Hyatt Centric Montevideo

The “Centric” in Hyatt Centric Montevideo refers partly to its location — the hotel is outside the historic center, but metaphorically at the heart of the action, in the stylish and desirable neighborhood of Pocitos — and partly to the mega-chain’s new sub-brand. The Uruguayan iteration is the latest in a line of boutique-style hotels aimed at a more youthful crowd, with bolder modern design and tech-friendly rooms.

Montevideo, if you’re not aware, is the other birthplace of tango, a quieter counterpart to brash Buenos Aires, located across the border in Argentina. The two cities are well-connected by frequent ferries across the Rio de la Plata, a river so wide it looks like the ocean. And the Hyatt Centric Montevideo sits on a prime piece of real estate right on its shore. From many of the guest rooms, all you see is water; outside the front doors, you’re steps away from La Rambla, the wide waterfront promenade that runs for miles along the coastline. So while you can certainly use the hotel’s spotless fitness center or go for a swim in the small but beautifully tiled indoor pool, you’ll almost certainly feel the urge to walk, run, or cycle with the steady stream of locals passing in front of the entrance.

Guest rooms and suites are what you’d expect of a brand-new Hyatt – spacious and sleek, with ample work space, flat-screen TVs, large bathrooms, free wi-fi – with the occasional piece of interest, like a red wall, a gilded mirror, or a quirky light installation. Familiar comforts with a contemporary edge, that’s what the Hyatt Centric Montevideo has to offer. And they do it well. Some rooms have kitchenettes; otherwise, there’s Plantado restaurant, with its open kitchen and a striking olive tree rising up through the center of the dining room, a grab-and-go deli, and a lobby bar where you can sample up-and-coming Uruguayan wines. It’s a plush place to return to after a day of tango and chivito — that’s the national sandwich, piled high with slices of grilled steak — or sand and sun, as the case may be.