A weekend at Bahia Vik, Jose Ignacio
A Luxurious End to a South American Adventure: Bahia Vik, José Ignacio
Ever since my last stay at the incredibly beautiful VIK Chile resort and winery, I have been a fan of VIK Retreats – a small selection of fine boutique hotels in Uruguay, Chile, and soon to be opening in Brazil. With three resorts in the chic seaside town of José Ignacio, a bit north of the dazzling beach resort Punta del Este in Uruguay, VIK Retreats are part of the success story of what was once an untouched fishing village. Years ago, this little beach resort was a secret enclave for wealthy porteños (citizens of Buenos Aires) until Norwegian billionaire Alex Vik first arrived. His mother was Uruguayan (the daughter of the country’s ambassador to Norway), which is why the power couple decided to settle in this cozy corner of South America after their first family visit. A few years later, their real estate holdings grew, and they started operating their homes as small hotels. This was a response to the huge demand for a luxury beachside vacation rather than a profit-driven venture. From the rural Estancia VIK, they developed the stylish Playa VIK and then introduced their latest property among the three: Bahia VIK. Even though Bahia VIK is also VIK Retreat’s largest property with 49 suites, it is my favorite among all of them. It’s all about the airy and light design, the vast grounds, and the direct beach access.
First Impressions
Having arrived by plane from Rio de Janeiro, where we had very mixed experiences that included an entire day sick in bed, we were pleasantly welcomed by sunny and warm Uruguay in late October. The cleaner and less humid air made us feel much better instantly, and the two-hour drive from Montevideo’s Carrasco airport to José Ignacio felt like an easy hop. I highly recommend driving through Punta del Este to get a first glimpse of this posh coastal area. Right at the beginning of José Ignacio, on the right side, lies a luxury condominium with a very elegant gate. There are no signs indicating the hotel, but I had done my homework and knew exactly which road to take to reach Bahia VIK. Once we entered the main door, we were warmly welcomed by a bellman and a front desk attendant. Check-in was conducted while seated at the welcome desk, and since I had already sent our passports pre-stay, they only needed to pre-authorize my credit card. After a lovely short tour introducing us to the main facilities, we found ourselves in Suite “Lopez Laje,” right across the courtyard. Located on the ground floor, our suite had direct access to the garden and the pools, featuring a partial sea view from inside and a direct sea view from the terrace.
what a difference art makes
I have to say that staying in an art hotel such as Bahia VIK comes with its downsides as well. Each room has been designed individually, and unless you have found the perfect suite matching your exact taste, the hotel staff will allocate one for you. Though I liked the layout, location, and views from our suite, the smell of the paint on the wall was a little bit disturbing. We had to open the windows twice daily for half an hour to neutralize the scent and make it less intense. The positive side is that you will never stay in the same room again during your upcoming visits, which makes this place a lot more interesting (unless you make it to 49 stays – at that point, I suggest buying real estate in Uruguay, which comes with a lot of tax benefits). Not only is the artwork different from suite to suite, but the entire furniture setup is also one-of-a-kind. There are just a handful of things that all the rooms have in common: the fantastic beds with posh linens by the Italian brand Frette, a complimentary minibar with still and sparkling water as well as soft drinks, heavenly towels, and the VIK-branded toiletries (which smelled excellent and were of high quality) along with other guest amenities.
a scenic setting
Housekeeping provided service twice daily, including a turndown service where they supplied additional water and closed the curtains to the huge floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. I also loved the small welcome pastry along with a handwritten letter that made us feel truly welcome upon arrival. Another highlight of staying at a VIK Retreat is the absence of a television, which draws attention to the art and the stunning scenery. Whether you find yourself in a suite at VIK Chile overlooking Chilean vineyards, at Estancia VIK gazing into the Pampas, or simply watching the rough Atlantic Ocean from Playa and Bahia VIK, the dramatic outdoor scenes can truly compete with any TV show. I would have appreciated the possibility of playing music in the suite; a Bluetooth music bar would be a great addition. Each suite comes with an individually designed bathroom that has double sinks, a toilet, a huge rain shower, and a deep free-standing bathtub. The main bedroom always features an armchair or sofa, a writing desk, a sideboard, the massive double bed, and ample wardrobe space.
Get out and about to explore the local cuisine
Having stayed at the end of October, the season had just begun for VIK Retreats, and José Ignacio was therefore still in hibernation. This left us with limited dining options, which is definitely not the same as visiting during the high season. Instead of partying at the uber-posh La Huella until late at night, we found ourselves dining at the restaurant of Playa VIK, being the only guests present, while another hotel guest watched TV right next to the tables. This definitely ruined our first evening, and I would have wished VIK Retreats carried out their concept of not having televisions throughout the entire properties. They tried hard to make the dishes look sophisticated, but in the end, the descriptions sounded odd, and the taste did not match. This leads me to suggest that they focus on classics rather than experimenting too much with food. On the other hand, breakfast at Bahia VIK was top-notch. The selection was very limited, with a small buffet, but all items were of high quality, and the four offered à la carte dishes were all excellent. This is the right way to do breakfast: a mix of a small buffet and a selection of à la carte dishes gives the entire experience a sophisticated touch. Even the sandwiches at the pool at Bahia VIK were simple yet mouth-watering – though the prices were on the pricier side.
Talking about the costs
Having stayed at Fasano in Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis, as well as the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires before coming to Bahia VIK, we had a clear sense of what constituted appropriate charges for extras at luxury hotels in South America. First of all, all charges at VIK resorts are in USD and not in UYU (Peso Uruguayo), which I found very strange. It’s worth noting that tourists paying F&B charges with their foreign credit cards in Peso Uruguayo get the VAT refunded by their credit institute. Since we were charged in US Dollars at VIK, this did not apply. The most astonishing charge was $20 for homemade lemonade at Estancia VIK. I agree with the prices at Bahia VIK, though: espresso at $5, sparkling water at $5, five fried fish balls for $25, and a steak burger for $25. Horseback riding cost $180 for two, and even though it was scheduled for one hour, our amazing guide and gaucho extended it for free, which was very generous. Well, don’t think this is just a VIK thing. José Ignacio is a hotspot for the uber-wealthy, so make sure to expect European prices. In the end, the atmosphere and the level of quality make up for the sky-high prices. It’s just something to bear in mind when visiting this special corner of the world.
what makes this place stand out
Let’s talk about what makes Bahia VIK so unique. First of all, it’s the amazing design, with each suite being designed by a different Uruguayan designer. You have the choice between a suite in the main building if you prefer to be close to the main facilities, or a suite in one of the several bungalows. Next time, I would definitely opt for one of the airy seaside suites (Surf Suite and Notas Suite) in the Vidro Bungalow. Imagine waking up and opening the sliding door to find the sun shimmering on the Atlantic while you feel the sand beneath your feet. Three amazing infinity pools in black stone match the elegant atmosphere of this upscale seaside resort. For those wanting a challenge, there is a pool table as the centrepiece of the bar area or an entire game room just next to the hotel’s chic boutique. Service was friendly and welcoming. They did a great job for a Uruguayan luxury hotel; however, there is room for improvement to truly be considered top-notch or upscale. For about $290 a night (which is what they charged when we stayed in late October), Bahia VIK is an incredible resort for a flawless seaside vacation in one of South America’s safest countries. Bear in mind that prices can go well beyond $1,000 for a forest-facing suite in high season, which is incredibly expensive.
Final Thoughts
As I left José Ignacio, I felt a profound sense of gratitude—not just for the impeccable stay, but for the opportunity to end my South American route on such a high note. Bahia Vik is a place that invites you to slow down, reconnect, and savor the beauty of life—a philosophy I’ll carry with me until my next visit. There is no doubt I will be returning to Uruguay and José Ignacio, as it is one of my few happy places around the world and a safe haven when in South America. If Bahia VIK maintains its high standards and invests in light refurbishments during their seasonal closing, I will, without hesitation, book this resort again over all other properties. And yes, here you go: VIK remains my favorite hotel brand in South America, and despite the high price tag for extras, Bahia VIK is my favorite hotel in South America.
Disclaimer: We paid for this hotel stay and the property was unaware of our presence. As usual, this review has not been influenced and represents the author’s opinion.
