Dakota Dunes Casino Guide and Review
Dakota Dunes Casino, nestled near Saskatoon, Canada, presents a multi-faceted experience, combining a hotel, dining options, and a casino floor. Reviews highlight both remarkable highs and significant lows, particularly concerning service aspects.
Aesthetic & Ambiance: Hotel & Grounds 🌿
Many visitors are profoundly impressed by the hotel's beauty and tranquil setting. Guests have described it as a "most beautiful hotel," praising its cleanliness, modern design, and quiet atmosphere. A standout feature mentioned is the "tranquil view watching the deer graze," providing a serene backdrop. The establishment also earns significant commendation for its proud display of Indigenous art and murals, with patrons appreciating the support for Indigenous-owned businesses and the rich cultural expression throughout the property.
Dining Experience: Flavors and Service 🍔
The culinary offerings at Dakota Dunes Casino generally receive positive feedback. Reviewers have highlighted the restaurant, referred to as IMoise by some, for its awesome food. Specific mentions include tasty "Firecrackers" and a "hearty, balanced" SIGA burger special with nice crispy chips. The hospitality in the dining areas is often praised, with staff members described as "friendly" and "attentive." A particular waitress, Rianna, was celebrated for her excellent service, making a 40th birthday celebration special. While some experienced slightly slow service, it was often overlooked due to the quality of the food and the pleasant venue.
Casino & Bar Service: A Mixed Bag 🎲🍹
The casino environment itself is where experiences diverge significantly, primarily due to the bar service. While the rooms and dinner aspects of a "staycation" were lauded, the casino's bar service drew strong criticism. Several reviewers pointed to "atrocious" wait times for drinks, even with a seemingly short line, suggesting understaffing, especially on busy Saturday nights.
A particularly jarring account details repeated issues with bartenders being unable or unwilling to make common cocktails like a Mai Tai, despite ingredients potentially being available or on a "drink chart." This led to instances of rude interactions, with bartenders reportedly asking customers how to make drinks or telling them to "pick something simple." Furthermore, a highly negative experience involved a manager who, instead of resolving the issue, allegedly blamed the customer for being "the problem" due to the bar's busyness, and even recorded personal information after an ID check without clear justification. Such incidents have led some patrons to express extreme disappointment and a firm decision not to return, despite having previously won money there.
Overall Impressions:
Dakota Dunes Casino offers a visually appealing and comfortable hotel experience, celebrated for its Indigenous heritage and tranquil setting. The dining options generally deliver on quality and hospitality. However, the overall casino experience is significantly marred by highly inconsistent and, at times, severely disappointing bar service and customer complaint handling. For those primarily seeking a beautiful hotel and good food, it appears to be a strong contender. For those expecting seamless casino amenities, particularly prompt and knowledgeable bar service, experiences may vary wildly, leaning towards frustration based on recent feedback.
Most beautiful hotel I've had the privilege of staying at. Clean, modern, quiet tranquil view watching the deer graze. Friendly service with a smile. Was so good that I didn't want to leave. I've got to come back here and my whole family. Absolutely love the art & muralson the walls! I love that they are very proud to be Indigenous. For me that made this experience even better. As I love supporting Indigenous own businesses. I highly recommend you stay here at Dakota Dunes!
Great hospitality here and had the pleasure of enjoying the March SIGA burger special (half off) and some of Amber draught. Burger was hearty, balanced well with lettuce tomato and onion, and chips were nice in crispy! Service took a little bit, but the food and venue were so nice the slightly slow service was not a bother at all 😊
Extremely disappointing bar service. Second time back. Same issue comes up. Before I go into a big rant I want to make one thing clear I can go into any bar in Saskatoon or even New Island Sushi and ask for a MaiTai and get one. To walk up to the casino bar and have my spouse ask for her favourite drink, a Maitai only to have the bartender try to work around making it is insanity.My spouse asked for a maitai and the bartender said “I don’t know what that is”I said “the last time we were here we had this issue it’s on your drink chart” - a list of drinks the bar should be able to make when orderedShe then said to my spouse “can you tell me how to make it”So my spouse showed her how to make it on with a quick google search.She then refused to offer a substitute for the orange curaçao, which they have …..blue curaçao…….. which my spouse said to her face.The bartender then said quite rudely “pick something simple”I’m sorry what?Now imagine my dismay after the manager comes and tells me the situation will be dealt with accordingly then comes back and tells me I’m the problem because it’s busy and I should have empathy for the bartender.Keep in mind I chose to step away from the bar instead of stopping the flow of traffic and making a scene when it was so busy.They then told me I was being condescending when I was upset and made me produce my ID again after already having a beer in hand.After I produced my ID in good faith they took it aside and wrote down all my personal information.The manager asked what I wanted to be done about it? How about an apology and the promise that it will be dealt with in mature matter. I wasted $20 on our drinks plus the fuel to drive 1 1/2 hours for this?Could have sat in my lazyboy at home and gambled online and made my spouse her maitai for that price.This is the second time they failed to make a Maitai. The worst part is they have a drink on the menu called “The Frozen Hawaiian” that is essentially a slushy MaiTai……….Absolutely horrendous service at best. I will be gambling in my small town bar from now on, who also knows how to make a Maitai….I have only won money here. And chose to use it gambling here to have a longer night. I won’t be back.
Came out for a stay cation with a group of friends for her birthday. Rooms and hotel were great, dinner was amazing but the casino terrible either get another bar or some staff on a Saturday night that can power through a 5 person lineup. Atrocious the wait time for a drink well trying to gamble and have a good time
