I could not speak more highly of this wonderful hotel. We have just returned from spending 9 fantastic nights here, staying in the Victory room/suite. Thank you to all who work here for making our stay so special. Our first impressions were incredibly positive. We were greeted with ice cold glasses of fruit punch on arrival. The building itself is impressive with a beautiful courtyard in the centre and the view out over the harbour is magnificent. We were so impressed with the size of our room (or should I say rooms)! A huge living room with comfortable sofa, widescreen tv and dining table plus lots of storage space, a kitchenette with sink, fridge and basic kitchen equipment (a kettle for tea and a coffee maker with some basic supplies eg teabags was provided), a bathroom with a very good shower and then a large bedroom upstairs in the attic space. The bedroom had an AC unit and a ceiling fan so was always beautifully cool. The bed was kingsize and extremely comfortable. The rooms were beautifully clean and fresh towels arrived every day without fail. We were also lucky enough to have a brilliant view out across the harbour. There were so many details that we loved about staying at Copper and Lumber - the breakfasts were excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful view from the outdoor dining area which looks directly onto the harbour. The little birds that visit the breakfast tables were absolutely charming. We had the continental breakfast (tea, coffee, toast, fruit, yoghurt, pastries, freshly baked banana bread… it was fantastic). We also loved the friendly atmosphere and the staff were so lovely. To the waitress who kindly brought us extra banana bread when I told her how much I liked it - thank you! The historical feel to the place was just wonderful - all of the rooms are named after famous ships and naval figures, many with a connection to Nelson (Victory, Boreas, Hardy) and there are fascinating old pictures hanging throughout the hotel. The rooms have a very traditional feel and we felt as though we had stepped back in time. The location of the hotel is also incredibly convenient - lots of restaurants within easy walking distance, and a supermarket just 5 mins up the road. There is a small museum in Nelson’s Dockyard and a wonderful little bakery selling bread and cakes, as well as several gift shops and a couple of cafes. The bar at Copper and Lumber is lovely with old timey decor like a traditional English pub and does great food (I believe they have just reopened for serving evening meals). Some days we got the water taxi over to Galleon beach which is a stunning beach with great snorkelling - the water taxi leaves from a spot just next to the hotel and costs 5USD each way. Pigeon Point beach is also lovely and just a 20 minute walk from Copper and Lumber. We also really enjoyed exploring the coastal footpaths and seeing the ruins at Fort Berkeley. We could not have wished for a more brilliant place to spend our hol
Apologies for repeating the WelshGirlCardiff review from Aug 2022 - but she is spot on! Hawksbill is a 3-star resort and does not pretend to be a 5-star 'Sandals' resort with regimentally lined beach umbrellas hiding the natural beauty of the Caribbean coastline. The four beaches each offer something slightly different from easy swimming areas, to rocky snorkelling opportunities and the beautiful clothing optional Eden beach. The latter is the longest and less than ten people on the beach at any one time. A water was available from the cooler brought down from the resort. The food variety was fine and plenty of it, with catering and table staff friendly and accommodating. The requirement to book you evening meal preference was no issue with no strict enforcement, probably just an efficient way of gauging the cooking requirements for the evening. Vegetarians may feel aggrieved at the choice but for us this was not an issue! Caribbean flavours served throughout the day with the bars serving a variety of local cocktails along with the more familiar ones. All served with smiles and friendliness. The little Sugar Mill shop in an old Martello Tower on the resort sold tobacco, drink and souvenirs with a lovely helpful lady always chatting away and cheerful. Natural beauty oozes through the resort with goats roaming, pigs visiting the beach to cool down, the occasional mongoose scampering around, ducks scavenging with a variety of birds providing birdsong and occasionally raiding the sugar sachets in the rooms if you left the door open! The two cats collectively having 7 and a half legs, know how to cajole guests for some nibbles. There are many reviews pointing out specific issues they had with the resort: Paul M - You have to pay for water?? If you have a bottle there is free water from water coolers around the resort. Chervil R - Slow WIFI? It worked, but you have Caribbean beaches, azure blue sea and sunshine is this really an issue? Comments about staff being rude and unhelpful must have been visiting a different place! We booked the all-inclusive 14 day break through a British Airways package. Airport taxi transfer was efficient with a guided tour all the way to the resort. Welcome at the resort was friendly, informative and we were escorted to our beach front bungalow. 12 steps to the beach, 18 steps to the sea. Yes, the rooms were a little tired and the resort was closing for 5 months for a refurbishment, but did it matter. No, not one bit.