My wife and I have just spent 10 days at the Copper and Lumber Store.
It was our first visit to Antigua and we didn't want to stay in one of the usual resort type hotels but wanted somewhere with a bit more character to use as a base for exploring. Character and charm is provided by the bucket load at this hotel and the surrounding Nelsons Dockyard.
We arrived a couple of weeks before the main season starts in November and the Hotel was having its final makeover. Great care was being made of keeping this historic building true to its roots. As other reviews have mentioned, the exposed brickwork and varnished wood looked amazing.
With our out of season arrival we found out that the restaurant was not yet open as the repaint was not yet completed. This was not really a problem as we had booked room only and anticipated using the the local restaurants for our meals.
Our room was Agamemnon, a corner room with double aspect, overlooking the small road running through the dockyard (don't worry about the traffic, access is very limited by the friendly security people at the entrance to the dock yard). Our room was fabulous ! Room is an understatement, it was on 2 levels,a living area and a small kitchen as you walked in and a shower/wc up a couple of steps then finally the air conditioned bedroom upstairs. A safe was available free of charge, so is WiFi and Cable TV. Both rooms had ceiling fans.
The Nelsons Dockyard is amazing with all the old buildings being restored and re used for shops, bars and museum, worth a visit if you are staying on the island.
Nothing was too much trouble for the hotel staff, Claudius and Gillian and Darcia were fabulous and kept us informed at all times and took special care to ensure we were both ok, especially during Hurricane Gonzalo. It was my birthday while we were away and the hotel provided a cake and presented it whilst singing Happy Birthday Caribbean style ! Seafood Friday one of their main events and very popular with both tourists and islanders, a good selection of seafood and sides at reasonable prices. The hotel also booked us a taxi to pick us up at the airport and we used Donald from RAM taxis throughout the week. The bakery wasnt open every day throughout our stay but their patties were delicious and the banana cake was to die for (we took both to the airport for lunch on the last day)
We loved the holiday despite the hurricane, we loved the hotel and really felt looked after and valued guests. We would highly recommend the Copper and Lumber Hotel and also the Dockyard.