Estancia Vik Jose Ignacio

A sophisticated ranch and boutique hotel set among the rolling hills of Uruguay’s east coastline, with pure architectural magnificence

Eco-friendly? Tick. Arty? Tick. Nature? Tick. Luxury? Tick. Child-friendly? Tick. Never has a hotel ticked so many boxes. Estancia Vik is the jack-of-all-trades of boutique hotels, a place where everything has been thought out very carefully. Take the architecture - it’s designed in such a way that light floods the common rooms and pretty patios, and the surrounding green pastures, lagoon and prairie can be seen from virtually every corner. Then there’s the host of on-site activities, from polo lessons to kayaking or wine tasting in the 5,000-bottle cellar. Art and nature are real draws, too, and everything about the hotel celebrates Uruguayan heritage.

Twenty national artists were hired to work on the interiors, and each of the 12 suites is different; an original masterpiece. The unique 66-foot living room has magnificent fireplaces at either end and a painted map ceiling inspired by Google Earth; vast semi-precious geodes hang from its walls. The South Garden has galleries for shade beside the swimming pool, which is lit by fibre-optic lights at night to show southern hemisphere constellations; the North Garden has a reflecting pool.

Set within 4,000 acres of land near chi-chic Jose Ignacio (the St Tropez of Uruguay), this is a real haven for celebrities, art- and nature- lovers with cash to splash, and for well-heeled families wanting to get away from it all.

Highs

• The stunning, green setting and 4,000 acres of wild pampas - ride out with real gauchos and explore
• Or play polo, kayak, practise golf on the driving range, sunbathe by the pool and play tennis. There's so much to do and all activities (bar lessons) are included in the rates
• The focus on art and architecture: each suite showcases installations and paintings by a different Uruguayan artist, including Clever Lara; the living room and patios feature sculptures by Pablo Atchugarry
• The mainly organic food: there's an on-site vegetable garden and most meat is reared on the premises
• The sociable aspect of your stay: while this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the majority of guests love the gourmet asados, at which guests are seated together

Lows

• Although original, the décor and mish-mash of different styles might be too much for more understated tastes
• A strict cancellation policy
• Although most staff were really friendly, a couple were very off-hand, which was a shame
• None of the suites have TVs, but you can request one or watch a film in the communal Game Room beside a cosy log-fire
• Those who want lively nightlife will have to walk 20 mins or drive 5 mins to Jose Ignacio, or further afield to Punta del Este