In less than a week, The Grove, Eagle Grove’s new two-story hotel, will be opening their doors to offer travelers, and temporary long-term visitors to the area, a brand new place to rest their heads for the night.
Nancy Baltazar is excited to be at the helm of this new facility and is looking forward to showing people what a great place it is to stay. Whether you are spending some time enjoying the people and events of Eagle Grove, or are just passing through, as the general manager, she is ready to welcome you with open arms.
Baltazar is originally from Massachusetts and has been in the hotel business since 1999. She came to Iowa in June of 2013 when she moved to Fort Dodge to accept a management position with Quality Inn. Now, she’s excited to be a part of this new start-up in Eagle Grove.
“I wanted something different,” she said of her decision to join The Grove team.
Her first day on the job was March 13, 2020. Since then, she and her team have been busy cleaning, doing laundry, putting the rooms together, making sure supplies arrive, and everything else it takes to open a brand new hotel. However, this isn’t the first time she’s prepared a brand new hotel for opening – she did so back in Florida as well, so she brings with her a wealth of knowledge what it takes to get things done right, which is one of the many reasons the hotel committee hired her as the general manager.
“We are very excited to welcome Nancy,” said The Grove Inn & Suites committee member Mickey Cooper. “She brings years of experience with her in the hotel business. She has had valuable experience with managing a hotel during COVID. She hit the ground running as soon as she was hired and we think she will fit in nicely at The Grove Inn and Suites. We hope people will stop and get to know her and her staff.”
“I really enjoy being in the hotel business. I love it,” Baltazar said with a big smile. “I like meeting different people from all different places.”
Baltazar said that after they check off the final few items for the state inspector hopefully this week, the 32-room hotel will be set to open.
“We have really nice rooms. I think people are really going to enjoy staying here,” she said. Guests have a variety of rooms to choose from including king beds, doubles, and king suites which all offer a refrigerator and microwave in their room. The suite also has a separate living room with a pull out sleeper couch and two televisions. There is also access to free WIFI, guest laundry, a free use weight room, and of course, a free continental breakfast. Due to COVID-19, Baltazar pointed out that they will initially be limited to serving “to go bags.” But after the pandemic, there will be a complimentary hot breakfast available to all guests who stay at The Grove.
The outside of the hotel will also be something for guests to enjoy as beautiful landscaping is being planned for the front of the building, as well as behind the hotel where shrubs and trees will be planted.
Baltazar is excited to say that they have already have some reservations in the book. The Grove will also offer long-term reservations, and for anyone staying more than seven nights, there will be special long-term rates.
Helping her with final preparations before opening are two employees that came with Baltazar. Dena Acoltzi will be at the front desk and Norma Munoz will be in housekeeping. In total, Baltazar said they are looking at a total of six employees to start. Interviewing for those final positions are scheduled to take place this week yet.
Baltazar and her husband, Jose, live in Fort Dodge where they just purchased a home one month before she accepted this new position at The Grove. Jose is employed at Prestage Foods of Iowa and they have both enjoyed getting to know the City of Eagle Grove a little better.
“I really like Eagle Grove. It’s nice, and it’s quiet,” she noted.
When she’s not busy at work, Baltazar enjoys spending time in her home during the week, and going out for dinner or with friends on the weekend.
“She will be out introducing herself to the community and plans to be involved,” concluded Cooper.
