Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel

The huge lobby at the Radisson is an impressive welcome to the hotel: a black piano stands in one corner, and decor throughout includes gold accents, marble floors, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows, all working together to create a sense of grandeur and class. Furniture has a contemporary look, with a mid-20th-century twist. Black, white, and gray sofas and chairs are set about the massive space for guests to mingle, check email, and conduct their business. The atmosphere is only fitting for the Radisson’s central location right in Montevideo’s business district, overlooking Plaza Independencia. Unfortunately, the hotel's contemporary swank is uneven, and while some venues, like Bar del Puente, are stylish and modern, others are less up-to-date, like the decor in the hotel's main restaurant, Arcadia. There are plenty of destinations to keep business travelers happy on site, including a full gym with a track, a pool with proper swimming lanes, a spa, and a beauty salon. Flocks of international tourists and families also pass through, drawn by the hotel's proximity to Ciudad Vieja.   

The hotel is located on Plaza Independencia, what many travelers consider to be the center of Montevideo. It sits within the city's Centro, or business district, and it's less than a 10-minute walk to Ciudad Vieja, the photogenic historic district. The hotel is also close to popular museums, theaters, and churches, like the Catedral Metropolitana de Montevideo, seven minutes away, and Teatro Solis, a five-minute walk from the hotel. Popular restaurants are nearby as well, like La Corte (six minutes away on foot), Rara Avis (a four-minute walk), and El Fogon (an 11-minute walk). In meat-mad Montevideo, vegetarians are in luck as La Vegetariana restaurant is just a 15-minute walk away from the hotel. Montevideo's iconic waterfront promenade, La Rambla, is an 11-minute drive from the hotel, while a cab to the trendier Pocitos and Punta Carretas neighborhoods will take about 15 minutes. The Tres Cruces bus station is a 10-minute drive, and the international airport takes about 40 minutes to reach. Ferries to Buenos Aires depart from the Terminal Fluviomaritima, less than 10 minutes away by car or cab. 

Like the hotel's common areas, the rooms themselves are an uneven blend of modern features and dated decor. Furniture has classic lines and comes in handsome hardwood tones, but when combined with details that can include striped wallpaper, floral bedspreads, heavy drapes, chunky armchairs, and pastel wall art, the overall impression isn't exactly fresh. Rooms are spacious, with minibars, quiet air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs, but there are upkeep issues including gloomy lighting, and some doors and windows that don’t close properly. Unused outlets are sparse too (except in the bathrooms), which is disappointing for business travelers. An array of room sizes are available, and the Queen Suite that we saw had some lovely accents, like polished hardwood floors, giant windows, marble-topped dressers, antique pieces, and extremely comfy four-poster beds with top-quality linens. Some rooms on upper floors also have lovely views of the city. Most bathrooms are straightforward affairs, with decent-size vanities and shower/tub combos. The Queen Suite had attractive details like wooden cabinets and dual-sink granite vanities, plus a jetted tub and separate walk-in shower. Noise from neighboring rooms and the street can be an issue in some rooms. 

Like any solid business hotel, the Radisson has an impressive list of on-site features, perhaps the most striking of which is the indoor pool, which has nearly Olympic proportions, is suitable for swimming proper laps, and resides in an atrium-like room that gets abundant natural light. The hotel's fitness center offers a good selection of modern cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights, as well as a 100-meter indoor track. The Spa Victoria services include massage and beauty treatments alongside a sauna and hot tub, and there are both a hair and nail salon on site. 

The hotel counts the fusty Restaurant Arcadia on the 25th floor among its various dining rooms. An excellent breakfast buffet is served here that's included with room rates. The lobby Bistro Victoria offers light snacks and lunch meals, and Bar del Puente is a stylish spot for specialty cocktails as well as local wine and beer. Twenty-four-hour room service is also available. 

There is a business center on site plus an exhibition area and several meeting rooms including the Miro, Gaugin and Kandinsky rooms, each accommodating up to 140 people. Video conferencing services are available. Though the hotel also has an on-site casino, we weren't able to see it when we visited. Free Wi-Fi is limited, with most guests only receiving 1 MB per day, though this varies depending on bookings. Guests are advised to check ahead.