Intercity Montevideo

Intercity Premium Montevideo's narrow lobby greets guests with a massive painting of an upside down South America, a famous piece by the avant-garde Uruguayan artist Jose Torres Garcia, whose work is peppered throughout the hotel. It’s a bold welcome, emphasized by the bright red accents that spread throughout the lobby and elsewhere. The boutique hotel sits in an exclusive residential neighborhood, and while the on-site restaurant sometimes draws a crowd, generally it’s a subdued scene, and there's not many places for guests to linger or hang out beyond the rooftop hot tub and in the lobby. Guests here include international business travelers along with plenty of tourists couples, families, and friends.  

The hotel is located on a quiet and residential Punta Carretas corner in Montevideo, within a ten-minute-walk to the vibrant Calle 21 de Setiembre, which has a wide selection of restaurants and shops. The Punta Carretas shopping mall, one of the area's major destinations, ia about seven blocks away, or a 10-minute walk. The hotel is also close to Avenida Artigas, which provides a straight shot to Tres Cruces Bus Terminal (10 minutes by car), as well as the Uruguay Golf Club, which is approximately 10 minutes away on foot (or a three-minute cab ride). The historic sights of Ciudad Vieja are not within walking distance, though, and the area takes about 10 minutes to reach by taxi. This is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, and strolls in the area can be nice, especially along the Rambla, the waterfront promenade that's about a 15-minute walk away from the hotel. Montevideo's airport takes about 30 minutes to reach by car.

The rooms here are stylish, simple, and modern, with muted green and cream tones, classy artwork, wood laminate floors, and dark wood furniture. Rooms are quite spacious, and some even have extra seating in the form of a table-and-chair set. Most come with features like robes and slippers, minibars, and flat-screen TVs, but no coffeemakers. Little details make the difference, like a long desk/shelf that runs along one wall for extra storage, with master switches and ample outlets. The huge, comfy beds have the softest of linens (which is great, because checkout is on the later side at this hotel). The only thing disturbing the peace might be the neighbors: walls can be a bit thin so it might be worth asking for a corner room, one that’s away from the elevators. The bathrooms are compact and bright, with walk-in showers and heated floors. Suites with balconies and city views, as well as smoking rooms, are also available upon request.

The included breakfast here is served buffet-style at Bossa Resto Bar, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. It’s a delectable array of pastries, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, among other treats. The Brazil-inspired eatery is also open for lunch and dinner, specializing in national dishes like feijoada and bobo a camarão. Intercity’s spa is on the hotel's top floor and includes a semi-private sauna room and shower, plus a small outdoor hot tub on the balcony. The sunny fitness center is on the same floor and while it’s modest in size, the assorted cardio and weight machines are up-to-date and the views of the city are stunning. The business center is just off the lobby and offers two computers and printers for guest use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there is limited on-site parking.