The Best Hotels to Book in Punta del Este, Uruguay, for Every Traveler

One for architecture fans, Fasano’s brutalist concrete-and-wood bungalows embrace the rocky landscape, sprouting from the ground like the boulders they’re built next to. Drawing from a natural color palette, the living quarters are super-stylish and located close to La Barra neighborhood. Play a round on the nine-hole golf course, splash about in the rocky swimming pool, rejuvenate in the spa or dine at Italian trattoria Las Piedras.

The elegant suites at the adults-only Villa Toscana are airy and full of character; study the themes of each carefully before choosing a room – there’s even one for golf lovers. It’s located just a stone’s throw from Laguna del Sauce, a huge lake set just back from Punta del Este’s beaches. Crack open some bubbles in the jacuzzi, then laze around the Tuscan-style garden before working up an appetite in the extensive outdoor swimming pool.

One for lovers of country chic, L’Auberge’s cosy decor and floral prints have the feel of a comfy cottage, even though the hotel is just steps from the Atlantic Ocean in Punta del Este’s upmarket Barrio Parque del Golf neighborhood. After a day riding the waves and dunes, freshen up in the prized garden before tucking into a waffle at L’Auberge’s very own teahouse.

Esthetes will revel in Live, a stylish adults-only boutique hotel in Punta del Este within walking distance of the beach. Earthy neutral tones and plenty of wood create a warming ambience in geometric suites, while curvy lounge chairs make for an interesting contrast alongside the extensive outdoor swimming pool. Don’t miss the ample buffet breakfast, served at the indoor/outdoor dining room overlooking the luscious garden.

One for those looking to unwind, Awa Boutique Design Hotel is tucked inside Punta del Este’s pine-tree forest, a short walk from Punta shopping mall and not too far from La Mano de Punta del Este – a giant sculpture of hands emerging from the sands of Brava beach, by Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal. A heated indoor swimming pool, alongside the outdoor pool and Wave Spa, makes this a stay for all seasons.

One for those who require plenty of home comforts, the living quarters at 2122 Hotel Art Design include a well-stocked kitchenette and a sofa bed. Airy rooms include wooden decked balconies with views overlooking the lush pine forest, as well as a pillow menu. While 2122 is a stone’s throw from the beach, you can also relax in the heated in/out swimming pool all year round.

Lovers of the great outdoors looking to reconnect with nature will relish the tropical garden at Petit Château, dotted with palm trees and an outdoor pool and surrounded by pine forest. A short walk from Playa Mansa beach and Punta shopping mall, the spick and span rooms are decorated simply. Savor breakfast on the patio: all the delicious carbs are fresh-baked in-house each morning.

Lovers of the great outdoors will enjoy the lush, well-maintained gardens at Barradas Parque Hotel and Spa, a short walk from Parada 9 on Playa Mansa. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and rooms are elegant, with garden views; book into B, the acclaimed in-house restaurant, for Italian fare such as gnocchi and risotto.

One for Scandinavian designs fans, Casa Flor has the luxury of being just one block from the beach in the hip La Barra neighborhood. Stylish contemporary design embraces maritime colors, and uses plenty of white wood with turquoise splashes. Airy rooms open out onto decks where you can freshen up with a dip in the petit outdoor swimming pool or warm up next to the wood-burning stove.

Those after peace and quiet will savour a stay at Las Cumbres, a hotel, spa and teahouse located off the busy Punta del Este peninsula circuit in Punta Ballena (Whale Point), a popular breeding ground and spotting stop for southern right whales. There are views across Laguna del Sauce from the suites and the ample outdoor swimming pool, while the rooms are designed with rural chic in mind, with wooden ceilings and floors, and artefacts collected by the owner on his travels.