smell like it - musty. This is not a... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Portland
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 August 2012

What a shock, complete opposite of what we were promised for our first night in Seward. When booking this hotel online, I thought it would be a nice, historic introduction to Alaska. Our room was on the first floor, end of hall, cold and drafty, with two views about eye level of the alley and dump behind the hotel. But... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Fairbanks, Alaska
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 July 2012

From check in to check out, everything was great at the Van Gilder hotel. The staff were very welcoming. Our room was very clean and comfortable, especially the bed. The room darkening blinds were much appreciated. The Breakfast average but not a highlight, for that I preferred to go to SeaBean Coffeeshop. But other than that, I like the history... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 6 more reviews by jungos for Seward
Holiday Inn Express Seward Harbor
Great value on a similar hotel
Seward, AK
4 of 5 stars 274 Reviews
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Highly rated hotels in or near Seward
Romantic
Grande Denali Lodge
Grande Denali Lodge 3.0 of 5 stars 189 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d230206?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_Style_Xsell
Travellers also viewed these Seward hotels
Holiday Inn Express Seward Harbo... 4.0 of 5 stars 274 reviews Hotel Seward 4.0 of 5 stars 186 reviews BEST WESTERN PLUS Edgewater Hote... 3.5 of 5 stars 143 reviews Seward Windsong Lodge 3.5 of 5 stars 139 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d575050?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d73131?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d240673?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d253259?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 15 hotels in Seward, ranked by popularity

Been to The Van Gilder Hotel? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about The Van Gilder Hotel

Also Known As:
Van Gilder Hotel
Van Gilder Seward
The Van Gilder Hotel Seward, Alaska
Address: 308 Adams St., Seward, AK 99664
Region: United States > Alaska > Seward
Amenities:
Free Parking
Hotel Style:
Ranked #10 of 15 hotels in Seward
Price Range:
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Travelocity, Expedia and Hotels.com so you can book your The Van Gilder Hotel reservations with confidence. We help millions of travellers each month to find the perfect hotel for both holiday and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage The Van Gilder Hotel, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
The Van Gilder Hotel
Show the lowest price for this hotel (from our partners)
Show Prices