Who's Going
Hollywood-elite, Fashion JetSet, Romantic Weekenders
Reason to Stay
Private Villa, Horse Rental, Beachfront Location
Hotel Type
All-Suite Hotel
The hottest up-and-coming beach scene in the world, Jose Ignacio is a glittery bohemia of sleepy beach architecture and high-fashion residents that would prefer the rest of the world vacation elsewhere. LA-restaurateur Adolfo Suaya, Brazilian-born owner of the Lodge in Beverly Hills and Geisha House, has meticulously created a rambling almost-beachside estancia offering four acres of rolling pampas and sandy dunes. The property began with a single structure, namely Suaya's beach house, and then expanded to include two swimming pools and guest suites. The stacked-stone facade is emblematic of many local estates, protruding with large teak terraces that overlook the tumbling Atlantic. Unlike the St. Tropez knock-off styling of many Uruguayan hotspots, Suaya creates an authentic design aesthetic that incorporates antique carved woods, exotic parchments and native furnishings that have been ridden hard since opening. Large picture windows look onto a sweeping panorama of rolling hills and seemingly endless private beach. While you'll need a car to escape to town and experience all the local culinary treasures, the removed residential location feel as if staying at a private home.
The Room
Rooms are located in two separate stone-encrusted villas offering each a private entrance but sometimes closer to the parking lot than we really like seeing. Guests walk-in to a central living area with chocolaty concrete floors and ash-colored wood paneled ceiling adorned with a crystal chandelier. Italian sofas in soft white leather surround a stacked-stone fireplace and oversize coffee table with decorative art. A loft-style kitchen in larger suites lives up to American and European standards with stainless-steel appliances and groovy dinnerware collection. Some suites offer only counter seating at four hide-trimmed barstools, but most include a stylish rustic dining tables with seating for six. A separate bedroom offers freestanding beds with all-cotton linens and double-doors leading to a patio or terrace. Oversize balconies feature two loungers and an outdoor fireplace attached to the structural wall, it may seem dangerous but it is indeed not. In-house restaurant Butia has yet to find it's groove, as with the hotel itself over the last two seasons, but hopefully the management will pull things together and revive this hip hotel before it's too late.
Preferred Room
Suite
Special Features
Designer Retreat, Trendy Clientele, Beachfront Location
Amenities
Kitchens, Private Beach, Jacuzzi, Swimming Pool, Private Patios
