Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn

Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn

, Nelson's Dockyard, English Harbour.

The clue is in the name, because the Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn was formerly a warehouse for storing those very commodities in the naval dockyard at English Harbour. Now it is a beautiful boutique hotel, set right in the middle of Nelson’s Dockyard surrounded by the yachts that are still drawn to this sheltered anchorage.

The hotel is one of many buildings built here by the Royal Navy in the late 1700s, and it has been impressively restored into a luxury hotel where English country house meets Caribbean magic. It is decorated throughout with time-period furniture and fittings and each of the suites and studios is named after one of Lord Nelson's ships or the Commanders that served with him.

The doors of the Mainbrace Restaurant open onto the dockside where yachts and super-yachts are berthed.  The courtyard restaurant blends Caribbean romance with a European feel for an astonishing setting of dining intimacy. The thick stone and brick walls keep the interior fresh and relaxing, perfect for breakfast and lunch-time dining. Lunch time choices include grilled chicken, lightly glazed with balsamic honey, sitting against a julienée of vegetables. The grilled Mahi Mahi also comes highly recommended by those who should know.

Whether you opt to stay in a Contemporary Studio or a Georgian Suite, you're assured of a once-in-a-lifetime historic getaway experience. Decked out in Georgian-inspired furnishings, there will never be any doubt that you are staying in a place infused with character and history. The Contemporary and Georgian Studios all have a private kitchenette as well as all the usual facilities like air-conditioning, television and wifi (the Georgian Studios have the best views). The Contemporary Suite is a duplex on two levels and sleeps four. Best of all is the Georgian Suite with its own sumptuous sitting room.

Guests at The Copper and Lumber Store are right on the doorstep of everything that Nelson’s Dockyard has to offer: heritage tours of the dockyard, the Dockyard Museum, spectacular views from Shirley Heights, snorkelling and swimming at Pigeon Point beach, the Pillars of Hercules. English Harbour is also the venue for many events during the year including the Classic Yacht regatta, Antigua Sailing Week, dinghy world championships and various fishing tournaments.