Carmelo Resort & Spa

On the banks of the Rio de la Plata, a 20 minute flight by light aircraft from Buenos Aires; or take your time and hop on the ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia (50 minutes), then travel 90 minutes by road.

Twenty cosy bungalows are nestled amongst pine and eucalyptus trees (a few overlook the river), while the 24 bi-level suites overlooking the pool offer wooden floors, open-beamed ceilings and locally-weaved rugs and throws. All have private terraces, enormous bathrooms, a flatscreen television, wireless internet and an espresso machine.

The hotel’s restaurant, Pura, is decorated in Balinese style and boasts great views out to the pool and river beyond. South American cuisine based on fresh produce from the local farms and markets is the order of the day. Traditional Uruguayan barbecues ('asados') are prepared in the indoor barbecue pit. There’s also an excellent spa, fitness centre and championship golf course, and the two-tier outdoor pool is a real treat.

There’s a wide range of things to do here, from horse riding, polo lessons and tennis to cycling, canoeing and cooking classes. The hotel’s farm, La Estancia, where much of the fresh produce is grown, is well worth a visit for a taste of rural Uruguayan life.