Uruguay
 

I'm planning a trip to Uruguay in early 2002 (a significant birthday). Previous posts concerning B.A. and Montevideo usually give lots of info about B.A. and not much about Montevideo. Has anyone been there recently? Can you recommend any hotels, restaurants and/or must see sights?

MVD is a very nice place. Laid back as compared to BA. Feels relatively prosperous. If you're there early in 2002, half of upper class BA/Argentina takes vacation at Punta del Este which is quite the scene (and quite not-the-scene off season--really stark and deserted).

Radisson downtown MVD is quite nice. Check Radisson website for some deals. There was to be a Sheraton (?) opening there but DK the progress.

The Mercado area is very pleasant--lots of meat roasting on spits.

About a 1 1/2 hour drive from MVD to Punta.

JL

my advice is to go on aa thru sao paulo rather than thru ba.

Never been there, but I think there is a Conrad there.

Nope, I'm a UA kinda guy. Part of the trip includes BA, I just didn't mention it because it seems if you mention both, you only get BA recommendations and nothing on Uruguay.

The Conrad is in Punta del Este, D2B. Unfortunately, no Hilton properties in Montevideo.

I don't think the Conrad in PdE is affiliated w/Hilton. Main reason for advice (I gather) to go via GRU is to avoid the current difficulties at BsAs with Aerolineas Argentinas.

MVD has a perfectly serviceable airport--not hugely modern but functional. It is set up in a horseshoe design (arrivals first, then gates, then departures). About a 20 minute drive from downtown.

PdE is about a leisurely 2 hour drive from MVD. It is a toll road, but it is more akin to what we'd call "4-lane divided"--not a superhighway. The last 20 mins of the drive have some beautiful turnoffs to see the ocean.

I cannot fathom how bustling PdE would be during "the season"--I have only heard stories. We were there in September and it was deserted---mile after mile of 12 story apartment bldgs abandoned, shuttered--not a soul around. That, plus it gets dark at 5 pm or so made for a spooky trip. We stayed for $50/night at the Hotel London (?) which had turned the heat off (it was a very cold overnight)--was negotiated by a Spanish speaking co-worker while we were there. Nice breakfast in an atrium in the rain.

We went back on the back roads on Sunday (our business finished on Friday-we were delivered a rental car on Sat. AM arranged by our company). Pretty sleepy places (Saturday would have been more lively) through the Maldonado state. Stopped for a late lunch at a fun local place--primarily parilla but I had pasta, as I recall and my coworker had pizza. Wild to see people going for parilla and literally eating pounds of meat off the grill.

One word--we had a Hyundai Atoz which was fine (smaller than an Accent) for two big guys w/luggage. We used a rental car co. which does lots of work with our company but that didn't have a counter at the airport--a few moments of panic when we couldn't figure out who to give the keys to--they had been told that we'd be there at 5, we showed up at 3, and a few minutes panic before we found someone who called to let them know that we were back.

I'm very fond of the place, as you can tell--just would like to see it in "full on" mode.

jl

Just booked 3 nights in February 02 at the Conrad in PdE via HHonors using United 50% coupons...so yes, they are a part of Hilton.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jamiel:
[B]I don't think the Conrad in PdE is affiliated w/Hilton.

Lucky you, LoveHateUA. You are going to have a great time!

I stayed at the Conrad in Punta Del Este and got an Gold upgrade to a large room on the top floor and Hilton points. So unless things have changed this year, they are definitely part of Hilton.

If you like late night excitement and great beach action, you should drive right through Montevideo and head for PDP.

I think I posted a trip report a year and a half ago so you should be able to search it for hotel and restaurant info. Let me know if you need more details.

Take a day trip to Colonia, tell them you are a friend of Mr. Cohen (he owns the only factory in town). Very quaint, very siesta in the afternoons, peaceful town. Try the dulce de leche ice cream...