Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy DeForge.
Hi Nancy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
THE WHY…
My husband and I bought this property as our primary residence in 2018. At that time, we had five young girls and my mother had wanted to live with us so we purchased a very large home to fit us all. Shortly after, my mother decided she missed her hometown and moved back, allowing us to relocate the two youngest girls to her suite on the main floor closer to our bedroom.
This left the now “guest wing” of the home pretty much unused. I knew the Keweenaw Peninsula was a growing tourist attraction and that there was likely a need for more overnight options. Add to that the fact that this is the most incredible view I’ve ever seen and one that ought to be shared widely!! So it began…. While working full time at a school 45 minutes away and raising three girls still in school themselves, I decided to name my house, put us on maps, and open my door to new friends.
THE HOW…
The house was built with two front entries, which I thought was odd at first but now serves perfectly as a separate access point for guests. Once inside, guests are greeted with comfy Italian leather seating, built in custom cabinetry, cathedral ceilings, a shared library, and a slideshow presentation featuring pictures of all the changes over the years.
A few steps through the glass French door/transom combo takes you into the foyer and staircase landing boating 9 foot ceilings. Here, guests find a welcome board with their suite name, their first name(s), a note welcoming them for their stay, and their room key with leather name tag. There is access upstairs to three more suites, downstairs to a shared Lake Level offering numerous amenities, a side door to the owners side (part of the original build), and featured is the large French Door with glass transom that takes you into our largest suite, “The Grand”.
The Grand suite is the original Owners Suite of the home. It maintains the original design offering the French doors access from the Guest Wing and an additional side door access to a small hallway leading to their private lakeside patio oasis.
THE WHEN….
2018- 2021. The Grand Suite was our bedroom for the first several years. The rooms upstairs were essentially just spare bedrooms, two of which even shared a bathroom at that time. There was no landscaping, a dirt driveway, and the mostly baron lower Lake Level exterior door was boarded up blocking a rocky uneven path leading to the beach.
This began my ever growing learning curve of how to host! It is an ongoing system of trial and error. With lots of both! It’s all in the details.
2021+. It wasn’t until we experienced a three story flood from a pipe burst in February of 2021 that major upgrades were made inside the suites to bring them to the level of luxury they are today.
The Grand is now available year round for guest use (we took the Mother-in-Law Suite), the “baron” Lake Level now offers a private massage room, game room, exercise area, and four season swim spa room in addition to the original sauna, half bath, pool table and fireplace.
The grounds have been carefully cultivated to offer several options for guests to quietly enjoy the Lake Superior, Sunset, Stars, or Northern lights views or simply each others company. There’s yard games, a rock painting station, a fire pit, kayaks, and various seating arrangements (even swings with bug nets!).
We continually make improvements, love sharing our private paradise and truly live by the motto…
“Come as guests, leave as friends!”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I had no idea what I was doing when I named my home. “the Keweenaw Castle Resort.” so yes, there have been many struggles along the way. 🙂
The very first struggle was finding a balance between personal life and business within the same building. I had to restructure indoor and outdoor spaces and fine-tune all the little detail to make guest comfortable immediately upon arrival. The family had to adjust their mindset and routine behaviors, especially in the kitchen area which served as the main buffer room between the family and the guests.
Without having a marketing degree, nor a background in hospitality, I have had to self train on EVERYTHING resort related over the years! This is where the trial and error was paramount. I have always been an avid traveler and very much enjoyed several bed-and-breakfasts that I’ve stayed at. Those experiences coupled with high end All Inclusive stays are really what molded my vision for creating of the ideal place to stay here at The Castle.
Reservations: When I first started, I was taking reservations over the phone and using PayPal invoicing for billing! Ugh! This actually served me very well though… I got a daily feel for the demand based on high call volume and long waiting lists. I also got to explain the property and area to guests which more often than not made the sale. All of that would have been missed had I gone directly to online bookings.
Signs Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs: I always say it that it is all in the details… what started as just me has morphed into adding a full time manager, two part time cleaners, and several people contracted for onsite services.. Guests will comment quite often on all of our little helpful notes everywhere inside the Guest Wing. These are all reminders of trial and error over the years and learning from the past to try to better the future. Our staff is diligent about upkeep and we listen and learn from guest experiences. We read every review and adjust when things need adjusting. We truly care about our guests experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started the Keweenaw Castle Resort because both my husband and I are very social in nature and we both love and appreciate the building, property, beauty, nature, and soothingness of Lake Superior that we felt it was too incredible not to be shared. We genuinely enjoy meeting and making new friends nearly every single day here at the resort.
The resort is best known for relaxing escapes for both solo travelers and couples alike. We host a myriad of celebrations including honeymoons, birthdays, baby-moon’s, anniversaries, corporate retreats, elopements and destination micro-weddings.
We truly are a hidden gem and a unique property being that we are owner occupied and very customized/attention to detail orientated. We have done a lot of networking and support local businesses by bringing in their services to guests, which is unique to The Castle. In addition to upgrades we offer through the resort itself, we also partner to offer services to our guests such as massages, facials, sound therapy, floral arrangements, desserts, art workshops, live music, private chefs, and more!
I am most proud of the sheer number of return guests that we have annually. I feel extremely honored to be the destination of choice repeatedly for so many people. Additionally, I feel it is the highest honor possible to be the location of choice for landmark celebrations in their lives. The vast number of guests choosing us for “once in a lifetime” stays is so heartwarming that words cannot even begin to capture the emotion feeling of reward.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Personally, I’m happy when friends and family are in good places in their lives. I find joy in both solitude and social settings, with my recent retirement from education being a great experience and new portal to self discovery in my life. My husband is my best friend and we fully enjoy all life has to offer together. We are also looking forward to grand-parenting in the near future.
Professionally, I’m happy to have a stellar crew (who are definitely more like family) working with me. Although I started the vision, it takes the entire team to maintain it at this level of service. Our manager, Ann, has been instrumental in all Castle daily functions since her hire in 2023. Her dependability has allowed me the freedom to explore life fully in retirement.
Pricing:
- Guests can choose from four luxury suites varying in price based on size and views.
- We offer discounted rates November through April.
- Prices and availability are up to date on our website
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.KeweenawCastle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keweenawcastle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keweenawcastle/
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/keweenawcastle/videos/keweenaw-castle-resort-a-winter-wonderland-for-romance-keweenawcastle-lakesuperi/575564791766358/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/keweenaw-castle-resort-allouez
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g29548-d20948915-Reviews-Keweenaw_Castle_Resort-Allouez_Upper_Peninsula_Michigan.html
