Two of the most celebrated design hotels in South America: Playa Vik is a beachfront avant-garde villa in José Ignacio with CieloMar restaurant and extraordinary views; Estancia Vik is a polo estancia 20 minutes inland for gaucho culture, horseback riding, and the most beautifully appointed countryside property in Uruguay.
Why We Chose It
The Vik collection is the defining hotel experience of this region — two utterly distinct properties owned by Carrie and Alex Vik, joined by Bahia Vik (a dune-top property also in José Ignacio). Playa Vik sits directly on the beach in José Ignacio: a strikingly contemporary building housing an exceptional collection of works by local Uruguayan artists, with CieloMar restaurant serving food with extraordinary ocean views (praised universally for its cuisine and architecture). Estancia Vik is 20 minutes inland — a luxury polo estancia where guests ride horses through the campo, watch polo matches, and eat in a beautifully designed estancia house. Service across all three properties is exceptionally personal; the owners are frequently present. Book any of the three properties months ahead in season.
What Stands Out
- Three-property collection: Playa Vik, Estancia Vik, Bahia Vik
- Playa Vik — beachfront in José Ignacio
- CieloMar restaurant
- Estancia Vik — countryside estancia with polo and horses
- Authentic gaucho experience
- Bahia Vik — dune-top setting with ocean views
- Exceptional Uruguayan art collection across all properties
- Owners frequently on-site
- Book months ahead in summer