Van Gilder Hotel

This place is clearly memorable. For me, that was in a good way. The Van Gilder was built a century ago, just after the gold rush era. It looks like it was a swank place back in 1916. Looks like they've kept all the interior looking about as it did then. Lots of antiques, dark wood, and dark halls. Free coffee and a stuffed bear. It was the quirkiest place I've stayed in for a while. I don't get most of the complaints. We had hot water. I'm sensitive to mold, and didn't smell any in our room on the 3rd floor. The parking lot is directly behind the hotel, not blocks away. Yes, there is no elevator. So if you are elderly or infirm, book the first floor. We enjoyed the Victorian hike up to the 3rd floor. I don't believe in ghosts, so we were left to sleep deeply on the comfy be

We literally got the last room in Seward. We found the hotel to be historic and charming, though a bit lacking for amenities since it is on the national register and I'm sure they want to be true to the nature of the place. There isn't an elevator, so youll need to take the stairs. The rooms are nicely appointed and comfortable. Coffee and tea available 24/7 on the main floor by the front desk. Everyone we interacted with was pleasant and helpful. We'd stay here again.

Positive: "" Negative: It has peeling paint on the outside. The toilet lid was cracked, they had real keys rather than electronic keys, there was no elevator, you had to go park in the back on a lot behind the neighboring building.

I really want to like this hotel. Old and funky and was likely charming - but hasn’t been for some time. now it’s just falling apart. Broken furniture. Inadequate curtains. No staff to be found. No hot water. Windows border up on some rooms. That said- great location for walking around Seward. And fine for a night, I guess.

This hotel is a dump! Door barely locked, windows broke and taped, no screens so bugs come in, holes in the wall. The pictures that you see a many years old. There are no coffe makers in the room or mini fridges. My tv had an orange 25ft extention cord for power. Paint is peeling off the building. It is not eclectic but just a very run down old hotel. |The positive is the staff was very nice. They had cured coffe machines in the lobby.