Accommodation Questions: Questions 1-6
Preparing for Travel and Arrival: Questions 7-18
Activities Based on Time and Season: Questions 19-24
Questions Upon Arrival: Question 25
1. Can I find accommodation in Trinity without making reservations ahead of time?
2. I want to be near attractions, but I don’t wish to stay in a “touristy” area, is that possible in Trinity?
3. Why does the Artisan Inn require an immediate deposit?
4. Why is there still a an administration fee even if I cancel right after booking?
5. What is the best room or vacation home to rent if someone in our party requires a wheelchair, or has mobility issues and should avoid stairs?
6. Fisher Cove Room or Fort Point Room appear to be the exact same rooms as Campbell Suite. Why is Campbell house listed as a suite when it is a full private home.
7. Is there Cell Phone Service In Trinity?
8. Do all properties have a good wifi connection
9. What type of clothing should I pack?
10. Where is the last gas station before getting to Trinity?
11. I am renting a vacation home, where should I shop for groceries?
12. I am renting a vacation home, is there a place in the area to purchase wine and spirits?
13. What is the difference between Trinity Bay, Trinity Bight and Trinity?
14. When I enter Trinity on Google Maps two Trinity’s appear, which one is correct?
15. Someone in our party has health issues, where is the nearest Hospital in case of emergency?
16. My flight arrives in St. John’s late at night, is it safe to drive to Trinity at night?
17.I will not have a car while in Newfoundland, is there transportation to Trinity from St. John’s?
18. Can I rent a car upon arrival in Newfoundland?
19. When is the best time to see icebergs in Newfoundland?
20. When is the best time to see puffins in Newfoundland?
21. When is the best time to see whales in Newfoundland?
22.When is the best time for berry picking in Newfoundland?
23. When do most attractions open in the area?
24. Can I fish for cod while in Newfoundland?
Accommodation Questions
1. Can I find accommodation in Trinity without making reservations ahead of time?
It is always best to book ahead of time. While there are many B&Bs and small inns in the area there are no larger hotels which means that there are a limited number of rooms in comparison to the amount of people who wish to visit the area. While last-minute bookings are easier in May and October, please keep in mind that many businesses determine opening and closing dates based on pre-bookings so you may arrive and discover that many accommodations and dining options are closed.
2. I want to be near attractions, but I don’t wish to stay in a “touristy” area, is that possible in Trinity?
Absolutely. Most attractions in Trinity are located on the north arm of Trinity, while the majority of Artisan Inn properties are located on the mid-section of the southwest arm along Fisher Cove (it takes roughly 5-10 minutes to walk to most attractions from Artisan Inn properties). Our side of town is mainly occupied by seaside houses and private properties so there are fewer pedestrians and fewer vehicles passing on the roads. This means that guests of the Artisan Inn can enjoy being just a few minutes walk away from restaurants, the theatre, boat tours and museums while also experiencing the tranquility of a genuine Newfoundland out-port experience while relaxing on the premises.
3. Why does the Artisan Inn require an immediate deposit?
Our rooms and vacation homes are often booked out early and, as a result, we turn away over a thousand visitors a year because we are full. When guests cancel at the last minute it means that a space, which could have been booked many times over, will sit empty.
4. Why is there still a an administration fee even if I cancel right after booking?
The administrative fee covers costs of processing the reservation, generating and sending confirmations, removing the reservation from our systems and the fees charged by the credit card companies for processing and refunding the down payment. We understand that sometimes guests can make mistakes with their dates or itinerary, which is why for the first 24 hours after a booking we only charge 6% to cover credit card fees.
5. Best room or vacation home to rent if someone in our party requires a wheelchair, or has mobility issues and should avoid stairs.
Please note that dure to the historic nature of many of our properties, none are officially wheelchair accessible.
The Studio Suite, located in Barbour Place, is a wheelchair friendly room. Parking is available next to the door, a ramp system connects the parking area, the suite, the ocean side deck and the restaurant where breakfast and dinner are served. Wide doorframes allow for easy mobility. Please note the that bathroom does have a tub versus walk in shower. We recommend that you look at the photos on the STUDIO profile page. The Barbour Place, where the Studio Suite, is located can also be rented as a 3 bedroom private vacation home under special circumstances.
While we have no vacation homes with both a bathroom and bedroom on the ground floor, Admiral’s Lookout, Cove Cottage and Harbour House have pull out couches and washrooms on the main floor if someone wants to avoid going up and down the stairs during their stay.
We do not recommend guests with mobility issues to rent Gover House as it has a long path to access it and while one bedroom is on the main floor both bathrooms are on the second floor.
6. Fisher Cove Room or Fort Point Room appear to be the exact same rooms as Campbell Suite.
Prior to the pandemic Campbell House was always rented by the room, however, we found that during the pandemic it was easier on HR to rent it as a full property and we have enough guests interested in renting the entire property privately that we have decided to go that route. We still list the individual rooms on our website since during the early May and late October we do sometimes rent the rooms individually. The Campbell House is listed as a suite versus a vacation home because guests do not have access to a full kitchen (there is a coffee station, toaster and microwave but no ability to cook). Our concern is that guests will make the assumption there is a full kitchen if they see it listed as a vacation home.
Preparing for Travel and Arrival
7. Is there Cell Phone Service In Trinity?
Telus and Bell both offer cell phone service in Trinity. Rogers does not seem to work anywhere in the Bonavista Peninsula past Clarenville. We suggest before arriving in Trinity to set up wifi calling on your cell phone. This will allow you to make and receive free clear calls on your cell phone when you are connected to our wifi network.
8. Do all properties have a good wifi connection
Yes. All rented properties have their own wifi network.
9. What type of clothing should I pack?
When travelling to Newfoundland it is always best to wear layers. Temperatures can change quickly as the day progresses and it is always a good idea to bring rain gear. With lots of hiking trails in the area a good pair of comfortable walking shoes is a good idea. Don’t be mistaken, it does get warm in Newfoundland, so don’t forget to bring some lighter clothing as well.
10. Where is the last gas station before getting to Trinity?
There is an Esso as well as an Irving located in Lethbridge approximately 30 minutes before reaching Trinity. A smaller independently run service stations are located just minutes away from Trinity in Port Rexton.
11. I am renting a vacation home, where should I shop for groceries?
For the largest selection of groceries guests can stop into Sobeys or Walmart while in Clarenville, one hour before reaching Trinity. Once in Trinity a Value Foods grocery store, as well as small convenience stores are located just a few minutes drive from the Artisan Inn.
12. I am renting a vacation home, is there a place in the area to purchase wine and spirits?
There is a NLC (Newfoundland Liquor Corporation) Express located just 10 minutes from Trinity in Port Rexton. Despite being small, the store offers a well chosen selection of wines, spirits and beers. For a much larger selection visitors should visit the NLC in Clarenville as they make their way to Trinity. This full liquor store offers a very large selection of wines from all over the world as well as spirits and beers.
13. What is the difference between Trinity Bay, Trinity Bight and Trinity?
Trinity Bay is the body of water surrounding the eastern side on the Bonavista Peninsula and the eastern side of the Bacalieu Trail.
Trinity Bight is a cluster of communities on the Bonavista Peninsula.
Trinity is the historic town located off of route 239 where the Artisan Inn as well as many historic buildings and the theatre are located.
14. When I enter Trinity on Google Maps two Trinity’s appear, which one is correct?
The Artisan Inn is located in the town of Trinity, Trinity Bay in Eastern Newfoundland. Another Trinity is located on Bonavista Bay, in Central Newfoundland. This can be confusing since our Trinity is located on the Bonavista Peninsula. When searching for driving directions on a gps be sure to select “Trinity, Trinity Bay”. Some internet mapping systems have the Artisan Inn and Twine Loft Restaurant marked in the incorrect location. Always rely on the gps coordinates provided on this site and know that we are located aproximately 3 hours from St. John’s.
15. Someone in our party has health issues, where is the nearest hospital in case of emergency?
One hospital is located in Bonavista approximately a 40 minutes drive from Trinity. A second hospital is located in Clarenville approximately an hour drive from Trinity. Newfoundland has a 24 hour healthline which guests can call free of charge in case of emergency. An ambulance service is available in Trinity in case of emergency. Further information and contact numbers are provided in the Artisan Inn room directories.
16. My flight arrives in St. John’s late at night, is it safe to drive to Trinity at night?
It is not recommended that you drive late at night due to the high volume of moose on the roads. Moose can be very difficult to spot at night and fog is quite common in the evening. Always be alert when driving and avoid trips at dawn and dusk.
17. I will not have a car while in Newfoundland, is there transportation to Trinity from St. John’s?
Yes there is a service called Bonavista Cabs. For approximately $40-$60 per person this cab (a large van) will pick up passengers in St. John’s (passengers can be picked up from their homes, hotels, the airport…) and will be driven to Trinity and dropped off at the Artisan Inn. The service will also take passengers back to St. John’s from Trinity. The service leave Trinity once a day (except Saturdays) early in the morning and leaves St. John’s for Trinity early in the afternoon. Despite this service we he highly recommend that visitors come by car as there is no public transport within Trinity Bight and there is much to do in surrounding communities just a short drive away.
18. Can I rent a car upon arrival in Newfoundland?
Depending on the month, but we always recommend booking your vehicle as soon as you make any reservations for flights and accommodations. Vehicles for July and August tend to start selling out by February. There are fewer rental cars than visitors who need them in Newfoundland. People have often been forced to cancel their accommodation bookings province wide because they have not been able to rent a car upon arrival.
Activities Based on Time and Season
19. When is the best time to see icebergs in Newfoundland?
Late May and June are often the best times to see icebergs. Follow us on Facebook and we will post updates on when they are in Trinity Bay. www.icebergfinder.com is also an excellent tool for following icebergs.*
20. When is the best time to see Atlantic Puffins?
The Atlantic Puffin spends most of its life a sea and returns to land breed in late spring (Mid May to Early June) and early summer (Mid August). Visiting Elliston, just a 30-40 minute drive from the Artisan Inn is one of the best locations in Newfoundland to spot Atlantic Puffins from land*.
21. When is the best time to see whales in Newfoundland?
Most of the whales will arrive after the capelin do, which is often mid-June until late August and early September. While the majority of humbacks do leave by September, some do remain and other species remain in the fall as well including Sperm Whales , super pods of Dolphins and Orcas. Follow us on Facebook and the Artisan Inn will post updates about whales spotted in the area. Two whale watching tours leave from within walking distance of the Artisan Inn*.
*Guarantees can never be made on the arrival of icebergs, puffins and whales.
22. When is the best time for berry picking in Newfoundland?
Mid August to early September is the best time to pick berries in Trinity.
23. When do most attractions open in the area?
Many provincial attractions open for May 24 weekend (the 3rd weekend of May), but a handful of shops, tours and restaurants open earlier than that.
24. Can I fish for cod while in Newfoundland?
People can only fish for cod during the Food Fishery. The dates for the food fishery are determined by the government and boats are limited to 5 cod per person and a max of 15 cod per boat. The cod caught during the food fishery cannot be sold for commercial purposes. There is no tour that offers such an experience officially, but sometimes local fisherman will take visitors out and let them jig a cod.