Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa
Montevideo, Uraguay
Rambla Republica de Mexico 6451, Montevideo, Uraguay, 11500
Original Property Opened in 1921
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2025
At the beginning of the 20th century, Uruguayan businessman Alfredo Arocena envisioned bringing the charming seaside architecture of Saint-Tropez, France to the Carrasco shoreline in Montevideo, Uruguay. Completed in 1921 and named Hotel Casino Carrasco, the grand hotel became known as the palace in the sand. Hotel Casino Carrasco achieved landmark status, defining the skyline for the neighborhood, hosting locals in its splendid halls, and attracting international visitors like Albert Einstein. In 1975, the hotel was listed as a National Historic Landmark, but the palatial structure needed revitalization by the turn of the 21st century.
Sofitel restored the grand hotel using historic preservation techniques and stories from those who had experienced the historic hotel’s dazzling splendor. With luxurious style and sweeping shoreline views, Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa is a vacation destination, striking landmark, and international hub in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Discover
- Discover the palatial ballroom at Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa. During renovations, the original moldings were discovered and then filled with gold powder and silver inlays to maintain the striking appearance of the domed ceiling.
- View the hotel’s beautiful stained glass which reflects the coastal sunshine. The current versions of the building’s windows were remade by Rubén Freire, a descendant of the Uruguayan artist who created the originals.
- Discover the striking façade of Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco, known as the palace in the sand. The two turrets of the palatial hotel create a dramatic silhouette that can be seen from all corners of the historic Carrasco neighborhood. The hotel terrace stretches along Montevideo’s coastal promenade provides the perfect place to watch daily life. The coastal Carrasco neighborhood was designed by landscape architect Carlos Thays in the early 20th century.
Explore
- Visit the Plaza Artola and find the replica of the bench where Albert Einstein sat and spoke with the Uruguayan writer Carlos Vaz Ferreira in 1925. As part of a South American university lecture tour, Einstein stayed in Montevideo and visited Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa, then known as Hotel Carrasco.
- Walk, bike, or skate along the avenue called “La Rambla,” a 22-kilometer-long coastal promenade with beaches, parks, and city views. The word “Rambla” comes from the Arabic term “ramlah,” meaning a stretch of sand. Because the Uruguayan coastline is integral to daily life, the nation has protected these promenades for public use and proposed their inclusion as historic monuments.
- Explore the rich cultural heritage of Uruguay. See distinctive regional art at the Pre-Columbian Art Museum and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Or view a Tango performance, a style of dance sharing roots with neighboring Buenos Aires and recognized as UNESCO heritage.
Experience
- Experience the Solis Theater, a monumental theater built in 1856. Offering a diverse performing arts program, Solis Theater is among South America’s oldest theaters. Visitors can join a building tour or enjoy a performance on one of the three stages.
- Experience Montevideo’s scenic estuary shores, where the Paraná River and the Paraguay River meet in the River Plate and empty into the Atlantic Ocean. Relax at Carrasco beach or travel up the river to historic towns like Colonia del Sacramento to see some of the oldest lighthouses in the region.
- Experience the annual horse race, the Gran Premio Ramírez, held in Montevideo on January 6 nearly every year since 1889. The life-sized horse lamps in Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa honor the city’s long tradition.
Taste
- Dine at Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa. The gastronomy team at the historic hotel proudly serves locally sourced and sustainable fine cuisine at 1921 Restaurant and Bar. Whether enjoying a nightcap or an afternoon tea, Bar Sofitel on the ground floor offers coastal views and a relaxing ambiance.
- Savor Uruguayan wine. Uruguay’s national grape is the Tannat, a red grape named for its high tannic content which produces full-bodied wines. Pair a Uruguayan wine with a meal at 1921 Restaurant and Bar or visit a local vineyard in the region to discover a new favorite.
- Visit Port Market, a bustling plaza from the 19th century located on Montevideo Bay’s harbor. The market is filled with restaurants and vendors, and visitors can watch the preparation of local dishes like barbecue and seafood.
- Taste the national beverage of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay called mate (pronounced “mah-tay”). Mate is a caffeinated herbal drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, a member of the holly family. Traditionally ground into a paste and brewed in hot or cold water, the caffeinated ingredient can also be found in carbonated soft drinks.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offer
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
