By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Jogi and Cheeku Uppal, owners of Castle Inn and Suites, 51755 M-51 South, bring unusual backgrounds to operating a Dowagiac motel.
He's a nuclear engineer.
She's a microbiologist with a Ph.D.
Owning a motel appealed to Jogi because he wanted to be his own boss after working in corporate environments.
They bought the former Skyline Motel two years ago "and made lots and lots of renovations," said Manager Marty Sims, a Detroit native.
They have redecorated the rooms with a choice of one bed, two beds, king-size beds or a jacuzzi.
Each room is equipped with hair dryers, a small refrigerator and microwaves. An electronic lock card system has been installed.
Cheeku writes about her experiences in the hospitality industry.
She got the idea for a castle theme driving past the Castle Point apartment complex in Indiana.
There is a castle covering the former swimming pool, with a patio and grills and picnic tables around water splashing in the "moat."
Cheeku calls her son's friend their "adopted son."
The Uppals previously operated a motel in Albion and for 10 years had lodging on Westnedge Avenue near WKZO in Kalamazoo, but "my wife and I have always desired to be in the countryside near the lakes," said Jogi, who was educated at the University of Southern California.
The Uppals have living quarters at the Castle, but they also still own a home in Mattawan.
Castle Inn has 20 overnight rooms and six extended-stay rooms, including one guest who has lived there seven years. Those six rooms share a kitchen, which makes it like a small community. Castle Inn can be contacted by phone at 782-2177, by fax at 782-2178 and by e-mail at castleco2003@yahoo.com.