Weadles

We'll be in Punta del Este for one week in early January, 2009. We'd like to be on the beach or very close to one, and also within walking distance of a town. Where would you recommend staying? Thanks so much!

Graziella5b

Are you renting a car?

Weadles

We would rather not rent a car unless it's really necessary. What do you think? Thanks!

avrooster

Punta del Este is VERY crowded in early January.

Have you asked Isabel about this?

Weadles

avrooster,

Thanks for the words of warning! I know it's going to be extremely crowded which is not my favorite thing at all, but we are beach potatoes, and it works the best with our itinerary.

Graziella5b

Hi Weadles, I would highly recommend you to rent a car.
Punta del Este is spread out, there are several very nice beaches, locals like to indulge in different beaches according to how the wind blows. The wind changes conditions in the beaches easily. At the same time they know which one frecuented by whom, I mean what kind of people they want to see and be seen by.
A car seems to me a must. Also restaurants are localted all over,......once you have a car, and you can tell me your age group and what you are interested in I shall try to help out.
I might be a little out of touch but I shall be very happy to ask the right people and let you know. I think it is very important to choose the right hotel in the right place , here it is not a question of stars or price, it is the question to be at the right place.
If you are traveling 8 hours to visit Punta, or may be more, I would like you to enjoy it the right way....

avrooster

I agree about the car and the rest is in good hands (Graziella's).

Weadles

Thank you so much Graziella5b and avrooster. We will follow your excellent recommendations and rent a car. There are four of us going- me and my husband, and our kids ( 20 and 17). Notice I didn't post my age. HA HA! I am very young at heart, as is my husband, and the kids are very good travellers, so we are up for almost anything that has to do with the beach,good food and wine, meeting the locals, and hopefully, avoiding Las Vegas-style glitz.

Graziella5b

Hi Weadles, I do not wish to post my age either... ha, ha
but suffice to say I have grandchildren. I know I might sound antique to your children but I have a large Uruguayan family/friends and if you like I can ask them. By the way I am flying at the end of April to Buenos Aires and Montevideo and if you like I shall find out for you, for a good hotel and fun things to do there. Tennis anyone>?
Golf anyone? Sailing? fishing? surfing? all sports are fairly easy to do. There are many places for dancing for young people till late morning hours , however things have changed a lot since I used to go out dancing in PUnta,
crowd gets younger and younger and unfortunatelly there are drugs and alcohol in excess. At the same time many families have perfectly good holidays in Punta. So if you like I can find out some information on these lines.
January of course is the HIGH, HIGH season.

Graziella5b

One more question what is your budget or preference
, what kind of hotel?
Hotel range from expensive to some apart hotels.
what would you prefer?

Weadles

Graziella5b,

Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it. I would love to hear your family's recommendations. We will be in Punta del Este for almost a week. I have been reading a little bit about The Mantra Hotel, which sounds very nice, although it's not on the beach. What do you think? I've also read about The Conrad, but it sounds like a Donald Trump mega-resort, maybe not all that appealing for us.

Both kids are into watersports, tennis, and some sightseeing. Thanks so much for your suggestions!

Graziella5b

Hi Weadles, I shall do my very best. As I said I shall be shortly in Bs As and Montevideo , I shall ask my nieces and friends and I shall be very happy to pass the information.

Tennis is great, all red clay courts, sourrounded by pine trees. Courts are rented by the hour.
Water sports , all kinds. Also horse riding. Going to the beach is a daily must for most everybody. The Argentines like to spend all day in the beach, they usually take some food while the Uruguayans like to go for a few hours and eat at home.In the beach , right on the sand there are a few Paradores, which are in Punta, like informal restaurants, with out door tables and drinks and light food to go. You can have a bite in any of those .
These buildings I think actually belong to the city but each year are rented .
You are right, the Conrad is not what you are looking for if you are looking for something really special. There is a casino there and sometimes they have good shows, so it is ok to attend one of those shows and may be have dinner in one of the restaurants. But I would favor the real unique spots of Punta. I shall let you know later which are the best . Bye.

Graziella5b

I think the Mantra is very nice, but let me find more about it.

Weadles

Graziella5b,

Again, many thanks! I'll look forward to hearing from you again.

taconictraveler

Don't mean to hi-jack the post, but just want to say to Graziella that I am jealous that she is going back to BsAs - and to wish her a good trip. How about organizing a trip for some of the lovers of Buenos Aires??

Weadles

Graziella5b,

Could I ask what you know about a hotel called LA POSTA DEL CONGREJO? It looks like it's right on the beach and within walking distance of La Barra, which sounds ideal. Thanks!!

Graziella5b

Hi Weadles, We stayed in La posta del Cangrejo probably, let me think,....like 30 years ago or so, we stayed with all our 4 children and....a nannie to take care of the youngest.At the time it was a charming, kind of white walls hotel with few rooms. It was ideal because they had a children's menu, and also when we went out fishing
( easy to to because there are boats to rent with crew and everything) the chef would cook our own fish.
In those days Punta was more "rustic" and simple I do not think we had a tv or phone in the room, but I might be wrong. But the place had some flair and lovely views.
It is on the water, but the beach is a short walking distance away. This Place is called La Barra and is a few
miles from downtown Punta, but it is one of the places you would enjoy staying.
I can only imagine that after so many years it should have been renovated more than once and probably now it is a different kind of place. I 'll find out for you.

Graziella5b

I saw their website, it shows four stars.. it seems totally redone as I imagined it would be. Let me ask a little and I can give updated inf.

A little history:
The "in" areas within the big area called Punta del Este have been moving for years towards the East. For instance when we stayed in La Posta del Cangrejo,La Barra was like the last populated area, now there are many more between La Barra and
Jose Ignacio,( a little tiny fishermen's town that has become very jet set.)
The area where La Posta...is located is called La barra, because a small river flows into the ocean . Sand is deposited forming a barra...a sandbar.
There is a beach there, however one has to be extremely careful because of undergoing currents.

Weadles

Graziella5b,

Thank you for the information! You should really be in the travel business, if you aren't already!

avrooster

This is what I found:

http://tinyurl.com/686u3b

Apparently, it's a bit dated.