A destination that fills Brazilians with pride, Foz do Iguaçu it is proof that we are tiny in the face of nature. And that phrase may sound cliche or out of a religious text, but it’s not.
When stopping in front of waterfalls of Iguaçu named by the New 7 Wonders Foundation as one of the new seven wonders of nature , it’s hard not to get emotional when you feel the power, strength and noise of the water that descends dominating the space and that leaves no doubt about who’s in charge there. It is impressive and unforgettable.
Now imagine having all that nature and energy in your backyard? O Hotel das Cataratas is the only enterprise within the Iguacu National Park and you literally have the Falls as your garden setting. In fact, it has the Waterfalls and more than 180 thousand hectares of forest reserve.
considered a World Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the Iguaçu National Park is home to hundreds of species of fauna and flora. Some numbers give an idea of the grandeur and importance of the place: it is home to 257 species of butterflies, 348 of birds, 18 of fish, 12 of amphibians, 41 of snakes, eight of lizards and 45 of mammals.
It is located in a conservation area where only 0.3% of the total extension of the delimited lands is open to visitors. And believe me, this possible 0.3% is already surprising with sounds and animals that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world – and it gets even more surprising when you have unlimited access at any time of the day.
only the hotel guests can visit the Falls and walk through the park at any time, having exclusive access before it opens to the general public and after it has closed .
If being face to face with the Falls is already an unforgettable experience, having the opportunity to be alone, just you and that vibrant flood, is even more special and remarkable – in addition to yielding pictures worthy of a picture frame.
The Waterfall Hotel
In a tumbled house built in 1958 the hotel was once managed by other groups and did not always have its glory days as it does today.
The property has even won the award for best hotel in South America by the World Traveler Middle East Reader’s Awards , an important award and considered the largest tourism publication in the Middle East; as well as being elected as the best hotel in south america in 2022 by Forbes Travel Guide, with top rating given to hotels by the guide.
The great turn of the Hotel das Cataratas happened in 2007, when the group Belmond the same company that manages Copacabana Palace, a chain of reference in luxury around the world, took over its administration and, right away, invested BRL 60 million in a renovation that recreated the 187 accommodations and common spaces, such as the swimming pools, restaurants, gardens and the opening of a new spa.
A new renovation was carried out during the pandemic period, in fact, the guest will hardly find a maintenance team somewhere in the hotel, which only in 2022 it invested R$ 13 million under renovation of the trousseau and improvements in the rooms, which, in fact, are impeccable and follow the design of the Portuguese-style façade.
Luxury reigns in the hotel, where the watchword is to connect with nature . It is a luxury in the small details, such as, for example: upon arriving at the accommodations, guests are welcomed with a divine cocada made in the house and a mini pillow embroidered with their name and an image of a bird in the region, that kind of difficult delicacy to find.
The gastronomy
The hotel has two restaurants, as well as a bar with a beautiful terrace overlooking the Falls and the pool bar, the latter is the only one that only serves guests, the others are also open to park visitors.
O Ipê restaurant is the most relaxed and is by the pool, with indoor and outdoor tables, and is where the Breakfast, neat and novel-worthy, and the lunch usually buffet style with – literally – a little bit of everything.
With two large stations full of breads, sweets, cakes, cheeses and sausages, fruits and gluten and lactose-free options, as well as a hot station where you can order tapioca, scrambled eggs and other treats to order, the tip is to plan ahead. to have a quick coffee. The breads, cakes and sweets are all produced in-house and are worth a try – the pain au chocolat and the croissant are divine and cannot be left out of your breakfast.
For guests who choose to have lunch at the hotel, a menu that varies from à la carte, with traditional Brazilian dishes, a varied buffet or the typical feijoada on Saturdays are served there.
But on most days a large self-service buffet is set up with options for all tastes. It has salads, meats, pasta, rice and beans and the great lunch star, the impeccable milk pudding for dessert.
There is also an option for dinner, which can vary from the traditional gaucho barbecue, with a good variety of cuts of meat, fish and vegetables, with a buffet filled with hot side dishes. Some nights, it has an à la carte menu with Brazilian cuisine and some typical Italian delicacies.
For dinner, the tip is to go at least two nights Itaipu restaurant on the ground floor of the main building, to be able to taste several options from the menu that favors local ingredients.
Among the unmissable suggestions are Burrata with seasonal red fruits and vegetables; Lobster tartar, green apple, avocado, yogurt and freeze-dried raspberry; Wagyu palette, fresh bean puree, farofa, quail egg, glazed carrots and coriander sauce; Lamb rack, truffled aligot, potato gratin, rosemary sauce; and Oxtail risotto, perfect egg and watercress.
What is also surprising there is the winery with a selection handpicked by the sommeliers of the house with labels from Paraná. At least one night, the suggestion is to indulge in a dinner paired only with state labels – an experience that goes beyond the obvious even for the most experienced wine connoisseurs.
Also open to non-guests, the Tarobá bar and the spot perfect for enjoying the sunset with a good drink in hand at Foz do Iguaçu . (By the way, this is the golden tip for those who are not lucky enough to be staying at the Hotel das Cataratas – go there for drinks and snacks at that time and then take a tour of the Cataratas at a time when it is not open to the general public!)
This year, the bar presented excellent novelties on the menu, which counted on the consultancy of Alex Mesquita one of the most influential mixologists of Brazilian and Latin American cocktails in recent years.
The bar has a menu focused on drinks and snacks inspired by Brazilian and local culture. “We are working so that Bar Tarobá has its own identity, where our guests and visitors can enjoy a relaxing, comfortable environment with the best drinks”, says Fábio Pereira, Food and Beverage Manager at Hotel das Cataratas.
With an increase of more than 30% in beverage options, the highlights are the exclusive cocktails that pay homage to the native birds of the region, such as the Tucano, made with Brazilian gin, green apple syrup, orange juice, cherry syrup and foam. ginger; and Guacho, açaí liqueur, lime juice, syrup and ginger foam.
Gin fans can also try Água das Cataratas, which includes Rio Negro gin, tonic, lemon juice, ginger syrup, basil and pink pepper. Among the classic cocktails, the highlights are combinations made with Champagne, such as Bellini and Kir Royal.
“We brought even more options of drinks made with cachaça to the Brasilidades section, created especially for drinks made from the drink. Between signature and classic cocktails, we also include a section of mocktails [coquetéis sem álcool] and one for children. Another highlight is the Champagne-based drinks, made with Moët & Chandon”, reveals Alex.
To accompany the cocktails, it is worth ordering the grilled coalho cheese with cane and pomegranate molasses; the white fish ceviche with coconut milk, tucupi and lemon; smoked salmon blinis with sour cream and roe; crispy shrimp and sweet and sour pepper jelly; and tapioca dices with guava barbecue sauce.
Leisure and experiences beyond the Falls
The itinerary of your trip to Foz do Iguaçu probably includes a trip on the Macuco Safari, a visit to Parque das Aves or even a trip to the Argentine side to eat some good meat. Programming that is worthwhile and really should be on your agenda.
But set aside a few hours a day to enjoy the structure and experiences that the hotel offers.
Among them, the large swimming pool that invites you to spend hours lying around doing nothing, the tennis court, the gym, bicycles to use on the bike path of approximately 11 km from the hotel to the park gate, a giant chess board in the garden and a pool table. , Kids space and spa with an extensive menu of therapies.
The sunset picnic overlooking the Falls and the sound of nature in the background is a dream setting and ideal for families with children or just to enjoy a moment with friends. Sparkling wine, fresh fruit juice, a plate of natural fruits, artisan breads with cold cuts, cheeses and sandwiches are part of the menu. With limited spaces per day and charged separately, it is worth booking this experience in advance.
For those who like cachaça, the tasting guided by the specialist is a must. Nacir Zandona, at Bar Tarobá, which serves cheeses and chocolates. There are three different tasting options harmonized with the most different styles of production, aging and coming from different regions of the country.
In fact, the hotel has more than 70 labels and is a real delight for lovers of this beverage of great cultural, social and economic importance for Brazil.
There are also experiences such as a barbecue under the stars, a drink at the viewpoint, and a full moon tour, where guests can enjoy the phenomenon of the lunar rainbow during the four days of the full moon cycle. The light of the full moon reflected in the spray of the waterfall forms countless rainbows and gives a unique view. This experience was the winner of the category “Most innovative guest experience ” during Virtuoso Travel Week in August 2016 in Las Vegas.
Having the opportunity to have moments just for you in front of one of the 7 new wonders of the world is that kind of situation that we could say is “priceless”, but the truth is that it comes at a price. Hotel das Cataratas has daily rates from R$ 1,795 + taxes**.
*The journalist traveled at the invitation of the Hotel das Cataratas.
** Prices consulted in October 2022.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
