Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

We booked the special Fondue Experience at Hotel das Cataratas expecting an intimate, romantic and premium experience worthy of a Belmond property. Unfortunately, the reality was completely different from our expectations. The biggest disappointment was actually the setting. We were seated indoors in a common area of the hotel, near the fireplace, where there are couches and other hotel guests sitting, relaxing and chatting. There was absolutely nothing private, intimate or particularly special about the atmosphere. We were essentially having our “special experience” in a communal hotel lounge while conversations from other guests were happening around us. For something marketed and priced as an experience rather than simply a meal, this was extremely disappointing. Unfortunately, the food made matters even worse. The cheese fondue served to us was essentially mozzarella and Parmesan with cream. It was extremely heavy and bland and tasted much more like a basic creamy melted-cheese sauce than the quality of fondue we expected from a luxury hotel. Had the setting been exceptional, perhaps it could have compensated somewhat for the food. Had the food been exceptional, perhaps we could have overlooked the setting. Unfortunately, neither was good. We specifically booked this expecting it to be a memorable and romantic evening during our stay at Hotel das Cataratas. Instead, we were seated in a common lounge surrounded by other guests chatting and were served a fondue that we could barely enjoy. The location of Hotel das Cataratas itself is extraordinary, and this review is specifically about the Fondue Experience. But at this price point and at a hotel carrying the Belmond name, the experience should be considerably better executed. I would absolutely not recommend paying a premium for the Fondue Experience based on what we experienced.

Location is unique. Regrettably the hotel takes advantage of this and knows people will come no matter how badly they are treated. Food was truly awful. Ok to stay for one night but set expectations low.

We travelled as a family of 3 in July 2026 and stayed at the Belmond Hotel Das Cataratas for one night only. To be honest disappointing for us. Having stayed at the Gran Melia on the Argentina side for the previous 3 nights, where we could see the Cataratas across the Iguazu falls and prior to these 4 nights at their same branded hotel Belmond Copacabana Hotel in Rio. So our expectations were high. Firstly check in was fragmented as you have to initially check in at the entry to the park, wait for a bus to turn up and then onward drive to the hotel. Although the hotel itself is beautiful, our room was not the greatest, at the back of the hotel but functional as we hadn't gone fancy for just the one night. Considering how the Belmond Copacabana Hotel had looked after us, wine in the room, gifts etc it wasn't a similar experience at Cataratas. The big letdown for us was we'd booked an early morning pick up by the hotels bus to take us back to the park entrance where our transfer to the airport was waiting and we had this confirmed by the hotel, in a whatsApp message as we needed to catch our flight. When we checked out, there was a bus, but no bus driver and the manager that we spoke to just kept saying that the driver hadn't turned up and basically just shrugged his shoulders and he didn't care, a terrible attitude, it also felt like the other staff hanging around were treating our frustration as a joke. We asked whether anybody else could drive the bus that was waiting there, answer no, we had to wait for the driver.. eventually after about 15 or so minutes another bus turned up, with a driver and then a guy that had been standing outside throughout all of this time, got into the original bus and drove away - you couldn't make it up...! we only just made our flight on time, luckily.

Driving in with your car is a terrible experience. Hay to wait and park the cars on the muddy road. Not practical at all. All else is good, but that first impression and check out process, back to the muddy road where the car was parkes, just makes the experience average.

The bar staff at this hotel were amazing! They made excellent drinks and were very attentive. We really enjoyed chatting with Gabriel (in training), Oliveria, and Thayane.