Settled on the shores of a mirror-still lagoon just inland from the sleepy fishing village-turned-artistic haven of Jose Ignacio, Estancia Santa Cruz is a study in understated luxury.
What began as a private family polo ranch has grown, gradually and with purpose, into an effortlessly welcoming lakeside retreat. Run by the Klein family, of German–Bolivian origin, the estancia is flanked by open countryside and the Atlantic coast. Its rhythm is shaped by asado smoke, breezy lunches, early-morning rides and late-night swims.
There are six villas, scattered around the estate, each pared-back and quietly elegant, named after the Kleins’ children. Think beam-lined interiors, oversized windows, lake-view terraces, and the feeling of staying with tasteful friends who just happen to have horses and a private chef.
What we love about Estancia Santa Cruz
- The feeling of being a guest, not a client, thanks to the Kleins hosting with genuine warmth, without ever hovering. It’s instinctive and familial.
- Villas that are stylish without trying too hard, decked out with kitchenettes, private terraces, raw linen, and the kind of calm that comes from considered design.
- The saltwater pool, which is Olympic-sized and circular, with a hot tub tucked into one side and sweeping views across the lagoon.
- Plenty to do, if you want it, including paddleboarding, fliteboarding, riding, tennis, polo, spa treatments and morning yoga. Or the option to do nothing at all.
- The food is laid-back but well-executed. It spans farm breakfasts, poolside lunches, sunset sushi, wood-fired pizzas and hearty Uruguayan barbecues.
- A quietly rigorous sustainability programme, with on-site gardens, renewable energy, water conservation systems, and a community initiative that funds local reforestation and supports people with disabilities.
Wake to birdsong and still water. Head out for a ride or a paddleboard session across the lagoon. Take polo lessons with Ignacio Klein, or a cross-country hack through the estate.
You’ll be spoilt for choice. Choose from borrowing a bike, playing tennis, swimming or ambling around the kitchen gardens. Read on the deck or fall asleep in the spa after a soothing massage.
Evenings are social yet laid-back. Sip cocktails by the pool, savour barbecues under the stars, or linger over long dinners at La Sierra, the estate restaurant. Off-site, José Ignacio is just 15 minutes away and is home to arts festivals, coastal trails, pop-up galleries and barefoot restaurants. Further afield, the Atchugarry Museum of Contemporary Art and James Turrell’s Celestial Vault are within easy reach.
Estancia Santa Cruz is located on the shores of a lake just outside José Ignacio in southern Uruguay. Once a sleepy fishing village on the Atlantic shores of Uruguay, José Ignacio is understated and somewhat resembles Southern France.
José Ignacio is easily accessible from both Montevideo and Punta del Este international airports.
When to Travel
Estancia Santa Cruz opens its doors from November through to April, with peak season running December to March, in line with Uruguay’s southern summer.
Days are long, warm and dry; evenings are delightfully balmy. Late spring and early autumn are quieter, with softer light and fewer footprints on the beach. Expect daytime temperatures between 25–32°C, ideal for water sports, beach lunches, and poolside idling.
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