The Celibeth House Bed and Breakfast is located in Blaney Park, a small town north of Lake Michigan and south of Germfask, Michigan. The home was initially built in the 1890s and has a history to share with guests. The business is open year-round and currently offers three guest rooms, each with a private bath. Included in a visitor's stay are afternoon baked goods, round-the-clock coffee, tea, and cocoa, and a full breakfast served each morning. The house sits on 72 wooded acres and includes a private inland lake. The owners, Ross and Andrea, want guests to “feel at home” during their stay.
The Celibeth House offers three first-floor rooms for reservation. Each room includes a private ensuite bathroom and offers a variety of accommodations. The William Mueller has a king-sized bed that may appeal to couples. The Lady Mueller includes two twin beds that cater to friends and family. The Earle Family room caters more to those with a family with children or a larger party who want to room together. It offers a queen-sized bed and two twin beds.
The owners provide a full breakfast each morning. The menu includes such items as Kropsu, a Finnish baked pancake, quiche, bacon or sausage, yogurt parfaits, muffins, etc. The menu varies depending on how many guests are served and if there are any special dietary needs. Food allergies and dietary restrictions are accommodated as much as possible, including gluten-free and vegetarian diets. Ross and Andrea also mention a special option for hunters called “The Hunter’s Breakfast.” It allows visitors to get out early to hunt, call the house when they are headed back, and breakfast will be served when they return.
There are several common areas that visitors can utilize. The dining room is always available for those who want a snack or warm beverage and is where breakfast is served each morning. The house includes a library full of books of a variety of genres. The sitting room is, according to the owners, a "lovely [place] to share conversation and curl up by a warm fire." During the warmer months, the large front porch can be used by those who would like to relax.
Additional residents on the property include sheep, goats, an alpaca, and a few other animals. Andrea shears her sheep and goats and offers fiber, yarn, and other goods for sale in her on-site shop. Guests can also purchase coffee beans roasted specifically for The Celibeth House and other local products. If interested, those staying at the house are welcome to visit the animals, tour the timber frame barn, or walk down to the private inland Lake Ann Louise.
The owners, Ross and Andrea, make an effort to focus on service and strive to make their visitors feel welcome and “at home” while they are staying at The Celibeth House Bed and Breakfast. In an effort to help guests have a relaxing stay at the establishment, the owners greet patrons when they arrive, help carry any luggage to their rooms, and give them a quick tour. The business is family-friendly, and Ross and Andrea mention that a few of their children help run the business by lending a hand with breakfast, giving tours of the grounds, and taking guests to visit the animals.
As for policies, the owners mention that The Celibeth House does not offer Wi-Fi as it is not readily available. The owners report that some guests have found this to be beneficial as it "allows them to disconnect." Smoking of any kind is prohibited inside the buildings and anywhere on the grounds. Additionally, The Celibeth House is unable to accommodate pets.
Many have stayed at The Celibeth House, and some have left reviews. One person who recently stayed at the inn wrote, “Ross and Andrea are gifted with an old kind of gracious hospitality not often experienced anymore. The house is beautiful and filled with art and great furniture. Andrea is a great cook, and they both see to every detail. A roaring fire in the fireplace was a nightly treat.”
The bed and breakfast is newly open year-round and attracts a wide variety of guests. It is also a great location for day trips to nearby attractions or a stopping point before heading further to the Keweenaw Peninsula or the western Upper Peninsula. The busiest times for the business are generally the warmer months, but it is beginning to see visitors who come for winter time activities.
The home was built in 1895 by William Mueller, who was a lumber baron from Chicago. He is also known for establishing the town of Blaney and lived in this house when the town was new. He eventually sold his holdings to The Wisconsin Land and Lumber Company which was owned by the Earle family. In the 1920s, the home and surrounding property were converted to a vacation resort which was in operation until the late 60s. Eventually, everything was auctioned, and the house and 80 acres were purchased by Elsa Strom in 1985. It was Elsa who turned the house into a bed and breakfast. She sold the property to Roger and Darlene Cassady in 2000, who then sold it to Ross and Andrea Menhart in 2021.
The owners mention that their family has loved opening their home to visitors and that they are working on updating guest rooms. They hope to have a total of 8 rooms to offer within the coming year. Along with renovations of the house, they have a variety of plans to improve the grounds and offer more amenities in the future.
4446 N State Highway M 77
Blaney Park, Michigan 49836
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Ross and Andrea Menhart
Roger and Darlene Cassady
