addendum:

how does this compare to renting a car and driving about? is it easy to drive to the beaches and stop?

are they nice in Late April, when i will be going?

In late April, it'll probably be too cold to go to the beach.

As to your planned itinerary for one day in Montevideo, my suggestion is that you just explore Montevideo a bit. Say you go on a Friday evening, go to Ciudad Vieja on Saturday morning, then eat at the Mercado del Puerto at lunch time; from there you can take a cab and have the cabbie drive you through the Rambla, into Pocitos and Carrasco. But honestly, I don't think that you have enough time in one day to do much despite Montevideo being a small city.

I dont think that the NH is apropiate for what you want.

I would find an hotel closer to Pocitos or Punta Carretas, maybe the Sheraton, the Melia or Cala Di Volpe.

As for the rest I think that you have a very nice plan.

Regards

Andres

Well,

Montevideo is not a beach destination. It is on a muddy river. If you have ever been to New Orleans you will see why if reminded me of the Mississippi River Delta. I just don't want you to think it is like South Beach in Miami.

Also beware of pickpockets. My husband and I were robbed while we were there. Othersise, have a great time.

I went to Montevideo and I had a great time, and I wasn't pickpocketed. The river was muddy but the sand was nice and it proved the perfect day antidote to our week in the hustle bustle of BsAs.

In fact, my friends and I had some extraordinary examples of service at a restaurant in Montevideo, they lowered down a table from an upper floor for us!

I'm sorry you were pick-pocketed, I would suggest not acting like a grumpy southern blogger asking for ice all the time whilst wearing a fanny pack.

I honestly enjoyed Montevideo more than Buenos Aires (even though BA is amazing but just needed to get away from BA). People are amazingly nice in Uruguay. I went in March though when it was hot which made going to the beach much more enjoyable (laying out made more sense since it was hot). I stayed at Pocitos Plaza Hotel which one block from la rambla and about 2 blocks from Pocitos beach. Perfect..and nice area. Def. go to Mercado del Puerto...food was the best ever! You can walk there from Plaza Indep. Close walk.

I've been to Montevideo several times. I strongly recommend the Ermitage Hotel in Pocitos. You can get a room with a view of the beach/la rambla for $10 extra. Pocitos is a safe, middle-class neighborhood that is on several bus lines. It's easy to get to the center, La Ciudad Vieja and Carrasco from Pocitos. I think rooms around around $60/night for two people, including breakfast.

Montevideo has so much to offer, so don't shortchange yourself by darting in and out of the city. Spend at least two days there. The Old City is a real treasure. Great restaurants and great architecture. Montevideo is a gem of a city. Surprised more Americans don't know about it.

Hi it is a nice plan, but I would recommend a nicer hotel than the NH, which is not well placed.

Depending on your budget I would either choose: Sheraton, Cala Di volpe, or Melia. They are all placed in Punta Carretas which is the nicer zone in Montevideo.

trust me opinion I live i MVD.