12/18/2023
This will be a looooog message to those that have been invited to this group. Please add any one I may have accidently left out or those not on social media. Thank you.
Lets start with the sad yet hopefully better options for us all. I will no longer be renting from Riverside Retreats effective immediately. This affects all of your 2024 and moving forward dates you have reserved. Your deposits will be returned once you decide for me to return to you or you choose to follow at one of the other site.
I have been looking at/and talking with various venues in north-east, central, and western Michigan, all week long. Some venues are closed for the season while others have been opened during the weekends.
Lets face it, we will not find another venue at this time like the ones at Riverside. If you choose to find another consultant with available spots at Riverside, or start a group yourself, I totally understand. There will be at least 11 dates available for 2024, unless she had someone else in mind for them and also may be increasing the rent.
Most of the venues that could support smaller groups in the west side and northern part of the state were significantly higher then what we are used to paying - by $100 plus.
One venue: CREEKSIDE, BATTLE CREEK, approximately 15 minutes west of Marshall. Its handicap accessible with a large group capacity. Right off the bat, they don't provide personal hygiene products and heard maybe no napkins nor paper towels. The rates are$140 Friday to Sunday and $185 for Thursday to Sunday. Both without meals. To possibly keep the cost down to all, I suggest we all pitch in and sign up for items to cook/serve. If I make/provide the meals, it will probably raise it to approximately $250. Also she charges an additional $45 per night/person if we wanted to arrive on Wed or extend to Monday.
Many of you have visited that facility. Would you be okay going there?
Second and third venue: RIVER'S EDGE RETREAT, DIMONDALE and ST. JOHNS MI. She has yet to give me the 2024 dates and costs. She is suppose to get back with me AS SOON AS HER REGULARS confirm their 2024 date. They also have DAY ONLY rates for those that want to go home at night.
Fourth venue: MAIN STREET CHAPEL, VERNON MI
She is able to accommodate all but one April date. The entire venue is handicap accessible - one floor. However she can only accommodate 9. She has much room to crop in but not enough beds. They are working on sectioning things off to make more sleeping quarters. She is a little bit cheaper. A Thursday to Sunday stay is $180 with $35 for an additional night per person. The same is suggested for the meals as the Battle Creek facility. She does provide personal hygiene products, paper towels and such.
Sorry, forgot to ask if she had day rates. Rates will also depend on if eating with the group or brining own meals.
There are at least 3 other venues to talk to and will update you as soon as I can. Some of you have been to other facilities you may be partial to and I would gladly try to contact them and get that ball rolling too.
So, at this point, do you want to hang on and see what I find?
Please give me your opinion on the mentioned places, if possible?
Again, my apologies for any and all inconvenience to you and your peeps.
