Orpheo Express Hotel

Orpheo Express towers over a bustling city block in the center of downtown Montevideo, close to the historic district and major tourist sights. As such, the hotel often attracts tourists who come for the convenient location and affordable rates. They might be found chatting in Portuguese or English at the pleasant, bright cafe, or lounging on the couches in the contemporary lobby filled with sharp, neutral-toned furniture. Overall, there aren't many places for guests to hang out and lounge -- this isn't a destination hotel by any stretch of the imagination. The hotel is a solid choice for those looking for a clean and super-convenient place to rest at night with a good deal more style than some of the fustier, old school hotels in the area. Most guests here are couples and families, though business guests and solo travelers are also drawn to the reasonable rates.

Like any true express hotel, the Orpheo benefits from its prime location right in Montevideo's business district, the Centro. It's a 10-minute walk to the fringes of the utterly photogenic Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo's historic district that's filled with plenty of museums, cafes, and restaurants. El Fogon and La Corte are both authentic Uruguayan restaurants within 10 minutes on foot, in addition to a number of other dining options, all within a 10- to 15-minute walk. Plaza Independencia is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. The terminal for ferries to Buenos Aires is less than 10 minutes away by taxi depending on traffic, while the trendier Punta Carretas neighborhood -- home to nightlife, boutiques, cafes, and more -- is 15 minutes away by car. The city's famous waterfront promenade, La Rambla, is also a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel. The international airport takes up to 40 minutes to reach from the hotel.   

The 105 rooms here are sharp and modern, with light wood veneer accents in the floors and furniture alongside mostly bare white walls. The look is simple, and is brightened up by red bed runners on white linens and the occasional framed piece of abstract art. There are various nooks and crannies for storage, which is not just helpful, but necessary, as the rooms are compact -- there’s just enough space to squeeze past the bed to the desk at the window in most rooms. The beds are comfortable, and there are individual lights and enough outlets to satisfy techie travelers. Rooms include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes, but there are no microwaves or mini-fridges. The tiled bathrooms are brightly lit and the walk-in showers have good water pressure, but a sewer-like smell emanates from the pipes in some rooms, though it’s subtle enough to ignore for a one- or two-night stay. The bathrooms could also use a bit of upkeep -- we saw dirty grout near shower drains and some drain covers knocked out of place. Additionally, many rooms on lower floors pick up loud traffic noise just outside the window from the busy street below, which lessens only slightly at night. 

There aren't too many features at this express hotel, but there are a few nice perks worth mentioning. Breakfast is straightforward: croissants, bread, juice, and coffee -- it's nothing too fancy, but it’s free and plentiful. The on-site cafe also offers snacks, beer, and some light dinner options at surprisingly reasonable prices for the location. There is a computer station next to the lobby with a handful of PCs available for guests. Wi-Fi is also free and mostly functional, though it can be a bit spotty in the rooms. The hotel's gym is on the top floor, and while it’s quite small, the cardio machines are up-to-date and the big sunny windows offer a lovely view of the downtown area. There are no free weights or weight machines. The hotel can arrange a variety of services for additional fees, including airport transfers, casino and beach shuttles, and laundry.