Casa Zinc, La Barra: A Design Posada Near Punta del Este

Photo: Rosina Peixoto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); destination context image; it does not depict the property.

Jet Set LatAM · Designer Hotels and Quiet Luxury

Punta del Este can be all glitter, towers and parties. A few minutes away in La Barra, Casa Zinc goes the other way: a six-room posada created by Uruguayan antiques dealer and designer Aaron Hojman to gather several lifetimes of found objects under one roof. It is one of the most characterful boutique hotels near Punta del Este — not a resort, and proud of it.

A collection turned into a hotel

Hojman is known locally for his antiques and design shop, and Casa Zinc works as his inhabitable showroom. Brick facade and weathered paint, zinc sheeting, old school desks, leather-bound books, velvet sofas reupholstered in embroidered textiles: each of the six rooms has its own name and decor, inspired by pieces in his collection, sometimes with real humor.

Patina, not polish

The pleasure is in the textures: cured woods, metals with a past, country-kitchen pieces and industrial salvage living side by side. In the courtyard there is an outdoor zinc bathtub, and meals are served at a shared table in the shade of a centuries-old olive tree — a habit that turns guests into neighbors for a few days.

La Barra in slow mode

Take one of the house bikes, cross La Barra’s famous wave-shaped bridge, head to the beach mid-afternoon and come back with sandy feet. High season (December to February) is social and lively; March and the southern spring suit anyone who prefers the calmer side of the Uruguayan coast, with José Ignacio a short drive away.

Who Casa Zinc is for

Travelers with a collector’s soul who value atmosphere over amenities. If you expect a spa, 24-hour room service or big-hotel service levels, you will find something simpler — and that simplicity is exactly the point.

What to pack for Punta del Este

Uruguayan knitwear and a bag big enough for finds, from our ShopMy edit:

• Madewell x Manos del Uruguay sweater — hand-knit by Manos del Uruguay artisans
• Wool & Oak Nova duffle — for bringing home an antique or two
• Cuyana travel jewelry case — small, tidy, always useful

How to book Casa Zinc

In January La Barra fills up and minimum stays rise; for calm, aim for March or spring. With only six rooms, availability is limited, and booking may require additional guest details.

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Frequently asked questions

Who created Casa Zinc?

Aaron Hojman, a Uruguayan antiques dealer and designer, who furnished the posada with pieces from his collection and salvaged materials.

Where is Casa Zinc?

In La Barra, next to Punta del Este in Maldonado, Uruguay, a short walk from the beach.

How many rooms does Casa Zinc have?

Six, each with its own name and decor.

When is the best time to visit Punta del Este?

December to February is peak summer and busiest; March and the spring months are quieter and better for slow travel.

Keep reading

• Casa Flor in La Barra: A Boutique Stay for Design and Art
• Mio Buenos Aires: The Catena Family’s Boutique Hotel in Recoleta
• Posada Ayana in José Ignacio: An Art-Led Inn

See all designer hotels in Latin America →

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book or buy through them, Jet Set LatAM may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This is a researched editorial guide, not a review of a personal stay. Confirm rates, policies and availability directly before booking.