Atlántico Boutique Hotel

The Uruguayan beach resort of Punta del Este was a hot destination a decade ago. It’s also hot now, and will, in all likelihood, still be hot a decade from now. But that’s not to say the place hasn’t changed. Sure, Punta is still the summertime playground of Argentinian restaurateurs, supermodels, nightclub moguls, international yachters and regular old rich kids — but that sort of scene has moved away from Punta del Este proper and into equally lovely outlying areas like José Ignacio. This shift has left the peninsula itself — a stunning stretch of land bordered on one side by the Brava (Río de la Plata, or River Plate) and on the other by the Mansa (Atlantic Ocean) — blessedly mellow. And Atlántico Boutique Hotel is just the sort of place that properly bridges the gap between the two spheres. It’s clearly a stylish place, but not a pretentious one. You can relax here.

Just a block away from Punta’s historic lighthouse, this 43-room boutique has a pared-down, minimal look: hardwood floors, crisp white linens and down pillows, a single flower in a glass vase, big windows facing the water. Some rooms have private terraces; suites allow extra time for lazing about, as they come with kitchenettes where you can make your own coffee in the morning. And in case one huge flat-screen TV isn’t quite up for the task, the suites provide two — one in the living area, one in the bedroom.

Public spaces don’t disappoint either. There’s a pretty swimming pool and garden where you can lounge on a shaded daybed when the beach gets too hot — as you’re only a few blocks away from both the ocean and the river, it’s easy to come and go throughout the day. And if even the laid-back nightlife on the peninsula feels like a bit too much effort for you, you can return to the pool bar and have a cold one under the stars.

How to get there:
The hotel is located 30 minutes from Punta del Este’s Capitán Corbeta CA Curbelo Airport (PDP). Transfers can be arranged for up to 3 people at a one-way cost of $50 per car.