Letters from Uruguay: Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa, Tango inspired Opulence

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual journeys, welcome to the new series of travelogues on the Mr.M blog. April, as well as the following months, will be dedicated to one unusual continent – South America, I will show you the countries that I had the opportunity to visit and I am sure that you will enjoy it and want to spend your vacation in one of the destinations. At the very beginning of today’s travelogue, where I will do my best to show you the beauty of the luxury of the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel, I would like to thank The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), local ministries of tourism, national tourism organizations, as well as other partners who selflessly supported my adventure in South America. With their help, travelogues from several countries were created, as well as numerous fashion stories that you will have the opportunity to read during this series of posts, and I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the new adventure.

Posts from Uruguay were created with the selfless help of the The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa.

Hotel Casino Carrasco, also known as Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa is a hotel and historic building in Montevideo, located on Rambla de Montevideo in the Carrasco neighborhood.

What is the historical background of this imposing hotel? The construction of the Hotel Casino Carrasco began in 1921, with the formation of a corporation called “Balneario Carrasco”, which was conceived by Alfredo Arocena with the aim of building a hotel in the former Spa Carrasco. This corporation was responsible for recruiting the French-Argentinean landscape designer Carlos Theis to design and transform the entire area into a magnificent garden complex. Then the construction of the Carrasco Hotel, named in honor of the first owner of the land, Sebastián Carrasco, began.

The construction of the hotel began in 1912, under the leadership and design of the architects Gaston Malet and the Swiss Jacques Dinan, who also collaborated with the Uruguayan architect Felix Elena. The outbreak of World War I interrupted and halted construction, leaving it abandoned for nine years. The municipality of Montevideo subsequently received the land and the unfinished monumental building to continue construction and finally opened it on January 29, 1921.

This building enjoyed its golden age until the middle of the 20th century. Many celebrities have stayed in its rooms, such as the physicist Albert Einstein during his visit in 1925 and the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca in 1934.

The building closed its doors in 2009 to begin renovation work by Carrasco Nobile Sociedad Anonima, which was completed in 2013. The hotel is currently managed by the Sofitel hotel chain (a luxury hotel brand from the Accor Group) and the Codere casino company. The hotel was officially reopened on March 7, 2013. The opening of the building and the activities carried out there brought economic and social changes in the Carrasco neighborhood, especially with real estate and business investments.

Just a few minutes from the international airport, the historic Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel enjoys a privileged location facing the beach. It is located near the La Plata River, one of the most prestigious locations in the city.

The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel has 116 rooms, a lobby bar, a 450-seat conference center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center. It is also the first Sofitel brand hotel in the region to have a casino. This hotel also offers a French gastro restaurant called 1921, which refers to the year the hotel was founded.

Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel also has in its offer the new exclusive Sofitel So SPA concept, a modern large space for the well-being of the mind and beauty. According to the management of the Sofitel hotel brand, Montevideo is an important destination in Latin America because of its potential for growth, its tourist attraction and its stable economy. What I noticed is that Montevideo is a city with quite a lot of potential and that the Sofitel has managed to position itself as one of the most luxurious hotels of its class in the region, including a luxury casino with a space for holding special events.

During my visit to Montevideo, I had the honour and pleasure to feel the charms of luxury and convince myself once again of the superior Sofitel service by staying in the IMPERIAL SUIT with one King size bed with a beautiful view of the Río de la Plata. Exclusive access to sophisticated luxury, where you can enjoy the exclusive comfort of the Imperial Suite, where the furnished terrace offers a beautiful view of Carrasco and Rio de la Plata.

The interior of the apartment is decorated with wooden paneling, rich textures and plush furniture, evoking the endless elegance and lightness of refined architecture. Moments of indulgence at the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel include long soaks in the Roman bath and restful mornings with use of the in-room yoga equipment. It’s the kind of rest we all always need.

This suit of 180 square meters can accommodate a maximum of 3 people and for comfort there is the possibility of adding one extra bed for an adult or for a child upon notification to the Sofitel reservation team. You always have access to high-speed Wi-Fi internet and you always have fresh still bottled water and a mini bar. All Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa rooms are elegantly and refinedly designed so that you can fully indulge in enjoyment and relaxation during your visit to Montevideo.

For true hedonists who know how to enjoy rich flavors, the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel has the best entrant on the lists of the best restaurants in Montevideo, Restaurant 1921 revives the elegant and sophisticated regional culinary tradition with the ardor of a modern sensibility. Experience classic food based on local flavors and sustainable practices. While our sommelier helps you choose the perfect wine, immerse yourself in the feeling of retro luxury created by the rich decor and historic architecture. Restaurant 1921 is dedicated to local and organic products and carbon-free production methods.

Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa is where indulgence is the new wellness. Soothing music and fragrances set the scene for transformative experiences at the Sofitel Spa. Enter a world of rejuvenation and a touch of luxury where you will renew your mind and body, where you can strengthen your immune system in the hammam before enjoying a restorative massage or facial. After a workout in the fitness center, find your balance in the dry sauna or in the peaceful secret garden. Indoor and outdoor heated pools also offer serene relaxation. Planning a special occasion? Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure before choosing the perfect outfit.

In the next post I will share with you a fashion story from Montevideo, I am sure you will enjoy it. My dear travellers, we have come to the end of this second special travelogue from Uruguay where we enjoyed the review of the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel in the series of travelogues about Uruguay where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this unusual country in South America. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa in collaboration with local partners who allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of local culture and the beauty of everyday life in Montevideo. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey to you my impressions of this unusual experience from Uruguay.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with many companies and businessmen in the tourism sector and I would like to thank The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa for this incredible adventure and for allowing me to feel the beauty of this unusual Uruguayan culture in a completely different way and to feel the beauty of everyday life in Montevideo.

How did you like my story about the Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa Hotel and the presentation of this Uruguayan Tango inspired opulence that adorns the heart of this unusual capital of a country in South America? Have you had the chance to visit Montevideo and beautiful Uruguay so far?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Montevideo,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by the The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), The Ministry of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and The Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco Hotel and Spa and other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.