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Art-forward ultra-luxury beach compound. Modernist architecture meets loose, bohemian beach-town energy. More private home than hotel, with a casual warmth that feels completely at odds with how expensive it is.
Book the Experience Concierge before arrival — they'll build a custom itinerary and their knowledge of the region is exceptional.
Why It Matters
Designed by Carlos Ott and owned by American entrepreneurs Alex and Carrie Vik, Playa Vik is one of South America's most architecturally distinctive properties. The 75-foot Black Absolute Nero granite infinity pool has a fiber-optic map of the southern hemisphere's night sky embedded in its floor. The wine cellar holds up to 5,000 bottles. Art by Turrell, Hadid, and Kiefer is just on the walls. Cielomar is Uruguay's first fully gluten-free restaurant.
This is what happens when a billionaire art collector and his wife decide to build a beach house and open it to guests. Playa Vik sits directly on Playa Mansa in José Ignacio, designed by Carlos Ott — the same architect behind Paris's Opéra Bastille — and packed floor-to-ceiling with works by James Turrell, Zaha Hadid, and Anselm Kiefer. The centrepiece is the 'Sculpture,' a 55-foot titanium-and-glass building fronted by a hand-cast bronze door by Pablo Atchugarry, with a 75-foot cantilevered infinity pool hovering 32 feet above the beach below. Six individual casas with wildflower living roofs surround it. The whole compound sleeps a maximum of 40 guests — which is kind of the point.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Caras Suite
A large hand-painted mural covers one wall — immediately the most art-forward of the Sculpture suites. The bathroom has a bespoke carved wooden bathtub that guests either love or find charmingly strange.
King · 65 sqm
Casa José Ignacio
A 97 sq m two-bedroom casa with two private terraces and garden views. Design hallmark is the eye-catching stone floor laid in individual pebbles, plus large framed artworks and handsome wooden wall panelling. The master bedroom has a freestanding bathtub; the guest room has two bunkbeds.
King (master) + Bunkbeds (guest room) · 97 sqmCasa Mar
The largest casa at 145 sq m, with some terraces offering uninterrupted views of Playa Mansa and the Atlantic. Maritime colour scheme, geometric floor patterns, and bathrooms clad in thick slabs of stone. Three bedrooms total — two master kings and a guest single. Sleeps up to 8 with extra beds.
2x King (master) + 1x Single (guest room) · 145 sqmCasa Tierra
Earthy tones throughout — the name means 'earth' and the furnishings deliver on that promise with warm neutrals and natural textures. Two private terraces, wood-burning fireplace, and fully retractable windows that blur interior and garden. Accommodates up to 5 guests.
King (master) + additional bedroom · 97 sqm
Fuerteventura Suite
Modern and masculine — dark-wood floors, brushed metal, riveted steel details that call to mind vintage aircraft and motorcycles. The vibe is industrial-cool with ocean views. Part of the Sculpture building.
King · 65 sqmGarden View Rooms
Nine individually named rooms (Cardozo, Ryokan, Zen, Imbuya, Olmo, Canoa, Sycamore, Lule, Mansa) with garden-facing views. Each has a unique art-driven design — slate floors, wooden paneling, hand-crafted details. At 35 sq m each, smaller than the ocean-view suites but still distinctive.
King · 35 sqmGarden View Rooms with Living Area
Three rooms (Exodus, Damas, Ola) with a dedicated living area — the step up from standard garden-view rooms for those wanting more space without going full casa.
KingValentina Suite
The largest suite in the Sculpture building and the one most people fight over. Inclined floor-to-ceiling windows sweep across the Atlantic and Playa Mansa. Red furniture is the design statement — bold against the light-flooded space. Sleeps 2 only, no extra beds allowed.
King · 85 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The 75-foot cantilevered pool in Black Absolute Nero granite extends from the Patagonian ebony terrace 32 feet above the beach. A fiber-optic map of the southern hemisphere's night sky is embedded in the pool floor — swimming here after dark is genuinely otherworldly. Seasonal (November to March).
The property's collection includes works by James Turrell, Zaha Hadid, Anselm Kiefer, and Pablo Atchugarry. No formal guided tour — the art is simply lived with. The bronze front door by Atchugarry alone is worth a close look.
Direct access to Playa Mansa, a calmer west-facing beach with protected waters and the famous José Ignacio sunset.
The traditional Uruguayan fire pit with comfortable seating on all four sides. The ideal spot for a glass of Vik's own Millahue wine as the sun drops into the Atlantic.
Bike rentals on property; concierge can suggest routes. Some of the best rides go inland toward Estancia Vik through the Uruguayan countryside.
Riding excursions available via sister property Estancia Vik (5.6 miles away), including scenic gallops across open pampas with gauchos. Haras Godiva also runs riding tours along the Atlantic coastline.
Dedicated Experience Concierges arrange everything from private wildlife tours with local naturalists to exclusive access to local artists' studios. They can be consulted before arrival to build a custom itinerary. Arguably one of the best concierge programs in Uruguay.
A spacious playroom with games — perfect for evenings when the Atlantic wind picks up.
Polo lessons and play available at Estancia Vik's private polo field, accessible to Playa Vik guests.
Kayaking, sailing, and water skiing available through the Experience Concierge.
Available through the concierge. José Ignacio's Atlantic-facing Brava beach is the spot for surf.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
All common areas are wheelchair accessible; casas can be reached by lift. No specially adapted rooms.
Included for all guests: buffet of homemade bread and pastries, cereals, fresh fruit, local cheeses, freshly-ground coffee; eggs and waffles to order. 8am–11am.
Available from approximately USD $40/hour.
Small but functional gym. Yoga, Pilates, and other fitness classes held here at extra cost.
A 40-foot wine cellar holding up to 5,000 bottles, including Vik's own Millahue estate wine from Chile (named Best Vineyard in the World by World's 50 Best Vineyards 2025).
Black Absolute Nero granite, fiber-optic star map floor, seasonal (November to March). Cantilevered over the beach.
Property uses solar power, sources food locally and from its own kitchen garden. All bath products are eco-friendly and made bespoke for the hotel.
BUILD YOUR PLAYA VIK JOSE IGNACIO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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