Las Piedras Fasano

When the cult-favorite Fasano Hotel brand opened its new spa retreat in Punta del Este, in-the-know jet-setters started packing their bags. Like the company’s urban properties in Rio and Sao Paulo, Las Piedras is a serious design destination thanks to Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, who opted for cowhide walls and sheepskin rugs in 32 guest casas that dot 1,800 acres of grassland. Though set away from the beach, the resort, which faces a bird-filled estuary and pine forest, is poised between three worlds—bustling Punta del Este, stylish Jose Ignacio, and the quiet countryside. It also shines in every season: in summer (November through February), the white-sand beaches of Punta del Este are a short shuttle-ride away; in spring and fall, guests spend the days on horseback rides and bike tours and evenings in hotel-hosted tango lessons; and in winter, the two restaurants are cozy gathering spots for travelers who prefer to enjoy the rustic estancia without the well-heeled crowds.