Tag Archives: Punta del Este

Top 5: Destinations to ring in the New Year

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With my second favorite holiday right around the corner, New Years Eve is one of the most spectacular and wild nights of the year! It’s an excuse to drink fancy champagne and dance until the sun comes up, I mean, who doesn’t love New Years? We’ve put together the Top 5 most over-the-top New Years Eve extravaganzas and the hottest places to ring in 2015.

 

Rio de Janeiro

 

Since it’s practically summer in Rio, this is going to be one of the hottest spots to celebrate the big 2015. People swarm the beaches and their adjoining bars, with Copacabana Beach being the center of attention. Don’t forget to pack your best white outfit, since it’s customary to wear white on New Years (it’s said to bring good luck!). Just don’t be mad when you’re doused in champagne and glitter.

Stay:

-Copacabana Palace

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-Fasano

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Eat:

-Fasano Al Mare

-Azumi

-Pérgula

-Zuka

Nightlife:

-Mirori

-Club Praia

-Fosfobox

 

Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

 

Although a lesser-known New Years Eve spot for the USA group, this is one of the biggest hotspots in South America. Every year supermodels, actors, directors, and the elite migrate to Punta Del Este, also known as The Hamptons of Uruguay.  Since it’s their summertime, you’d better be in beach-body shape because the crowd here is pretty scantily-clad. Get ready for the craziest beach parties of your life.

Stay:

-Fasano Punta del Este 

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-Playa Vik

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Eat:

-Marismo

-Fasano Restaurante- South American

-La Bourgogne- French Cuisine

-L’Auberge– French Cuisine

-Floreal- International

Nightlife:

-Tequila

-Crobar

-Jose Ignacio Beach

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 

Dubai is easily becoming one’s of the world’s fastest growing and expanding cities. Known for it’s extravagance and over-the-top luxury, it is easy to see why this would be one of the world’s premier destinations for New Years. The main show will be held at Burj Khakifa, the tallest building in the world at 2,716.5 feet. At midnight, the building will have a fireworks show unlike anywhere else in the world. However, if you’re like most people and hate crowds, this is probably not your thing. Instead head to the beachside bash at Atlantis, at The Palm, which goes from 3pm to 3am.

Stay:

-Burj al Arab

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-Armani Hotel

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Eat:

-Eauzone– Modern Asian

-Majlis Al Bahar– Mediterranean

-Amal at The Armani Hotel– Indian Cuisine

-Al Mahara

NIghtlife:

-VIP Room

-Armani/Prive

-Cirque Le Soir

 

Ko Phangan, Thailand. 

 

One of the most romantic places in the world, this is definitely the place to spend New Years with your significant other or a group of friends. While every major hotel will have fireworks, Ko Phangan is known for it’s full-moon dance party, which sets itself apart from other New Years destinations. This is the place for beach lovers and for those who like to stay up to watch the sunrise, and please do, it’s a spectacular one.

Stay:

-Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan

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Eat:

-Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar- Seafood

-Beach Lounge- Thai Food

-Sunset Bar- Drinks

-Sarah’s Sushi Restaurant– Sushi

Nightlife:

– Cactus

-Kangaroo Bar

-Outback 

 

Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Las Vegas is without a doubt, one the wildest and most out of control places to be during New Years. The strip gets blocked off from car traffic and from what i’ve heard, cops tend to look the other way when stuff goes down. However, since this is the most popular time to go, prices tend to go waaayyyy up, so make sure to book in advance.

Stay:

-Wynn Las Vegas

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-Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

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-Skylofts at MGM 

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Eat:

-Joel Robuchon– MGM Grand (French)

-CUT Steakhouse– Palazzo/Venetian

-Estiatorio Milos– Cosmopolitan

-Bostero– Wynn Las Vegas

Nightlife:

-Hakkasan– MGM Grand

-Light Nightclub– Mandalay Bay

-XS– Encore at Wynn Las Vegas

-Marquee Day Club– The Cosmopolitan

Fasano. Punta del Este, Uruguay.

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Hotel Fasano Las Piedras has privacy that one can usually only find in a personal country estate. Located on 480 hectares of stunning and rugged Uruguay country land, Fasano is one of a kind in charm. This is the first Fasano hotel created outside of Brazil and was designed by famed architect, Isay Weinfeld. Think Uruguayan country rustic meets modern casualness. Many of the buildings are even carved out of the natural rocky landscape. Peak season for this hotel is November- February, and especially for New Years when the models flock to this private oasis – it is the St. Tropez of South America.

One of these buildings is the Fasano Spa, which comes with 180-degress panoramic views of the landscape. It also comes equipped with a modern gym and beautiful heated pool to relax body and mind. Fasano also comes with an Equestrian center and Polo Field for the horse-lovers. For the discerning rider they provide private classes to show you the ropes! Also, be sure not to miss a fabulous 18-holes at their Arnold Palmer-designed Golf Course. Fasano even has it’s own private beach (the only not amazing part of the property) nestled next to a river that runs all the way to the ocean. Rent a boat and make your way down the river to Jose Ignacio Beach, one of the best beaches in South America.

The Hotel offers two fine-dining experiences, Las Piedras and Fasano, which focus heavily on Uruguayan food with a modern twist. My favorite meal is the Asado, an exquisite traditional Uruguayan  barbecue, which is served every second Saturday of the month, so be sure not to miss it! The hotel also has a Lounge Bar next to the pool, perfect for the ones who want to experience the famous Punta del Este sunset followed by a Clericot, the spot’s typical drink. I can’t stress enough how amazing the food is, from poolside pasta to a room service club sandwich, the food is off the charts!

There are three options for accommodation: bungalows, villas, and cabanas. The Bungalows come in two standards, deluxe and suite. Designed for uninterrupted panoramic views of the landscape. Each room is individually designed and all offer large private terraces, spacious living rooms, and a super comfy cloud-like bed. The bungalows also come with their own golf cart, so you can zoom around the property in speed and style.  Then there are the one-floor villas, which are more like giant cement houses than a villa. Each villa comes equipped with all the amenities of the bungalows. The cabanas also come with contemporary architecture but are nestled in the woods with a view of the lake. This allows for more privacy and seclusion. Ask for a western facing room so you can watch the sun set next to your loved one.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.