Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls

We went on jungle drives and powerboat rides, and saw Devil's Throat from both the Brazil and Argentina sides. It’ll stay with me for life. Belmond really pampered us: we were upgraded to a wonderful suite with an open-window view of the Falls, and the staff were ready to help with every activity we could imagine. There were lawn picnics, wine, and sunsets overlooking the Falls, plus concierge help with everything. The breakfast alone, with Amazon delicacies and special Brazilian coffee brews, would make the trip worthwhile. Obrigado, Belmond!

Our stay at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is one of the most memorable hotel experiences I’ve had, and it’s easily among the most beautiful places I’ve stayed. The price is certainly high, but the real advantage is being inside the park, with access to Iguaçu Falls when it’s closed to the general public. Hotel guests can go early, around 7-9 a.m., and again in the late afternoon or evening, around 5-7 p.m. The park is open to everyone in the middle of the day and can get quite crowded, especially in peak season. The quieter times around sunrise and sunset are also the most beautiful. Morning light can be especially good for photographs, including family or group photos, while sunsets often bring dramatic, multicolored skies over the falls. The hotel is somewhat isolated in the national park, so you’ll likely eat most meals there. That worked out well for us: the food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and consistently excellent. Meals cost about $30 to $75 per person, which felt like very good value for the quality and setting. Service was outstanding from the moment we entered the front gate. Belmond staff made sure every detail was handled smoothly. Romulo, Edso, Carolina, and Sabrina made our stay especially memorable with their warmth, professionalism, and personal attention. The concierge team was also extraordinarily helpful with nearly anything, including arranging a privately guided tour of the Argentine side, which I highly recommend.

Seeing the falls in private was unbelievable, and there are animals all around the hotel too, from toucans and coatis to agoutis, giant lizards, guinea pigs, and plenty more, even by the pool. The cold plunge, a great bar, and an amazing restaurant beside one of the world's real wonders made it feel special. It's a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, but absolutely worth it.

We've been staying at Copacabana Palace for more than twenty years, so I persuaded my husband to fly to Foz do Iguaçu and try Cataratas Hotel since it's in the same chain. He was excited about the trip, and it turned out to be wonderful. Douglas handled check-in and was charming, polite, kind, and very competent. He took time to explain and show us the hotel and its surroundings. The restaurant service from Claudiano, Clodoilson, Mario Pedro, and Clodoaldo was also appreciated, as was Carlos at the pool, who was kind, polite, and helpful. The housekeeping ladies, Pricilla, Jonice de Jesus, and Vivian, though I'm not sure I have their names right, were very attentive to every detail when they did the room downtime. They kept the room clean and neat, and even tied a cell phone charger cable with a rose ribbon. Alex, on the 7 am shuttle bus, was kind and knowledgeable too. Many thanks for such an incredible stay.