If you are planning a trip to see Iguassu Falls on the Brazil side, you have likely heard about the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. It’s the only hotel located within Brazil’s national park. Because of that, it gives guests the undeniable advantage of having exclusive access to the falls before the park opens in the morning and after it closes at night. But is this benefit worthwhile, and what else does the hotel offer for its (admittedly steep) price tag? Here, we’ll describe our recent stay at the hotel, and attempt to answer the question, is the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil “worth it”? (Spoiler: we think the answer is yes!)
[Note that the falls span the border between Brazil and Argentina. They are known as Iguaçu Falls in Brazil (Portuguese), Iguazu Falls in Argentina (Spanish), and Iguassu Falls in English.]
About the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil
The 193-room Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is a luxury property and the only hotel with direct views of Iguassu Falls. It offers a range of luxurious rooms and suites, decorated in a classic colonial Portuguese design with tropical accents. The entire property is painted a delightful shade of pale pink, earning it the nickname “The Pink Palace”.
Rooms have views of the falls and/or the surrounding rainforest. The hotel is situated within Iguaçu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the only hotel located inside the park itself. This privileged location provides guests with exclusive access to the falls outside of regular visiting hours when the park is closed to the public.
The best reason to stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil
Undeniably, the top reason that makes it worth it to stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil is the exclusive access to the park. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., year-round. Outside of these hours, hotel guests are still allowed inside the park and can access its’ trails and viewpoints at their leisure. This means that you can visit the falls for sunrise or sunset (or both), with very few other people around. During these extended hours, you will also be more likely to spot some of the park’s more elusive wildlife, such as pumas, ocelots and jaguars.
Our stay at the Hotel das Cataratas
For our 3-night stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, we booked the Family Time package. This gave us a 30% discount on our second room (and we were offered connecting rooms upon check-in). It also included a lavish daily breakfast buffet, a family picnic, and a guided morning hike that we elected not to take.
The hotel boasts several bars and restaurants, a lovely pool area, a spa, tennis courts, and a range of activities for guests, including birdwatching and hiking. Hotel staff can also help guests arrange adventure activities during their visit, such as jet boat rides on the Iguassu River and scenic helicopter flights over the falls.
We had two connecting rooms for our stay, one with a queen bed and the other with two twin beds. Having access to two bathrooms for a family of 4 made getting out the door each morning a much more streamlined process.
The breakfast buffet is extensive, featuring various hot and cold items, both Brazilian and international.
The family picnic (including a house-branded sparkling wine) is very well done and was more than enough food for dinner one night. It included a range of meats and cheeses, mini burgers, salmon and cream cheese bagels, pao de queijo, vegetables with dips, and fruit. The picnics are normally set up on the hotel lawn, but ours was moved to the covered patio when rain threatened.
Other packages at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas
The hotel offers other packages with different benefits that might be better suited to singles or couples rather than families. Perks include yoga classes, spa discounts, charcuterie plates on arrival or complimentary dinners, and tickets to the nearby Parque das Aves. See the hotel website for full details.
We made extensive use of the pool and grounds during our stay. Drinks and snacks may be ordered poolside, and towels are replenished quickly. The tennis courts can be booked in advance, and racquets and tennis balls are supplied.
Extras at the Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil
Beyond the inclusions of the advertised packages, the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas offers a ton of little extras and special touches. These are the perks that truly make the cost of a stay at the hotel ‘worth it’.
There is a delicious welcome drink offered upon check-in.
The mini-fridge in each guest room is stocked with several bottled waters, local beers and sodas, and Brazilian snacks such as granola bars and cookies.
The bathrooms are stocked with luxury bath products, and an extra assortment of spa products is offered in each guest room.
Each guest receives a complimentary pair of Havaianas, the offical footwear of Brazil.
An assortment of luxury stationery is offered including postcards and luggage tags.
How to get to the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Brazil
The nearest international airport is Foz do Iguaçu International Airport (IGU). You can fly into this airport from major cities in Brazil (we caught a direct flight from Rio de Janeiro). From the airport, it’s approximately a 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel.
The Belmond Hotel das Cataratas also offers transportation services for its guests. You can arrange for a transfer through the hotel in advance, and they will provide you with details and options based on your specific needs and preferences.
In conclusion…
If you’re going to make the effort to travel to Iguassu Falls, which is not an easy-to-reach location, it’s worth it to splurge to stay at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. The after-hours park access alone makes staying at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas worth it, but once you factor in the upscale property, included food and drinks and on-site amenities, the choice becomes even more clear. Over to you – have you stayed at the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas? Did you think it was worth it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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