What is the experience like in an all-inclusive hotel in Punta del Este and two proposals in destinations in Argentina

Everything solved: accommodation, meals, drinks, entertainment -Kid’s Club for boys; proposals for teenagers; walks or zumba for adults; lounge chairs and an umbrella on the beach that is right there, as if it were part of the complex.

Everything solved: for those who want to get up early and take advantage of the array of flavors at breakfast – with omelettes and custom smoothies, waffles, pancakes with dulce de leche, a variety of fruits and freshly squeezed orange juice, for example -, or for the one who wants to stay in bed for a while longer and have something to drink later.

There are intermediate snacks for those who can’t last until lunch or dinner time; popcorn for when you feel like it; a coffee with something sweet for a snack, colorful drinks – with or without alcohol – and beers to enjoy the sunset or for the night of dancing after the show at the theater.

He all inclusive Uncle Tom Arenas of Punta del Este is at km 115.5 of the Interbalnearia Route, has four hectares of park next to the sea and defines itself as “the first all-inclusive” in this destination.

The history of the hotel began in the 60s, but the all-inclusive was implemented a couple of years ago and is a success for those who want vacations on the beaches from Uruguay with controlled expenses.

It has about 70 bungalows (it hopes to add more in the coming years), a central swimming pool, a gym overlooking the green park, games for children and a restaurant called L’Galeón with themed menus that vary during the week.

You can cross from Buenos Aires by boat with the car to Colonia or Montevideo.

For those who do not have a car, the Colonia Express bus (which covers the Buenos Aires – Colonia route) stops on the route, two blocks from the entrance.

Once you enter, you don’t take out your wallet again.

He “Ma I’m hungry” that we parents are inevitably afraid to hear half an hour after lunch, here it is solved: the buffet lunch has options for all tastes (meat, pasta, cakes, salads, fish, pizzas, etc.), and if anyone wakes up appetite later… those behind the bar tackle the situation with hamburgers, fries or succulent smoothies.

Beyond the infrastructure, much of what Uncle Tom is about lies in the good vibes from the staff, which makes the stay a great experience: Hernán in charge of the walks or the ping pong tournament, Yuyo dedicated to the pizzas, Elián and his passion for pasta; Ale, who is attentive to the drinks; Luis, who takes care of the smoothies, or Danilo, who welcomes everyone with a smile and answers questions.

“Uncle Tom has experienced a constant growth year after year thanks to local and international tourism,” says Roberto Planas, director of the complex, which has very high demand until Easter. “It’s a great product, a great solution for families,” he adds.

The facilities offered by an all-inclusive resort like this also position it as a “meeting point” in which you can see some “families”. It is the possibility of getting together to enjoy without having to negotiate about household chores, schedules or activity preferences.

Once the extra long weekend is over, Uncle Tom will close its doors until next summer seasonwhich will begin in November.

Planas anticipates that among the closest projects he has in mind temper the water in the external pool and add one indoor pool y paddle courts.

The afternoon inevitably finds many of us on the beach, with our gaze fixed on the horizon. He sunset is spectacular and encourages promises to return.

When one says “all inclusive” one quickly thinks of the resorts in the Caribbean -where this system is widespread-, in Brazil -where it is beginning to set a trend-, or directly of brands such as Club Med, which implements this system in its resorts in everyone.

In Argentina it is not the most common, but there are some very interesting proposals.

One of them is Bolacuá, in Entre Ríosone more option country two hours by car from Buenos Aires on route 14.

“The only thing that is not included are the massages,” says Andrea Rodríguez, director of this all-inclusive complex located in Gualeguaychú that offers food and drinks at all hours, sports activities, with animals, horse and cart rides, fishing, karaoke, three swimming pools – one with water slides -, bingo and more.

In low season it is easier to get a place, but in high season reservations must be made in advance.

On the other hand, Los Pinos Resort & Thermal Spa proposes “a multisensory experience that includes gastronomy, activities organized by the recreation teams, sports activities in the facilities (gym, tennis, etc.), enjoying the outdoor or heated swimming pools,” defines its director, Alejandro Suffredini.

Los Pinos is in Las Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero. And here the destination is also seen as a “meeting point” to which Planas referred in Punta del Este. A resort chosen by several generations of the same family as a meeting and reunion center, where each one designs their own experience.