Hotel Fasano Las Piedras appears to be deep in the rural countryside of Uruguay. But don't be fooled; "The Hamptons of South America" is a mere 15 minutes away.
The latest venture by the Fasano Brazilian hotel family—its first outside of Brazil—is the beautiful and secluded Hotel Fasano Las Piedras in La Barra, Uruguay. It is indeed a quiet getaway, intended as a respite from the glamorous beaches of nearby jet-setter capital Punta del Este. The design of Las Piedras is a clear departure from the ultra-modern (and often showy) tourism-industry architecture of the area. But again, make no mistake: The rustic-chic villas didn't land here by accident, and are just as good for recovering from—as they are for launching—a glamorous night on the town.
Photography by FG +SG – Fotografia de Arquitectura.
Above: The cabins are oriented toward rolling plains, a pine forest, and an estuary, and each has a private patio and unobstructed view.
Above: The interiors are far from minimal, featuring down-filled pillows and generous supplies of books and artwork.
Above: Unlike their other hotels, the latest Fasano offers luxury via understatement.
Above: Floors are made from local fieldstone, and bull horns evoke the Uruguayan cattle farming tradition.
Above: A strong interior/exterior contrast is at play. Inside the minimal concrete box, the lobby offers more rustic Uruguayan styling.
Above: Inside and out, the buildings proffer low profiles and emphasize horizontal lines. Here, a cozy and well-stocked library.
Above: A deep outdoor pool looks almost native, nestled among the rocks.
Above: Lacking visible windows, the structures suggest little about the comfort within.
Above: The pool room calls attention to one thing only: the lush landscape beyond.
Above: At nightfall, the cool gray structures emanate a warm glow, perhaps suggesting a night on the town.
Above: Sleek stone and concrete boxes are the bungalows of Las Piedras, designed by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld.
Looking for more inspiration? View 58 photos of contemporary Rustic Hotels in our new Gallery of rooms and spaces.