Don Boutique Hotel Montevideo stands on Piedras street in Ciudad Vieja, the old town on the peninsula, right beside the port. The Port Market is a minute away on foot and the harbour about two minutes, which makes it one of the handiest addresses in the city for anyone arriving or leaving by ferry from Buenos Aires. Rooms range from Standard rooms with a queen bed or twin beds to a Superior Double and a Deluxe Suite with a king bed. Public spaces include a rooftop terrace with a poolside bar, a seasonal outdoor pool with sun loungers, a garden, a coffee shop and a regional restaurant called El Palenque. Bike rentals and tour and ticket assistance are available at the desk, and the staff can help organise day trips.
Location and getting around
Ciudad Vieja is where Montevideo began, a grid of narrow streets, Art Deco facades, plazas, museums and cafes on a peninsula jutting into the River Plate. From the hotel the Port Market, famous for its grill restaurants, is about a minute away, the Rambla is under ten minutes on foot, the Cathedral about eleven and the Solis Theatre about fourteen. The central railway station is a short drive, and the ferry terminal for crossings to Buenos Aires is close by, so bags do not have to travel far.
Carrasco International Airport is a longer drive, usually forty minutes or more, so book a transfer in advance or use a taxi. After dark the streets around the port are quieter than the centre, so many guests take a taxi back from late dinners, which is common advice for the old town in general.
Rooms and facilities
All room types sleep two, with the Deluxe Suite offering the most space. Rooms have air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi is provided in public areas. The rooftop terrace and the seasonal pool are the main draw in summer, with sun loungers and a poolside bar, although the pool and bar do not run all year, so check what is open for your dates.
Regional dishes are served at El Palenque, and breakfast arrangements vary by rate. Self-parking is available for a daily fee, and an airport shuttle can be arranged on request. Pets are not allowed. The building has character, and some guests find that the rooms and finishes show their age, which is worth remembering if you expect a brand-new feel.
Who it suits
Couples, history lovers and first-time visitors who want to be inside the old town, plus travellers taking an early or late ferry. It is a good fit if you like to stroll to the Port Market for lunch, wander the pedestrian streets and be among the museums and cafes without needing a taxi. It is less suited to guests who want a beach on the doorstep, for whom Pocitos or Carrasco is better.
Good to know
The location scores lower with some guests because the port area quietens at night, rates are often moderate for the quality of the setting, and the best value is usually outside the summer high season. Check cancellation terms and breakfast when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Rooftop terrace with poolside bar
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓Regional restaurant El Palenque
- ✓Coffee shop and garden
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in public areas
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Bike rentals
- ✓Tour and ticket assistance
Good questions
Is Don Boutique close to the Port Market?+
Yes, the Port Market is about a minute on foot, and the harbour is a couple of minutes away.
Is it a good base for the ferry to Buenos Aires?+
Yes, it is close to the port, so it suits travellers arriving or leaving by ferry.
Does it have a pool?+
There is a seasonal outdoor pool with sun loungers and a rooftop terrace, so check what is open for your dates.
