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Story by Barbara Angelakis
Fox Harb’r Resort Fox Harb’r is a gem of a resort located in the north central part of the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia among the breathtaking scenery of the Northumberland Shore. Fox Harb’r is the brainchild of native son, Ron V. Joyce, C.M., a hugely successful Canadian entrepreneur. Ron’s vision was to create an exclusive, secluded, luxury resort community that offers every amenity one could wish for including its own private airfield, world-class golf, award-winning spa, and locally sourced gourmet dining. The Province of Nova Scotia is a peninsula, that lies at the eastern tip of Canada and is attached to the mainland by a 35 mile shared border with New Brunswick, one of the four maritime communities including Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island that comprise the region known as Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Canada is a culturally diverse region, with the founding cultures of English and French, along with the indigenous Mi’kmaq and other First Nation tribes, giving this area a vibrant personality all its own.
You can reach the ultra-luxe Fox Harb’r Resort by land, sea or air. Arrive by yacht to their deep-water marina scenically overlooked by its classic lighthouse. The Marina is a world-class 25-slip facility that can accommodate all sizes of craft up to 80 feet in length.
Or, travel by private jet to their on-site airstrip and jet port for the ultimate in privacy required by notables the likes of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, General Colin Powell, UK Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair, not to mention Prince Edward, and mega celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzky. Or you can drive from virtually anywhere in Canada or the U.S. Or, fly via commercial airline into Halifax’s international airport and enjoy a 90 minute scenic drive to the Northumberland Shore, with its rugged landscapes and expansive oceanfront.
Once at Fox Harb’r you will have over 1,000 acres to explore. If golf is your game follow your hearts desire on a course that challenges both your game and your enjoyment of nature’s bounty. The course’s architect was the renowned Graham Cooke, a Golf Hall of Fame member, who designed the outward nine to meander through forest, wetlands and rock-lined lakes; while the inward nine has the flavor of a Scottish course with a breathtaking seascape as its backdrop. The course was rated as Canada’s Best New Course by Golf Digest on its opening, and later as one of the Top 20 Golf Resorts in North America and the Caribbean. While I was luxuriating in the spa’s hot tub I was joined by a group of gentlemen that along with their wives had traveled from Toronto to experience this highly rated course… their only disappointment was that they didn’t schedule more tee time before returning home.
Any number of athletic pursuits is available on-site; horseback riding through forest or along rugged coastline; biking or hiking on designated trails along the seawall or on the path called The Foxtrot. Try your hand at catching trout at the fully stocked trout ponds but be warned, these fish are smart and know how to play hard to get. But if you do hook one, you can always hand it over to Executive Chef Shane Robilliard who, we were told, is quite an expert at catching them himself. Care for a game of tennis on regulation courts overlooking the Northumberland Strait or go kayaking in the calm inland bay but watch the time as the tides are legendary; or go for a pontoon boat ride at sunset before digging in to a lobster cookout at the dockside under the lighthouse.
Plan a visit to the Sporting Lodge, welcoming with its floor-to-ceiling fireplace and deep comfy leather furnishings. The site was designed by England’s World Sporting Clays Champion George Digweed, and includes an Archery stand and equipment for ages 6 years and up, plus 12 clay sporting stations, a 5-stand layout and a skeet shooting range. Targets are thrown at different angles and speeds to accommodate anyone from beginner to expert. And if you are a first-timer you will find friendly and helpful experts like Peter Phillips to guide you through the process safely and for maximum enjoyment; or Jamie Baxter to teach fly-fishing techniques or any of the other pleasurable pursuits available at Fox Harb’r.
And speaking of pleasurable pursuits don’t miss the opportunity to be pampered at the Dol-ás Spa & Wellness Centre. Indulge yourself in a therapeutic or beauty treatment chosen from a comprehensive list of state-of- the-art treatments suited to address all skin types and body issues. The well designed spa has access via the dressing rooms to a sitting area that overlooks the beautiful Junior Olympic Swimming Pool with its two-floor high window surround that’s looks out over the expansive grounds. Here you will also find the aforementioned hot tubs, where relaxing and making new friends is just part of the Fox Harb’r experience.
Of course when visiting an all-suite luxury resort we expect to find the finest in accommodations and at Fox Harb’r we were not disappointed, either in the Clubhouse or Guest Suites. There are currently 48 Executive Suites, 24 Studio Suites, and 18 Town Houses. All of the suites are beautifully appointed with contemporary designed furniture with elegant accents. The bathrooms feature hydrotherapy tubs, many with views over the golf course, and heated bathroom floors along with double sinks and glass enclosed rain-showers. Every amenity is provided plus each suite has an outdoor seating patio with lounge furniture and table and chairs for al fresco dining.
Fox Harb’r has over 250 local staff to cater to your every need, or support learning a new skill, or to simply leave you alone to relax and revitalize. If you are staying at one of the Guest Suites or Town Houses you can walk, bike, or call for a ride to any of the facilities and within minutes a smiling driver is there to take you wherever you want to go.
Dining is a priority at Fox Harb’r and its world-class kitchen is overseen by creative Executive Chef Shane Robilliard, who also happens to be one of the most friendly and outgoing of chefs, eager to share his knowledge and his tasty offerings with his guests. Chef Shane’s philosophy of farm-to-table is extraordinaire. He, along with master horticulturist Michael Stewart, has developed sustainable farming methods right on the premises. So “locally grown” at Fox Harb’r is literal which gives Chef Shane a change to experiment with tastes and flavors provided by the ever innovative Michael Stewart. In future articles you will hear about some of the memorable meals we enjoyed during our stay.
© October 2017 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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