Dakota Dunes Resort: A girls' trip!

We’d talked about a girls’ trip for ages, just getting away together for a night without worrying about driving home, but my friends Karyn and Lisa are busy mamas like me so it was NINE YEARS of friendship later that we turned the wish into a plan. And as for how we chose Dakota Dunes Resort as our destination, Karyn is a professional photographer (she took many of the photos in this post & set the light/edited the title image) and had shot a client out there, reporting back to Lisa and I how gorgeous a place it is. We had a consensus: “Girl's’ trip!”

The land invites you to reconnect. Photo: Karyn Kimberley.

Dakota Dunes Resort is located about 20 minutes outside Saskatoon on Whitecap Dakota Unceded Territory and the drive in is truly picturesque. We were lucky to get a tour of the Resort, learning all about the architectural and design details that honor Indigenous culture.

Photo: KK

Every part of the hotel holds meaning, from the shapes to materials.

One of the ballrooms— sizes are customizable thanks to foldaway walls. Look at this incredible fixture! Photo: KK

The hotel’s details harken to the circles of life and seasons and its timber beams echo traditional tipis.

Photo: KK

There are showpieces like the canoe and hearth in the lobby. Outside, an amphitheater and fire pit mean opportunities to cook bannock and listen to stories told by an Elder. Ask at the front desk for details. Dakota Dunes Resort offers a real sense of connection and culture.

Important to note is that Wanuskewin Gift Shop has a boutique on location, featuring all Indigenous-made works.

Photo: KK.

It’s also home to a full gym.

But our plans were more in the food & drink vein! So…

Photo: KK

… We headed to the Moose Woods Home Fire Grill where neat-o, we got to meet Executive Chef Jeffry Rocha who’s renowned in the hospitality world as a fine dining great! Chef Rocha created a menu for Moose Woods that is uniquely creative while highlighting local and traditional ingredients. And although yes, you’ll find bison and elk on the menu, consideration for vegetarian and other dietary requirements was clearly a priority. Lemme tell you as a vegetarian myself, it’s worth the drive even if you’re not staying the night.

Photo cred is clearly just me. Ditto the following dinner pictures.

But to be clear, we WERE staying the night. So we started out with some cocktails!

DINNER WAS GLORIOUS. And indeed the caps are deserved, just look at my mushroom dish. And please do not skip dessert when you go. I wasn’t interested and got talked into sharing the bannock bread pudding. Whatever you do for a main, make sure you end with this warm, satisfying, not-too-sweet shareable.

Photo: KK

We went back to the room, got ready, and went out to blow some high dough at the casino. I’m not a big gambler but it was fun to play some slots… and I do love to cheer! Lisa ended up winning some cashola and there were sooo many laughs that night. A few Instagram stories that made very little sense, too. But casino pictures? Somehow not a one.

Photo: KK

Possibly this mickey of Fireball Lisa brought had something to do with it.

Sooooo we’ll skip over the meat of our trip all the way to breakfast. Karyn had to run early as she had a photo shoot that morning but Lisa and I enjoyed a lazy sleep-in followed by breakfast at Moose Woods. I loved this playful tofu, bean, and corn succotash dish! Also, mimosas because would it really be a girls’ trip without?!

And last stop, Lisa and I went to the stunning rooftop pool for a dip. (Karyn had taken photo 1&3 along our tour.) In summer, there is an outdoor patio section as well.

Before I sign off, just a note for you electric vehicle drivers: there are several spaces just for you. And what more appropriate note to end on in showcasing a place that respects and reflects traditions while looking to the future?

Thanks to Dakota Dunes Resort for hosting us, I can’t wait to return in summer!

xo Maygen