For our luxury hotel of the month for June, we have chosen the stylish Hyatt Grand Spa Resort in Carmelo, Uruguay. Combining the beauty of the Uruguayan countryside with the best of the best in food, wine and relaxation – this elegant resort makes for the perfect rural retreat in South America.
Unquestionably one of Latin America’s most underrated countries, Uruguay offers travellers a laid-back stay amongst rolling green hills, with excellent culinary credentials. Perhaps not enough for a two-week trip alone, a short stay in Uruguay makes for a fabulous ending to a luxury tour of Argentina or Brazil, its closest neighbours. Situated in Carmelo, the Grand Hyatt offers luxurious accommodations with all the facilities and style one would expect from the brand. Here is the essential information for those considering a stay:
The elegant lobby and lounge space is particularly inviting after a long day exploring.
How to Get There
To visit Carmelo, you can fly from the UK to Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay and transfer for three hours overland. Direct flights to Montevideo are not currently available, however flying via Madrid with Iberia, or via Sao Paulo Guarulhos with British Airways / LATAM are both good options. Alternatively, arriving to nearby Colonia by ferry from Buenos Aires in Argentina is a scenic way to reach this region of Uruguay.
A stylish room at the Hyatt Carmelo, combining modern luxury with heritage charm.
Rooms
Boasting 44 rooms in total, the Hyatt offers big-hotel facilities with the intimacy and privacy of a boutique. With 20 standard rooms and 24 two-storey suites, all the stylish accommodations have private terraces for alfresco dining and pleasant views to the vineyards, river beach or the nearby forest. Combining modern refined luxury, with characterful, heritage pieces, the rooms offer an elegant environment in which to relax after a day of outdoor activities.
The cosy bar space offers a relaxing ambience to enjoy a sophisticated cocktail
Food & Drink
The hotel’s Pura restaurant offers a supremely diverse menu of light Mediterranean-inspired dishes alongside traditional South American flavours and other international favourites. One speciality not to be missed is the hotel’s refined version of a typical Uruguayan ‘asado’ (barbeque) cooked using the hotel’s large clay oven and indoor barbequing fire pit. The Mandara bar offers a range of award-winning wines and sophisticated cocktails alongside a gourmet tapas menu whilst guests enjoying the pool and gardens can visit the Río Bar, offering a delicious seafood menu inspired by the endless bounty of the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Outstanding Feature
The resort’s facilities are truly excellent. With extensive gardens and beautiful surrounding countryside, one of the best ways to while away an afternoon at the hotel is to use one of the free bicycles provided and explore the grounds and vineyards independently. For those looking to do something more active, the resort boasts an 18-hoel golf course, a 24hr outdoor pool, a private beach on the Río de la Plata, two tennis courts and a full-service gym and spa.
Activities available to book at the hotel include traditional baking classes with the hotel chef, wine-tastings, yoga classes, meditation sessions, horse riding, tours of the nearby Narbona winery and the sleepy historic town of Colonia del Sacramento.
The picturesque vineyards at the Hyatt Carmelo
Best For
Guests wanting an exclusive rural retreat with all the privacy of a boutique hotel, but all the facilities of a large resort. With endless outdoor adventures to choose from, excellent spa and relaxation facilities and hearty traditional cuisine, the Hyatt Carmelo is a perfect getaway for those looking to unwind in an off-the-beaten track destination.
The riverside beach – a private area exclusive to the Hyatt property
Must Do Activity
For those looking to experience something typically Uruguayan, this small country shares its larger neighbour Argentina’s passion for polo. The hotel can organise polo lessons on a nearby estancia and we thoroughly recommend giving this exhilarating sport a go!
Are you planning a trip to Uruguay? Learn more about the country by clicking here and visit our Hyatt Carmelo page for more information on the hotel. Contact us today to begin designing your bespoke holiday with our travel specialists.