Fogo Island Inn

We are fortunate that we are able to travel the world and stay, when available, at top rated properties. Fogo Island Inn rates as one of the best we have stayed. From a spectacular view, amazing service and outstanding food, it is a place one does not want to leave. The island offers very well mark trails yet, what makes the place special, are its people: beyond friendly.

The perfect balance of professional and personal service made our stay exceptional. The staff remembered our preferences from day one, and the little surprises (like complimentary afternoon tea) added such charm. The beds were cloud-like, and the bathroom amenities were top-notch. The lobby's ambient music and scent cre

There's something special about a place that makes you feel both energized and relaxed. The staff struck that perfect balance between being attentive and giving space when needed. The rooms were thoughtfully designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. The breakfast options were diverse and fresh, and the evening ambiance was simply magical.

My wife and I are from Raleigh, NC. We went to Fogo for five nights, which was a perfect length of time to appreciate the Inn and the Island. We were lucky perhaps with the weather with 2 days of clouds and occasional mist, and two days of beautiful sunshine. One does not get to see whales or icebergs floating by the Inn in October. Nevertheless, we had a fantastic and utterly memorable time. Before travelling to Fogo, I read some reviews posted previously on this site. Most were very favorable, but some complained about the quality or variety of the food at this five-star resort. Now, having been there, I wonder about these negative reviews. One should not go to Fogo, or the Fogo Island Inn for the food. Don't get me wrong, I found some of the food outstanding...e.g. the cod served in any manner. I've never had such good fish...so fresh, so delicious. One dish - cod au gratin - served at their crab fest in the "shed" (a must!) was "to die for." On the other hand, I was not partial to the moose but it was worth a try. Others loved it. (Apparently moose are abundant now in Newfoundland.) And sure the menus lacked some variety. If you care so much about such things, go to New York, of Hong Kong, or even Las Vegas. There are many great places to eat in such big towns. For one, you should go to Fogo for the breathtaking scenery. You see it from your room, and from the dining room. It's all around you. And the Inn provides a guide for your chosen hike (if you want one) that might take you along the coast, to witness big waves crashing against a rocky shore, and then moving upland through multiple terrains and types of vegetation. Our last hike took us atop a small mountain - more like a very big hill of granite or igneous rock - with views of the island from all angles: the churning Atlantic, green patches interspersed between rocky bluffs and charming villages with modest, brightly colored homes sitting at the shoreline of some inlet or bay. None of the hikes are difficult, and some are easy. The staff will ensure your safety and delight. One should go to Fogo for the artwork. No, it's not SOHO, but it is all local with some gorgeous quilts, paintings, furniture, pottery, and more. My wife and I, who are lazy decorators (people may walk into our house and ask if we just moved in - we've been here 11 years) actually purchased a lovely quilt to hang on our (blank) living room wall. We don't ordinarily do such things. Why now? It's the people! We bought the quilt yes, because it's beautiful, but moreover, we felt connected to the artist in just a few days. Her name is Jan. And Jan's married to Bruce who's utterly talented as a painter. And after meeting Bruce in his gallery on day two, we were surprised to find him that evening quietly picking at his guitar, and singing local songs as a backup to our dinner at the Inn. If anything, one should go to Fogo for the people! The locals include the marvelous folks (some 200 of them) who work at the Inn. (That's nearly 10% of the entire population.) Among them, Leeann with a big heart and easy humor, prepared my fire heated sauna, and served us drinks on the roof (where earlier we sat in the hot tub) with the best views of the rocks jutting into the Atlantic. On our last day, we bumped into Leann at the local ice cream shop. We joked with her, as she held in her hands a dozen or so pints of the stuff, stocking up for a winter's supply of rocky road, or whatever, because the shop would be soon closing for the season. There was Sarah who waited tables at breakfast and always greeted us with a big smile. And of course, who can forget Emily, another waitress who also captained the events at the Shed (crab fest) and gave a fantastically verbose monologue with amazing speed and hilarity. Finally, many thanks to Travis, our first and very knowledgeable guide, whose personality was as pleasant and interesting as the hike itself. Finally, there are the other guests at the Inn. We hung out with 2 other couples and became fast friends in but a few days. It was if we knew them for years. In fact, we're still in contact and this is extraordinary. The Island, the locals, the Inn and the overall ambience perhaps has something to do with this. Four or five days there felt like a lifetime, in only a positive sense, and while it's always good to be home, I miss the place. Go to Fogo Island and stay at the Inn. It's a wonderful experience you won't forget.

Holy guacamole, what a place! I've stayed in a fair few spots in my time, but this one takes the cake. The staff are like your best mates, but ones that really have their act together. The whole shebang is like a well-oiled machine of awesomeness. I'm already figuring out when I can come back!