Bahia Vik Jose Ignacio

By now the Vik name ought to ring a bell — Alex and Carrie, purveyors of hip, upscale Uruguayan hospitality, are building a portfolio of luxe and stylish boutique hotels in and around José Ignacio, the happening beachside enclave that’s superseded Punta del Este as Uruguay’s most desirable destination. And like Vik’s other seaside properties, Bahia Vik, set on the dunes beside the ocean, is thoroughly modern, with a firm focus on the notable art collection and ongoing involvement with contemporary artists.

The hotel’s central building is a sleek structure in slate and glass; here you’ll find the library, fitness center, spa, an open-air courtyard, and ten of the hotel’s 49 guest rooms. The others are located within eleven free-standing beach bungalows that dot the surrounding dunes. Every one features indigenous Uruguayan woodwork and smooth slate, a fitting framework for the bold original artwork, vibrantly colored walls, and whimsical bathroom tiles that enliven each space. In one bathroom, there’s a tub carved from a boulder, while another features a mini gallery of pop art-style paintings; bungalows have patios that open directly onto the sand.

Should you tire of sunbathing on the beach in front of you, Bahia Vik has four swimming pools — suitably modern, of course, long and thin, set parallel to the ocean, along with a raised wooden deck perfect for a leisurely lunch. Guests have access to the trendy La Susana beach club and restaurant, located next door to the hotel. But in a place as relaxed as this, it’s tempting to keep it low-key, joining in the hotel's casual but gourmet asados on the sand, or pedaling to the lighthouse on a borrowed bicycle at sunset. Not at all a bad way to pass the time.