Belmond Hotel das Cataratas

This is the first negative review I have ever written. Just checked in to Hotel Das Cataratas for our 20th anniversary trip. We booked our reservation through American Airlines travel and when we arrived the hotel informed us the reservation was canceled 3 weeks ago. I was shocked since I confirmed the reservation on Sunday and received another confirmation from American while working with the front desk. The hotel blamed American and offered us 1 night in a lesser room and then switch to the room we had reserved for 50% total more than the original price. I was devastated. After hours of talking with the front desk and ruining our (and our friends’) afternoon the manager finally offered us a rate that was comparable to our original reservation. The manager mentioned that this has been happening more with different reservation sites…. Which is frustrating that this luxury hotel does not have a better way to protect their travelers. I’m finally in my room and feeling really sad and disappointed that I’m not in the room I have been dreaming of for months and I can’t help but feel a little icky that they originally tried to offer such a higher price when this has been happening “more and more”. Hoping the rest of the trip is more of what I had been dreaming of.

The overall experience was above expectations. The location is absolutely unique and the service as well.

After the Disneyland-esque crowds on the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls, coming to the Belmond was a soothing antidote. Its elegant pink building in a Portuguese-Colonial style is a delight, the reception drink upon arrival, with a little coconut confection bite, ushered in the hospitality of the hotel. Best feature: easy (and early!) access to the adjacent cliffside trail to view the falls - fantastic views, completely shaded and blessedly uncrowded in the morning. We walked the trail several mornings before the park even opens to the public at 9 am. Another delightful feature: a pink VW van covered by an awning in the front of the hotel dispenses sparkling wine with which to watch the sunset over the falls. Breakfasts were lavish buffets, the pool is lovely and heated, and the lush grounds meticulously maintained. Hard to find fault!

Everything about this hotel and stay in it was excellent. To start with the location is perfect - in the National Park with access to the falls after the park closes to the general public. It is a beautiful hotel which is furnished in a colonial style. Spotlessly clean. All the staff are friendly and helpful and make you feel a valued customer. Food in the Ipe restaurant is excellent for both breakfast and evenings. Our stay in this hotel made our visit to the Iguazu Falls even more special.

This hotel is definitely 5* if not more, perfect location to watch the falls and the staff were so welcoming and couldn’t do enough for their guests. We totally enjoyed watching sunset over the falls each evening from the hotel grounds with free glass of champagne each evening and our early morning walks to the falls before the general public was allowed to enter the grounds. We also booked a trip to Argentina side falls from the hotel and had a nice guide with his car, who was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was an amazing experience..