What to Expect at Sunny Side Cottages Year-Round

Let’s face it: planning a group getaway—whether it’s your extended family, a company retreat, or your old college crew—can feel a little like herding cats. Different personalities. Different schedules. That one person who always forgets their toothbrush. But here’s the good news: the magic doesn’t happen despite all that—it happens because of it. And when you host your next big gathering at Sunny Side Cottages , it’s less stress, more s’mores. Whether you’re reuniting the whole clan, rallying the office team, or celebrating something special with your favorite humans, Sunny Side delivers all the charm, comfort, and character you need to make memories that actually stick. 🌟 Why Group Getaways Are So Good for the Soul (and Sanity)  1. Time to Reconnect (Without WiFi Battles) Let’s be honest—when was the last time your family or team had real quality time together? No Zoom calls, no deadlines, no “I’ll get back to you next week” emails. Just uninterrupted time to laugh, relax, and have actual conversations not involving emojis. Whether it’s catching up with cousins you haven’t seen in a decade or bonding with coworkers outside the break room, group trips foster connection like nothing else. 2. Shared Experiences = Shared Joy There’s a reason inside jokes, late-night card games, and paddleboard wipeouts stick in our memory bank. Shared experiences build trust and strengthen relationships—whether you’re related by blood, business, or bunk beds. 3. It’s Good for Mental Health, Period. Science says stepping away from the daily grind and immersing yourself in nature actually reduces stress, improves focus, and increases creativity. Add in sunshine, laughter, and a cozy lakefront view? Now that’s what we call team building. 🏡 Why Sunny Side Cottages Is a Total Group Gathering Win Now that we’ve got you craving a group getaway, let’s talk venue. Because location matters—and Sunny Side Cottages doesn’t just tick the boxes, it decorates them with fairy lights and a side of sass. Here’s why we’re the dream destination for reunions, retreats, and all your “we-should-do-this-more-often” moments: 1. Cabin Cluster Vibes With multiple cozy cottages grouped on one property, you get the perfect mix of togetherness and privacy. Grandma and Grandpa can enjoy peace and quiet in their own space, while the kids run wild (respectfully!) with cousins next door. And if it’s a corporate retreat? Assign teams their own cabins for breakout time that doesn’t involve a whiteboard. 2. Common Areas Made for Connection From our game room where competitive Uno thrives, to the campfire circle where marshmallows and stories flow freely, Sunny Side was practically built for bonding. Morning coffee chats on the porch? Check. Evening sing-alongs under the stars? You better believe it. 3. Private Beachfront = Instant Memory Maker A private resort beach means no crowds, no chaos—just your group making splashy memories. It’s ideal for sunrise yoga, lakeside ceremonies, or just throwing on your swimsuits and letting the kids live their best lake life. 4. Quirky, Charming, and Instagrammable AF Let’s be honest—we all love a good photo op. Sunny Side Cottages delivers with wood-clad interiors, pops of nature and beachy décor, and just enough quirk to keep things interesting. It’s rustic-meets-playful, and the vibe? Pure personality. 5. Close to Adventure, But Feels a World Away Located near the beauty of Lake Huron (and not too far from Michigan vacation rental hotspots), Sunny Side is easy to get to but feels delightfully off the grid. Plus, it’s just a hop, skip, and a scenic drive to day trip gems like Manitoulin Island or nearby fishing and hiking spots. 🥂 Reunions, Retreats & More: What Can You Host Here? Glad you asked! Sunny Side is the perfect backdrop for: Family Reunions (yes, even if Uncle Bob snores) Company Retreats and remote team gatherings Small Weddings or vow renewals (lakeside “I do’s”? Yes please.) Friendcations —those friend groups that became family Birthday Bashes, Anniversaries, Retirement Parties —if it’s worth celebrating, it’s worth celebrating here. And if you want to rent the whole property for a more private, curated experience? Let’s talk. We love helping guests turn the entire resort into their own personal lakeside playground. Final Word: Don’t Just Get Away—Gather Somewhere That Gets You Sunny Side Cottages isn’t just a pretty place to crash—it’s a backdrop for your best group memories. It’s where grandma teaches the grandkids to fish, your team finally feels like a team, and friends toast to ten more years of friendship over firelight and waves. So whether you’re planning a grand reunion or a mini retreat, bring your people, your sense of adventure, and maybe a few extra marshmallows. We’ll handle the rest—with lake views, cozy cottages, and plenty of that “you just had to be there” magic.

Let’s be real: life gets busy. Between work emails, school lunches, endless laundry piles, and trying to remember if you already watered the plants (again), the idea of a getaway sounds less like a luxury and more like a necessity. And guess what? Science agrees. Packing up the crew and heading to a place like Sunny Side Cottages, with its laid-back vibes, lakefront views, and s'mores-friendly fire pits, isn’t just fun—it’s actually good for your health. No, seriously. Let’s dive into why swapping screen time for lake time might just be the best decision you’ve made all year. 🌲 Nature: The Original Mood Booster You know that feeling when you step outside, take a deep breath of fresh air, and suddenly life feels 10% less chaotic? That’s not just you being dramatic—that’s nature working its magic. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that spending just 20 minutes in nature can significantly lower stress hormone levels. Source: Frontiers Now imagine what a whole weekend (or gasp a full week) surrounded by trees, waves, and chirping birds could do for your mental state. At Sunny Side Cottages, you're steps away from Lake Huron and immersed in Michigan’s rustic beauty—hello, peace and quiet, we missed you. ☀️ Sunshine = Instant Happy Vibes Michigan may be known for its four seasons, but summertime here? Absolute gold. Sunshine isn’t just good for your tan—it’s essential for your mental health. Exposure to sunlight boosts your body's production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. According to the National Institutes of Health, natural sunlight helps regulate your mood, improves sleep, and even strengthens your immune system. Source: NIH So when you're lounging on a deck chair with a cool drink in hand while the kids build sandcastles? You're basically giving your brain a hug. Bonus: Sunny Side Cottages’ private beach is practically built for soaking it all in. 💦 Water Has Serious Healing Powers There’s a reason they call it water therapy. Being near water—whether it’s swimming in it, kayaking on it, or just listening to it gently lapping the shore—has been linked to a drop in cortisol levels, improved mood, and better overall well-being. Author Wallace J. Nichols even wrote a whole book about it called Blue Mind, which explores how water helps us relax, recharge, and reconnect. Source: Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols And let’s not forget: swimming is also a low-impact, full-body workout that wears kids out just enough to guarantee a solid night’s sleep. You're welcome. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Time: The Real MVP Between school drop-offs and soccer practices, it’s easy for quality family time to get bumped down the list. But studies show that vacations help strengthen family bonds, reduce behavioral problems in kids, and create lasting memories that beat anything a TikTok trend could offer. A report from the Journal of Travel Research found that shared family experiences increase communication and satisfaction within families—especially when nature and play are involved. Source: Sage Journals At Sunny Side Cottages, there’s no shortage of memory-making moments: morning pancakes on the porch, scavenger hunts in the woods, board games in the common room, and marshmallow roasts that turn into storytelling marathons. It’s a tech break and a bonding bonanza. 🧘‍♀️ A Reset for You, Too Let's not forget about you, dear grown-up. Getting away gives your brain a chance to reboot, reduces burnout, and can even boost creativity (so you can finally solve that “what’s for dinner” dilemma with fresh ideas like grilled lake perch with lemon, perhaps?). According to Psychology Today, vacations improve your cognitive flexibility and resilience, helping you return to daily life with more patience, more presence, and—let’s be honest—a better attitude. Source: Psychology Today So go ahead. Book that cozy vacation house in Michigan, toss the phones in a drawer, and let yourself breathe again. Final Thoughts: Your Prescription? One Dose of Sunny Side, Stat. There’s no magic cure for stress, but a lakeside escape with people you love, surrounded by trees and waves and fresh air? That comes pretty close. Whether you’re looking for the best cabin rental in Michigan, a full-on vacation house for the whole family, or just a place to hit the pause button and feel like yourself again—Sunny Side Cottages has got you. Now go grab your sunnies, your crew, and your comfiest hoodie. Health and happiness are waiting—and they come with a side of s’mores.