In the last 20 years I have stayed in La Posta many times and it is my go to choice for a great vacation(or two ) virtually every year. Yes there are now a small handful of chic hotels and a couple of luxury hotels which over the years I have sampled but like a great many people I keep returning every year to the rustic warmth and hospitality of La Posta . Indeed sometimes by the pool in season it can feel like a private club for everyone knows at least some of the other guests.
Why do I return? First the Location is fabulous as are the team in the hotel and the Locals. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. The climate in the summer here is invigorating with both brilliant sunshine and on other days fresh fresh air perfect for walking the beautiful totally unspoilt beaches that stretch from La Posta in the heart of La Barra with its rustic chic charm to far North of Jose Ignacio now the latest low key hangout of the celebrity set. But all is rugged ,windswept and beautiful. Yes ,to some the decor at La Posta could seem a little dated but much about the place reminds me of the Mediteranean and its personality for many of us perfectly suits this windswept and mesmerizing and now very fashionable coastline .
This is a family run hotel which can offer guests warm and personal service, great views of the ocean from many of its rooms and an ambience that over the years has attracted some famous guests all appreciating the low key atmosphere. The restaurant can serve up some excellent food on a great outdoor dining terrace and there are many great cafes and restaurants nearby in season.
In season prices soar in this part of Uruguay and this is no longer a relatively inexpensive area to visit. Expect North American prices but the food is beautifully fresh and tasty. Its not St Barts prices with every hotel trying to out chic the next but in season the crowd is attractive and interesting and La Posta is an excellent choice for tuning into the Punta vibe which in reality starts in La Barra

Starting off with the positives, the hotel has a great location near a beach in La Barra, and a nice-looking territory.

I should have gotten the hint when I was making the reservation. Almost none of the staff speaks English, and simply making a reservation required a very complicated series of emails and international phone calls that lasted more than a week. The inconveniences were to continue when I arrived, which would be fine for a $80 hotel, but not for $120 (which actually increases to $320 the week after I was there). It's an understatement that the "decor doesn't seem to have been updated in a very long time", as another reviewed put it. It is antiquated, and not in a good way. Various shelves and doors are difficult to open and close, the door key is a very cumbersome, annoying mechanism, water sprays everywhere from the facet and shower, and the dubious, unappealing tiles on the floor are still from the 60s.

Only two people from the staff spoke English, I think. I don't know about other hotels, but every restaurant in the area was English-speaking. Breakfast was a very complicated affair in which the incompetent waiters stood there without telling me what was available. I had to guess. They made mistakes with orders, couldn't remember what I liked from the previous days, placed things on the table in a cumbersome way, and it was hard to get their attention.

We stayed at La Posta in early March, 2009. Overall we were very pleased with out stay. It is a great location in La Barra . It is right on the beach and close to shops and restaurants. We were very happy we did not stay in Punta del Este (a mini Miami Beach). La Barra has charm and is convenient to Jose Ignasio and futher places north. You need to rent a car to enjoy this area. La Posta was a bit dated but the rooms were comfortable and clean. The staff was nice but not great. The hotel restaurant looked nice but was very expensive and old fashioned. I would guess that a dinner for 2 would easily be $100+.

Not a whole lot of frills here, but you're steps away from shops, restaurants, a beach and surfspot; so what do you need? Pretty friendly staff, didn't really challenge them with anything but they seemed nice enough. Love the location.