A Grape Idea!

By Sandra Scott

There are a lot of “grape” ideas at the Conrad in Punta del Este. Punta del Este is one of South America’s best-kept secrets, at least as far as North Americans are concerned. Located a couple hours’ drive from Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, it is the playground of Argentineans and Brazilians. From December to April the beaches are lined with sun worshippers.

There is only one “grape” 5-star hotel in the heart of Punta del Este, the Conrad Punta del Este Resort & Casino. The hotel has everything: a casino, live stage shows, shopping and the options of swimming in the pool, in the Rio del Plata or in the Atlantic Ocean. But the Conrad’s best “grape” ideas are found in the bar at the Conrad Spa.

Late one afternoon I was relaxing at the Los Veleros bar waiting for the afternoon tea and fashion show to begin. I described my wonderful morning at the spa to Pablo Pi, the barman. I asked him an unfair question, “Do I look younger than yesterday?” Without waiting for a response I explained the Conrad’s Spa Marine Deluxe Grape wrap designed to make me younger looking. With the antioxidant properties of grapes my skin did indeed look smoother and younger—at least to me! The subtle aroma of grape activates the senses, promoting a feeling of pleasure and relieving stress.

In typical diplomatic barman style, Pedro suggested, “To compliment your grape wrap why not try our new Grape Martini. It’s not guaranteed to make you look younger but I bet you will feel younger! Plus, we now serve our martinis in chillers.”

Barmen—especially such diplomatic ones—always know best, so I agreed. First, Pablo filled the chiller two-thirds with ice then poured DeKuyper Blue Curaçao over the ice. It reminded me of the waters in front of the Conrad. He mixed one ounce of Pucker Grape with two ounces of Stolichnya Vodka, “stirred not shaken,” and poured it into the cone-shaped martini glass without a stem. Then he added a glass stirrer and offered me the Grape Martini with all its antioxidant benefits.

          Ah, the joys of the Conrad and the hotel’s “grape” ideas!

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