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Grupo Cipriani has postponed the opening of its Cipriani Resort, Residences & Casino Punta del Este, with the project now scheduled to open during the 2027-2028 summer season.
The decision represents a delay to the opening timetable reported in June, when promoters said the resort was scheduled to open its doors in December 2026.
The latest postponement means the development will not begin operations during the upcoming 2026-2027 summer season. Uruguayan media reported that Cipriani attributed the delay to accumulated problems in the execution of the works.
The delay also affects employment plans connected to the resort. According to Uruguayan reports, Cipriani is seeking alternatives for more than 300 young people who had been preparing through the company’s academy and were expected to join the operation during the coming summer season.
The development is being built on the beachfront site of the former San Rafael hotel in Punta del Este, which was demolished in 2019. The project represents an investment of approximately $700 million and is intended to be the Cipriani brand’s first resort worldwide and its first development in the southern hemisphere.
The project occupies a prime location on La Brava beach and is designed to combine luxury hospitality, gaming and residential accommodation.
Plans for the development include a 64-suite hotel, a casino with slot machines and table games, and a range of food-and-beverage and leisure facilities. The accommodation is divided between classic and premium suites, alongside larger penthouses targeting high-net-worth guests.
The casino is planned to feature VIP areas, a private club and dedicated hospitality services, reflecting the luxury positioning associated with the San Rafael name.
The original San Rafael hotel was an iconic Punta del Este property before its demolition, and the Cipriani development has been positioned as a major addition to the resort city’s luxury tourism and entertainment offering.
The latest delay extends an already lengthy development timeline. The project has been subject to changes and delays since construction began, with the December 2026 opening previously presented as the target for its launch.
