RETREAT TO THE PRAIRIES: Nothing plain about Dakota Dunes Resort

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It’s an unusual place to build a destination resort, but that’s clearly the plan that Chief Darcy Bear of the Whitecap Dakota is working with as he expands Dakota Dunes.

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His latest addition: A 155-room hotel to add on to the existing casino and world-class golf course.

“It’s really exciting,” Chief Bear says as we sip coffee in Moose Woods restaurant at the hotel.

He’s describing plans for the future of this site including a Nordic spa in coming years, but the smile on his face and glint in his eye tells you there is more than he’s willing to talk about at the moment. The resort has already come a long way from the golf course opening in 2004 and the casino in 2007, but the addition of the hotel in October 2020 takes the plans to a new level.

Dakota Dunes Resort is situated roughly 25 km south of Saskatoon at the northern end of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

From the canoe hanging overhead as you enter, to the arrow head design in the wall at check-in, to the more subtle teepee design in lobby, there is no question that you are in a hotel proudly designed and built by this First Nations community. Yet the nods to the Dakota culture and landscape run deeper than easy-to-spot items like the canoe. One of the lobby walls has the look and texture of the dry and hard-baked ground so easily spotted on the Prairies in the summer, while a path of river rock in the hallway is a nod to the South Saskatchewan River that flows by just west of the hotel.

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As we discuss the growth of Dakota Dunes Resort and his plans, Chief Bear sprinkles the conversation with recommendations on what I should order for supper later in the day. His suggestions aren’t disappointing.

Like everywhere else in the resort, the décor at Moose Woods Home Fire Grill is a nod to the past, the present and the Dakota culture. It’s thoroughly modern, though with great views of the outdoors and an expansive patio for spring and summer.

The menu offers everything from traditional pub fare like wings to family-friendly meals, but also a taste of the exotic, which is where my palate is wandering on this visit.

“Try the Tatanka ribs,” Chief Bear had told me.

Tatanka is the Dakota word for bison and this appetizer portion of ribs is served up cured and braised, covered in a Saskatoon berry and mesquite BBQ sauce. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the meat has a slightly bolder taste than beef ribs without becoming too gamey.

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I’ll be honest: The other two appetizers ordered for the table – pork dry ribs and the waygu carpacio – were both excellent, but they were blown away by the Tatanka.

For the main, there were standard selections of chicken supreme or ravioli but I opted for the exotic again and chose the wild boar chop covered in a butter herb sauce. The flavours were amazing.

In keeping with the theme of the hotel and location, our host recommended a bottle of merlot from Kelowna’s Indigenous World. This fairly new B.C. winery has been snapping up awards and it is easy to see why. The merlot complimented the meal perfectly while their pinot gris was perfect for evening sipping.

My room on the sixth floor offered fantastic views of the golf course, which in the winter is used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other outdoor activities. One thing that is different about rooms at Dakota Dunes is sure to elicit a strong reaction either way: There are no carpets.

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In keeping with the modernist décor, rooms have a combination of tile at the entrance and throughout the bathroom, and hardwood in the sleeping and sitting areas.

“Love the no-carpet design,” said one recent review on Trip Advisor, “I always thought hotel carpets must be so disgusting.”

I’d never thought of that before but now can’t get it out of my mind. The no-carpet design takes a moment to get used to but it works for the space.

The hotel is topped off with a hot tub and pool that is big enough for adults do laps and shallow enough for kids to have a fun time splashing around. It’s also the perfect spot to have morning coffee as the sun comes up — even if you don’t have plans to swim.

The hotel offers a range of activities on site from wagon or sleigh rides to bannock and bonfire in the evening. They’ve partnered with local fishing guides to offer outings on nearby lakes and rivers and will soon offer the same for canoe excursions.

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Chief Darcy Bear’s vision for building a resort is coming to fruition. Dakota Dunes is a perfect getaway for a boys’ golf weekend, a couple’s or family escape, and soon with his addition of a Nordic spa, another excuse for a girls’ weekend.

It’s what you would expect to find in a rural area south of Saskatoon but once you do, I have no doubt you will enjoy it.

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