dessert
My Gran Melia Iguazu Review: A Luxury Argentinian Paradise
Last updated on January 25th, 2025 at 02:20 pm
Imagine this: Jaw-dropping waterfalls cascading before your eyes. You’re not just anywhere, you’re at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in freakin South America. And guess what? You’re at the ONLY hotel located inside of Iguazú National Park. You wake up every morning on a balcony that overlooks this incredible force of nature.
Picture yourself entering Iguazú National Park through a private entrance, making it to the waterfalls before any of tour buses roll in, going for a dip in the breathtaking infinity pool, and finishing the night with world-class Malbec on the rooftop terrace at sunset.
Where are you? The Gran Meliá Iguazú Hotel of course.
I am so excited to share with you all the details from my recent one night stay at Gran Melia Iguazu inside Iguazu Falls National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
I’m even more excited to tell you that this was NOT a collaboration and in fact — I spent $500 USD of my own buckaroos to stay at this hotel and would do it again in a heartbeat.
So keep reading for my in-depth review of Gran Melia Iguazu— a truly spectacular property nestled admist the lush rainforest on the edge of Iguazú National Park.
While this wasn’t in partnership with the hotel, my site does contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to Gran Melia Iguazu
Gran Melia Iguazu is located just ~7 miles (11km) away from Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR), making it a convenient choice for travelers. Let’s be real, if you’re booking a night or two here, you probably are optimizing for convenience anyway.
So given that, you might as well also pre-arrange transportation to pick you up directly from IGR.
I had a super early flight from Buenos Aires landing in IGR at 6:50am and when I arrived, my driver was there waiting to pick me up. Door-to-door service costs about ~20,000 ARS or about ~$20 USD each way. I was happy to pay that knowing that I’d get to my destination safe and sound.
If you forget to arrange transportation, you can easily grab a taxi when you land!
Accommodation at Gran Melia Iguazu
Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe this hotel. It’s no wonder why The Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel has been recognized as the Best Hotel in Argentina for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) by the World Travel Awards. In 2023, it also received the award for the Best Suite in Argentina.
From the minute you check in, you’re greeted with a refreshing green tea and orange spritzer (nonalcoholic) and a cold towel. Which you’ll be grateful for if you’re visiting in the heat of summer like I did.
They’ll do their best to have a room ready on arrival but in case one isn’t ready, there’s plenty to do until check-in.
The Gran Melia Iguazu offers a range of luxurious accommodations designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of Argentina and its surrounding rainforest.
- Deluxe Rooms: These spacious rooms provide stunning views of either the lush jungle or the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls. Each room features modern amenities such as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a private balcony.
- Suites: For those seeking ultimate indulgence, the hotel offers a selection of luxurious suites. These spacious retreats boast breathtaking views of the falls, along with exclusive amenities such as private terraces, separate living areas, and access to the RedLevel service.
- RedLevel: This exclusive service provides guests with a VIP experience, including personalized attention from butlers, access to a private lounge, and a range of exclusive amenities.
I originally booked the Jungle Views room (it was the cheapest option) but got a surprise complimentary upgrade to a room with a view of the falls. I have no idea why I got upgraded but hey — I’ll take it.
(Fwiw — this was one of the few hotels I’ve ever booked that I booked directly from their website because it was 20% cheaper so maybe that’s why?)
Regardless of which room you choose, you can expect to experience unparalleled comfort and luxury at the Gran Melia Iguazu.
Amenities at Gran Melia Iguazu
I’ve stayed in my fair share of 5-star hotels at this point (lol because I also feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface but whatever) and while the service here is extraordinary, it’s the amenities of the property that make it worth booking.
Private access to Iguazú National Park
THIS should be the #1 reason you book at this hotel. The trails to the waterfalls are literal steps away from the infinity pool. If you wanted to, you or your group could be the FIRST and only people at the waterfalls in the morning.
I didn’t realize how much of a benefit this was until I trekked over to the Brazil side and entered in through the regular entrance. Talk about chaos. Which I imagine is what you have to deal with on the Argentina side too if you don’t stay here.
Infinity pool overlooking the falls
I’ll never forget when I walked into the entrance and saw the falls from the lobby. I thought there’s no way those are real. Then I walked down to the infinity pool and just stood there, jaw open, for a good 5 minutes.
It’s pretty surreal. You could easily spend the entire day poolside, mesmerized by the constant spectacle of the falls.
If you’ve read my Iguazu Falls itinerary post, you’ll know that I flew in early and wasn’t leaving until later the next day. So I spent my entire second day relaxing poolside, with food and drinks from the bar.
They make pretty good cocktails and the pool menu has a bunch of light bites and healthy options such as a hummus platter, a caesar salad, chicken sandwiches, and more. If you want a full menu, you’ll have to head inside to Merkado, their onsite restaurant and bar.
The delicious onsite restaurant Merkado
It might be obvious but your options for dining are going to be somewhat limited given that you’re in the middle of Iguazu Falls National Park. (This is why some people choose to stay in Puerto Igazu as there’s more options for not only dining, but also accommodation).
Merkado is Gran Melia’s onsite Mediterranean restaurant serving excellent cuts of Argentinian meat, fresh fish, pasta and homemade desserts, accompanied by incredible views of the Iguazu Falls.
I ate here twice during my stay because it was so good. I ordered a nice tenderloin steak the first night and then got chicken for lunch the next day.
Sunsets from Alter rooftop bar
There’s no bad seat in the house at Gran Melia but the views from the rooftop deck are even more spectacular they deserved their own section. Alter rooftop bar is easily the best kept secret of the Gran Melia Iguazu is this Rooftop Bar with panoramic views of the Iguazú Falls and an unbeatable wine and cocktail menu. They even have special sushi nights with a live DJ.
It’s crazy because Gran Melia is actually not that big (in my opinion) but they manage to squeeze so many options for drinks + dining onto the property. If Mediterranean and/or rooftop views aren’t your thing… you can check out the other options such as:
- Amaro Restaurant, Bar & Lounge – Located near the lobby is this sophisticated restaurant and bar with an elegant atmosphere, live music and a menu of Spanish tapas. They even have live tango on Sunday nights!
- Gala Pool Bar – Gala reflects the charm of its privileged location in its menu, which includes cocktails and appetizers made with regional fruits, delicious, fresh and healthy dishes. This is basically where I spent my entire 2nd day!
- Bar Market – Perfect meeting point in the heart of the hotel itself. Its menu of appetizers, regional dishes and cocktails is the ideal choice for lunch and dinner. This bar offers half-board and full-board options, drinks not included.
Relax at the Yasi Spa
Who doesn’t love a good spa day? Well, I usually don’t because hotel spas are so freakin expensive. Like, I thought the whole point of getting a massage or a facial in a foreign country was because it’s usually more cost effective. But I remember the time I went to Cartegena and a facial was $300 USD.
Well not Gran Melia! This is seriously the most cost effective hotel spa I’ve ever been to so I HAD to treat myself to a facial for $80 USD. This might be expensive for you depending on where you live, but for me this is basically 50% off my normal facial.
While the facial is definitely the hi-light, the whole spa experience was such a treat. I was hanging by the pool the whole day and then casually made my way down to Yasi Spa for my 330 appointment. From there, I was led into a room that smelled like eucalyptus. The facial itself was wonderful – she really exfoliated my skin and helped clear the congestion in my skin from all the traveling and hiking.
After the facial, I was led to a room with spa chairs, water, and treats. I was also able to use the spa pool but I decided to go back to my room to shower. I highly recommend booking a treatment at Yasi Spa during your visit to Gran Melia Iguazu. Even if you’re not staying onsite, it’d be a great way to treat yourself after the long hikes.
Iguazu Falls Getaway at Gran Meliá: Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t think of a time that I took advantage of basically every single amenity of a property (maybe except that one time in Zanzibar at Safira Blu) but that was also because it was a collaboration. Whereas I loved getting to just relax at Gran Melia without feeling like I had to create content for the hotel.
Staying at Gran Melia Iguazu is such a unique opportunity that you won’t want to miss when visiting one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The hotel is literally located INSIDE Iguazú National Park, with views of the stunning waterfalls right from your room or balcony.
Besides hiking the national park, you never have to leave the property! Everything you could possibly want is onsite from the delicious Merkado restaurant to the fun Amaro Bar to the relaxing Yasi Spa and the breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the falls. Plus you paid all that money – you should soak up every single second of this luxury resort!
Did you get a chance to stay at Gran Melia Iguazu Falls? Let me know in the comments below!
Visiting other parts of Argentina?
Check out my other travel guides on Argentina here.
Visiting other parts of South America?
Check out my other travel guides on South America here.
Looking for travel inspiration to somewhere else?
Last updated on January 25th, 2025 at 02:20 pm
Imagine this: Jaw-dropping waterfalls cascading before your eyes. You’re not just anywhere, you’re at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in freakin South America. And guess what? You’re at the ONLY hotel located inside of Iguazú National Park. You wake up every morning on a balcony that overlooks this incredible force of nature.
Picture yourself entering Iguazú National Park through a private entrance, making it to the waterfalls before any of tour buses roll in, going for a dip in the breathtaking infinity pool, and finishing the night with world-class Malbec on the rooftop terrace at sunset.
Where are you? The Gran Meliá Iguazú Hotel of course.
I am so excited to share with you all the details from my recent one night stay at Gran Melia Iguazu inside Iguazu Falls National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
I’m even more excited to tell you that this was NOT a collaboration and in fact — I spent $500 USD of my own buckaroos to stay at this hotel and would do it again in a heartbeat.
So keep reading for my in-depth review of Gran Melia Iguazu— a truly spectacular property nestled admist the lush rainforest on the edge of Iguazú National Park.
While this wasn’t in partnership with the hotel, my site does contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to Gran Melia Iguazu
Gran Melia Iguazu is located just ~7 miles (11km) away from Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (IGR), making it a convenient choice for travelers. Let’s be real, if you’re booking a night or two here, you probably are optimizing for convenience anyway.
So given that, you might as well also pre-arrange transportation to pick you up directly from IGR.
I had a super early flight from Buenos Aires landing in IGR at 6:50am and when I arrived, my driver was there waiting to pick me up. Door-to-door service costs about ~20,000 ARS or about ~$20 USD each way. I was happy to pay that knowing that I’d get to my destination safe and sound.
If you forget to arrange transportation, you can easily grab a taxi when you land!
Accommodation at Gran Melia Iguazu
Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe this hotel. It’s no wonder why The Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel has been recognized as the Best Hotel in Argentina for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) by the World Travel Awards. In 2023, it also received the award for the Best Suite in Argentina.
From the minute you check in, you’re greeted with a refreshing green tea and orange spritzer (nonalcoholic) and a cold towel. Which you’ll be grateful for if you’re visiting in the heat of summer like I did.
They’ll do their best to have a room ready on arrival but in case one isn’t ready, there’s plenty to do until check-in.
The Gran Melia Iguazu offers a range of luxurious accommodations designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of Argentina and its surrounding rainforest.
- Deluxe Rooms: These spacious rooms provide stunning views of either the lush jungle or the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls. Each room features modern amenities such as air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a private balcony.
- Suites: For those seeking ultimate indulgence, the hotel offers a selection of luxurious suites. These spacious retreats boast breathtaking views of the falls, along with exclusive amenities such as private terraces, separate living areas, and access to the RedLevel service.
- RedLevel: This exclusive service provides guests with a VIP experience, including personalized attention from butlers, access to a private lounge, and a range of exclusive amenities.
I originally booked the Jungle Views room (it was the cheapest option) but got a surprise complimentary upgrade to a room with a view of the falls. I have no idea why I got upgraded but hey — I’ll take it.
(Fwiw — this was one of the few hotels I’ve ever booked that I booked directly from their website because it was 20% cheaper so maybe that’s why?)
Regardless of which room you choose, you can expect to experience unparalleled comfort and luxury at the Gran Melia Iguazu.
Amenities at Gran Melia Iguazu
I’ve stayed in my fair share of 5-star hotels at this point (lol because I also feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface but whatever) and while the service here is extraordinary, it’s the amenities of the property that make it worth booking.
Private access to Iguazú National Park
THIS should be the #1 reason you book at this hotel. The trails to the waterfalls are literal steps away from the infinity pool. If you wanted to, you or your group could be the FIRST and only people at the waterfalls in the morning.
I didn’t realize how much of a benefit this was until I trekked over to the Brazil side and entered in through the regular entrance. Talk about chaos. Which I imagine is what you have to deal with on the Argentina side too if you don’t stay here.
Infinity pool overlooking the falls
I’ll never forget when I walked into the entrance and saw the falls from the lobby. I thought there’s no way those are real. Then I walked down to the infinity pool and just stood there, jaw open, for a good 5 minutes.
It’s pretty surreal. You could easily spend the entire day poolside, mesmerized by the constant spectacle of the falls.
If you’ve read my Iguazu Falls itinerary post, you’ll know that I flew in early and wasn’t leaving until later the next day. So I spent my entire second day relaxing poolside, with food and drinks from the bar.
They make pretty good cocktails and the pool menu has a bunch of light bites and healthy options such as a hummus platter, a caesar salad, chicken sandwiches, and more. If you want a full menu, you’ll have to head inside to Merkado, their onsite restaurant and bar.
The delicious onsite restaurant Merkado
It might be obvious but your options for dining are going to be somewhat limited given that you’re in the middle of Iguazu Falls National Park. (This is why some people choose to stay in Puerto Igazu as there’s more options for not only dining, but also accommodation).
Merkado is Gran Melia’s onsite Mediterranean restaurant serving excellent cuts of Argentinian meat, fresh fish, pasta and homemade desserts, accompanied by incredible views of the Iguazu Falls.
I ate here twice during my stay because it was so good. I ordered a nice tenderloin steak the first night and then got chicken for lunch the next day.
Sunsets from Alter rooftop bar
There’s no bad seat in the house at Gran Melia but the views from the rooftop deck are even more spectacular they deserved their own section. Alter rooftop bar is easily the best kept secret of the Gran Melia Iguazu is this Rooftop Bar with panoramic views of the Iguazú Falls and an unbeatable wine and cocktail menu. They even have special sushi nights with a live DJ.
It’s crazy because Gran Melia is actually not that big (in my opinion) but they manage to squeeze so many options for drinks + dining onto the property. If Mediterranean and/or rooftop views aren’t your thing… you can check out the other options such as:
- Amaro Restaurant, Bar & Lounge – Located near the lobby is this sophisticated restaurant and bar with an elegant atmosphere, live music and a menu of Spanish tapas. They even have live tango on Sunday nights!
- Gala Pool Bar – Gala reflects the charm of its privileged location in its menu, which includes cocktails and appetizers made with regional fruits, delicious, fresh and healthy dishes. This is basically where I spent my entire 2nd day!
- Bar Market – Perfect meeting point in the heart of the hotel itself. Its menu of appetizers, regional dishes and cocktails is the ideal choice for lunch and dinner. This bar offers half-board and full-board options, drinks not included.
Relax at the Yasi Spa
Who doesn’t love a good spa day? Well, I usually don’t because hotel spas are so freakin expensive. Like, I thought the whole point of getting a massage or a facial in a foreign country was because it’s usually more cost effective. But I remember the time I went to Cartegena and a facial was $300 USD.
Well not Gran Melia! This is seriously the most cost effective hotel spa I’ve ever been to so I HAD to treat myself to a facial for $80 USD. This might be expensive for you depending on where you live, but for me this is basically 50% off my normal facial.
While the facial is definitely the hi-light, the whole spa experience was such a treat. I was hanging by the pool the whole day and then casually made my way down to Yasi Spa for my 330 appointment. From there, I was led into a room that smelled like eucalyptus. The facial itself was wonderful – she really exfoliated my skin and helped clear the congestion in my skin from all the traveling and hiking.
After the facial, I was led to a room with spa chairs, water, and treats. I was also able to use the spa pool but I decided to go back to my room to shower. I highly recommend booking a treatment at Yasi Spa during your visit to Gran Melia Iguazu. Even if you’re not staying onsite, it’d be a great way to treat yourself after the long hikes.
Iguazu Falls Getaway at Gran Meliá: Final Thoughts
I honestly can’t think of a time that I took advantage of basically every single amenity of a property (maybe except that one time in Zanzibar at Safira Blu) but that was also because it was a collaboration. Whereas I loved getting to just relax at Gran Melia without feeling like I had to create content for the hotel.
Staying at Gran Melia Iguazu is such a unique opportunity that you won’t want to miss when visiting one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The hotel is literally located INSIDE Iguazú National Park, with views of the stunning waterfalls right from your room or balcony.
Besides hiking the national park, you never have to leave the property! Everything you could possibly want is onsite from the delicious Merkado restaurant to the fun Amaro Bar to the relaxing Yasi Spa and the breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the falls. Plus you paid all that money – you should soak up every single second of this luxury resort!
Did you get a chance to stay at Gran Melia Iguazu Falls? Let me know in the comments below!
Visiting other parts of Argentina?
Check out my other travel guides on Argentina here.
Visiting other parts of South America?
Check out my other travel guides on South America here.
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