Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio

Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio isn’t exactly what you’d expect of a high-end Uruguayan ranch. It’s not in the jet-set capital of Punta del Este, for starters — the hotel is located a mere twenty kilometers away, just outside the laid-back beach community of Jose Ignacio — and the aesthetic is a notable departure from the rustic woodwork and cowhides of a traditional estancia. The contemporary colonial-style mansion, set on a sprawling 4,000-acre near-seaside property, is a showcase for edgy South American artwork and innovative interior design.

Curator Enrique Badaró Nadal oversaw the more than twenty Uruguayan and international artists and architects who contributed works to Estancia Vik. Stand-out pieces include a massive marble sculpture and a lush oil fresco, inspired by maps of Brazil and Uruguay, on the ceiling of the central living room, and a swimming pool with fiber-optic stars mirroring the Southern constellations, and an extraordinary array of engravings, photography, painting, and sculpture are on display throughout the hotel. Public spaces and the twelve guest rooms and suites are as sleek and cool as you’d expect — there’s plenty of cement and glass here, and suites come with extravagant extras like private outdoor rainforest-head showers — but you’ll also find exposed brick, wooden beams, and natural materials to remind you that you’re at an estancia.

Even with so many nods to the avant-garde, this isn’t a cold place. On the contrary, Estancia Vik feels perfectly cozy during the traditional afternoon asado (barbecue), and down-to-earth outdoor activities like horseback riding and bird-watching are major attractions. On top of everything else, the estancia is eco-friendly: the vegetables on your dinner plate come straight from the organic garden, and a windmill and solar panels help to power the mansion. The place is unusual, yes, and breathtaking — merging rural comforts with high design and environmental responsibility, Estancia Vik may well symbolize the thrilling future of South American estancias.

Please note:

Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio is open seasonally from September thru May.

How to get there:
Estancia Vik is located 45km (30 min.) from the Punta del Este airport. Transfers can be organized for US$250 for up to 3 guests, each way.