The Report
World wanderers and contemporary explorers get out your maps and check out the coordinates of Fogo Island, the precise location that is home to the dreamy Fogo Island Inn. This place is so magical that the hands on the clock will strike midnight 30 minutes before any other timepiece on the North American Continent. Celebration seekers, come here for NYE and you’ll be among the first in North America to ring in the New Year! This elemental place offers a precious opportunity to mark the arrival of the New Year from one of the four corners of the earth.
On the rocky shore of Joe Batt’s Arm, Fogo Island, Fogo Island Inn is an unexpected place at the edge of the world. This venue is for intrepid, curious and high-comfort celebrators. The buildings' rugged minimalist architecture balances traditional influences with a contemporary sensibility, which architect Todd Saunders has made and built just for Fogo Island Inn. A cultural destination in its own right where visitors and locals meet, the Inn includes an art gallery, heritage library, cinema and rooftop sauna. Each of the 29 guest rooms is unique, every detail has been chosen with purpose, and most of it has been handcrafted by locals. Fogo Island Inn has supported and will continue to support the local communities of Fogo Island by using only materials found on the Island and neighbouring Change Islands. The goal of the Inn is to promote growth on the island and help the economy.
HOW WILL MY GUESTS GET HERE?: All points may be reached via national and international connections by scheduled commercial airlines and charter services. Air charters out of St. John’s reach Fogo Island within 40 minutes. The shortest charter flight from Gander airport is 30 minutes to the Fogo Island airport’s 3,000ft/914m asphalt runway. The airstrip on Fogo Island can easily accommodate a fixed-wing 12-passenger Beech 1900D aircraft. A helicopter-landing pad also located adjacent to the Inn. Alternatively, the Inn may be reached from Gander by way of an hour drive to Farewell’s ferry terminal and an additional picturesque 45 minute ferry ride to Fogo
The Scoop
Fogo Island Inn is ideal for both getaways and events. There are multiple venue spaces on the property available: Conference Hall, First Floor Lounge, Study, Cinema, Art Gallery, Art Gallery Deck, Library, Dining Room, and the Roof Top Deck.
WHAT'S COOKIN' GOOD LOOKIN'?: The Restaurant & Lounge is also a great venue space for a shindig. Chef Murray MacDonald and his brigade of 14 are the culinary anchor of the Inn’s 48 seat dining room, 35 seat lounge and for all of the Inn’s on and off site catering. Chef MacDonald, a native Newfoundlander who has worked around the globe, finds inspiration in the ocean’s time-honoured outport cooking traditions. Like the handmade modern aesthetic of the Inn, the provenance of every menu is inspired by local ingredients, cooking traditions and the geography and history of the island. What will my guests eat? The menu is focused on wild things from the North Atlantic, foraged plants and berries and local seasonal produce.
VENUE SPACES: The public areas of the Inn have six wood-burning fireplaces and stoves designed to create inviting hearths for reading, and relaxation, or as a gathering place. The state-of-the-art venue space with its ocean views and amenities, is a sought after area for executive retreats, weddings and celebratory gatherings. The largest public area encompasses a 2,800 sq ft ground floor. The space is home of The Fogo Island Inn Contemporary Art Gallery, the Inn’s dining room, lounge and bar, and the intimate Dr. Leslie A. Harris Heritage Library, specializing in literature of the local region. With the 1,400 sq feet of meeting space, a 450 sq ft study and the 42 seat Fogo Island Cinema, the entire Inn offers numerous venue spaces and flexible set ups. The rooftop venue is the ideal setting for an evening cocktail or breakfast with over 1,130 sq ft of outdoor space with 380 sq ft of covered space and 750 sq ft of natural cedar decking.
Bonus
The Inn is equipped with a helicopter landing padand the Inn will pick guests up from Gander Airport. Another bonus is the incredible group activities offered at Fogo Island Inn. The local Island ambassadors and experts are available to guests throughout the seven seasons on the island. Fogo Island Inn will tailor a range of experiences or activities for groups including: planned cultural, marine, natural and artistic experiences to expert guided indoor and outdoor activities.
There are also fitness and recreation facilities on the premises including: gym and yoga space, enclosed wood-fired Northern European style rooftop Sauna, three cedar wood outdoor roof top hot tubs, and massage services.
PILLOW TALK: All 29 suites feature custom designed, locally hand crafted furniture and textiles, natural wood floors with heating, floor to ceiling windows that offer spectacular views of the North Atlantic and many rooms feature wood burning stoves. Just because you are at the edge of the world doesn't mean you are off the grid. Fogo Island Inn offers free local and long distance calls, full wireless with free wifi access, iPod docking, and data ports. Room amenities include: robes, slippers, books, locally sourced toiletries and an array of creature comforts- all provided with resting, and lounging in mind.
STYLE FOR YOUR SETTING
You can purchase any of the furniture, custom designed quilts, colorful rugs or pillows that you find at the Inn from the local carpenters and craftspeople of Fogo Island who made them. The locals are hopeful this will provide a source of income and opportunity to refine their skills. These handcrafted elements are the perfect design elements to incorporate into your event decor at Fogo Island Inn.
1.The hand sewn hooked rugs are placed onto a foam cushions, which would make great seats for a lounge area or as accent decor at your event. 2. Each room at the Fogo Island Inn has stunningly colorful seasonal quilts that you can purchase. From hundreds of quilt patterns cataloged around the island the Inn chose six "heritage patterns". A few of these quilts would make excellent tabletop decor and keepsakes. Photos via CBC News 3. The furniture at the Fogo Island Inn was all handcrafted. Dutch designer Ineke Hans helped design two collections of wooden furniture for the Inn that was built by the local craftsmen. Incorporating these furniture pieces would make a huge splash at the event.
Inside Scoop
Watch the sunset with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace and take a coastal walk to the Great Auk (one of five bronze sculptures created by Lost Bird Project visionary, Todd Mcgrain. The Great Auk’s symbolic perch at the end of Joe Batt’s point is an excellent place to close your eyes in wonder and respect for the savage sea and observe personal requiem for this lost bird) SIP SIP HOORAY: Ask one of the bartenders to prepare their signature cocktail, the 1949. You must also attend a viewing at the state-of-the-art cinema (in partnership with the National Film Board). FEEL GOOD: Fogo Island Inn is a trust whose beneficiary is the Shorefast Foundation, a federally registered charity whose mandate is the economic well-being of the local community. All surpluses from the Inn will flow through to the charity and be reinvested back into the community. There are no investors seeking a return on their investment.Highlight Reel
- Fogo Island Inn embraces the community, locals and environment
- There are over 9 event spaces to host an event
- The location is truly at the edge of the earth and you can ring in the New Year 30 minutes before anyone else on the North American Continent.
- Built by famous architect Tod Saunders
- All the handicrafts, furniture and gorgeous quilts at the Inn are available for purchase
- The location and views are second to none!
- There are panoramic ocean views from all of the rooms
- The food served at the restaurant has won awards and only uses local, seasonal ingredients
- There is an art gallery and movie theatre at the Inn.
- The Inn is open year round and experiences 7 seasons!
Around Town
These guided experiences explore the marine ecosystem. Led by highly knowledgeable fishermen, small groups are taken on entertaining and educational interpretive adventures. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the marine environment, from key species and how they relate to each other, to how the wild Atlantic Ocean has shaped the community.
Designed by Todd Saunders this residency-based contemporary art venue is for artists, filmmakers, writers, musicians, curators, designers, and thinkers from around the world. There are four Fogo Island Arts artist studios. The architecture is just as stunning and jaw dropping as the Fogo Island Inn and definitely worth a visit!
As you leave the dock in a traditional wooden skiff, a local guide takes you on a rendezvous with a lobster fisherman. Hear about the fishing heritage of Fogo Island and the marine environment. After watching how the pots are pulled and sampling some fresh sea urchin – you’ll have an amazing lobster picnic, set on the rugged rocks of a beautiful cove.
Photos via Fogo Island Inn.
