Hotel Montevideo
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Montevideo
Uruguay, South America
Expert Review: Hotel Montevideo
Hotel Montevideo stands out as a luxurious and stylish haven in Uruguay's capital, consistently earning high praise from guests and a prestigious Michelin One-Key rating. It's often hailed as one of the finest hotels in Montevideo, offering a sophisticated and comfortable experience.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Hotel Montevideo is overwhelmingly positive, with an average "Wonderful" to "Exceptional" rating, scoring around 9.2 out of 10 based on over 1,600 reviews. Guests frequently describe their stay as a "5-star experience" and highly recommend the property.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud the hotel's striking decor and design, which is both elegant and distinctive, featuring custom wallpaper, luxurious materials like wood, marble, and brass, and artistic elements throughout. The professional, helpful, and friendly staff are a recurring highlight, often going above and beyond for guests. Its location in the safe Pocitos neighborhood is also a major draw, along with its comfortable rooms and excellent dining options. The rooftop area, with its pool and bar, is frequently mentioned as a standout amenity. Even the 24-hour gym is noted for its beautiful design and high-end equipment.
3. Room Quality
The 79 rooms and suites at Hotel Montevideo are described as comfortable, spacious, and elegantly furnished with a modern yet charming feel. Each room features bespoke interiors, real wood floors, brass fixtures, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a private balcony offering city views. Guests particularly praise the "super comfortable" beds, some likening them to "sleeping on marshmallow," and the high-quality Italian bedding and towels. Amenities include mini-bars stocked with local products (though not included in the rate) and pod coffee makers. Bathrooms are elegant with spacious walk-in showers, but notably, they are shower-only, with no bathtubs, even in the most expensive quarters. While the toiletries smell nice, some guests noted they were unbranded, which was a minor point of criticism for a luxury hotel.
4. Dining Experience
The hotel's restaurant, Polo Bamba, offers American cuisine with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Breakfast is consistently rated as "excellent" and "very nice," featuring an ample buffet with fresh fruits, cereals, yogurt, sliced meats, cheeses, and "well-above-average sweet and savory baked goods." Hot dishes and specialty coffees are available à la carte, and the hotel's own blend of coffee is a highlight. However, one guest reported their avocado toast with scrambled eggs arrived cold. The Polo Bamba Skybar on the 10th floor is a popular rooftop bar and lounge for both guests and locals, offering tapas, craft cocktails, and stunning city views, particularly at sunset. Some feedback indicated that the bar food, at times, was considered poor.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Hotel Montevideo receive consistent accolades for being professional, incredibly helpful, attentive, and friendly. Guests frequently highlight their politeness and willingness to assist, with many noting the staff's excellent English proficiency. Specific team members, like Valentina and Dominique, have been singled out for their exceptional support.
6. Location & Accessibility
Located in the upscale, partially residential Pocitos barrio, Hotel Montevideo is situated in what is considered one of Montevideo's most modern and charming neighborhoods. It's a safe area, ideal for walking, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers within walking distance. The hotel is an 8-minute walk from Pocitos Beach and is conveniently close to the Rambla walkway. While some guests consider the location excellent, others have described it as "meh" or noted "not much to do in the area" directly around the hotel. Carrasco International Airport is approximately 9.3 miles away.
7. Value & Pricing
While Hotel Montevideo is a luxury property, some guests have found it to offer "excellent value." One reviewer even suggested double rooms could be found for around $150 USD per night, considering it one of the "world's best value-for-money luxury hotels" in a relatively expensive South American city. Another source indicates prices starting from $175 per night. It's worth noting that breakfast is not always included in the room rate.
8. Common Complaints
While generally very positive, some recurring issues and criticisms include the unbranded toiletries in the rooms, which some guests felt were not up to the standard of a Leading Hotel of the World. The quality of bar food at the rooftop bar was also a point of contention for a few guests. One guest experienced an issue with being charged a "tasa turistica" twice and claimed the hotel refused to rectify it, leading to a cancelled future stay. Minor complaints also include a sometimes "congested and limited drop off and pick up area" and the lack of a sauna or steam room in the gym. Some guests have also found rooms to be "cramped".
Sources
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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