Eighteen months ago the Former Four Seasons Carmelo Resort & Spa joined Hyatt and last year it became one of the first four ‘Unbound Collection’ properties, Hyatt’s “un-brand.”
The hotel is set in a forest overlooking the river. It has only 44 rooms. The base room is 970 square feet. It’s a category 5 redemption (20,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points per night, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt).
There are 20 bungalows and 24 suites. When the property became part of Hyatt I determined that Diamond Suite Upgrades were available to upgrade to the suites — but the price of both room types turned out to actually be the same. (Awards book into bungalows.)
It’s a super aspirational hotel in Uruguay, whose rates used to hit $1000 per night when it was a part of Four Seasons. I didn’t know anyone that’s stayed there since it became a Hyatt – until now, when Denise Chaykun Weaver of Magical Mystery Tours shared her experience and has some awesome tips for planning a trip there.
Here’s her overall take:
The resort is beautiful! We had a house that reminded me of Al Maha–pretty windows everywhere, an outdoor shower in a private courtyard. Then we got upgraded to the bi-level suite our second night, which was pretty, but didn’t feel quite as special as the first room.
Bungalow Outdoor Shower
Bedroom of Suite
She wasn’t a fan of the food on property but recommends meals at the nearby Narbona Wine Lodge. Bottom-line is that it’s “worth a 2-night stop in you’re in Buenos Aires and want to..add Uruguay to your list of countries” but more than 2-3 days will exhaust interest for many.
The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle from the Carmelo airport, but it’s cost-prohibitive to fly there. Denise reports you “can take an express bus from Montevideo to Colonia or Carmelo and [then] the Hyatt shuttle.”
Hotel Grounds
While working now, award availability didn’t always show properly online but was bookable by phone.
Incidentally she booked her award tickets with Book Your Award.
Stayed there several times, it’s a marvelous resort in a truly captivating place.
Also suggest to try the Narbona Wine Lodge, which is magnificent by night.
Regarding the time of the year to stay there, during winter it’s very nice due to the bungalow’s comfort and coziness, as well as the fascinating scenery that one has being in the forest.
However, if one chooses to go during a more ‘template’ weather season, then you can also take advantage of your visit to Uruguay and get to know the fantastic and renowned Punta del Este, which is especially wonderful during peak summer season (January over there) but also nice to pay a visit any other time.
If already visiting Buenos Aires, there are actually two transportation options:
– The Buquebus ferry to Colonia and then by land onwards to Carmelo (1 hour ferry + 1 hour 20 mins ride)
– The Cacciola ferry directly to Carmelo (smaller ferry but gets you right into Carmelo in 2 hours 30 mins)
Not worth it to take a plane to MVD if you’re just visiting Carmelo from Buenos Aires.
Now, if you also intend to pay a visit to Montevideo and Punta del Este (totally worth it), then the 30 mins flight from AEP to MVD is the way to go.
Ah. The old “can’t get there from here”. 🙂
does “unbound collection” count towards as a distinctive brand toward the “try 5 hyatt brands, get a free cat 4 night”?