Admiral’s Inn & Gunpowder Suites offers two properties in one. You’ll drive into Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and arrive for check-in at the historic Admirals Inn, a brick, waterfront building featuring a warm entrance hall and lounge and a bar serving a welcoming rum punch.  This side of the property has several rooms – described more below – and one restaurant, plus a small man-made beach that serves as a launching point for kayaks.

A 2-minute boat ride takes you across Freeman’s Bay to the hotel’s other half, the Gunpowder Suites — a hillside oasis with rooms surrounding an infinity pool overlooking the bay, dotted with lounge chairs and plush, elevated daybeds.  The beaty and wellness spas are tucked below the hillside suites.

The small boat that shuttles guests between the two sides of the property also cruises to kid friendly Galleon Beach, a bit of a hidden gem among Antigua’s beaches.  Nature walks can also be taken right from the property.

Rooms can be found on both sides of the property. On the inn-side, rooms offer views of the dockyard and boats anchored in the shelter of the bay. These rooms have a historic maritime vibe about them, with dark wood furnishings, classic white linens, and (best of all) huge windows. Each has its own distinct personality, with unique architectural features like bare bricks, wooden beams, or old restored floors. There are a few family-sized rooms in this part of the property, which have lots of space, but be warned that they lack the insulation needed for a quiet night’s sleep.

The hillside Gunpowder Suites, across the bay next to the pool, are the dreamiest rooms on the property and the ones we recommend for families (even if it means sharing a sleeping space).

The inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Pillars, which has a great waterfront spot next to the lobby. We recommend dinner reservations because the restaurant is quite popular even among people not staying at the hotel. It serves fresh seafood and locally sourced vegetables on a tree-shaped patio, plus pasta for kids and a wide selection of wines for parents.  Boom, the poolside bar and restaurant, has classic poolside fare for lunch and delicious happy hour cocktails.

There are bed-and-breakfast and half-board options available.