Conrad Punta del Este Resort & Casino {URY} (no longer Honors)
Sep 14, 2008, 12:25 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,960
In February, still high season, we were upgraded to a really deluxe room, while on an HHonors stay, and really enjoyed the beach, the pool, and the short walk into town for dinner. We never ate at the restaurant; too much within walking distance. The service at the hotel was fine, but the prices are high in the store ($19 for suntan lotion), and the casino is a little sad. It had top acts billed the week after we were there (Dylan, I think), but we found nothing compelling to keep us in the hotel at night: there was too much life in town, festivals, etc.
The beach staff were as nice as they could be, and no problem getting a cabana. In all, we spent next to nothing except food. In the end, no stay credit for our incidentals and minibar purchases, so I had to contact HH directly and voila: the stay and points were added.
We liked Punte del Este A LOT. Less expensive than Buenos Aires, great food, friendly people, and the bus ride back to the ferry and on to BA (about 5 hours total trip--) was actually enjoyable as they skirted Montevideo and went thru little Uruguayan towns.
I think a lot of people either expect Las Vegas (and it's not even close to a big casino) or the Cavalleiri (sorry, this is S.A.). But for a decent room at an admittedly pretty antiseptic, quasi-luxury hotel, where you can walk a lot and get some sun, in retrospect from some 6 months, I'd say we found it pretty enjoyable.
The beach staff were as nice as they could be, and no problem getting a cabana. In all, we spent next to nothing except food. In the end, no stay credit for our incidentals and minibar purchases, so I had to contact HH directly and voila: the stay and points were added.
We liked Punte del Este A LOT. Less expensive than Buenos Aires, great food, friendly people, and the bus ride back to the ferry and on to BA (about 5 hours total trip--) was actually enjoyable as they skirted Montevideo and went thru little Uruguayan towns.
I think a lot of people either expect Las Vegas (and it's not even close to a big casino) or the Cavalleiri (sorry, this is S.A.). But for a decent room at an admittedly pretty antiseptic, quasi-luxury hotel, where you can walk a lot and get some sun, in retrospect from some 6 months, I'd say we found it pretty enjoyable.
Apr 13, 2009, 8:12 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,698
My s/o and I completed a three-night award stay at this hotel in late March, and I've been meaning to write a review ever since. We had a great time and ever since we left I've been wishing that we could go back.
We arrived into MVD airport at around 1PM (about four hours late due to a MX issue over Cuba which caused us to return to the airport) on the daily AA flight from MIA. The airport's lone gate was occupied by the Iberia flight, so we had to take a bus to the terminal; immigration and customs were truly a breeze, and we were through in no time. We bought two tickets on COT from the airport to Punta del Este - for the two tickets, we paid 270 pesos (or about $11.50, so about $5.75 per person). The ride was less than two hours - it was pretty slow on the way out of the airport, but then things opened up and it was an easy ride. The bus was pretty old, but it was just fine - the ride to Punta seemed to be mostly highway, and there were almost no other cars on the road.
About twenty minutes out, ads for the various hotels and spas in PdE start to appear on the side of the road; the bus drives right by the Conrad about 1 minute before it hits the terminal. We walked back up the street to the Conrad and it took about 5-7 minutes. The hotel is located directly across the street from the beach and looks quite nice from the outside:
We had made our reservation approximately five days in advance; the hotel was sold out but we were able to use the diamond force to get a room. At check-in, we were upgraded to an ocean-facing room on the fourteenth floor, and our room had a fruit plate and maybe some bottled water in it when we arrived. Our room had a balcony large enough for a table and two chairs and looked out over the water -- here's the view at sunset:
The beach across the street was very pleasant; it wasn't very crowded and the water was very, very calm. There are other beaches on the opposite side of Punta where the water is not nearly as calm. The hotel also has a large pool and a small pool which looks like a hot tub but is no warmer than the large pool. There is also an indoor pool with very warm water; in the complex with the indoor pool is a very large gym. There's a bar at the outdoor pool but it was pretty quiet most of the time that we were there, and the drinks were pretty expensive by Punta standards. The pool complex has great views of the beach and ocean, as it is surrounded by plexiglass rather than solid walls so it's easy to enjoy the view:
Breakfast appears to be included for free for everyone and is served in the restaurant off the lobby. It is buffet-style and includes all kinds of fresh fruit, breads and pastries, cereals, meats and cheeses, eggs, and breakfast meats. I believe omelets were also available on a made-to-order basis. Waiters brought around coffee, tea, and other beverages. There was plenty of seating and we never had to wait for a table.
Aside from the fantastic view, the hotel room wasn't really anything special -- it looks a little dated, and the toiletries looked like something that would've been in my grandmother's bathroom in the 1980s. Still, it was very clean and the view from the balcony absolutely could not be beat. There were a few maintenance problems with the room - the toilet broke on two separate days, and the in-room safe also broke on the second day. Relatively few employees at the hotel spoke English, so we did have a little extra trouble getting everything fixed, but everyone was friendly and ultimately the maintenance issues were not a problem at all. I've only stayed at one other Conrad - the Conrad Tokyo - and it would be a significant insult to that property to compare the quality of the room at the Conrad Punta del Este to the quality of the room there. As others have mentioned, there is a casino at the property but we didn't spend more than five minutes in it. Gloria Estefan was slated to be at the property shortly after we left, but I don't think there were any big acts scheduled during our stay.
The town itself is a short and easy walk from the hotel, and food and drinks are very reasonably priced there. We were able to sit outside and have dinner for two with a bottle of wine for just about $30, including tax and tip. We had a great time just walking around the town, dining outside, and enjoying the great weather. We had absolutely no complaints about the location of the hotel - right across from the beach, yet very easy to walk into town. While the room could use a little refreshing, we had a great stay at this property and would go back without hesitation.
We arrived into MVD airport at around 1PM (about four hours late due to a MX issue over Cuba which caused us to return to the airport) on the daily AA flight from MIA. The airport's lone gate was occupied by the Iberia flight, so we had to take a bus to the terminal; immigration and customs were truly a breeze, and we were through in no time. We bought two tickets on COT from the airport to Punta del Este - for the two tickets, we paid 270 pesos (or about $11.50, so about $5.75 per person). The ride was less than two hours - it was pretty slow on the way out of the airport, but then things opened up and it was an easy ride. The bus was pretty old, but it was just fine - the ride to Punta seemed to be mostly highway, and there were almost no other cars on the road.
About twenty minutes out, ads for the various hotels and spas in PdE start to appear on the side of the road; the bus drives right by the Conrad about 1 minute before it hits the terminal. We walked back up the street to the Conrad and it took about 5-7 minutes. The hotel is located directly across the street from the beach and looks quite nice from the outside:
We had made our reservation approximately five days in advance; the hotel was sold out but we were able to use the diamond force to get a room. At check-in, we were upgraded to an ocean-facing room on the fourteenth floor, and our room had a fruit plate and maybe some bottled water in it when we arrived. Our room had a balcony large enough for a table and two chairs and looked out over the water -- here's the view at sunset:
The beach across the street was very pleasant; it wasn't very crowded and the water was very, very calm. There are other beaches on the opposite side of Punta where the water is not nearly as calm. The hotel also has a large pool and a small pool which looks like a hot tub but is no warmer than the large pool. There is also an indoor pool with very warm water; in the complex with the indoor pool is a very large gym. There's a bar at the outdoor pool but it was pretty quiet most of the time that we were there, and the drinks were pretty expensive by Punta standards. The pool complex has great views of the beach and ocean, as it is surrounded by plexiglass rather than solid walls so it's easy to enjoy the view:
Breakfast appears to be included for free for everyone and is served in the restaurant off the lobby. It is buffet-style and includes all kinds of fresh fruit, breads and pastries, cereals, meats and cheeses, eggs, and breakfast meats. I believe omelets were also available on a made-to-order basis. Waiters brought around coffee, tea, and other beverages. There was plenty of seating and we never had to wait for a table.
Aside from the fantastic view, the hotel room wasn't really anything special -- it looks a little dated, and the toiletries looked like something that would've been in my grandmother's bathroom in the 1980s. Still, it was very clean and the view from the balcony absolutely could not be beat. There were a few maintenance problems with the room - the toilet broke on two separate days, and the in-room safe also broke on the second day. Relatively few employees at the hotel spoke English, so we did have a little extra trouble getting everything fixed, but everyone was friendly and ultimately the maintenance issues were not a problem at all. I've only stayed at one other Conrad - the Conrad Tokyo - and it would be a significant insult to that property to compare the quality of the room at the Conrad Punta del Este to the quality of the room there. As others have mentioned, there is a casino at the property but we didn't spend more than five minutes in it. Gloria Estefan was slated to be at the property shortly after we left, but I don't think there were any big acts scheduled during our stay.
The town itself is a short and easy walk from the hotel, and food and drinks are very reasonably priced there. We were able to sit outside and have dinner for two with a bottle of wine for just about $30, including tax and tip. We had a great time just walking around the town, dining outside, and enjoying the great weather. We had absolutely no complaints about the location of the hotel - right across from the beach, yet very easy to walk into town. While the room could use a little refreshing, we had a great stay at this property and would go back without hesitation.
Last edited by River in Sight; Apr 13, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Nov 29, 2009, 5:02 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 919
I was at the Conrad last week
And, I would not go back. As a Gold Honors there was no recognition. I had reserved a room with ocean view, and given a room with a view toward the shopping center. Challenged that and was given a better room. Room did have a fine view, but with uncomfortable chairs, and a dated bathroom. Nothing was said regarding a free breakfast, I had to ask. There are much better choices for the dollar in Punta.
Dec 1, 2009, 5:05 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
Conrad desperately needs to have rigorous standards, and implement them.
They could learn a thing or two from Holiday Inn's current system wide revamp....
But then again--Hilton as an organization is clueless about enforcing brand consistency.
They could learn a thing or two from Holiday Inn's current system wide revamp....
But then again--Hilton as an organization is clueless about enforcing brand consistency.
May 30, 2010, 12:08 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
Good report above from jkm024. I concur with nearly everything.
I have just checked out from a one night stay. It is winter in Punte del Este and the town is very quiet, but not the Conrad. The hotel was full last night for some kind of a convention. I booked about 8 or 9 days before arriving and had to use Diamond force to secure a room at $200. Because the hotel was full, the breakfast restaurant was chaotic. Your room number is checked off when you enter, but then you are on your own to find a table. While waiting in the very long omelet queue, my table got cleared and was about to be claimed by another party when I arrived back to chase them away. Breakfast selections were more than adequate and very typical of a north american full buffet.
As a Dia, I was upgraded to an oceanfront suite with spectacular view and given an access code for free internet. The rooms could use a refresh, especially the bathrooms. Carpets in the hallways are in need of a cleaning. The is the only Hilton I have stayed at in the past 2+ years which doesn´t have the Hilton clock-radios. TV´s are not flatscreen, but they have lots of channels including BBC, TVE, TV5, Rai, HBO, etc. No CNN.
No FOX news. ^
English skills of the staff are fine in my experience.
The only problem I had with the casino was the low payout rate on the slot machine I played.
--
13F
I have just checked out from a one night stay. It is winter in Punte del Este and the town is very quiet, but not the Conrad. The hotel was full last night for some kind of a convention. I booked about 8 or 9 days before arriving and had to use Diamond force to secure a room at $200. Because the hotel was full, the breakfast restaurant was chaotic. Your room number is checked off when you enter, but then you are on your own to find a table. While waiting in the very long omelet queue, my table got cleared and was about to be claimed by another party when I arrived back to chase them away. Breakfast selections were more than adequate and very typical of a north american full buffet.
As a Dia, I was upgraded to an oceanfront suite with spectacular view and given an access code for free internet. The rooms could use a refresh, especially the bathrooms. Carpets in the hallways are in need of a cleaning. The is the only Hilton I have stayed at in the past 2+ years which doesn´t have the Hilton clock-radios. TV´s are not flatscreen, but they have lots of channels including BBC, TVE, TV5, Rai, HBO, etc. No CNN.
No FOX news. ^English skills of the staff are fine in my experience.
The only problem I had with the casino was the low payout rate on the slot machine I played.
--
13F
Jan 8, 2011, 8:44 am
#52
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,825
I am at the property right now for a one-night stay, unfortunately a rainy day. Diamond desk was able to secure the room a bit more than 48 h before the stay and I could use points (35k, Diamond force rate would have been $ 570, no way...). No Diamond recognition whatsoever. View is what I guess could be described as a partial seaview, but mainly a view of a construction site next door (I'll post the picture later). I had to fill out all my data in the registration form, they told me they cannot get it from Hilton or HHonors profile. I got a smoking room although my preference is non-smoking. Decor of the room is dated. If anyone has stayed at a "Sol" hotel of the Sol Melia chain (it's one of their lower level brands that can sometimes be had for 20-30 Euros/night), this is what the carpet, room, toiletries, etc. look like. There was a generic welcome letter that stated a price for Internet/Wi-Fi, but in practice, it is free for everyone, both in the lobby and in the room. As others have reported, buffet breakfast included for everyone.
Jun 10, 2011, 9:09 am
#53
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
I recently stayed two nights at the Conrad PDE and arrived with very low expectations due to the reports on FTalk. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed my stay.
When I booked online, I was given the dreaded "Gold/Diamond 48-Hour Room Selected at Check-in" option. I had purposely arranged our trip so that we would be in PDE mid-week during the off-season to avoid crowds and was, therefore, surprised that I wasn't able to select a room.
We flew into MVD (from SCL). Upon exiting the terminal, we turned right and walked a few yards to the COT (bus) office where we purchased two tickets to PDE. Since our flight arrived in MVD just before 5:00 p.m., I initially considered spending a night in MVD and then continuing on to PDE the next day. However, catching the COT bus at the airport made things very easy. We boarded the 5:30 bus and were in PDE shortly after 7:00 p.m. (Cost of bus was around $9 per person).
From the PDE bus terminal, it was a short 10-minute walk to the Conrad. At check-in, I learned that the hotel was virtually empty. Aside from Las Brisas restaurant, all the other hotel restaurants were closed.
We were assigned a King Exec Suite on the 8th floor. The hotel has only two non-smoking floors, with the 8th floor being the higher of the two. The suite included a terrace with three chairs.
Shortly after we arrived in the room, room service delivered a plate of fresh fruit. We inquired about bottled water and the room service lady said we need to check with the front desk. We also asked about an electric kettle for heating up water. Again, the room service lady said we need to check with the front desk. She did say that all the smoking suites come with a coffee maker, etc., and she didn't know why the non-smoking suites did not.
A short phone call to the front desk resolved everything and we soon had our bottled water, plus the electric kettle.
Breakfast at Las Brisas was substantial. Service was professional and courteous throughout the hotel. I would definitely consider a return visit when I'm back in this area. However, I would consider staying Thursday through Sunday because even in the off-season, more facilities are open during the weekend.
When I booked online, I was given the dreaded "Gold/Diamond 48-Hour Room Selected at Check-in" option. I had purposely arranged our trip so that we would be in PDE mid-week during the off-season to avoid crowds and was, therefore, surprised that I wasn't able to select a room.
We flew into MVD (from SCL). Upon exiting the terminal, we turned right and walked a few yards to the COT (bus) office where we purchased two tickets to PDE. Since our flight arrived in MVD just before 5:00 p.m., I initially considered spending a night in MVD and then continuing on to PDE the next day. However, catching the COT bus at the airport made things very easy. We boarded the 5:30 bus and were in PDE shortly after 7:00 p.m. (Cost of bus was around $9 per person).
From the PDE bus terminal, it was a short 10-minute walk to the Conrad. At check-in, I learned that the hotel was virtually empty. Aside from Las Brisas restaurant, all the other hotel restaurants were closed.
We were assigned a King Exec Suite on the 8th floor. The hotel has only two non-smoking floors, with the 8th floor being the higher of the two. The suite included a terrace with three chairs.
Shortly after we arrived in the room, room service delivered a plate of fresh fruit. We inquired about bottled water and the room service lady said we need to check with the front desk. We also asked about an electric kettle for heating up water. Again, the room service lady said we need to check with the front desk. She did say that all the smoking suites come with a coffee maker, etc., and she didn't know why the non-smoking suites did not.
A short phone call to the front desk resolved everything and we soon had our bottled water, plus the electric kettle.
Breakfast at Las Brisas was substantial. Service was professional and courteous throughout the hotel. I would definitely consider a return visit when I'm back in this area. However, I would consider staying Thursday through Sunday because even in the off-season, more facilities are open during the weekend.
Sep 13, 2012, 1:16 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
I had a one night stay at the Conrad last weekend. PdE town was pretty dead in off-season on a Sunday night. The hotel wasn't very busy either. They gave me an 'upgrade' to an ocean-facing room (5th floor). Good sized room with flatscreen TV but it felt a bit dated. The pools were empty as it was off season and I didn't go in the casino. Breakfast was included in my rate and they had a decent selection of the basic pastries, fruit, yogurt, sausages, etc.
The hotel was a short (5-7 mins) walk away from the bus station. If coming from Montevideo, the bus first stops in Maldonado before going to the terminal in PdE... I made the mistake of getting off in Maldonado and had to catch a cab the remaining few kms to the Conrad.
Since it was off season and not much going on, but weather was gorgeous. I ended up walking from the Conrad all the way to the point in PdE and back.
Wifi Internet was $20/day but somehow that didn't make it onto my folio... ^
[
Sunset view
I booked via 3rd party site ($100 off the hilton.com rate) so won't be getting any points/stay credit.
The hotel was a short (5-7 mins) walk away from the bus station. If coming from Montevideo, the bus first stops in Maldonado before going to the terminal in PdE... I made the mistake of getting off in Maldonado and had to catch a cab the remaining few kms to the Conrad.
Since it was off season and not much going on, but weather was gorgeous. I ended up walking from the Conrad all the way to the point in PdE and back.
Wifi Internet was $20/day but somehow that didn't make it onto my folio... ^
[
Sunset view
I booked via 3rd party site ($100 off the hilton.com rate) so won't be getting any points/stay credit.
Sep 25, 2017, 9:12 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
Bumping this very old thread. Any recent stays or experiences at this hotel. We will be in Buenos Aires, and were thinking of checking the resort out for a couple of days.
Sep 26, 2017, 2:53 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 919
Conrad
It is probably almost the last place I would stay. If you want luxury stay at the Grand Hotel. Or the Auberage which is wonderful.
Sep 26, 2017, 7:34 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
A little more information on what makes this undesirable would be helpful. I understand there are better places to stay, but if I was staying for a night or two is it acceptable.. I dont have a lot of needs, so interested in the pool area, and the room.. and if there is anything else to do around the hotel.. I do see it is on the expensive side.. we were looking in mid November, but there are also award available it looks like for 60K .. I do sense that 60K for a Conrad resort should give me an indication, but details would help. Thanks
Mar 3, 2018, 7:20 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,698
Was just looking up rates for a stay later this year and the Conrad Punta del Este appears to be leaving on April 1 2018. I stayed here only once and it was pretty outdated so I’m not too surprised to see it go.