The guest experience at Estancia Vik is one of the most unique in the world, where “Marlboro Country” meets a laid-back St. Tropez. Horseback ride on one of the Estancia’s herd of Criollo and Quarter horses across open pampas with gauchos, explore wildlife, birds and nature, mountain bike, hike, canoe and fish in the Arroyo de José Ignacio and Laguna de José Ignacio. Play a variety of water sports, tennis on Estancia Vik’s grass courts and golf on excellent 18-hole courses nearby. Guests also enjoy the twenty-meter Absolute Nero granite swimming pool, gym and spa. In addition, the property boasts a private polo field where guests can take polo lessons and for those with experience can join a game. A game pool table, table tennis and a variety of other games is found in the Estancia house and a romantic chapel nestled in a grove of ancient native trees has been created for weddings and other special events.

Estancia Vik boasts a brick barreled dining room which is perfect for an intimate dinner for two or a party for forty. The brick walls extend down to a wine cellar below and continue up to the vaulted ceiling. The expert work of master craftsmen, the barreled brick room and ceiling were created without the use of any mortar. The dining room sits on a wood beam floor with glass windows imbedded in each corner, suspended above the wine cellar creating an incredibly unique space.

In keeping with local tradition, the Estancia showcases a Uruguayan parillero, or barbeque, with the traditional tin walls and fogon, or central open fire. Celebrated Uruguayan artist Marcelo Legrand has painted the walls and ceiling in his brilliantly chaotic style, bringing a contemporary flair to this traditional space.

The culinary offerings at Estancia Vik celebrate the dishes of Uruguay. Guests will enjoy traditional barbeque, fresh fish and seafood, locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade breads and pastries all prepared by the Vik Retreats talented in-house chef, Marcelo Betancourt.

The artists featured throughout Estancia Vik are celebrated for their vision and individuality. Each has been selected by the retreat’s creators through their involvement with art in Uruguay over many years, and in partnership with Marcelo Daglio and curator Enrique Badaró Nadal. Some highlights include the Estancia’s vast central living room which showcases a statuary white marble sculpture by world renowned Pablo Atchugarry; standing 3.5 meter or 12 feet tall. The acclaimed Uruguayan sculptor’s creation rises to meet the 300 square meter ceiling and frieze painted by Clever Lara, another leading Uruguayan contemporary artist. This work is a “satellite-scape” view of José Ignacio and Uruguay, inspired by Google Earth. Eight very large semi-precious stones in their natural state hang from the walls between sets of glass doors, which the Vik’s discovered in the far north of Uruguay. Colorist Carlos Musso has painted the Estancia’s unique garden chapel in his beautifully spiritual manner. These are just a few examples of what has become the central theme of Estancia Vik.