The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce presented Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort with the New Business of the Year Award on Tuesday night at Quattro and the owner said she's thrilled.
Ann Marie Barry, owner/operator, partner Adam Hunter and daughter Rachel recently moved from New Brunswick to resettle in this area.
Adam is originally from the Sault and was stationed in Gagetown, New Brunswick while serving in the military.
“We've been so well received by the whole northern Ontario community. When we came here, we weren't really sure what we were walking into or how the resort was going to be received, but we could not be more pleased and more grateful,” Barry told SooToday.
Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort, located at Batchawana Bay, opened April 1, 2024.
“Business has been amazing. We're fully booked till the end of December,” Barry said.
‘Sunnd’ is a Nordic word that means ‘well being, cheerfulness and happiness.’
The resort is well named, offering relaxation for those wanting to get away from it all.
Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort includes geodomes where people can read, sip tea and relax surrounded by natural light.
“We have two geodomes right now that are operational and we're working on our third. We're also working on a mini Nordic spa that'll include a cafe, hot and cold plunge, saunas, quiet areas, relaxation and meditation zones. We’ll also be doing yoga workshops,” Barry said.
Geodomes are often tiny but those at Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort are an exception.
“These are massive geodomes with a star gazer window in the roof and also a big bay window in the front. They have full kitchens, full washrooms, flushing toilets, spa robes, there's private wood fired hot tubs, barbecues,” Barry said.
Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort has drawn both Saultites and tourists over the past year.
“We’re open year-round and we get a lot of people from the Sault doing staycations, but we also have a ton of Americans that come up. The majority of our customers are Torontonians that are looking to explore the north, which is exciting,” Barry said.
Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort is staffed by Barry, her partner and daughter, assisted by various contract workers who perform groundwork.
“We’re very, very grateful to receive the Chamber’s New Business of the Year Award. We couldn't be more proud and more honoured to receive such an amazing award among such incredible nominees.
"Every one of those businesses is amazing and they’ve worked so hard and we’re avid customers of theirs as well,” Barry said.