Shipwright Inn

Accommodation in Charlottetown - Canada

Email Shipwright Inn enquiries and Reservations: bookcanada@madbookings.com

Award Winning 5 Star Breakfast Heritage Inn Shipwright Inn B&B, located in Olde Charlottetown, PEI, "The Gentle Island", has been rated as the "Best Bed and Breakfast on Prince Edward Island" and one of the "Top Ten B and B's" in Canada by Frommer's Travel Guides and is AAA/CAA 3 Diamond approved. We offer warm, Island hospitality and attentive service. Our accommodation is well appointed but not intimidating and has all the benefits of an hotel and so much more. Quiet and safe. Convenient location, walk to everything in town --- fine dining, shopping, the boardwalk, waterfront activities and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Walking and biking trails nearby. We provide off street parking and a smoke free home. There are 30-plus courses here (starting only a matter of minutes away) so, given PEI's small size, you can play a round and still have plenty of time for touring, dining, beaches, Anne of Green Gables attractions, lighthouses, seal watching, Provincial and National Parks, heritage roads, historic villages, antique and craft shopping.

Shipwright Inn rates and prices

Welcome to the Shipwright Inn , an elegant Victorian home built in 1865 by Charlottetown shipbuilder, Mr. James Phillips Douse. Centrally located in the old Historic District of the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island - The 'Gentle Island'

Now an award-winning heritage breakfast inn, the Shipwright Inn respects its ship building heritage by emphasizing a nautical theme.

Unique period antiques and artwork have been collected for your enjoyment. While savoring breakfast beneath the dining room chandelier, you might imagine how the rope insignia china (circa 1810) must have originally looked at the Captain's table of a clipper ship.

After a "busy" day of golf, swimming or shopping, you may wish to sip a complimentary beverage in the quiet atmosphere of the parlor, the rustic games room or under the old oak tree. If you have time to browse, you will discover old books and artifacts related to the sea and be introduced to the unique experience of the Victorian "whimsy". Experience the enjoyment of staying in Historic Olde Charlottetown whilst being pampered at the Shipwright Inn with warm, Island hospitality and attentive service.

Ship's Offerings (included)
• Full Breakfast
• Afternoon Tea and Cakes
• Off-Street Private Parking
• Smoke Free Environment
• 24 Hour Internet Access
• Bathroom Amenities (Conditioning shampoo, Shower Gel, hair dryer)
• Iron & Ironing Board (in each room)
• Bicycle & Luggage Storage
• Some rooms have Ultra Thermo-masseur baths

Special Services (additional charge)
• Silver Champagne Tray
• Enjoy a Relaxing Massage
• Same-Day Laundry Service
• Gift Certificates

Rooms at the Shipwright Inn

The Officer's Wardroom is the most spacious and exotic of our luxury suites. Popular for special occasions.
The Oriental furnishings, including a Japanese privacy screen, will inspire the mystery of the East. In the master bedroom, the impressive headboard incorporates the original doors of the inn, circa 1865.
Unwind after a day of sightseeing on your private balcony adjacent to the bedroom. In the evening share a romantic moment with your sweetheart in front of the fireplace in the living room. Luxuriate in the double Ultra Thermo Massage airtub with overhead skylight. Candles and a glass of wine are the finishing touches for stargazing from your mountain of bubbles.

Crow's Nest
The double clawfoot Ultra Thermo Massage air tub facing the king bed in the master bedroom creates the ambiance for a romantic interlude combined with soothing music and firelight from the two-sided fireplace. This suite also has a sofa bed to accomodate an additional guest. The balcony outside the livingroom window looks over our perennial garden and century oak trees. It is shared with the Captain's Quarters and Purser's Stateroom (ideal for couples traveling together).

Navigator's Retreat
Try this spacious and airy room, with large windows, a favourite "retreat" of our guests. Our "Victorian Lady", outfitted in her finest gown, welcomes you upon arrival. As you make yourself at home, relish the chimney of honey coloured brick (probably ballast from a sailing ship) and the glass fronted cast iron stove from the comfort of your king bed.

Captain's Quarters
A window seat over looking the old oak tree is the ideal place to meditate your worries away.
The hand-stenciled Victorian bedroom set is highlighted against the rooms decor. An oriental rug and chairs facing the glass front stove put you in a relaxed mood. Bask in the Ultra Thermo Massage whirlpool bath or enjoy a famous Island sunset from the adjoining balcony shared with the Purser's Stateroom and Crow's Nest (ideal for couples traveling together).

Quarterdeck
Let yourself be transported back in time to a more gentle era.
Delicate antique clothing, early photographs and French Ivory vanity accessories adorn this spacious room. Underfoot the polished pine plank floors compliment a hand-stenciled antique bedroom set with matching canopy. An elegant tapestry accentuates the wall opposite the pine corner cupboard. In the afternoon, watch the world pass by on your verandah. When evening comes, turn down the blinds and enjoy the cozy sitting area in front of the fireplace or share an intimate evening in the ambient double Ultra Air tub.

Wheelhouse
All the gracious touches are there for you to experience an unforgetable vacation.
The antique queen brass bed and draped canopy will attract your eye initially. Other traditional features include Victorian Clothing, antique doctors case, walking cane and stove top hat all adding to the charm of this delightful room. A twin bed can accomodate the extra travelling companion. Relax in comfort in front of the fireplace after an exciting day of discovery. Sharing a private entrance and common verandah with the Quarterdeck, this room combines privacy and convenience (ideal for friends/family travelling together).

Tiller Flat (Apartment Style)
This large airy apartment style basement suite has a unique charm.
Beautiful scenic photographs truely capture the spirit of the Maritimes in this spacious modern suite. A separate Queen bedded room, with walk-in closet, full kitchen and a private entrance makes this ideal for longer stays. This suite also has a double sofa bed to accomodate additional guests. The basement retreat has natural light and warm breezes coming from windows in the living room, bedroom and bathroom. Features include a Flat screen TV / DVD in the lounge and a TV in the bedroom.

Purser's Stateroom
You will appreciate this comfortable room, brought to life with charming details.
The original island-red and honey-colored brick chimney (probably ballast from a sailing ship) is revealed in the bathroom a compliment to the Victorian pedestal sink. Adding to the room's character is the headboard once a fireplace mantle original to the house. Pine floors with old square nails were found during the renovation under three layers of flooring and carpet. A small hall connects to the balcony shared with the Captain's Quarters and Crow's Nest (ideal for couples traveling together).

Chart Room
Natural light and original hardwood floors make this room warm and welcoming.
Enjoy the craftsmanship of the romantic 1830's hand-carved walnut four-poster double bed, matching chest and beautiful French Toile drapes which grace this room. Ponder over the impressive sea charts from yesteryear as you nestle next to the brick fireplace and experience true relaxation, PEI style.

Food at Shipwright Inn

Our mission : To use quality, natural and local ingredients resulting in healthy and delicious breakfasts

Nicholas Graveline began his career in culinary arts during his final years of his University education.
After graduating from St Thomas University, he decided to relocate to Prince Edward Island to enjoy the Summer tourism season and develop his culinary skills.

Having been on the Island for fours years, Nicholas has truly come to call it home. He loves the excellent local produce, seafood, dairy as well as the relaxed pace of life. He has been developing his skill set working with Island chefs, restaurant owners, and hoteliers and is very happy to be spending the Summer cooking a locally-sourced menu of classic breakfast dishes for the Shipwright Inn.

How to get to the Shipwright Inn

We are located in Olde Charlottetown, one block west of Queen Street, within a 3 to 10 minute walk from all historic, cultural, conference, waterfront, dining and shopping facilities.

From the Confederation Bridge, Borden-Carlton (45-minute drive)
• Follow the Trans-Canada highway (Highway 1) east into Charlottetown. Turn right, into University Avenue, at large crossroad. (past Boston Pizza)
• Continue on University Avenue until you see a Shell gas station on right.
• Continue over the lights and then take the next right (Fitzroy St.) after Government building.
• Follow Fitzroy Street 1 and a half blocks to the Shipwright Inn (on right)

From the Wood Islands Ferry Terminal (45-minute drive)
• follow the Trans-Canada highway west into Charlottetown
• after crossing the Hillsborough Bridge turn left at the lights onto Water Street
• after 5 blocks turn right onto Queen Street then after 7 blocks turn left onto Fitzroy Street
• continue a half block to the Shipwright Inn (on right)

Direct Flights are available from New York, Detroit and Boston.

Driving Directions from Charlottetown Airport (10-minute drive)
• Upon leaving the Airport Drive go straight over cross roads onto the Sherwood Road.
• At the first stop sign turn left onto Malpeque Road (Highway 2)
• Go straight until you come to a large set of lights at a crossroad. Sears on right. Keep straight on.
• At the next large set of lights go straight ahead onto University Avenue (Highway 1). Boston Pizza on left.
• Travel on University for approx 2¼ miles / 4 kms. and take a right into Fitzroy Street (just after new Canada Gov’t building).
• follow Fitzroy Street 1.5 blocks to the Shipwright Inn on right.

Restoration of the Shipwright Inn Charlottetown

The Shipwright B&B Inn was built in 1865 by James Phillips Douse, a local shipbuilder. Mr. Douse, owned a shipyard on the Charlottetown waterfront and probably used the skilled shipwrights and ship's timbers and planks secured from the yard for the construction. The house is timber framed in the "ballon beam" manner, a method of construction now abandoned due to the amount and quality of the lumber required, the lack of "stops" between the floors and the slight balloning of the structure. Do not worry. This is normal. In fact, the skilled carpenter who worked on the restoration stated, "For a house of this age, it is in the best condition of any I have ever seen in all my career as a carpenter. From close examination of the timbers used, I believe that 3 or 4 houses of the same size could be built today from this lumber using modern construction methods.
Architecturally, it is classified as a "Maritime Vernacular Cottage" , a style characterized by a steeply pitched roof and gables and a symmetrical floor plan on either side of a central hall. Occasionally, the style is referred to as the "Island Storey and A Half" or the "Green Gables" style. It was typical of the mid Victorian or Confederation Era. The Douse Residence is a beautiful example of the style.

Some interesting points:

The summer kitchen (now the Games Room) was in considerable disrepair and was the most expensive part of the restoration per square foot.
The exterior Hemlock boarding under the wooden clapboards was dimensioned at 1 1/8" thick by 20" wide, a truly monster board. Imagine the trees! The stairs were relocated from the exterior to the inside hall to reverse previous renovations. The missing newel posts, railings and spindles were found in New Brunswick from a house of the same era. It was possible to "match" the rise and run of the stairs from the remains of old wallpaper on the plaster walls.

The following points were of particular interest:

1) Only 2 of the 4 walls were insulated
2) Four pieces of pine furniture original to the house
3) The upstairs floors were a 'challenge'
4) The building had to be jacked and corresponding plaster repairs made.

The following principles were followed :
Whenever possible existing materials were reused by carefully removing them in the "demolition" phase and placing them back again in more or less the original locations. Where replacement materials of the same age were available, they were used. Modern materials, fittings and appliances, where used, were selected and placed to "blend in and disappear".

There was deliberate avoidance of trying to make the home look "new". In an attempt to retain its charm and antiquity, small defects and little imperfections were happily accepted.

Email Shipwright Inn enquiries and Reservations: bookcanada@madbookings.com