Playa Vik
Sister property to Estancia Vik, Playa Vik is very much a work of art in itself, with wacky architectural design and fantastic sea views.
Made up of six houses - three with three bedrooms and three with two bedrooms - surrounding a sculpture in the L- shaped pavilion, all the rooms have beautiful seafront view terraces. Each casa features a fireplace, art-filled interiors and a unique design scheme.
With nationally acclaimed chef Marcelo Betancourt in the kitchen, Playa Vik serves some of the finest cusine in South America, with a focus on freshly caught seafood, locally grown vegetables, and plenty of Uruguayan beef. The property's indoor dining room has large glass windows that look out on to the beach.
Facilities include the pavillion, housing the 40 foot long wine cellar, games room, spa, gym and BBQ area. There is also a bar that leads out to an infinity pool and loungers, bike hire (a nice way to get around Jose Ignacio town), tennis, canoeing, surfing, a firepit and birdwatching.
Why We Love It
Enjoy your own space and open planned living? The houses blend the interior and exterior as fully retractable windows slide into the walls and let the rooms become one with their own private garden.
Casa Ana
Perfect for honeymooners or chill-time seekers, British art gallery owner Martin Summers, rents his summer haven out to guest looking for that home away from home feel.
The property has five bedrooms ranging from a master suite with huge living space, large open fire and huge bathroom, to the triple room with single beds and ensuite bathroom. The rooms all have beautiful wrought iron beds and Satillite TV.
Guests eat breakfast in the kitchen and delicious lunches and dinners can be included if arranged in advance. Otherwise, guests tend to head to Garzon or Lucifer or head to Jose Ignacio which is 30 minutes away.
Casa Ana looks like a single building from the outside, but on entering the wooden gates you walk into a beautifully landscaped garden with a swimming pool, open air thatched pool house with a vintage looking wet bar, a BBQ area and wooden tables under grapevines for dining outside. There is also a separate house with living room/play room with library and movies.
Why We Love It
Don't own a house in Uruguay, but wish you did? You will feel like part of the family rather than a typical guest in this idylic family home.
El Balcon del Abra
The posada El Balcón del Abra is located in a manicured park surrounded by beautiful trees and towering palms, and with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and hills.
El Balcon del Abra is surrounded by dramatic landscapes and offers superb comfort and the charm of a small posada with only five rooms.
The inn serves outstanding home-made food using organic produce from the garden and excellent wines, all served on a long table in the main dining room with other guests, the whole experience is very much like staying in someone's home. For anyone feeling a bit Brit about it, there are also smaller tables available for private dining.
Facilities include a large ecological pool, as well as a comfortable lounge with a large satellite TV, music system and library. Organised trips such as bird watching, horse back riding and walking tours are also available.
The hotel is located just a few minutes from the small town of Mariscala a couple of hours' drive from the capital Montevideo.
Why We Love It
If you are missing the creature comforts of home, El Balcon del Abra serves afternoon tea and cake daily on a terrace with wonderful views of the local countryside.
Guardia del Monte
Located on the edge of Castillos Lagoon, Guardia del Monte is one of the few remaining working cattle ranches that still cater to guests, and with beautiful surrounding it's a personal favourite of ours.
The Main House offers rural comforts in four simple rooms with en-suite bathrooms, big halls, cosy fireplaces and lovely gardens to relax and unwind. The warmth and friendliness of Alicia, the owner, will make you feel truly at home.
Guests can participate in traditional farming activities as well as watching the horses being broken in. There is also a lot to explore in the surrounding areas, with fishing, canoeing on the Lagoon, horse riding, walking in the Ombu Forest and bird watching to name but a few.
The property is surrounded by important eco-systems including the Lagoon, the wetlands and the Ombu Forest.
Why We Love It
Even if not staying here, it's worth visiting for the day, enjoying a spot of lunch and the impressive views.
Hotel Fasano Las Piedras
The 480 hectares Fasano Las Piedras estate is a special setting, combining spectacular views of almost Tuscan countryside with British country house elegance, all conveniently located within minutes of the most beautiful beaches of Uruguay.
With panoramic views of the countryside, the 22 bungalows and ten deluxe bungalow suites offer spacious private terraces, with king-sized beds and all the latest mod cons designed to maximise comfort and privacy.
There are three restaurants to choose within the resort; Fasano serving regional Italian cuisine, Las Piedras for informal Italian trattoria-style cooking and the pool bar for guests who prefer snacks and appetisers poolside.
The resort offers a spa with treatments, heated indoor pool, saunas and steam room, fitness centre and six massage rooms. There is an outdoor pool carved into the natural rock face, nearby golf courses, equestrian facilities, tennis courts and a private beach offering jet skis and organised boat trips.
Located in a privileged area at the highest point of La Barra city, Hotel Fasano has a private beach on the river Maldonado and one of the most beautiful views of the setting sun off the coast anywhere in the country. Downtown La Barra itself, which attracts the high society of South America for its nightlife and fine dining, is just minutes away.
Why We Love It
Does wrestling for a sun lounger sound rather unappealing? Fear not, Hotel Fasano Las Piedras has its own private beach for maximum relaxation.
Narbona Wine Lodge
Narbona Wine Lodge is a beautiful boutique hotel with rustic charm and ideal for those who enjoy superb unknown wines.
The Lodge has five large rooms with en-suite bathrooms and impressive views over vineyards, wooden pannelled floors and charming vintage decor. Finca Narbona is extremely peaceful and is pouring with character.
Restaurant Narbona has an excellent menu concentrating on Uruguayan specialities and where guests can choose to sit by the open fire, have a drink at the bar or sit outside where it is all lit by candles at night. Cava restaurant, in the cellar of the old part of the house (dating back to 1909) offers great wine and cheese tastings.
Facilities include a pool with chill out sofas and summer house-reggae music playing in the background. As well as a gym, there are a lounge and library, bikes to explore the vineyards and horse riding available. The local area also has activities to explore such as golf (at Carmelo Golf Club), beach or boat trips, kayaks and canoes hire and even helicopter rides.
Why We Love It
Enjoy the weather and magnificent surroundings on the large colonial patio with a glass of wine selected by the resident sommelier, Valeria Chiola.
Pueblo Barrancas Eco Lodge
Located in a rugged oceanfront landscape hidden within forest and dunes, Pueblo Barrancas Eco Lodge is just a few short footsteps from the beach.
Pueblo Barrancas was built as an eco-lodge designed to preserve the local environment and avoid negative impact on the coastline. Guests can choose to stay in the delightful bungalows at the front of the property or, for those wanting to be closer to nature, in the luxurious tents on stilt to the rear of the property. The bungalows have en-suite bathrooms, an open plan living area with kitchenette and bedroom. The tents are similar in style, just smaller with zip-up doors.
Room service and the onsite restaurant offer some of the tastiest food in the country, using homegrown vegetables from the lodge's garden the kitchen team produce simple high quality food.
There is a wooden decked pool area and restaurant bar which has been known to host hip summer parties in high seasons. Half Day private trekking from Valizas to Cabo Polonio is available or alternately this can be done on horse back.
Why We Love It
Pueblo Barrancas was constructed using only natural materials and all the cabanas have charming straw roofs and wooden decking. Great for all you nature lovers.
Posada del Faro
The good value Posada del Faro is one of our favourite hotels in Jose Ignacio, tucked away behind the lovely (and relatively quiet) Playa Mansa.
There are just 15 en suite rooms with white walls and exposed beams and at the guesthouse itself, and another four bigger 'privados' rooms with big terraces on the other side of the hotel from the beach that are perfect for honeymooners.
There is a low key but tasteful lounge area where guests can enjoy breakfast, although the charming staff will set up breakfast pretty much anywhere for guests. Lunch and supper are available at the hotel's beach club in summer but otherwise the many restaurants of Jose Ignacio are within easy reach.
Activities include lazing around by the pool or at the beach club for some serious people watching. Proper activities include surfing, riding and sailing, all of which can arranged using local outfits.
Why We Love It
This being Uruguay, even the smallest guesthouse has to have it's own trendy beach club, and Posado del Faro is no exception, with one of the best on the beach at Playa Mansa.
Estancia Vik
Merging exceptional design, flawless service and an unparalleled collection of Uruguayan and International Art - Estancia Vik is a luxury boutique hotel surrounded by 4,000 acres of rolling countryside near Jose Ignacio.
Estancia Vik has twelve bedroom suites with their own patio and unique design. Each also boasts a large original art piece by leading contemporary Uruguayan artists.
The hotel celebrates the dishes of Uruguay in the brick barrel vaulted dining room as well as at the Uruguayan parillero, or barbeque, with a central open fire. Enjoy fresh fish and seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade breads and pastries.
Facilities include an impressive granite swimming pool, gym and spa, games room, private polo field, stables and golf green. Handmade canoes, kayaks, kite and windsurfers, sail boats and fishing equipment are all available to enjoy on the nearby lakes.
The hotel is located only 45 minutes from Punta del Este and 15 minutes from Jose Ignacio - home to pristine beaches, beautiful people and gourmet restaurants.
Why We Love It
This hotel merges rural comforts with high design, any art enthusiasts will be in their element.
