Atlantico Boutique Hotel

Opened in 1962, Hotel Atlantico is one of Punta del Este’s oldest properties, though you’d never guess that when looking at this gem of a three-and-a-half-pearl boutique in Uruguay's beach foremost town. This unassuming boutique hotel welcomes guests with a cozy lobby where soft music plays amid white minimalist design. The look is a mix of casual-beach and preppy-chic, and extends consistently through the hotel, from the quaint breakfast room to the hotel's honor bar, where guests can grab their own drink in the early evening after a day in the sun. Expect to find mostly Brazilian and Argentine families and couples lounging by the pool or sipping tea in the dining area. 

The hotel is on a quiet block in Punta del Este, with various restaurants, a bus stop, and the ocean all within a five-minute walk. Local pub, The Moby Dick, as well as Lo de Charly and Soho Restaurant are also under a five-minute walk from the hotel, and Company Bar is a six-minute drive away. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the small Los Ingleses Beach, but the better known Los Dedos Beach is at least a 25-minute walk, or a five-minute taxi ride, from the property. The bus station also takes five minutes to reach via taxi or bus, while Montevideo is about two hours away by car. 

These 45 small, bright rooms embody the same neat, minimalist design that runs throughout the hotel, with snow-white walls, simple beach-themed art, and ash-colored hardwood floors. Furniture is simple and contemporary, in beachy whitewashed or light wood tones, some with Scandinavian lines. Overall bathrooms are narrow, clean, and modern, and showers have powerful water pressure. Comfy queen-size beds come with fluffy down pillows, and combined with exceedingly quiet nights make it easy to sleep in late at this hotel. The rooms are equipped with mini-fridges, 32-inch flat screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and phones with international and local calling. Suites feature large terraces that offer lovely views of the lighthouse and the sea. 

Breakfast here is served luxuriously late and has an endless supply of coffee, breads, cheeses, pastries, and hot foods, as well as fresh fruit. It’s served in the downstairs dining room. While there’s no on-site restaurant, the cafeteria offers free coffee and tea all day. In the evening, there’s also a self-service bar that features snacks, beer, and wine that guests can bring to their rooms. There are several computers for guest use, and there are also several meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel (though it can be spotty in the rooms). The heated outdoor pool and garden create a leafy, hidden oasis in the back of the hotel, with enough pool towels, chairs, daybeds, and lounge chairs to stay relaxed for hours. Extra perk: a small outdoor bar in the summer, offering poolside cocktails and snacks all day long. The parking lot is just in front of the hotel and offers a handful of free spaces on a first come, first served basis. It’s a bit small, though, so spots may fill up fast in peak season.