Who's Going
Design Travelers, Brazilian Families, BA-weekenders
Reason to Stay
Resort Boutique Hotel, Hip Lobby, Spa
Hotel Type
Boutique Hotel
Located near the Punta Shopping Mall between Playa Brava and Playa Mansa, we have to admit it's not our favorite area. Congested with value-minded shoppers from nearby high-rise condos, the streets surrounding the hotel are not the ideal vacation getaway one looks for in Punta. Removed from the main road in a dense forest area, AWA is an ambitious minimalist retreat with hip resort pool area and devoted hoteliers looking to create a unique boutique hotel experience. The façade of the hotel resembles a rambling country estate, composed of three-story glass-and-stone exterior in the center of a grassy resort area. <br /><br />The hotel lobby blends terrazzo floors with low-flung leather lounger furniture and abstract artwork �" overlooking a thick-forested reserve on one side and ocean-brimmed horizon on the other. Large walls of glass look onto the central pool area with its redwood decking and teak lounge seating. An in-house bistro offers cheery design with sparse décor �" and one of the better hotel menus in the area with Uruguayan lamb specialties enjoyed to the beat of lounge music.
The Room
Larger than it appears from the outside, the hotel includes 48-rooms and assortment of larger suites. Rooms are drawn in a minimalist aesthetic with smooth ivory-white walls and thick brocade carpeting �" although we’d prefer hardwood floors. Queen and king-size beds are flanked by two pendant lights and face a center console with flat-screen TV and small seating area. Larger suites feature cubist-sofas and club loungers accented by the occasional Philippe Starck ghost chair. While the hotel touts cutting edge furnishings and designer pieces on its website, don’t go in expecting a Cassina or Minotti masterpieces. These are mostly obscure South American designs, while stylish and hip, lack the pizazz of their Italian counterparts. Bathrooms are colored in an all-white palette with square shape porcelain basin sinks and rain showers fluffed with a good selection of obscure house toiletries from the in-house spa. The boutique spa area located off the main hotel lobby is a great asset, featuring a Finnish sauna, massage room, Jacuzzi and steam bath with aromatherapy.
Preferred Room
Suite Deluxe
Special Features
Resort Setting, Trendy Clientele, Beach-Location
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Swimming Pool, Bar