Escape to Paradise: Aloft Montevideo's Unforgettable Uruguay Getaway
My Montevideo Escape: Aloft's Uruguay Getaway (and Why You Should Probably Pack Extra Chargers)
Okay, picture this: I, a weary traveler needing some serious R&R, booked a stay at the Aloft Montevideo. The brochure promised "Paradise." Let's just say my version of paradise involves a fully charged phone and the ability to find the coffee machine without a Herculean effort. So, did Aloft Montevideo deliver on the hype? Buckle up, buttercups, because this is going to be less a polished travel brochure and more a stream-of-consciousness download of my experience.
The Vibe: Modern, Mostly Accessible, and Praying for Wi-Fi Gods
First impression? Slick. Think minimalist chic with a serious design budget. The elevator whisked me up like I was James Bond (minus the suave and the gadgets – I’m more of a "stumbling in slippers" kind of spy). The front desk [24-hour] staff were generally friendly, though sometimes their enthusiasm felt a tad forced. Check-in/out [express]? More like, "Check-in, pray you have the right documents, and hope the Wi-Fi magically appears," but I'll get to that digital drama later.
Accessibility: Big thumbs up here! The hotel seemed genuinely committed to facilities for disabled guests. I saw ramps, wide doorways, and generally easy navigation, making this a win for accessibility.
Rambling Point #1: The Wi-Fi Saga and My Mental Breakdown
Let's address the elephant in the room: the Internet. The brochure screams "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!", which, in the digital age, is as essential as oxygen. My experience? Intermittent. Sporadic. More “wi-fi maybe if the stars align” than reliable connection. The Internet [LAN] option in the rooms wasn’t much better, leaving me tethered to the lobby like a disappointed puppy. I'm not kidding, I spent an embarrassing amount of time in the Wi-Fi in public areas, desperately trying to upload a photo of my (beautiful) plate of Asian cuisine in restaurant food because, priorities! My productivity, as you might imagine, plummeted. And let's be honest, this affected the rest of my stay, because I needed to work (or at least pretend to). I'm still trying to figure out if there was some sort of Wi-Fi demon tormenting me personally, or if this is just the reality of Montevideo. Moral of the story: pack an extra charger and a healthy dose of patience. And maybe a satellite phone.
Sleeping Quarters: A Comfortable, Mostly Tranquil Refuge
Once you manage to successfully log your Wi-Fi, the rooms themselves were pretty darn good. My non-smoking room was thankfully soundproof, a lifesaver given my jet lag and propensity for early morning grumbling. They’re modern and well-designed. I appreciated the blackout curtains (essential for my vampire-esque sleep patterns), air conditioning (bliss!), and the extra long bed. The shower was decent; the toiletries were… well, they existed. Honestly, I'm more concerned with a decent desk to work at and a functioning coffee maker.
The fact that it had Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. is a huge boon!
Food, Glorious, Mostly Problematic Food (and My Coffee Quest)
Let's talk about the food. They boast Restaurants, including a Vegetarian restaurant and Asian cuisine in restaurant. A la carte in restaurant dining was available, and the Breakfast [buffet], while offering a decent spread of Western breakfast options, was… chaotic. Think hungry tourists, lukewarm scrambled eggs, and a constant struggle to find a clean spoon. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant, thankfully, because I was desperate. I also appreciated the Bottle of water left in the room, a small but consistent comfort. The Poolside bar was tempting, but again, that Wi-Fi was calling my name…
Rambling point #2: The Coffee Conspiracy & My Quest for Caffeine
Speaking of coffee… The coffee situation was a personal crisis. The in-room coffee maker was a tragic joke. Weak, anemic, and barely caffeinated. This triggered my initial Wi-Fi related spiral. I needed caffeine to cope with the lack of wi-fi! I scoured the hotel for a decent cup, navigating the chaotic Breakfast [buffet] scene and pleading with the overwhelmed baristas. It was a struggle, to say the least. I honestly felt like Indiana Jones searching for the Holy Grail, except the Grail was a decent cup of coffee and the snakes were the slow Wi-Fi and the lukewarm eggs.
Pool, Spa, and Relaxation: A Mixed Bag of Zen and… More Wi-Fi Woes
The Swimming pool [outdoor] looked inviting. The View from the pool? Spectacular. I imagined myself lounging by the pool, sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail, lost in a world of Instagrammable bliss. Reality? More like, "I'm heading into the Pool with view, hoping to find a hotspot for the wi-fi, let's see if it works"
They boast a Spa/sauna with various treatments ( Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, even a Foot bath!), and a Fitness center for the more energetic types. I peeked in the fitness center and considered giving it a go. Maybe I would take a steam room, but I was too stressed to bother.
Cleanliness and Safety: Reassuringly (Mostly) on Point
The hotel appeared to take Cleanliness and safety seriously. I spotted Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the staff seemed vigilant about hygiene. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas were a nice touch. The Staff trained in safety protocol and a host of features like CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, add an extra safety measure.
Things to Do & Services: A Mixed Bag of Good and “Needs Improvement”
The hotel offers a range of Services and conveniences. Currency exchange was readily available. Laundry service and Dry cleaning were a lifesaver (spilled coffee, remember?). The Concierge seemed helpful, although my requests were pretty minimal (mostly, "Where's the coffee?"). There's a Gift/souvenir shop and maybe a little Convenience store. The Car park [free of charge] was a definite win.
The Airport transfer was thankfully efficient, and the Taxi service was readily available.
Important Notes:
- Cashless payment service was available, which is convenient.
- Room sanitization opt-out available, which made me feel more comfortable.
- They offer a Breakfast takeaway service, a great idea for early flights (if you can pry yourself away from that Wi-Fi).
- Babysitting service is available, which is great if you are traveling with kids.
The Verdict: Paradise Adjacent (But Pack Extra Chargers)
Aloft Montevideo offers a modern, stylish stay with some excellent perks. The location is good, the rooms are comfortable, and the staff are generally pleasant. However, the unreliable Wi-Fi situation was a major drawback, impacting my ability to work and enjoy the "escape" aspect. If you are traveling to Montevideo, expect a decent stay, but temper your expectations and absolutely ensure you've got multiple backup chargers.
Overall Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars (minus a star for the Wi-Fi, naturally). Would I go back? Maybe. But I'd be arriving armed with a personal Wi-Fi router and enough coffee to tranquilize an elephant.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: JI Hotel Suqian Baolong Plaza!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously organized itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt to wrangle the chaos that is a trip to Montevideo, with the Aloft Hotel as our surprisingly chic base of operations. Let's see if I can remember it all. (Spoiler alert: I probably can't.)
Aloft Montevideo: Uruguay, Here We Come (Sort Of Organized, Let's See…)
Day 1: Arrival – Bleary-Eyed Bliss and a Surprisingly Delicious Empanada
- 8:00 AM (Give or take an hour, thanks, jet lag!) Landed in Montevideo. The airport? Pleasant enough, even though I feel like my brain is currently operating at dial-up speed. Immigration? Smooth sailing, thankfully. My passport photo looks like I'm actively trying to evade a particularly persistent tax auditor.
- 9:30 AM: Taxi to the Aloft. First impressions? Shiny! Modern! Actually, kinda… cool. Which is a relief after the slightly questionable state of the airport bathroom (sorry, Uruguay, but you know it's true).
- 10:00 AM: Check-in. The staff is friendly, but I'm pretty sure I mumbled something resembling "Buenos dias… uh… coffee?" They understood. Miraculously. Room's okay. View? Minimal, but who cares, I'm in Uruguay!
- 11:00 AM: I’m pretty sure I slept for a few hours. Time is so… weird, when you're in a new country.
- 1:00 PM: Hunger pangs hit. Hard. Wandered out, absolutely clueless. Ended up in some little hole-in-the-wall (which, looking back, was probably the best sort of place to be). Ordered an empanada. OMG. The empanada. It was a glorious, flaky, savory explosion of flavor. I think I actually closed my eyes in pure, unadulterated happiness. Seriously, if I had to pick a single moment highlight, it’s that damn empanada. And, honestly, I had about five of them. Don’t judge me. Jet lag makes you irrational. And ravenous.
- 3:00 PM: Attempted some sightseeing. Walked (stumbled) around the area (Punta Carretas). Tried to appreciate the… uh… architecture. It was all a bit much. I ended up in a park and sat on a bench, feeling like a particularly bewildered tourist. The sun was beautiful though, and the air was fresh.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Fell asleep. Again. This jet lag is a beast.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. Room service, I’m ashamed to say. But hey, the burger was decent. And who wants to try and pronounce “chivito” right now? Not me.
- 9:00 PM: Collapsed into bed. Convinced I'd never sleep properly again and simultaneously hoping to sleep for weeks.
Day 2: Exploring, and the Unexpected Joys of Maté (and a Totally Misunderstood Interaction)
- 7:00 AM (ish): Woke up! Okay, still exhausted, but a little bit of sunshine peeking through the curtains helps.
- 8:00 AM: Ate breakfast. Surprisingly good. Croissants! Coffee! I'm starting to feel… vaguely human.
- 9:00 AM: Decided I needed to do something. Headed out to explore. This time, I was more functional.
- 10:00 AM – Noon: Walked around Ciudad Vieja. The old town is gorgeous – seriously, the architecture is incredible. But… I kept getting distracted. There was a street performer playing the tango, the colourful buildings drew me in. There was a quirky old vintage shop that I really just needed to stare at from afar. It was all a bit much.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a restaurant in Ciudad Vieja. Had the most delicious grilled fish (forgot what kind), but the real highlight was the maté that was served. I'd been trying to be all "authentic" and drink it, because, you know, Uruguay. It's… an acquired taste. But it was also fascinating. The ritual! The gourd! The bombilla! I felt like I was part of some secret society.
- 2:30 PM: This is where things went slightly sideways. I got into a very confused conversation with a local, who was trying to explain the history of some monument I couldn’t quite place. My Spanish is terrible (I learned “hola” and “cerveza” before the trip, which is basically useless.) They were trying, I think, to tell me how the thing was built and I just kept trying to nod and smile, hoping to catch a phrase or two. I may have accidentally agreed with something I shouldn't have. I think I promised to bring a llama to the party. Who knows? I spent the entire time nodding and thinking, "Wow, I’m really bad at this." I'm pretty sure they think I'm an idiot. And, maybe, I am.
- 4:00 PM: Gave up on being a cultured tourist. Needed a break.
- 4:30 PM: Walked along the Rambla. It felt great to stretch out my legs. Saw people jogging, relaxing, and walking their dogs. It was a pleasant feeling, really.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a pre-dinner nap. (Yes, again. No shame.)
- 8:00 PM: Dinner somewhere… I can barely remember. Probably some meat. Uruguay loves its meat. And that's okay.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Already. It was a long day.
Day 3: The Beach! (And the Sudden Realization That I Pack Like a Toddler)
- 9:00 AM: Finally, a decent night's sleep!
- 10:00 AM: Decided to go to the beach! Went to Pocitos Beach. It's… nice. A bit windy. But hey, it's the ocean! I felt good, but then, I realised I forgot something. I forgot to pack sunscreen. No. Not a good start. Now I'm stuck with a pale, ginger, glowing through the clouds.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a beachfront cafe. Fish again. Gotta try all the food. The food is excellent here.
- 1:00 PM: Walked along the beach. The sand was surprisingly clean. I saw a couple of teenagers playing football and went and had a little rest.
- 3:00 PM: Decided to try my luck at the local shops. The people are lovely. However, I am extremely bad at getting the prices right.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Ordered a cocktail at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and gave me some tips. It was the perfect ending to a day.
- 7:00 PM: Had dinner (something with meat).
- 8:00 PM: Bed. (You probably saw that coming.)
Day 4: Departure – The Epilogue
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, already missing Uruguay, I guess.
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast at the hotel. Those croissants are going to haunt my dreams. In a good way, obviously.
- 9:00 AM: Check out.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi back to the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Flight.
- 12:00 PM: Realise I've left something in the room. Probably my dignity.
- [Insert actual flight details here - I’m too tired to remember.]
- Arrival at Home: Jet-lagged, sunburnt (somehow), and already dreaming of that damn empanada. Uruguay? You beautiful, confusing, delicious place. I'll be back. Eventually.
Okay, spill. Is Aloft Montevideo actually "Paradise"? Like, is this just marketing fluff?
Paradise? Let's be real. Actual, perfect paradise? No. Not unless your definition of paradise includes the slight, persistent scent of chlorine from the rooftop pool and the occasional existential dread while staring at La Rambla. BUT. Is it a damn good getaway? Absolutely. I'd say it's Paradise-Adjacent. Think of it like... a really, *really* nice purgatory with good cocktails.
My first thought was, "Wow, this is actually *cool*." The lobby is all sleek lines and vibrant colours – like a hipster art gallery exploded in a hotel. And the rooms? Surprisingly spacious. I say surprisingly because, let’s face it, sometimes hotel room photos are basically lying. I got a room facing the ocean, and honestly, the view, even with the occasional seagull dive-bomb, was worth the price of admission. It felt... liberating. Like, "I'm not doing laundry today! I'm looking at the ocean!"
What's the deal with the location? Beach? City? What gives?
Right, so it's in the Pocitos neighborhood, which is basically the cool kid on the block. It’s right on La Rambla, Montevideo's long, scenic coastal walkway. So, beach access? Yep. You can stroll down to the sand, feel like a local. City vibes? Also yep! You're a short walk from shops, restaurants, and all that touristy stuff.
The *real* test? Finding my way back after a few "necessary" glasses of Tannat. (Uruguay is wine country, people. You *must* indulge.) Let's just say Google Maps became my best friend, and there were a few moments involving a questionable street vendor and my increasingly shaky Spanish skills. But hey! Adventure! (And a very delicious empanada, in my defense.)
Tell me about the rooftop pool. Is it Instagram-worthy? Or just a glorified puddle?
Okay, the pool. Here's the truth: It IS Instagram-worthy. The view from up there, especially at sunset, is spectacular. You get a panoramic view of the city, the beach, the whole shebang. But let's be honest, pools are also a breeding ground for weirdos. You know the type. The Speedo-wearing men who think they're Michael Phelps. The women with the giant hats and enough sunscreen to survive a nuclear winter.
The pool itself is… adequate. It's not huge. You're not gonna be doing laps. It's more of a cocktail-sipping-and-sunbathing-in-a-stylish-environment type of pool. And when I say stylish, I mean it. There are umbrellas, comfy loungers, and a bar that makes a mean caipirinha. So, yes, Instagram-worthy, but also, occasionally, a little… claustrophobic. I found myself wanting to yell, "People, can we ALL just try to relax without posing?!" But I didn't. I’m not THAT rude. Just mostly.
Food! Is the hotel food any good? Because hotel food is usually… well… you know.
Alright, food. This is where Aloft surprised me. I mean, I went in expecting lukewarm scrambled eggs and rubbery bacon, you know? But the breakfast buffet was surprisingly decent! Fresh fruit, pastries, decent coffee – hey, I’m easy to please in the mornings.
And get this – they have a restaurant on the ground floor, and it's actually... GOOD. Now, I'm not a food critic, but the steaks were cooked perfectly, the salads were fresh, and they have a killer selection of local wines. Seriously, I ate there three times. Don't judge me. I was tired. And the wine was *good*. Look, sometimes you just want to be fed and pampered, ok? No judgement.
What about activities? Do they offer anything beyond just… existing?
Okay, this is where it gets a bit… meh. Aloft itself doesn't exactly scream 'activity central.' They do have a small gym, which I, admittedly, did not use. I was on vacation! But the *real* activities? Come on, Montevideo has a TON to offer. You've got the historic Ciudad Vieja (Old Town), the Mercado del Puerto (a bustling market with amazing grilled meats), and plenty of museums and art galleries.
My personal highlight? A tango lesson. Yes, I looked like a complete fool. Yes, I kept stepping on my instructor's feet. But it was hilarious! And I swear, by the end of the class, I was almost – *almost* – able to do a basic step. (Spoiler alert: I wasn't. But the effort counted, right?) The point is, the hotel is a great base for exploring, but you’re going to want to venture out. Trust me, your Instagram feed will thank you.
Is it family-friendly? Or more of a "couple's getaway" kind of place?
Hmm. That's a tough one. I saw a few families there, but I’d say it leans more towards the couple/solo traveler/group of friends vibe. The vibe is definitely trendy/modern, which doesn't always jive with screaming toddlers.
I saw one kid at the pool. He spent the entire time splashing and screaming. I'm not gonna lie, my first thought was, "Oh, good Lord." Then, I, a self-proclaimed travel grump, had a moment of guilt. (I eventually got over it, I’m only human). But overall, it’s probably better suited for a more… adult experience. Plenty of other hotels are probably better suited to little ones.
Okay, so realistically, what was the *worst* part? Be honest!
Alright, alright. The worst part. And this is a big one: the sound insulation. Or, rather, the lack thereof. I am a light sleeper. Like, seriously, I can hear a pin drop. And I heard *everything*. The slamming doors, the late-night conversations, the occasional seagull… it was a symphony of noise.
One night, I swear I heard someone having a full-blown argument in their room. And I'm not talking a little tiff. We are talking full-blown scream-fest. After finally falling asleep at 3 am, the cleaning staff woke me up at 8 am. (I'm not even sure they were *cleaning*, more just… rustling around.) I basically lived on earplugs. SoMy Hotel Reviewst
