Self-drive Uruguay: Classic highlights

Uncompromisingly modern, the Hotel Oliva was conceived to match up to the surroundings in one of the most prestigious districts of Montevideo. Close to the golf club, glitzy shopping and top quality restaurants it is also not far from the city’s museums and beaches.

A lot of thought has gone into the design, and there’s an ambience of calm and good taste. Guest rooms emphasise comfort and tranquillity with soft neutral décor, deep mattresses, pillow menus and sound-proofing, in addition to the usual contemporary accoutrements such as Wifi and lap-top sized safe.

At the same time as being cutting edge the hotel makes you feel at home with a large library, bar-and-cigar space and a glittering spa with a 17m lap pool and gym. The restaurant is pretty good too, with a small menu of imaginative dishes. Most striking of all though is that the hotel’s main strength lies in its service. Smiley members of staff, including personal trainers are always on hand, and there’s even someone to advise you on your gift shopping!

This appealing property does its best to be 'cool and charming' in a contemporary ambience.  The geometrically-inspired modern two storey building features huge plate glass windows overlooking a tree-filled garden a short walk from the beach. It's all very light and airy.

The bright guest rooms vary: some have sea views you can enjoy from a Jacuzzi and the top-end rooms have a deck with private plunge pool. But all rooms have excellent amenities: Egyptian cotton sheets, robes, free Wifi, TV/DVD player with a selection of films and complimentary tea and coffee are standard.  There are connecting rooms for families. There's a small crescent-shaped pool with sun loungers set on decking behind the hotel building.

You can take breakfast wherever you like, although there is no restaurant but there are a couple of modest dining options nearby and more choice in the resort of San Ignacio which is 3km away, so having your own hire car is a good idea.

This is a gem of a working ranch set in the bucolic hinterland of Uruguay's Atlantic coast, within easy reach of bird-saturated wetlands, meadow pasture and the rolling sand dunes which define the shore. 

Utterly unspoilt, the early 19^th century estancia is focussed on a country-cottage-style house where open fires and beams create a rustic, welcoming atmosphere. Each of the five quaint guest rooms has its own décor and layout, with generous use of local wood and stone and each is embellished with unique objets d'art, some selected from items washed up on the shore from shipwrecks.

This is where you really will get a feel for rural life in Uruguay, both past and present. The kitchen, preserving a 1920s style, features a cooker from that era; old leather saddles are scattered around the property, and there is a library dedicated to the history of the area and estancia, with old maps and informative books.

The immediate grounds are delightful, bougainvillea and hydrangeas add colour swatches to the lawns and courtyard, while beyond are views over a lagoon, gigantic umbrella-shaped ombu trees and fields of grazing criollo horses and beef cattle.

There are a few relaxing activities to enjoy during the day such as horse-rides, canoe trips, guided walks and bird watching. Back at the ranch you’ll savour wholesome country cooking and spend the evening sitting nursing a drink beside a roaring log fire. The property welcomes families and groups of friends as well as individuals and day visitors.

This utterly charming Narbona Wine Lodge is just outside Carmelo. Within the historic Narbona estate (founded around 1740), this boutique property is tucked away amidst bucolic countryside of pine and eucalyptus forests, vines and grazing pastures. Only reds - Tannat, Pinot Noir and Tempranillo varieties - are produced here: the harvest begins mid-February, lasting up until the end of March. The property is listed in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio.

The sky-blue hued estancia buildings and its grounds overflow with museum-pieces of bygone times: vintage cars once used by the estate, old tractors, and relics of a previous wine-making era. Besides wine tasting activities, you can spend your days relaxing by the outdoor pool and pretty colonial-style patio, sample the estancia’s home-made cheeses and preserves or take a bicycle out along the quiet country lanes.

This little boutique style hotel brings warmth and character to the fringes of Colonia’s historic quarter, squatting on the banks of the River Plate with huge views over the silvery estuary.

There are only seven "white" guest rooms in the colonial era building, but four room categories, including suites and balcony rooms. They are all certainly easy on the eye with contemporary, Scandinavian-minimalist design featuring lots of luminous white in the furnishings and fabrics juxtaposed with darker rustic stone and wood work. As with most converted colonial buildings, the layout and size of each guest room varies and while most face the cobbled streets of old Colonia, the balcony suite has a river view.

There is an attractive breakfast area, al fresco bar and a bistro restaurant which is open to the public, as well as a small riverside garden where you can enjoy the watery vistas.

All the guest rooms have minibar, coffee machine, free Wi-fi, a huge flat screen TV, air/c on and heating. There are four categories of rooms, from Junior to Grand Suite. In relation to similar properties in Buenos Aires, the hotel is also excellent value for money.