The Convent Inn: A Tranquil Escape in Val Marie, Saskatchewan
In southern Saskatchewan, nestled in the prairie lands near the vast expanse of Grasslands National Park, lies a rare gem: The Convent Inn. This unique inn, located in the small village of Val Marie (pop: 126, though it feels like there aren’t actually that many people there), provides not only a place to stay but an escape into serenity touched with the charm of history.
Why Remote Destinations Like Val Marie Capture the Heart
There’s something profoundly grounding about remote destinations. Far from modern-day demands, these places make daily pressures feel like distant memories. Out here, a sense of proportion returns to life; the distractions fall away, and what matters becomes clearer. We’ve found that in destinations like Val Marie time slows.
You feel the rhythms of the earth more keenly out here, with every dawn and dusk stretching over the open horizon. We loved sitting on the front steps of the Inn and just staring out. The sky was vibrant blue, the grass was golden with a green sheen, and the soft lowing of a distant cow blended with the occasional call of geese, serving only to amplify the soft silence. Every 5-15 minutes the soft hum of a car along the highway would break through, just to remind us this wasn’t a fading dream.
Aside from the single local restaurant that may or may not be open, services are sparse. Val Marie’s quiet streets and weathered buildings add to its peaceful appeal. It’s truly a quiet place, where time slowly drifts by.
The nearby Grasslands National Park, one of our favourite remote places, also represents this sense of silent grounding perfectly. It’s a preserved wild space where the land feels timeless, quiet, and untouched. And perhaps best of all, the landscape’s understated beauty may seem dull to those who do not have an open heart, which discourages the crowds.
Finding Refuge in the Convent Inn
If you ever make your way to this corner of Saskatchewan to visit Grasslands National Park, staying at The Convent Inn is a must. This isn’t just any inn; it’s a restored convent that once served as a Catholic high school, and its character is as rich as its history. Built in 1939 by the Sisters of the Assumption, the convent was nearly lost to time and disrepair. When Robert Duncan and his family from British Columbia happened upon it in 1996, they saw beyond the condemned, crumbling plastered walls.
The story of their encounter with the building is serendipitous. As Robert’s son Adam recalls, “We crossed the first cattle guard, and our van died on us. While we camped, waiting for a new alternator, we saw this gorgeous building covered in condemned signs. It was a week away from being torn down.” [Quote from Adam Duncan, published in Prairies North Magazine, and article by Judith Wright]
Robert’s decision to buy it wasn’t just practical; it was a mission to preserve something beautiful and timeless. “It’s got 25 rooms and beautiful winding staircases. I don’t know what to do with it, but I have to save it,” he said. [Quote from Adam Duncan, published in Prairies North Magazine, and article by Judith Wright]
Exploring the Convent’s Unique Features
Wandering through the Convent Inn, one can easily feel transported by hallways that exude the musty aroma of time.The original woodwork has been beautifully restored, and each hallway and staircase surrounds you with a warm, timeless embrace. Even the act of walking through the halls feels delightful, as the rich grains of old-growth fir and the soft creaking of the floorboards invite you to slow down.
Our first stay here was marked by delightful solitude. With COVID-19 restrictions recently (and temporarily) eased, we were the only guests at the inn for our three-night stay in June 2020. This solitude turned our experience into something special. We roamed the pillowy silence of the hallways, our footsteps creaking to remind of the countless lives that once filled these spaces though we were utterly alone. It felt as though the building itself remembered every person who had passed through. During this visit we had the largest room in the inn, featuring a comfortable queen bed and walls of charming wooden cupboards.
The balcony was also open during this visit, providing for perfect summer evenings spent under the stars, coyotes filling the air with a soft serenade. And fireflies amongst the trees just added a bit of magic to it all. It was a hauntingly beautiful experience we’ll always cherish.
Though we only briefly encountered Adam (who now manages the Inn) his warmth and knowledge added to the inn’s charm. On our return visit in 2024, we had a chance to enjoy his simple and filling breakfasts, which guests rave about online. Their rural simplicity is perfect for the theme of the place.
We had a chance to stay in a different room on our second visit, a smaller room with a very comfortable double bed. All the rooms have their own sink and mirror, which is very useful since the bathrooms are shared. One bathroom features a toilet and shower with a sink just outside, while the other has a toilet and a clawfoot tub.
A charming chair sits in the tub room, intended for laying out clothes and towels, but it also offers a romantic opportunity for a loved one to read to you while you soak—assuming, of course, that the inn isn’t busy and you’re not holding up the bathtub. In our experience, everyone seems more interested in the shower room.
*Unfortunately on our return visit the balcony was closed until they can afford to repair it and make it safe to enjoy again.
Upstairs, the sitting room welcomes you with big, cushiony couches that beckon you to spend lazy evenings lost in a book. It’s the perfect spot for a game of cards at the table, though be prepared for the Wi-Fi to be a bit hit or miss—an ideal excuse to unplug and dive into one of the eclectic books lining the shelves. We’d recommend bringing along a bottle of scotch (or your favourite dram) to sip while you sink into those comfy cushions; it truly enhances the experience. If you run low on supplies, the small local grocery store has some wine, beer and spirits. They also have a stock of canned Jack and Ginger cocktails, which became a bit of a guilty pleasure during our stay. As for books, if you’re feeling generous, consider bringing a title to leave behind—something special to enrich the collection; but please, no romance novels!
The sitting room also features an old tube television wired to stream Netflix—because Adam is clearly a quirky genius. Picture this: a row of vintage movie theatre chairs facing the screen, perfect for the nun-themed horror movie marathons we ran during our Covid visit – adding an absurdly delightful layer to the surreal experience of having the whole inn to ourselves. Don’t forget the shared breakfast room, where you can meet fellow travellers and swap stories about what brought you to this hidden gem.
After your meal, linger a little longer to explore the cabinets filled with interesting artefacts, including a fossil collection from Grasslands National Park that’s sure to pique your curiosity. It’s only open during breakfast hours, so take advantage of it while you can!
The Inn’s History and Val Marie’s Unique Story
The Convent Inn’s history is part of what makes it so special. Opened as a school for local and rural children, the convent housed seven to eight nuns in its cloistered quarters. It provided a refuge for children stranded during prairie winters and remained the region’s only high school until 1945. After it ceased operations as a convent in the early 1960s, it was briefly used as a care home before sitting abandoned for over two decades.
Robert Duncan’s efforts not only saved the convent from demolition but helped preserve a piece of Val Marie’s identity. In his time as mayor, he even worked to protect other landmarks, such as the town’s historic grain elevator, which connects visitors to the community’s heritage. And in this prairie outpost, originally settled by Francophone ranchers and farmers, that heritage is everywhere. Even the village’s name—Val Marie, or “Valley of Mary”—reflects its French roots, serving as a small yet enduring nod to the past.
Preservation Through Personal Stories
Since its opening in 1997, the Convent Inn has attracted guests from all walks of life. Some visitors are former students, others are history enthusiasts, and many come simply seeking an escape.
It’s particularly popular with bird watchers here to capture images of some of the region’s rare species.
The Duncan family has lovingly preserved the building’s features: guests can still leave messages on the original chalkboards in the sitting room. And the chapel, though now combined with a sitting room, retains an atmosphere of quiet reflection.
When the convent closed its doors, all religious iconography was removed, but the Duncan family has worked to gather items that honour the building’s past. Their thoughtful efforts include restoring much of the religious furnishings, some of which have travelled from as far away as Mexico. The charming church pews come from the nearby Rosefield Church while the altar, a beautiful piece from a Lutheran church, adds a touch of grace to the room. A lovely altar cloth, generously donated by the housekeeper of a visiting priest, brings warmth and history to the space.
Guests who’ve stayed here know that, in Val Marie, silence has a story. The Duncan family, as stewards of this history, have heard many stories from guests, and they continue to share these memories with those who visit. “We do our best to collect the stories and keep a verbal history,” Mette Duncan shares. [Quote from Adam Duncan, published in Prairies North Magazine, and article by Judith Wright]
A Legacy of Community and Preservation
The Convent Inn’s story began unexpectedly for the Duncan family during a 1996 road trip to Grasslands National Park. While driving along Highway Four, just forty kilometres north of the Montana border, Robert Duncan, a native of Nanaimo, B.C., found himself in the tiny village of Val Marie after his van broke down. Waiting for repairs in this quiet prairie town, he spotted the abandoned convent with “condemned” signs posted across its worn exterior.
At the time, the village had offered the building for a mere dollar, but no buyer had come forward. Seeing the potential in its architecture and history, Robert made an offer of $1,000, which was accepted. The family narrowly saved this building from destruction as it was intended for demolition just one week after.
The Hard Work of Preservation
The convent had suffered years of neglect, with a collapsed roof, plaster fallen from walls and warped, buckled floors from years of water damage. “We shoveled out about two dump truck loads of fallen plaster and wrecked wood before we could start fixing stuff,” Adam Duncan recounted [Quote from Adam Duncan, published in Prairies North Magazine, and article by Judith Wright]
For the Duncan family, the Convent Inn became more than just a business—it stands as a living memory for a small community. Former students of the convent high school and even nuns who once taught there occasionally return to share their memories. In addition to these personal stories, the Inn houses a collection of carefully preserved documents from local villagers, including treasures like old reading texts and school materials, some generously donated from local farmsteads. These artefacts contribute to the Inn’s unique charm, offering guests a glimpse into the history and heritage of the area while fostering a sense of connection to the community.
Val Marie: A Village with Deep Roots
Val Marie itself has a rich history, with strong roots in French-speaking settlers who established the community in the early 20th century. This small village grew as a cultural and agricultural centre, benefiting from its proximity to Grasslands National Park. This unique landscape drew early settlers for ranching and farming, and in more recent years, it attracts travellers interested in the natural beauty of Canada’s prairie ecosystem. The atmosphere here feels almost fictional and ancient, a bit of a true wild west experience.
Vintage Theater Seats & Organ Historic Inn
Vintage charm meets prairie history! These cozy theater seats and retro Yamaha organ are just a few of the eclectic treasures you’ll find in this restored convent turned Inn. Step back in time and relax among unique pieces that tell stories of a bygone era.
One Of The Small Rooms
Each of the nine guest rooms in the Inn offers a simple, uncluttered charm, reflecting a minimalist aesthetic. Each room is equipped with its own closeted sink, giving guests a convenient touch of privacy during ablutions, while at the same time maintaining the Inn’s cozy, pared-down ambiance.
Shared Kitchen
The Inn has a small fridge where guests can stock left overs or drinks. There are cups, some utensils and a microwave. We found ourselves eating microwave dinners when the only restaurant in town was unexpectedly closed for an evening.
Original Clawfoot Tub
This is the original clawfoot bathtub belonging to the Convent. This is one of two shared bathrooms in the Inn, the second having a shower. The original floor plan included three classrooms, a chapel, and cloistered rooms for seven or eight nuns at the end of one building.
Our Room
The rooms offers a tranquil escape, wrapped in the peaceful silence of the remote, prairie location. Here, the only sounds you’ll hear are nature’s own, adding to the sense of solitude. Fresh, crisp air flows through open windows, and the soft glow of sunlight fills each room, creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere—perfect for relaxation and reflection (and restful sleeps after long days of hiking in the Park).
Confessionals
The chapel, now a sitting room for quiet reading or contemplation, has the original confessionals still intact. Adam – the son of the original owner (who has passed away) – describes how it took two years to restore the building: “We shovelled out about two dump truck loads of fallen plaster and wrecked wood before we could start fixing stuff . . . We peeled up all the hardwood flooring, pulled all the nails, sorted through it to get rid of the bad [then] re-laid it, and refinished it all. It was a lot of work.”
Chapel Room
The chapel room now also serves as a sitting room for quiet reading and contemplation. Many visitors are people returning to the Inn with stories of its past. One young woman remembered a relative who was nursed back to health by the Sisters after a serious illness.
Closeted Sinks
Closeted sinks were a common feature in convents, giving nuns a private space to wash up within their individual rooms, respecting the values of modesty and solitude. Each sink was tucked away in a small cabinet, often with a simple, utilitarian design that reflected the convent’s emphasis on humility. These sinks allowed for a quick wash without needing to leave the room, offering a sense of privacy even in communal living spaces. Today, they’re a unique reminder of convent life and add a historical charm to places like the Convent Inn.
Breakfast Room
Adam and Matte are renowned for their simple but hearty breakfasts that are included in your stay. Sharing breakfast with other guests in this beautiful communal setting helps make any visit to the Inn extra special. We met a number of fascinating with whom we shared stories about hiking in Grasslands National Park, and about the Inn itself. And don’t miss out the opportunity to peruse the collection of fossils and other interesting tidbits in the cabinets that line the walls!
Simplicity and Peace
The rooms at the Convent Inn capture a sense of peaceful simplicity, with minimal furnishings that invite you to unwind and reconnect with the quiet beauty of the prairies. Each room exudes a timeless charm, combining original details with a warm, welcoming feel. The soft creak of the wooden floors, and the calming sense of solitude all reflect the Inn’s roots as a place of retreat.
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Meet Glen, a retired traveler and photographer from Alberta with a keen eye for capturing old, abandoned places across Western Canada—one-room schools, churches, homesteads, and more. His blog, a passion project, shares these unique stories. Glen’s work has been featured in books and journals, and in 2023, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for promoting Alberta’s and Canada’s history.
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