Waking Up to Iguazú Falls: Inside Our Stay at Gran Meliá Iguazú

Gran Meliá Iguazú is the only hotel located inside the Argentine side of the national park, which gave us unmatched access to its many trails. After arriving at Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport, the resort is just a short 20-minute private car transfer away. Pro tip: Purchase your national park pass in advance, as you’ll need it to enter the park and access the hotel.

From the moment you arrive on property, you are greeted by views of the falls in the distance. It’s immediately obvious the immense presence these falls have, and I never tired of seeing them in the distance.

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Gran Meliá Iguazú is the ability to access the park one hour before it opens to the general public. At 7 am the next morning, we set out early, choosing to walk along the train tracks toward the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) trail. The hike took us about 40 minutes, and when we arrived, we had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of standing at the edge of the falls with no one else around. This was such a moving experience—to feel the power of these falls and have them all to ourselves—that I was nearly brought to tears. I couldn’t get enough! My only regret is that we didn’t have another day to come back again the next morning.

After an unforgettable start, we took the train back and stopped at the resort for breakfast and a change into dry clothes. Because the hotel is only about a five-minute walk from the park entrance, we were able to come and go easily throughout the day. There are many additional trails to explore—two of the most popular being the Upper and Lower Circuit loops. By midday, these paths can become crowded, so plan accordingly. Each trail offers spectacular views of the falls at nearly every turn. Pro tip: You will get soaked at the top of Garganta del Diablo. If you plan to explore more trails afterward, consider bringing lightweight flip-flops or sandals to change into for that portion of the hike.

Gran Meliá Iguazú was the perfect home base, allowing us to make the most of our time at Iguazú Falls with complete ease. Be sure to include this stop in your Argentina or Brazil itinerary—it’s an experience you won’t regret.

As mentioned earlier, every visitor needs a national park day pass to reach the hotel, since it is located within the park boundaries. Once you’ve checked in, you won’t need to show your pass again unless you exit and re-enter the park.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Argentina page.