Luz Culinary Wine Lodge

Style

Luz is more

Setting

Pines and vines

Sandwiched between the Uruguayan countryside and the Atlantic is Luz Culinary Wine Lodge: a nature-first hotel with 35 acres of private land and just six rooms. The single-storey vermillion-red posada is bordered by pinares, olive groves and a laguna – not to mention the heated infinity pool, cabana-esque gin bar and sunken outdoor lounge. Its location – just outside the rustic José Ignacio – remains one of South America’s best-kept secrets. Sprawling beaches, charming cafés and ocean-side seafood shacks make this former fishing village a destination for those who’ve already seen the world, and wish to get away from it for a while.

Facilities

Rooms

Seven in total: six suites and one studio

Checkout

11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.

More Details

Rates include an à la carte breakfast, served in the pool-side gallery room or as an early-bird picnic in the olive groves. Enjoy beetroot-topped toast, coconut yogurt, a natural juice with hits of açaí or lucuma, and speciality Maldonado-roasted coffee.

Also

The undulating olive plantation and sun-worshipping vineyards were designed and positioned to maximise the natural benefits of the nearby Atlantic and the refreshing ocean winds that breeze across the land, in contrast to the high summer temperatures. Luz’s homegrown olive oil is a unique blend of coratina and arbequina olives: resulting in an oil that’s incredibly fruity and aromatic.

Fitness Center

Free Internet Access

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Tennis court, saltwater infinity pool, exercise room, fishing rods, bikes, go karts, gin bar, restaurant. In rooms: WiFi, hairdryers, wardrobes, towels, robes and slippers, beach bags and towels, locally-made organic toiletries

Our Favourite Rooms

All rooms are decorated with calm colours and soft lines, taking inspiration from traditional Moroccan architecture. Rustic, charming and sophisticated – the luxurious rooms have everything you need (soft linens, reading benches, open wardrobes and super king-size beds), and nothing you don’t – and each space has a unique view of the surrounding sea of pines, olive groves and vineyards from its private terrace. Choose a studio for extra space, and an uber-indulgent free-standing tub in your marble bathroom.

Poolside

Take a walk through the pine forest to the piscina – a heated infinity pool with views of the estate. White stone flooring and ruby red loungers complement the wood, straw and rattan of the pool building and gin bar (strategically placed so that you can sip then swim, swim then sip). There’s a sand garden with Moroccan-inspired beanbags, bar stools under boho-style lanterns, and a cabana-style seating area providing shade from the South American sun.

Spa

There’s a singular treatment room housed in the pool building, where you can choose a bespoke treatment – massages, facials and the like – from a treatment list inspired by Swiss wellbeing practises. In the next room you’ll find Flintstone-esque exercise equipment – hand-made leather-coated kettlebell weights, yoga mats and rustic weights – to be taken to your favourite patch of land in the estate and used at your leisure.

Packing Tips

Brush up on your wine-wisdom pre-arrival. We think these phrases might come in handy: ‘balanced’, ‘full-bodied’, ‘mature’, and ‘I'll take the whole bottle’.

Children

Kids over the age of 10 are welcome at Luz, and babysitting can be arranged, although prices vary depending on demand and time of year.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Given your surroundings, it feels only right to arrange for a picnic hamper of sandwiches, salads and cheeses to be enjoyed among the vineyards, beneath the olive groves or by the laguna.

Dress Code

Eclectic prints to contrast with the earthy tones; thrifted Moroccan ‘fits perfect for lounging on pouffes.

Hotel Restaurant

It’s all about sharing plates at the Aperitivo restaurant. The menu changes daily to make the best use of the freshest, in-season ingredients from the nearby woods and ocean – favourites include ceviche, croquetes de siri and fried chipirones. A pool menu is available during the day, consisting of salads, organic vegetable plates and wood-fired pizzas, all sourced from the nearby Cruz del Sur farm.

Hotel Bar

The sunset-facing tables of the bar are primed for a Uruguayan sundowner – opt for a bespoke cocktail featuring the local gin from destilería Libertad. We love the Ginger Gin (Gin Libertad, Tónic, ginger syrup, fresh ginger and rosemary) and Digestive Gin (with coffee, cinnamon and vanilla). Make sure to try Luz’s own glass of vino rojo, too: the harvest is 70 per cent tannat and 30 per cent merlot – producing a complex yet balanced drop. Take your aperitivo a step further with a tasting of Uruguayan wines by the house sommelier – the hotel can organise such sessions on request.

Last Orders

Breakfast is served 7.30–11.30am. The casual-fare pool menu is available 12 noon–3.30pm; the dinner menu 7.30–10.30pm; and the bar closes at 10pm.

Planes

Punta del Este International Airport is a 55-minute drive from the lodge. The little airport mainly handles flights around South America, so if you’re travelling from further afield, you’ll likely fly into Buenos Aires first and grab a connection. Luz can arrange your transfer from airport to lodge for $150. Alternatively, fly into Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco – the drive takes just under two hours, and a transfer costs $250.

Automobiles

José Ignacio is bijou (much like Uruguay itself), but a car certainly comes in handy for exploring the peninsula, especially as taxis can be scarce. Pick up a hire at Punta del Este airport.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Well, Luz’s 35 acres of verdant private land certainly feel like a sensible place to start. Walk the trails through the pine forest and olive groves, try mountain biking or go-karting, practice yoga on the pier of the laguna, or play tennis on the professional-standard cement court. Leave the grounds for a spot of horseback riding (book through Haras Godiva for gallops along the Atlantic coastline); a visit to the José Ignacio lighthouse; or an afternoon of surfing, kite surfing, water skiing or sailing. Head to Bodega Garzón, a state-of-the art winery and restaurant with its own helicopter landing pad and fleet of hot air balloons. There’s a range of tours on offer, with some packages including a gourmet lunch and a tasting of olive oils and cheeses. There’s plenty to do in José Ignacio, too: boutiques, boho brunch spots, and some exceptional beaches – choose the vast sands of la Mansa for grassy dunes, calm swims and dramatic sunsets, or playa Brava for soft sands, impressive swells and quality surfing.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .