Toronto couple ditches city life to build luxury hotel in remote Ontario town

After nearly a decade of condo living in downtown Toronto, Emma and Jacob Lawson traded the city skyline for 15.5 acres of land in the small town of Ravenna, Ont., a dream they'd been talking about since they first met.

The couple first met in Tobermory in 2010; Jacob is from the region while Emma grew up visiting Collingwood. From the beginning of their relationship, they imagined creating an experience-based destination where the stay itself would be the highlight.

That vision eventually became The Castle Keep, a boutique, adults-only bed-and-breakfast perched atop the Blue Mountains with just three private guest suites and a location rich in history. 

Emma and Jake Lawson.

The name itself is "a nod to our proximity to Castle Glen, but also to the historic meaning of a keep, the final place of refuge in a castle," Jacob tells blogTO.

Castle Glen was first built in 1893 by Canadian lawyer Britton Bath Osler for his sick wife. Jacob alludes to the original space as "a place of refuge, protection, and retreat," adding that they wanted to create a space that embodies the same sense of sanctuary.

And so, rather than operating like a traditional hotel, the couple wanted to create something far more personal. "We really thought that there was an opportunity to create something different where people come just to be in that destination," Emma says. "For us, the hotel itself should be the reason for the trip."

The dream officially began to take shape in 2018 when the couple purchased what was then an empty parcel of land near Collingwood while still living in their Toronto condo. "Buying the land seemed a little bit crazy," Emma recalls, describing the decision as part of their "big picture dream," which would come to life "someday, somehow, some way."

Rather than rushing into construction, they spent years getting to know the property throughout all four seasons. They camped on the land, showered using a bucket hanging from a tree, cooked over open fires, and invited friends to experience it alongside them.

"It was just really cool to have that perspective of the area and just raw nature," Jacob says. "We wanted to include these authentic experiences in The Castle Keep because we had so much fun going through those motions."

The common area. 

At the time, the property was home to little more than a small bunkie, yet their friends were still captivated by the experience. "People still thought it was so special and so unique," Jacob recalls. "It gave us our perspective that these aspects of nature and connection are so valuable."

As their vision became more concrete, they began laying the groundwork for The Castle Keep. But bringing it to life wasn't without challenges. Securing approvals for a bed-and-breakfast took time, as municipalities across Ontario were rethinking short-term accommodations when the Lawsons submitted their application.

"There was some resistance," Jacob says. "We just snuck in at the right time."

The outdoor patio. 

Construction finally began in 2024, with Jacob taking on the role of both co-owner and builder. Together, the couple made a point of ensuring the site reflected its surroundings, incorporating stone from a local quarry and reclaimed barn beams sourced nearby.

"We've been very, very hands-on every single step of the way," Emma, who spent her days in Toronto working various hospitality jobs, including at the Fairmont Royal York, admits.

Spending years on the property before building also uncovered opportunities they never anticipated. For example, the land became extremely wet each spring, prompting the couple to create a large pond that has since become one of the property's defining features.

The common area. 

Today, it's stocked with trout and surrounded by deer, birds, and frogs. "It turned into what's, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the property," Emma says. "It creates this soundtrack of nature that's super unique."

The grounds also feature pine forest trails, a maple bush, and quiet outdoor spaces designed to encourage guests to slow down and immerse themselves in nature.

Spring will bring another signature experience: maple syrup season.

Guests will be able to join the couple as they tap trees, collect sap and produce small batches of maple syrup using traditional methods — an experience the Lawsons are especially excited to share.

"I think we've realized the more that we can focus on creating a feeling, the better," Emma says. "They're going to remember how they felt, who they were there with, and that connection to nature."

That philosophy carries through every aspect of a stay. Guests can book experiences including fly-fishing, cycling, guided outings on the nearby Beaver River, candle-making workshops, hiking excursions and seasonal outdoor adventures.

The Castle Keep, which opened its doors to the public in May 2026, works with guests to create personalized itineraries tailored to their interests. But visitors don't have to leave the property to make the most of their stay.

A private wellness room.

Each of the three suites — The Stillwater, The Pines and The Glenstone — ranges from 650 to 700 square feet and features a private wellness area complete with a steam room, sauna, soaking tub, fireplace and outdoor terrace, creating a spa-like retreat without ever leaving the room.

The in-room sauna.

Every suite accommodates two guests and overlooks either the property's pond or the surrounding forest.

The couple believes winter may be one of the best times to visit. Located just minutes from Blue Mountain, The Castle Keep offers easy access to downhill skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country trails before guests return to wood-burning fireplaces, record players, books, and cozy common spaces.

In-room lounge area.

"We've designed it in a way that you can leave if you want to, but you certainly do not have to," Emma says. "Check in, get the fireplace going, get a book, cozy up while the snow's falling outside."

The Lawsons may now call Collingwood home, but Toronto still holds a special place in their hearts. "We absolutely loved the city," Jacob says. "We'll be back for Raptors games, and we're big Jays fans."

Emma agrees. "We love Toronto. It's a great place to come and visit. The restaurants are amazing," she says. "But we're perfectly content here."

For the couple, The Castle Keep is the culmination of years of hard work and a desire to share the slower pace of life they fell in love with.

A stay starts at $499 per night, plus applicable taxes and fees, and can be booked directly through the property's website.

"We really wanted to create an experience rather than an accommodation," Jacob says. "Just a place where people can really slow down. If people leave remembering one conversation, one scene, one fire, or one new experience, that's what we're hoping for."

The Castle Keep is located at 609375 12th Sideroad in Ravenna, Ont.