Sheraton Montevideo Hotel

The wide, expansive lobby at the Sheraton reflects this big hotel’s corporate-friendly ethos, with a casual business center in one corner and a livelyy bar in the other -- it's not a long walk to have business meetings of any kind. Classy gold accents and tasteful sculptures -- all set across patterned marble floors and next to traditional heavy furniture -- give the hotel a distinctly old-school vibe, and it's definitely not the most on-trend hotel in Punta Carretas. That being said, the Sheraton chain's die-hard loyalists are generally pleased (if a bit underwhelmed) by the hotel, and the main demographic here is business travelers who are drawn to this hotel for its professional perks including 10 different event rooms. Montevideo's downtown sights are at least a 10-minute cab ride away, though that doesn’t stop a wide range of international travelers from visiting this chain hotel as well.    

The Sheraton is in the trendy and upscale Punta Carretas neighborhood -- there are plenty of dining, boutique, and nightlife options in the immediate area. The hotel itself is attached to the Punta Carretas shopping mall. The lovely Rambla, or waterfront promenade, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and local hotspots include La Perdiz and Bar Tabare, both a six-minute walk away, as well as Ohlala, reachable in four minutes on foot. The hotel is a bit far from downtown, which can be a negative for business guests. The Centro -- the city's business district -- is at least a 12-minute cab ride from the hotel, as are Plaza Independencia, Teatro Solis, and the museums of Ciudad Vieja. The city's golf club is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. Expect a 30-minute drive to the international airport, while the Tres Cruces bus station is just over 10 minutes away by taxi.

The rooms at this Sheraton are perfectly fine, just don't expect much in the way of style. The look is homey and simple, if slightly dated, with an abundance of beige and cream tones throughout, plus big windows and simple mid-tone wood furniture. Wall art is soft-colored and looks faded, and walls come in a variety of tan and taupe tones that match the patterned curtains. There are a few traditionally elegant touches, like dark marble surfaces on desks and shelving. Modern features include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges, but rooms lack microwaves, coffeemakers, and irons (though irons are available on request). While rooms are bright, the views are a bit disappointing, partially because of the extensive and noisy construction happening directly in front of and to the side of the hotel at the time of our visit in 2015 -- check ahead with the hotel on the status of this project. We did notice some minor wear on furniture, but beds are comfy and large, with crisp sheets and soft pillows. Bathrooms are equally standard, with shower/tub combos, spacious marble counters, and tan tiling. Toiletries are provided. Executive Rooms on the hotel's upper floors have additional in-room perks like audio systems. Club Room guests, in addition to Executive Room guests, receive access to the Club Lounge, with amenities that are detailed below.

Despite its bland style, the Sheraton features some nice perks for guests used to the chain's offerings. There's a fitness center on the 26th floor that offers stunning views of the city as well as a handful of modern cardio machines and free weights. Trainers are on staff to help with workouts. There’s also a large indoor pool, sauna and massage room, and two hot tubs. The flashy Punta Carretas Shopping Center is attached to the hotel, with a handful of well-known international brand stores, as well as some local shops. There’s even a movie theater showing the latest blockbusters.

The lobby bar serves specialty cocktails and snacks all day and into the evening, and just past that is the Las Carretas Restaurant, serving an international menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals aren't included with most room rates. The hotel makes a Club Lounge available for preferred guests, with free breakfast, afternoon snacks, and beverages, as well as some business-friendly amenities like a fax machine and printers. Otherwise, there’s a comprehensive business center in the lobby, with multiple computers and printers for guest access. Wi-Fi is functional throughout the hotel, but comes at an additional fee.