The minute you walk into The Fernie, you recognize that this place has a colourful history. It has been a part of the fabric of life in Fernie for almost a century.
The Fernie was built in 1909 after the “Great Fire of 1908”, by Phillip Carosella. Back then, The Roma Hotel as it was called charged a “dollar a day” for room and board. The hotel catered to the many hardworking men who populated Fernie at the turn of the century, flocking to Fernie to work in the coal mines here.
The Roma was known as a place where people could congregate, feel comfortable and enjoy a cold beer and a bit of hot food after a hard day’s work. In the 1940’s the Roma was sold and renamed the “The Fernie Hotel”. It remained a “working man’s pub”, with rooms for rent and a kitchen serving hot & hearty food.
Today, the Fernie Hotel and Pub remains a local tradition. The Fernie has recently undergone a massive renovation, and owners Simon and Wendy Howse worked to highlight the building’s historic character.
The budget hotel’s 17 rooms have been lovingly refinished with historic accents like hardwood floors, original wainscoting and wood trim, while at the same time, new additions like the traveler’s kitchen and the steam room feature the exposed brick and beams of the original 1909 building.
“The Fernie Hotel was traditionally known as great value for the dollar, and that hasn’t changed,” says Simon Howse. “We’re offering travelers a piece of Fernie history as well as all the amenities they would expect – from free Internet, to ski lock up, to a friendly pub right next door.”
The Fernie Pub has also had a facelift, and the renovations have taken the pub back to its roots. Regulars and newcomers alike will no doubt appreciate the additional space, beautiful new windows, high ceilings, hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. These features add a new dimension to a sports pub already known for its great theme nights and special events.
The Fernie Pub, a longtime local watering hole, serves a range of cold beverages from around the world; it’s a great place to catch the latest rugby and cricket matches on the big screen, and is known to be an Aussie-Kiwi hangout, especially on Australia Day – no doubt this has something to do with owner Simon Howse hailing from Sydney.
This year, Simon and Wendy are excited to be offering an original pub food menu to patrons, once again living up to The Fernie’s tradition of a hot meal at a good price. Their newly designed kitchen will be serving up favourites like burgers, fish & chips, nachos, and wings – and they’re proud to offer their “Backpackers Special” daily for under $5.
The Fernie is a piece of living history; it’s always been a place where locals and visitors alike could count on paying a little to get a lot, and that is a tradition that’s alive and well today.
Join Simon and Wendy as they celebrate their official opening on December 18.
