Enjoy Punta Del Este

This Hilton outpost opened in 1997 and brought a whole new approach to the hotel industry
in Punta del Este. While the chic seaside town was already known as one of the
fancy go-to destinations for affluent Brazilians, Argentinians, and Uruguayans,
the Conrad was the first in Latin America to offer a private section of its casino, as well as
a host of other amenities (like a shopping mall, nightclub, and five restaurants)
all under one roof. It's all about glitz and glam -- and ocean views -- at this seaside property, and the hotel makes a grand enough first impression. The ground are sharply manicured and the lobby has a soaring ceiling and plenty of clusters of contemporary seating, with marble accents alongside tones of cream, gray, black, and dark green. There are places for guests to enjoy one another's company, or kill time relaxing, throughout the hotel, from the swish infinity pool to the lively casino to myriad dining options. However, the look throughout much of the hotel is dated -- there's lots of old oak, patterned carpets, and the overall vibe is bustling and mall-like. Still, it's a destination that draws plenty of customers -- both first time visitors and repeat guests -- including couples, families, business travelers, and groups of friends.

The Conrad has a perfectly central location in this stylish beachside town, just across the
street from the beach, Playa Mansa, and a five-minute walk to Los Dedos, one of the country's most famous works of public art. Playa Brava, another of the city's well-known beaches, is about 15 minutes away from the hotel on foot. The shops and restaurants at the seaport will take five minutes to reach by car or taxi, and the bus station is a three-minute walk. Museo - Taller de Casapueblo -- a Uruguayan Modernista complex created by artist Carlos Paez Villaro -- is a 15-minute drive west of town. The airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel, while Montevideo is two hours away by car.

While the hotel makes a generally high-end first impression, rooms here are dated, which is especially disappointing given the hotel's pretensions to luxury. Decor favors red
and brown hues in everything from carpeting to upholstery, drapes to bed linens. There's a disparity between rooms that have been upgraded and those that haven't, but even so, nothing is particularly fresh from a style perspective. In the less modern rooms, expect to see plenty of chunky furniture -- much of it the blond, antiqued variety with ornately carved accents -- overstuffed seating, and an abundance of heavy, striped fabrics. Things are a bit nicer in the more contemporary units -- like the Punta and Flamingo Suites that we visited -- with dark wood veneer furniture and sharper carpeting, but there was still a decent amount of wear (not to mention those same striped drapes!). Rooms are
spacious, with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and floor-to-ceiling
mirrors. Private balconies are a nice touch and many have great ocean views. Like the rooms, bathroom quality is also variable. The bathrooms in the Caesar Suites need an overhaul, with pink granite countertops and discolored grout in the pink-tile showers. More modern rooms have similarly updated modern bathrooms, with slick gray tiling and travertine marblework plus rainfall showerheads. All bathrooms include walk-in showers and toiletries, though a premium brand would have been a nice touch. 

The amenities here are innumerable -- there's something for everyone. An extensive spa offers hair, nail, and massage
services, as well as an indoor pool plus a hot tub, sauna, and steam room, all
of which are separated by gender. The fitness center is impressive as well,
with an indoor track, weekly classes, a wide range of cardio and
free weights, and personal trainers. The impressive array of fitness offerings means that locals frequent the gym as much as hotel guests. There are also tennis courts available.The Conrad has a 3,400 square-meter (36,000+ square-foot) casino with a selection of digital and manned tables as well as plenty of slots. Part of the casino is kept private for hotel guests only, though much of it is open to the public. Downstairs
is OVO, the impressive nightclub that has a chic bar for cocktails and light snacks; the nightclub also operates as a dayclub for those looking to party while the sun is up. Dining offers plenty of choices as well, with restaurants serving everything from classic Uruguayan cuisine at Las Brisas to Mediterranean dishes at St. Tropez. Overall, dining doesn't get the best marks from guests, though the free breakfast -- with a massive array of hot and cold choices plus live cooking stations -- is much better.The hotel has an infinity pool and hot tub that overlooks the beach across the road -- a poolside bar and bistro is open seasonally. The shopping center lies just beyond the lobby and features
a handful of luxury brand stores as well as a cafe and business center. Use of
the business center comes at an additional fee, and the computers are outdated,
so it's best to bring a laptop and use the hotel’s free Wi-Fi. There are also 10
banquet rooms and meeting spaces for conventions and the like. For kids and
teens, there are a handful of play rooms with foosball tables and board games.