The Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland - Now Open
The Fogo Island Inn, located on Fogo Island, off the remote northeast coast of Newfoundland, is perched on the very edge of the North Atlantic Ocean andsurrounded by whales, seabirds and icebergs. The 29-room-and-suite property stands on crooked pilotis on the dramatic and rocky coastline, providing panoramic views through its wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows.
The opening is a milestone in the work of The Shorefast Foundation and its founder, visionary Zita Cobb. Following a wildly successful career in the high technology industry, Cobb returned to Fogo Island, her birthplace, to invest millions of her own money – supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada – to reinvigorate the waning economy. Bruised after a government fishing moratorium from the 90s drastically affected the island's reliance on cod fishing, one of the goals of the foundation is to create jobs; the Inn will be fully operated by a staff of 90 Fogo Island residents.
Todd Saunders, Norway's rising star architect, designed the property. (Like Cobb, Saunders has ties to the land; he was born in nearby Gander, Newfoundland.) The strong, uncomplicated lines of the Inn's exterior complement the natural landscape and reflect the aesthetic of Saunders' other designs for the island: Shorefast's Fogo Island Artist Studios. These architectural gems (four are finished with two more to be completed) provide a creative community for visiting artists and thought leaders from around the world to come and be inspired by the culture, history, and beauty of the island.
The island's people and stories are felt throughout the Inn: all rooms, suites and public areas hold bespoke furniture and fixtures entirely handmade and painted by local carpenters and artisans; the textile accessories – quilts, rugs, pillows - are hand-crafted by the ladies of the Island, many of whom fishermen's wives. Inn interiors are the result of a collaborative effort among local people and international designers (Ilse Crawford served as an advisor). Most rooms and suites have wood-burning stoves – as do all public areas. There are eight different accommodation categories, with names referencing a part of the island's DNA (e.g., Mooring, Storehouse, and "Gappy"). The property has a fine-dining restaurant, lounge, bar, and conference center – all with bold-ocean views and wood-burning fireplaces. And, on the Inn's rooftop, there are Northern-European style wood-fired saunas and hot tubs – all designed with star-gazing in mind.
The Inn reflects Shorefast's commitment to the arts. It is home to the Fogo Island Contemporary Art Gallery, the Dr. Leslie A. Harris Heritage Library (specializing in literature of the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland), and the Fogo Island Cinema, a partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.
Depending upon the season, rates start from $600 per room, based on double occupancy.
Rates are full board for most rooms and include breakfast, dinner, afternoon tea, supper, snacks, and all beverages, including premium wines and spirits (Innkeeper's reserve list is additional). Half board is available for a small number of rooms and includes breakfast, supper and non-alcoholic beverages. http://www.fogoislandinn.ca/
DESTINATION HISTORY and WHAT TO DO:
Home to 150 species of plants and herds of wild caribou, Fogo Islandis the largest of the offshore islands of New Foundland and Labrador, Canada. Its archipelago is so remote that it has its own time zone and is known as one of the mythical four corners of the earth. With a population of fewer than 3,000 residents, the island gets its name from the Portuguese word for fire, who, along with the French, English, and Irish, were among the first to discover it as early as the 16th century. Not until the 1750s, however, was Fogo Island permanently settled and established as a British mercantile system of fisheries.
Guests of the Inn can explore the history and landscape through a number of bespoke experiences indigenous to Fogo Island - cultural, the natural world, and the arts. On Fogo Island people can find what they are looking for even if it's been with them all along; life moves to the rhythm of the natural world. Through these Fogo Island experiences and creative adventures, guests have an opportunity to connect … perhaps to be welcomed into a home for supper, enlightened while hiking rugged coastal trails, amazed while fishing for cod in the traditional way, or inspired through an art workshop … guests might leave with a fresh perspective on the world.
Inn reservations and Fogo Island Experiences at [email protected]
or Telephone: 1-709-658-3444
GETTING THERE:
From either St. John's, NL, or Hallifax, NS, guests can connect to Gander, NL. From Gander guests drive one hour to Farewell to board the Change Island / Fogo Island ferry that makes trips every four hours. (The ride is about 45 minutes.) The Inn can arrange all travel within Newfoundland.
ABOUT SHOREFAST:
Founded in 2004 under the direction of Zita Cobb and her brother Anthony, the Shorefast Foundation was established to revive the economies of Fogo Island and Change Islands. Once they become more vibrant, the organization plans to take its mission global, helping other rural areas in crisis restore themselves to health.
Shorefast* is a Canadian registered charity that undertakes projects built on social entrepreneurship, using entrepreneurial methods to create positive change. It looks for and uses new ideas, products, resources and opportunities in novel ways to tackle challenges and work toward benefiting communities.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER:
Todd Saunders melded dynamic building and material experimentation with traditional methods of craft in his work for Shorefast. His projects can also be seen across Norway as well as England, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, and Canada. www.saunders.no
