I have spent the Summer in Punta del Este for every one of my 30 years and had stayed here previously so I reccommended it to some friends, which I deeply regret.

Upon arrival they were told the rooms they had reserved in November were no longer available at the price they had reserved and paid a first night deposit for. Instead, they were told they had to pay 50% more. Seeing as they had no idea where else to go or whether they would wind up getting the same deal they swallowed it.

One of them refused and left with his partner, having previously clarified with the hotel manager that he was free to go since they had reneged of the initial agreement. His deposit has never been refunded.

When I complained later that night I was told they should have complained but now there was nothing that could be done.

I had booked a room for a friend the next week and asked to cancel it but was told I needed to talk to "the owner" to get the deposit refunded.

For the next two days, "the owner" was never around until it turned out "the manager" I presented the issue to in the first place was indeed "the owner". Unfortunately by now I was -quite conveniently- less than 5 days away from the booking and had to relinquish the deposit. The manager/owner's answer to my complaints that I had raised it some days ago was: "so what are you going to do?"

Back to my friends:

-The rooms faced the street and drunk kids hung around there until 5am screaming and chanting through the night while they fruitlessly tried to sleep.

-The air conditioning in one room was broken, they were promised "someone will come to fix it" throughout the stay. No one ever did.

-The triple room had two towels, which meant sharing moist towels. Despite their demands, no one from the hotel ever managed to produce a third towel for the room.

-The breakfast is NOT good, very basic. But, in fairness, within the standard you would expect for the price you pay.

This hotel is a disgrace to one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit. You should very much look forward to your trip but you would be better off going for Hotel Palace (10 mins walk and closer to the bars for grown ups next to the Marina) or Hotel Peninsula (just 60 metres away across the road).

Both are in the same price range (in fact, Champagne has since hiked up its prices way over the level of the other two). Peninsula is nothing to shout about but the rooms are adequate and the staff are friendly and helpful, which is always a plus when on holidays. Palace is the oldest hotel in Punta, built in colonial style, yet not dated or missing the basic comforts required.

Enjoy your holidays!