The third Uruguayan property in José Ignacio from Vik Retreats, Bahia Vik offers a spacious beachfront hideaway with a resort-like vibe. Here's our review.

Estancia Vik is a Spanish colonial ranch with exquisite interiors crafted by local Uruguayan artists. Read our review of the property.

The six-room Playa Vik, a stone’s throw from the action of Jose Ignacio town, feels like an art aficionado’s ultimate escape. Here's our review.

It’s no surprise that Casa Suaya, owned by L.A.-based restaurateur Adolfo Suaya, boasts a spectacular restaurant, but the real star is the charming hotel, adored by hip young South Americans. Suaya’s goal was to build an oceanfront getaway for friends who enjoy the sand and surf, and the resulting property meshes well with his vision. Rooms range from standard stone-walled rooms to family bunaglows, and all are done up according to a simple but chic seaside aesthetic (think white linens, wicker chairs and white-painted wood furnishings). For those who can’t go without their spa time, the hotel has a masseuse on hand for beachfront treatments. However, this is not the place for those expecting a full-service, five-star hotel.

Note: As with all the José Ignacio properties, there are caveats. Those interested in a vacation here should first read our José Ignacio: Who Should Go or contact our Bookings Team for advice.

From the outside, Casa Zinc is a beautiful mixture of red brick and chipped white paint, but inside, the boutique hotel is artfully decorated with old school desks and a bibliophile’s collection of leather-bound books. The six-room posada in La Barra was opened by the owner of the Trading Post, Aaron Hojman, and features treasures he has amassed during his travels. His flair for design is seen in the giant zinc bathtub that sits in an outdoor courtyard and tired velvet couches that are reborn with embellished textiles. The emphasis on service and amenities, though, is not what a high-end clientele would expect.

Note: As with all the José Ignacio properties, there are caveats. Those interested in a vacation here should first read our José Ignacio: Who Should Go or contact our Bookings Team for advice.

The Punta del Este area offers some exquisite boutique hotels (most notably Estancia Vik, Playa Vik and Bahia Vik in Jose Ignacio), but for someone looking for a big, full-service, five-star resort with golf and tennis, there has long been a dearth of options. So the Fasano Las Piedras made waves when it opened in 2010 (especially among Brazilians, for whom the Fasano brand has a cult-like following.) Some may fault the location of Fasano Las Piedras, which is a bit out of the way situated a 15 minute drive from the beach and a 10-minute drive to La Barra.

The Fasano is best suited to families and groups of friends who want lots to do on site. Set on 480 hectares in the countryside, the resort offers a nine-hole golf course, two pools, tennis courts, a spa, an equestrian center and a proper kids club.  There is also a “beach club” along the shores of the river that runs through the property.

The main building houses a casual restaurant, Las Piedras, where breakfast is served, and several charming side rooms where one can relax by the fireplace with a book. The stylish Lounge Bar is especially picturesque for sunset cocktails before dinner at the main restaurant, Fasano. Set on a hilltop with sweeping views, it has a cool rustic interior with exposed beams, rugged stone walls, leather chairs and cowhide couches. You can also order nibbles and drinks by the pool.

Rooms, which are spread amongst concrete bungalows, are spacious with clean lines, stone and hardwood floors, a writing desk, a sitting area, private terraces and views out over the countryside. The main swimming pool is freeform and surrounded by wildflowers (better for cooling off than for doing laps). The whole place evokes an elegant private estancia, with lots of charming period details, such as antique wooden trunks in the front hall and a rotary phone in the living room. In 2017, the property added a new contemporary extension with ten suites and a bar and pool.

On a quiet street a few blocks from the beach, the white stucco building resembles the kind of simple hideaways that you find on Ibiza. There’s a small pool, inviting library and oftentimes no one at the front desk. It’s a laid-back place with simple rooms and few luxuries but the rooms are clean, and the staff—when they emerge—is friendly and helpful. Each of the fifteen rooms; most have small terraces so you can see the beach and some have fireplaces. Couches may be draped with white slipcovers and wooden floors remain bare unless brightened by a cotton throw rug. During the winter months, when the restaurants in town are closed, the hotel offers one seating at a communal table in the dining room. For those who want to be truly tranquilo, you can forsake a car altogether on rely on one of the hotel bicycles.

Note: As with all the José Ignacio properties, there are caveats. Those interested in a vacation here should first read our José Ignacio: Who Should Go or contact our Bookings Team for advice.