Gran Melia Iguazu

Imagine opening the curtains in the morning to see a cloud of mist rise above the thundering Iguazu Falls, long before the park gates open and tourists start flooding in. This privilege is reserved for guests at the Melia – the only hotel inside the Argentinian side of the park.

Rooms are bright, modern and recently revamped. Note though – only one side of the hotel has a Falls view, the other looks over the forest. It’s well worth the extra hundred dollars or so; be sure to specify).

The spa has harmonised its treatments with the surroundings; that means relaxing ‘yerba mate’ massages and aromatherapy with specially sourced rainforest scents. Best of all, there’s a restaurant and pool overlooking the Falls – flop on a sun lounger by the pool and listen to the falls roaring behind.

Right in the heart of the park, the hotel sits within its own little clearing, giving it a bird’s eye view into a section of the falls. Within five minutes, you can walk from the lobby to the park’s main walking circuits to take in a more all-encompassing panorama. The hotel – with its restaurant, bar and outdoor pool – faces towards the falls. In the other direction, it has views over the rainforest canopy.