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    The Van Gilder Hotel

    2.9 (46 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    A broken sink, never used it, the water come out with a yucky smell
    Marivic M.

    Very poor, hotel are dirty, feel like never vacuum, our room is felty with foul smell, broken sink. What a waste of money.

    a little black mold treat on the bathroom ceiling

    Such a disappointment. Old features have been kept yes, but not maintained, more neglected. First walking into our room it smelled like feet. Shoddy electric; lamp by our nightstand was unusable. Many more questionable features, including unrecognizable stains, cracks along the walls, wallpaper falling apart, and many more! Not to mention roughly $250-300 a night solely because it's a "historical" building. Please for your sake and comfort do not book here.

    No light outside door. Couldn't see the doorknob to stick in the key

    This hotel was horrible. There was no hot water. We reported it and were told that it was an old building, and that the owner was not planning on repairing it. I discussed with about 6 other guests. They by the way all approached me! No one had hot water. Everyone was mad. I asked for compensation and was lied to. The front desk manager told me that Expedia collected my money so I needed to go through Expedia for a refund. She stated that she would have given me a refund had if I did not pay through Expedia. I then checked my credit card and realized that was a lie! The Van Gilder charged my credit card directly. Expedia confirmed that. The hotel was dirty, the hallway lights were out, You could not see your door to put the key in, the walls were stained and disgusting as you can see from my photo, and every guest that I talked to was angry. A British doctor told me that the Van Gilder was the most disgusting hotel she had stayed in anywhere in the world. I had to agree. Alaska is a beautiful state but the Van Gilder ruined our Seward, AK experience. I called Expedia. Expedia tried calling the Van Guilder but stated that no one would answer nor return their calls. I called after leaving and realizing I had been lied to with the same result. No one answers the phone. Do Not Stay at the Van Gilder. Look on VRBO or AirB&B. There are lots of nice places to stay in Seward. I will be personally taking this up with the city of Seward. They really need to revoke the Van Gilder's license to operate. I am also taking this up with my credit card company. I am now in Homer, at a beautiful hotel. Everything is new. Water is hot. TV is 2-3 times the size. I have a freezer and refrigerator, neither of which I had at the Van Gilder, the walls are freshly painted, I have hot water etc. Everything you should expect from a hotel in the USA.

    Water damage in quite a few places, painted over.

    A dump. Paint is peeling, water damage is painted over, smells bad. The lady at the desk was really sweet and helpful, though.

    yikes
    Brady S.

    so, last minute booking, take what you can get right ? expedia and orbitz tried to get $320, we showed up in person and got the room for $220. Pretty gnarly smell...but it's old. next, 77 degrees in the room with no AC. went to Carrs at 1100pm to purchase a $96 fan. bathroom gross and food under bed. hopefully just a one off and not indicative of the business. Having said that, I feel $220 was a rip off and I wouldn't recommend to this anyone unless they hate money and hygiene.

    Front Lobby
    Daniel S.

    If you are looking for a cookie cutter, run of the mill or a perfect hotel... keep looking. If you want interesting history, vintage charm and beautiful imperfections you have reached your destination! From it's front door to its lobby and into your room you'll take a glimpse into its long history. Upon checkout you'll meet George who is not only the manager but the caretaker of this small town gem. Ask him about the hotel's past and it's most noted patron and you'll get a account that will blow you away. Yes it has its flaws and yes it does not have an elevator but that is not why people come to the Van Gilder. You come to experience life of a time long since past.

    front
    Andrew H.

    I haven't stayed in many hotels in Seward, but I would be shocked if there were one cooler than this one. It's historic. This means it's got massive charm. I felt like I was in a Dick Tracy comic. At the very least, I felt like I was a detective sent to a small town to work on a case. The furnishes are nice, the tub is clawed, the shower is weird, the rooms are small, the place...might be haunted? Personally, I freaking loved it. The location is also perfect, you can easily walk to all the downtown Seward bar action. For the right price, I would definitely stay here again.

    The communal bathroom, which looked like it's hadnt been cleaned in days.

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Sad. In its day, it looks like it was nice. It's now a run down hotel with hazards. Sad!

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    Elliot J.

    Thank you, Susan, for your feedback.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    20 years ago

    This is the coolest old hotel you could ever stay in. Plus its HAUNTED! No joke. Go ask your mother.

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    9 years ago

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    14 years ago

    Great theme and a since of history and family. Nice breakfast, and a community kitchen, just fun

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    15 years ago

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    8 years ago

    What hotel misses in amenities is made up for in staff. Kevin was an excellent host and very knowledgeable of area

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Van Gilder Hotel

    Review Highlights - The Van Gilder Hotel

    We stayed here with a TourSaver discount, which did not totally give us a free night (it gives you the cost of a shared bath room for free, we upgraded to private bath).

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Harbor 360 Hotel - Double rainbow from our 3rd floor room

    Harbor 360 Hotel

    (56 reviews)

    $$$

    Hotel is comfortable. Free breakfast is decent. Harbor view rooms are nice. The temperature…read morecontrols for the room do not work well. It was set to low 60s in March and never got below 71 in the room. Needs more parking for customers with larger parking spaces.

    DISABLED / MOBILITY ISSUE TRAVELERS BEWARE!…read more This hotel does not care about you! I am on a 100 day tour around Alaska and Canada and have travelled through the south eastern islands / marine highway and Haines Junction / Tok by this point with no issue. 5 nights booking. Stated in booking I had mobility issues. Did not check until I arrived then they downgraded me to a room on the second floor via elevator. Would they come get me in an emergency? Would not have chosen this hotel if I couldn't get the advertised room. The given room only had a single handrail in the bathroom a distance from the toilet or sink. The shower was not step-free but mostly step-free. There was no rubber mat. The breakfast was very difficult to use with a walker and there was no assistance. On 3 occasions non disabled guests parked or blocked the disabled spots, raised with front desk, did nothing. On two of those occasions the lots were also full and I had to walk with my walker a significant distance in the rain. They had company vehicles blocking spots preventing me entering and others leaving and when asked if they could move temporarily I was told no. On third occurrence of disabled use/blocking informed them if I see it again I will be contacting police. Supervisor told me he was unaware of these issues which means they must have never raised or discussed them among themselves. He got sarcastic with me and told me I should call the police right now. I said it's your hotel I'm doing you a courtesy by telling you and not calling the police but I will the next time I see it. I left the hotel at this point as I simply don't know if I can park there or trust they would rescue me. DO NOT STAY HERE Attached are some photos showing these issues

    Soo's B & B - Lovely and lovely

    Soo's B & B

    (10 reviews)

    I adore Soo!! If only I could tell her that I will be headed to Korea this year!…read more She works hard and does her very best in all things. So sweet, she made us Korean pindaeduk one night -- it was yummy! I bought her a card and tucked $20 into it. We stayed 2 or 3 nights to explore the Fjords and Kenai peninsula. Breakfasts there are NOT negotiable with the time. Be prepared to eat rather early. Feasts they are---

    If you are looking for a nice place to stay in Seward, AK, THIS is the place! Soo's B&B is lovely!…read more Cleanliness is off the charts great (yet it still feels like your home to spread out & use the facilities). The rooms are spacious and well-kept. She has 2 facilities: The main house (the A-Framed one) and the "cottages" across the street. My niece and I stayed in the main while my sister and her hubby stayed in one of the cottages. The cottages boast a full kitchen, with fridge, stove, sinks, microwave and even a stacked washer & dryer. Also being separate from the main house, if you're having a long stay, this would be ideal as you won't disturb anyone with comings & goings. There appeared to be 3 of these cottages. In the main, there are 5 bedrooms, ALL with private bathrooms! :) Soo makes a terrific breakfast that's included... forget those scrawny little donuts or cold cereals you'll see at a hotel. She made us scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, home-made blueberry compote and fresh squeezed orange juice! I'm tellin' ya... it's a great way to start the day! She also knows the local area & can tell you about discounts and things to see. When we arrived, she showed us the code to get in, the etiquette (removing shoes- great cleanliness idea in Alaska), and showed us around her beautiful home. Soo also used to live in Anchorage, where my sister still lives and I used to, and owned a sewing shop. When we arrived, and my sister made the connection, and I off-handed asked if she could re-attach the handles on my favorite tote. I didn't really expect a yes...but she said YES! The next morning at breakfast, there was my repaired tote on the chair in the dining room. She refused any compensation, but I will be forever grateful. Soo is kind, gracious and staying at her home is FABULOUS!

    Seward Windsong Lodge - Seward Windsong Lodge

    Seward Windsong Lodge

    (47 reviews)

    $$

    My stay here was great. If you'll be arriving to Seward via Alaska Railroad, you can check your…read moreluggage at the train station and they will be delivered to the Windsong Lodge. You won't have problems if you will have the Kenai Fjords tour first before going to the hotel to check in. Check in was smooth. The lady at the front desk provided us with detailed information on the amenities and the shuttle. Hourly shuttle service is available with drop offs/pick ups at Windsong Lodge, Alaska SeaLife Center and Small Boat Harbor. The property is huge; it's great that they offer very convenient and quick service (golf carts) to/from your building to the main building. Room was clean. The sink was located outside the bathroom, close to the beds, which was a little weird. Nevertheless, the bathroom was clean and their toiletries are of high quality. Though the room did not have air conditioning, the room remained cool and comfortable even if it was summer. There was no complimentary breakfast. The restaurant Resurrection Roadhouse in the property offers great, delicious food. If you're leaving Seward and will use Park Connection, their buses will pick you up here which was very convenient. Overall, I had a great experience here.

    We booked this hotel just when we booked our Kenai Fjords Tour of the Northwestern glacier. We…read morefound out they are both part of "The Alaska Collection". The Windsong shuttle takes you directly to the boat tour office and picks you up there or in downtown Seward. The Windsong Lodge lobby was beautiful, included a huge fireplace, coffee and 24 hour gift shop and is surrounded by multiple room lodges where you stay, plus a restaurant and bar with a stunning view of the mountains. Our room looked out over the woods and had a private deck with chairs and a table. The service at the lodge and restaurant was friendly, very attentive and we were treated like family. We hiked the nearby Exit Glacier trail on the last day of our stay and saw a moose on our way out. We'll look at their other locations for our next trips!

    Alaska Paddle Inn - Low and High Tide Rooms

    Alaska Paddle Inn

    (5 reviews)

    Fantastic! This is an absolutely adorable B&B / guesthouse located on Lowell point. The owners are…read moreabsolutely kind. We were able to talk to them for a bit. They love what they do, but also like to give visitors their privacy to come and go as they please. They decorated this place themselves and really pay lots of attention to detail (it shows!) We stayed in the low tide room and it was just wonderful. It has so many amenities, was very clean, and they made amazing use of the space. Everything looked new and placed with so much love. The low tide has a separate bedroom and bathroom and a small living/kitchen area with a nice little fireplace. The theme is nautical decor throughout and beautiful photography from landscapes in Alaska. One of the coolest things was the ceiling in the bedroom and how the bathroom shower is set up. The towel holders were actually oars and the handles of the doors are an actual cleat hitch. Pretty neat and creative! This is by far the cleanest nd nicest place I've been to, with an amazing view as it's practically right across the street by the water. No other place in town can beat that. This is a quick drive to the sea life center and the surrounding area at a very reasonable price! Definitely check them out! The kitchen was even nicely stocked with a few items!

    This is a fantastic bnb/ guesthouse located a couple miles south of Seward, in sleepy Lowell Point…read more The owners really love what they do and have put their hearts into this place. The craftmanship is just stunning. The house consists of just 2 rentals, the Low Tide and High Tide rooms. I stayed in the Low Tide which is perfect for families (or snorers) because of its one -bedroom studio that was closed off to the main area. The High Tide room looks more romantic, as its a proper studio with a bed facing the bay. Both rooms have absolutely stunning views of Resurrection Bay....we could see birds and sea otters from our breakfast bar! The kitchen area has a small fridge stocked with OJ, milk, coffee creamer and butter pats. There were three types of cereal, all fully stocked and super delicious and healthy. The coffee was phenomenal and there were packets of tea and spiced cider. The architectural details of the Low Tide room really made me feel at home. For Sewards gray skies, the Low Tide has bright, airy colors that feel Southwestern. The craftsmanship is flowing; the ceiling has delicate arches with wooden beams, similar to a nautical feel (this personally makes me feel I'm Italy because they loved curved ceilings.) Oh yes, and the bathroom is phenominal...I guess you just have to be there to understand. Furniture is higher-end, and they have a great economical water heater (heated water on demand). I love this place. The scenery, the quaintness of Lowell Point, the amenities and guaranteed hot showers and nice dishes, make this the perfect spot for an Alaskan getway....the only suggestion I would have is they get a grill!

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge - Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

    Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

    (2 reviews)

    This was the probably the HIGHLIGHT of our Alaskan vacation…read more Let me paint the picture for you - The cabins are built in a secluded island called the fox island. Its about 10 miles (~12 nautical miles) from Seward. All Alaska heritage tour boats seem to stop here. But after the guests leave, the island is ONLY for the folks who stay and some staff. There were about 4 cabins. If I added the restaurant and activities desk, there would probably be just around 6 cabins in the whole island. There's cool blue ocean right in front of you and a gorgeous lake behind the cabins...That's it! They warned us that because blueberries were ripening, there had been bear sightings on the island the previous day. The island was great for sea-shelling, I wasn't too good at it, but hey, with the whole island practically to yourself, you can always try ;) Food is catered by an executive chef on the premise. We had mentioned I was vegetarian, so they made sure there were options. For dinner, I had risotto and grilled zucchini with locally picked blueberry cobbler. YUMMM We had gone sea kayaking during the day - it was surreal. Just pristine waters and you in your kayak. In the evening we could see salmon spawn everywhere on the water. It was quite a spectacle. The lodge was indeed pricey, but totally worth EVERY penny.

    This lodge is not only surrounded by beauty, but the seclusion of the lodge and staff will make…read moreyour experience here remarkable and forever memorable. My fiancé and I stayed here late June in 2020. Since the trains were not running currently, the lodge was even more secluded than usual. It usually has up to 16 guests, 8 cabins, on site and when we were here, we ended up only have 4 guests there. As soon as we arrived, the staff greeted us warmly and the manager, Brandon, introduced himself and stated whatever we wanted or desired they would help achieve that or come close to it. He stated he or someone else would always be available for questions or concerns, and he did not disappoint. The cabins were beautiful and cozy. There are no outlets in the room which we did not mind as the main area has plenty available. I was able to charge my camera batteries without an issue as well. Wi-Fi worked great in this area but not in the cabins, so needing to charge your phone while in the cabin was not necessary. We stayed at the puffin cabin which had a great view of the bay and the lake just behind the cabin where we spotted river otters and baby ducks. The chef was from Vero Beach, FL which is close to my hometown. His cooking was phenomenal and kept you excited for the next meal. This is top dollar dining at its finest, no meal tasted the same and the meals were well executed. I am a self-proclaimed "foodie" and would not be this kind if not so deserved. Brandon told us about a hike, a bit on the challenging side, was available for us and explained how to get there and where to get some great views/pictures. This hike was not even recorded on my hiking app, All Trails, so I added it for others to use as a guide. Fox Island flora and landscape is like nothing I have ever seen, its damp and brittle which can make or break this hike from moderate to challenging, especially with the steep incline. On our second day there we were unable to do kayaking secondary to the tour personal being exposed to COVID, so precautionary measures were taken. Although at first this really bummed us out, we asked if they had any fishing rods which we could use to try to catch fish. Luckily, Brandon was on it, and an employee had a couple rods and lures for us to use. The chef brought us out to the "spot" on the end of the bay where the employee stated he would catch rock fish, and boy did we! (and when I say we I mean my fiancé, all I caught was seaweed and kelp, whoomph). The chef cooked the rock fish for dinner and it beyond delicious, reminded me of grouper and kind of looked like it too! We also got a show when the chef put the rock fish scraps back into the ocean and watch 2 bald eagles fight for the winnings--just WOW!! Brandon also told us if we were feeling up to it, we could jump off the dock into the frigid Alaskan waters, and you do not have to dare me to adventure. It was a beautifully warm day, and although my limbs went numb as soon as I hit the water, as soon as you get out you are instantly warm--so STRANGE for this Florida native. Every night they offered a beach fire with smores which we gladly accepted. The staff was cautious wearing masks when around guests and I never once felt unsafe. The day out you enjoy a 5-hour boat ride to explore the Fjords and see wildlife, we saw humpback whales, plenty of seals, puffins, an enormous number of seabirds, and the Aialik Glacier. The captain of the tour boat was incredibly knowledgeable about the Fjords and the boat was big enough with a catamaran style hull that allowed its massive boat to take on waves, so that I never once felt seasick. The beauty of Fox Island, the delicious food, and the attentive staff with opportunities for adventure, and the enjoyable Fjords boat tour allow me to absolutely recommend this lodge. The price is beyond worth every penny. I would ask that the lodge acquire more fishing equipment because this activity became a highlight for us both and think future guests would appreciate it as well. Stephen and I thank the staff for everything they did for us while we there and making the last bit of our Alaska trip incredibly memorable.

    The Van Gilder Hotel - hotels - Updated May 2026

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