Canada's rugged Atlantic coast is known more for fishing and marine life than boutique luxury, but the arrival of the spectacular Fogo Island Inn seems certain to challenge those long held ideas.
Fogo Island Inn represents more than just a hotel, its conception was driven by a community looking to diversify and meet the challenges of the modern world so that their children might have somewhere to earn a living and gather as a community. From modest beginnings at a 2004 meeting, an Atlantic icon grew on this once neglected rocky outcrop.
The distinctive appearance of the Inn, drawn up by native Newfoundland architect Todd Saunders, aimed to reflect some of the structures and general design aesthetic found elsewhere on the island. As such, the extended wing of the hotel bears more than a striking resemblance to a rickety fishing stage, held up by a series of legs drilled deep into the granite hillside.
But what of the inside?
Fogo Island Inn strives to provide a community atmosphere, a place for guests to socialize together and enjoy their surrounds through floor-to-ceiling windows beside a roaring fire. Each of the 29 rooms and suites is filled with unique local furnishings, modern luxury amenities and unspoiled views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Guests can choose from a variety of rate packages, with Air Canada's enRoute Magazine bestowing a "Best New Restaurants of Canada" award on the hotel's dining experience. Expect seasonal fare with a focus on the abundance of local seafood.