Escape: Places: Exclusive Villas in Punta del Este

Exclusive Villas in Punta del Este

For the South American smart set, there’s only one place to spend the week after Christmas: Punta del Este, a short flight from Buenos Aires. Though blessed with gorgeous beaches and fantastic nightlife, the Uruguayan resort has managed to maintain a wonderfully authentic sense of place, its barefoot-chic sensibility and distinctive style unmarred by cookie-cutter luxury and big chains.

But for American and European travelers, finding lodging is nearly impossible, as most hotels are booked a year in advance. Indagare has the solution: we have access to four houses that are available for rent, the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local scene. The houses are run by a special rental company, focused on creating a five-star hotel experience in the privacy of the villas they represent, and each comes with a highly trained and plugged-in staff.

The Punta houses include: La Reserva, a charming Mediterranean-style villa set on beautiful grounds with lake views and walking distance to the beach; Blanco Y Blanco, a stunning, sleek eight-bedroom right on the ocean; Pure Life, a six-bedroom house overlooking the Atlantic and down the road from chic beach village La Barra; and Boat on the Beach, a modern five bedroom with a large oceanfront deck and lap pool. Both Pure Life and Boat on the Beach come with a cook; all houses come with staff.