Don't expect 5-star service for a 2-star price. This property has plenty of faults, but I'd stay here again in a minute. Hotel Casapueblo is one-of-a-kind: no other hotel exists like it in the world. It's beautiful, charming, bizarre. The view from the balcony at night is amazing. If you've ever wondered what it's like to crawl inside a Gaudi masterpiece, this is it. Full report, with photos, at [--]

DId't have my reservation on arrival, they gave me a BAD room for the night with noisy pipes and toilet noise all around all night. Next day was treated with contemp by the reception manager and decided to leave. It could be a fenomenal place but it is so badly ran that is not worth staying there, go for drinks at sunset, go to the restaurant for a meal, stay away of the hotel!

Spent about a week here this New Years and while the hotel itself has such incredibly potential -- the cliffside perch and views are absolutely breathtaking and the structure has such wonderful charm -- but... the service was despicable. The front desk staff, when approached regarding the several complaints we voiced (minor complaints) were unwilling to assist and in fact acted offended that we would even suggest switching rooms (due to a bed situation which I have described below) to the point of holding a grudge for the duration of our stay and smirking and whispering each time we passed by the reception desk. The restaurant is terrible, although again, it is stunningly located overlooking the ocean. We waited for 45 minutes for cafe con leche on multiple occasions. On one of these occasions we departed before the coffee arrived because we were late to meet friends in town which is not at all close by. The next morning, when we arrived at the nearly empty restaurant for coffee the waiter unpleasantly informed us that coffee would take at LEAST 20 minutes to arrive before we ordered. It was 45 minutes once again. The breakfast, which we had requested to be inclusive, was an extra twelve US dollars a day per person -- this is for a mini croissant and some defeated looking cold cuts (though i will admit the dulce du leche was delicious). THe one lunch we had at the hotel was the epitome of carelessness -- grilled cheese sandwiches came with waxy, unmelted cheese between two pieces of bread, one toasted to a blackened crisp, one totally uncooked.

Some rooms were absolutely lovely, with windows that opened wide onto terraces overlooking the water and sunset, and hte ensuite kitchens are a wonderful touch. Unfortunately I slept on a bunkbed upon not a mattress but a foam pad spread across the wooden base of the bed. A bed so short I slept with my feet propped up on the footboard if I wanted to straighten my legs.

Another note -- there are 2 pools. The upper level pool is clean-looking, the lower level pool is green and murkey. Apparently it is salt water... however this remains unclear. One member of our group swam in the pool which was so murkey he didn't notice a protruding bit of metal upon which he sliced open his back. That is simply unacceptable and incredibly unhygienic!

Somebody needs to do all visitors to Punta a favor and SAVE this hotel from the disinterest and indifference and downright rudeness of its staff (just a side note the housekeeping staff was very professional and attentive while we were there which was always so refreshing) and the poor condition of some of its rooms. A staff and interior decor refurb would make this hotel the international destination it absolutely could be!

First of all, I want to underline that this hotel is maybe the main landmark in Punta del Este and a tourist attraction itself. This makes it worth visiting.

The hotel is a magical 9-storey mediterranean building hanging from a cliff and facing the sea -actually, the River Plate. The lobby, on the top floor -you access the hotel from the "0" floor and then the other floors are numbered from -1 to -9, as you go down the cliff towards the sea level- is small and cozy and the lifts are quite old. The staff is friendly and helpful.

I think all the gest rooms in the hotel are apartments, and are divided in different categories and sizes, but all have stunning sea views and private terraces. The decor is very simple, maybe too rustic for a hotel of this class, and the furniture is rather dull. Anyway, the view compensates all this.

The hotel also has two outdoor swimming pools facing the sea (one in one of the top floors and the other just steps from the ocean) and a small indoor heated pool, next to the small and not so well appointed gym. Besides, there is a nice restaurant on the lower floor, near one of the pools.

The location is nice for the scenery and the views, in an upscale residential area, but is far away from almost everything. The hotel is about 20 min drive from downtown Punta del Este ("la Península") and 40/60 min from trendy La Barra, the place with the most fashioable beaches, pubs and restaurants.

All in all, I would recommend this hotel because of the beauty of the place, the architectural merits of the building and the fact of stbeing an icon of this wonderful city. But if you want a confortable and conveniently located hotel, go on searching.