Exclusive Iguacu National Park Access, Historic & Beautiful Setting, and Friendly Service
Best part: getting to visit Iguacu National Park outside of normal visiting hours! Considering the park can receive up to 12,000 visitors daily during peak season (December - February), the value of this exclusive ‘after-hours’ access for hotel guests is immeasurable. One early morning I walked the 100 steps from the hotel front door to the first Falls viewing platform, and was the only one there!
Room Tips: The hotel has a sprawling layout. Communicate preferences and any special needs when initially making your reservation to improve your experience. For example, those with limited mobility may want to request a room closer to the central areas, if kids want to be close to the pool request the Garden Wing, rooms facing inward toward the hotel courtyards can often be quieter than those facing the road (where buses drive by frequently during park hours), and if you want a bathtub make sure it’s specified in your booking as not all rooms have one. The Superior Rooms are just barely large enough for bed and two nightstands, whereas Deluxe Rooms have a bit more space and are in my opinion more comfortable for two people. An upgrade to a Deluxe Falls View room is certainly nice, however you can also save a bit on budget here knowing that the same views of the Falls are available to you from the bar patio and front lawn of the hotel, without the additional cost. The Suites are not overly spacious by modern-built luxury hotel standards, except the bathrooms are expansive and excellently updated. For something really special they also have two new Pool Suites which have their own private plunge pools! Each Suite is unique in layout and level of privacy, so for bookings I’d call their reservationists rather than booking based on the few website photos. The hotel has many connecting rooms as well, excellent for families.
Dining: At the 3 convenient on-site restaurants - fine-dining, a more casual poolside grill, and a bar with light fare - food was pricier here relative to other hotels in the region. The Ipe Grill had great food that felt like most international visitors would be able to find something to their tastes. For the bar patio looking towards the falls, arrive early in order to claim a coveted spot for sunset. The fine-dining restaurant Itaipu can also fill up far in advance, especially during the peak season months of December - February, so make a reservation prior to your stay.
Hotel: The Das Cataratas grounds are beautiful, many gorgeous orchids and birds. The expansive pool (a must in the subtropical and humid Atlantic rainforest) had sufficient loungers and although many hotels in the region have pools, this was a level all its own! The decor has a historic element unique when compared to other properties in the area, being lavishly decorated as a throwback to the 1950s - and it does not feel old and stuffy as I feared from photos but rather elegant and airy. The massages and spa treatment menus seemed normal to offerings for a 5-star property, but the spa and steam room were not open in the morning only after noon. There is an impressive amount of staff (not overbearing, but very present), and all who I interacted with were the epitome of service and friendliness. From the hotel it is easy to shuttle to activities like the Macuco Safari boat rides, the Das Aves Bird Park, and an option for Helicopter tours. I’d recommend a minimum of two night stay, while three nights allows a more relaxed pace to experience more of the region and enjoy the hotel amenities. Definitely give yourself time to visit both sides of the Falls, the Brazilian side and the Argentine side, for two very different and stunning experiences!
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