Hotel das Cataratas, A Belmond Hotel, Iguassu Falls

There are only a few natural landmarks on the planet as astonishing as Iguazu Falls. Standing before the thundering series of more than 275 waterfalls — and hiking the jungle-like paths around them to take in the gushing water from various angles — is a heart-stopping experience for even the most jaded traveler. Even a top-flight luxury hotel can have a hard time standing out from the competition in a destination like this, but the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas escapes this fate, and for a very particular reason. The waterfalls, spread across the border of southern Brazil and northern Argentina, are protected within the borders of national parks, whose regulations mean that there are only two hotels near the waterfalls: a Sheraton on the Argentinian side, and the Belmond on the Brazilian side. Staying here means that you’ll sleep just a stone’s throw away from the waterfalls, while everyone else is here on a day trip, filing out at dusk.

Location aside, the hotel has a few features worth a mention. The atmosphere is all about classic luxury: the expansive grounds include tropical gardens, tennis courts, a large swimming pool lined with palm trees, and nearly two hundred guest rooms and suites. The look is refined, not trendy; Portuguese-inspired accents like hand-painted tiles, marble-topped vanities, and hardwood colonial furnishings add character. A pair of eateries, a more casual spot by the pool and an elegant restaurant with a large veranda, offer al fresco seafood, and there’s live music at the cocktail bar in the evening. Lest you forget the waterfalls in a post-caipirinha stupor — unlikely, since you can practically feel the spray from your barstool — the hotel’s staff are waiting to remind you that helicopter excursions over Iguazu are departing first thing in the morning.

Travel advisory: Passport and visa requirements differ from country to country. Please check with your local authority before booking.

Please note: Private vehicles are not allowed to stay in the National Park overnight.

How to get there: Hotel das Cataratas is 15 km from the Foz do Iguaçu International Airport.