La Aldea de la Selva Lodge

Rita at Reception helped us plan our 2-day trip in Iguazu, held our bags when we arrived early, and got us an early check-in. For our honeymoon, she even arranged for a chilled bottle of wine to be delivered to the room. The rainforest setting, private room, comfortable beds, cleanliness, and stunning view made it a special stay. The lit-up boardwalks added to the experience, and breakfast on the deck was lovely with the birds and nature around us. The buffet was a solid spread, and they brought us fresh eggs. The pool was great too, and we loved the bartender. She made delicious margs even as she was closing. We didn't have a problem with mosquitos. The tub with jets on our balcony was a favorite. Dinner was delicious too: rice noodles with pesto and mushroom sauce, steak, and salad. It's a unique spot in the eco-forest, good value for $$, and all the staff were kind and accommodating. I wish I could give it more stars!

We were sad to leave after just 3 days. There is a quiet luxury to the rooms, with old wood and sturdy raised foundations that seem to keep insects down. We saw only a moth and a fly. Some rooms have a bath overlooking the jungle, and I believe all have a private deck with a hamac, sheltered from heavy rain. The AC in the rooms works very well, though the sound is considerable, whether from your own unit or a neighbor's. The hotel asks guests to be mindful of the noise. We found it worked well to cool the room before bed and let it warm gradually overnight, without feeling suffocated, since mornings are pleasant at least until 10. The hotel is entirely non-smoking except at the drop-off point at the entrance, and the rule is strictly enforced. They reminded us, and the one person in our group who ignored it was caught immediately and charged, though amicably. It shows their care for the area's flora and fauna and their partnership with the Guarani people. The setting is right in the jungle, as “la selva” suggests, and beside a local Guarani community, with what felt like peaceful coexistence between the eco-boutique resort and a First Nation focused on protecting its environment. The main hall is spacious and very well cooled by quiet AC units, cool but not too cold for people unused to air conditioning. The pool is gorgeous, with cascading levels, including a section for young children. Vegetation surrounds it for privacy, and the pool bar and restaurant serve drinks all day and lunch. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main hall. Some call breakfast simple because it's more continental, but there are warm eggs, sausages and vegetables, plus a mountain of baked goods, so nothing was lacking there. The staff are attentive and quick to handle unusual requests. They remember preferences and dislikes so you don't have to repeat things like allergies or wine preferences. Birds and iguanas can be seen on the grounds, and about 10 cats roam around; the hotel has adopted them. There's a cat tip jar at the front desk if you'd like to support their wellbeing. The cats are cute and bring a sense of calm, and they help keep insects away, like in old times. The whole experience feels immersive. Look at the photos if you don't believe me! Special mention to Carla and Nahiara, who were fantastic, as were many others whose names I can't remember.

The jungle grounds and attractive lobby and breakfast area, with log furniture and lamps, were the best parts for me. The pool was very nice too, and there's a grill and quincho. Our room had a TV, fridge, water heater, safe, and electronic key, but the Wi-Fi didn't reach it. It was large with wooden furniture and two big beds, though the mattresses were hard and there were only two pillows. Cleanliness was poor. The room smelled strongly of damp, with overwhelming humidity, and both the AC and ceiling fan were noisy and smelled damp too. We had to leave the doors open. The bathroom had an old tub with chipped enamel and old taps. Shower gel and shampoo were provided, but the towels were frayed, discolored, and clearly old or heavily used. Breakfast was included and had a delicious, varied mix of sweet and savory, hot and cold food, but the coffee was bad. Prieto at the front desk was professional and correct; his female colleague interrupted my conversation with him and wasn't helpful about what we were discussing. Housekeeping was terrible. We had to ask for hand towels every day because they weren't replaced, and the sink wasn't cleaned properly. The lodge is in the middle of the jungle, so you'll need a taxi to get to the city center. The worst parts were the poor cleaning and overpowering damp smell, while the setting and breakfast were lovely. Bring your own towels if you're particular about quality, and be prepared to take a taxi into town.

The hotel is peaceful and definitely not a party place. It works more like a retreat, but has full family amenities, and there were couples, families, and groups of friends. During the day there are walking paths and a botanical garden, and the rooms have all the amenities we needed. Breakfast was perfect, and dinner at the hotel restaurant was delicious. It's outside town, so you'll need to drive to other restaurants and places.