Late-night legend David Letterman mentioned last January during an interview with former U.S. President Barack Obama that he saw icebergs while visiting the spectacular refuge off the coast of Newfoundland.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also vacationed there, along with other jet setters who don’t publicize their stays at the luxe Fogo Island Inn, now marking its fifth anniversary.

The 29-suite building’s striking design echoes centuries of outport fishing tradition while locally crafted furniture, quilts and textiles carry old ways into the future. What was once considered a high stakes tourism gamble is now an award-winning inspiration.