I stayed two nights at Alvear Hotel. It is located at Yi Street and 18 de Julio Avenue, which makes it perfect to explore the city. Although it is in the new part of Montevideo, the Historic Centre is very near, within walking distance. There is a supermarket half a block away on 18 de Julio Avenue (called Ta Ta) , as well as a bakery next to the hotel, selling some ready made food to take away apart from sweet things.
Breakfast is excellent, buffet type: many different fruit, jams, honey, diet marmelade, "dulce de leche", butter, coffee, tea, both cold and warm milk, cocoa, yoghurt (two or three flavours), a lot of varieties of bread and sweet things, etc. Really good!
The room was rather small and dated. However, the bathroom was new. There was air con and a mini bar in the room.
Wi fi internet was not available on the 2nd floor where my room was. They promised to fix it up the following day but they didn’t.
The staff is the hotel’s strength. They are very kind and polite, always ready to help customers.
It is true that the hotel is old and needs refurnishing and remodelation. However, I still find there is a good relation price- quality.
I would go back in future trips to Montevideo.

LOCATION: Good, near the city center. It takes a 10 minutes walk to "Plaza Independencia" and the "Solis Theatre".

Also, there are exchange offices and a supermarket called "Tata" right next to the hotel.


ROOM: Dated. You realize it the minute they hand you a key instead of a key card.
And, you are convinced that this is an old hotel once you step in the elevator which bumps and shakes like a ride in an amusment park.

Our room had a working air-conditioner, a mini-bar, a clean, modern bathroom.
There was no safe box though.
Upon inspecting the bed sheets in the morning, my friend found blood stains on them which was shocking.

The best aspect of the room: free wi-fi internet with a fast connection.
You don't get this in many 3 star hotels.


RECEPTION: The most beautiful thing I saw in Montevideo? The girl working at the reception of this hotel.

Great smile, friendly, and spoke very good english.

Answered all our questions about the city and was very helpful.


GETTING THERE: From the airport, we took the shuttle which costs 10 US dollars per person.
On the way back, we used the hotel taxi which costs 475 uruguayan pessos (26 US dollars).

Super friendly, helpful and queer friendly staff. They even lent us money to pay for the cab since we didn't have enough change. The hotel might be a bit old and out of fashion, but they make up for it with a clean room, comfortable beds, great service, nice breakfast and a central location. We would go back.