My Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel Review: What You Need to Know
During my recent trip to wheelchair accessible Iguazu Falls, I had the opportunity to stay at the Gran Melia Hotel. While I wasn’t sure what to expect before I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the property. Keep reading for my full Gran Melia Iguazu review.
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***Please note that I paid to stay at this hotel. This is not a sponsored post and I do not receive anything for writing this. The opinions expressed in this article are 100% my own.***
Where is Gran Melia Iguazu Located?
Located within Iguazu Falls National Park on the Argentinian side, this hotel is the only property within the park where visitors can stay. The lobby and some of the hotel rooms actually overlook Devil’s Throat (a portion of Iguazu Falls).
The closest town is Puerto Iguazu, and the closest airport is Cataratas del Iguazú International airport.
Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel Review: The Property
Dubbed as a luxury hotel experience, Gran Melia definitely lives up to its reputation. In this section, I’ll go over my overall experience of the property itself, so you know what to expect for your own stay.
The Building
If you look at the Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel from the outside, your initial thought probably won’t be “wow, what a luxury hotel”. That is because it was designed to blend in with the surrounding nature. It is not a very tall building, and its colors are a natural gray with plenty of plants climbing up the sides of the structure.
However, the fact that the hotel blends into its surroundings is what adds to the feeling that you are escaping into a lush rainforest. It is not until you enter the property that you fully experience the luxury it has to offer.
Atmosphere
As you enter the expansive lobby, you’ll notice that there are plenty of quiet sitting areas, lounges, and bars. It is designed to allow visitors to relax while taking in the views and sipping on a refreshing drink or satisfying their hunger with a bite to eat.
The decor has wood accents with comfortable light-colored chairs and couches that will make you feel like you’re in a lush forest setting. If I had to say what the theme was, it would be elegant, yet comfortable relaxation. This theme is then expanded upon with an onsite spa and available yoga classes.
Pool
Water features exist throughout the property, with the highlight being the large infinity pool which offers views of the forest and Iguazu Falls. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a day of exploring.
Steps run alongside the longest edge of the pool making for easy access. Lounge chairs and covered mini cabanas are ideal for sunbathing or relaxing as you dry off.
Restaurants
Since it’s a little bit of a distance to the closest town, the Gran Melia hotel has 4 onsite restaurants that guests can choose from. All venues offer views of the falls and have delicious menu items to choose from. Reservations may be required if the hotel is full.
I had a lovely dinner in the largest restaurant, which is located just below the lobby. There was even a tango performance to entertain guests for part of the meal. Prices will be a bit higher than a restaurant outside of the park, but it wasn’t horribly priced. The flavors and convenience of not having to leave the hotel made it worth it.
For lighter bites, the bars also have a menu which you can order items such as sandwiches and pizza from.
Spa
For a truly perfect getaway, the hotel offers an onsite spa which provides massages, a sauna, and other treatments. Yoga classes are also available if you want to get some exercise while connecting with nature.
Unfortunately, I did not have time to try the spa during my stay. However, if it’s anything like my experience with the other amenities of the property, it’s sure to be fantastic.
Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel Review: The Rooms
When you book a room at the hotel, you will have the choice of a jungle view (cheaper) or a waterfall view room. Both styles have options for couples, friends, or families. Suites (which are like mini apartments) are also available if you really want to splurge during your visit.
All rooms have similar decor which focuses on natural colors and wood accents. The goal is to create an environment for ultimate relaxation and comfort.
Waterfall View Rooms
The fall view rooms are located at the back of the hotel and have large windows with balconies that overlook Iguazu Falls. They come with either king or separate beds and are a wonderful way for you to enjoy the scenery no matter what time of day.
Jungle View Rooms
On the other hand, jungle view rooms are located at the front of the hotel and offer forest views. These rooms also have balconies and lovely scenery. Make sure to look out for wildlife such as deer as they often come to munch on grass and leaves.
Wheelchair Accessible Rooms
During my stay, I was in a wheelchair accessible room. It had enough room for me to navigate in my wheelchair, with a large bathroom that was fully accessible. In fact, this room had two bathrooms (one like the one pictured above and another fully adapted one).
As you can see from the picture below, there was a fold down seat in the shower, grab bars (both in the shower and by the toilet), an angled mirror and a roll under sink. The toilet was also raised and had a nice height to it. Transitions from the room to the bathroom were smooth for easy navigation.
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Gran Melia Iguazu Review: Accessibility of the Property
This hotel had very good accessibility. There was a flat entrance into the building, a large, spacious lobby, elevators between floors, accessible restaurants, and adapted hotel rooms. The elevators were a bit small, but large enough for my wheelchair.
I was told by staff that the pool was also accessible with a hoist to allow wheelchair users to enter it. The full day I was there it was raining so I did not personally see the hoist, however, there were paved and ramped pathways leading to the pool which I did see.
My only complaints were that the balconies were not wheelchair accessible due to a large lip you would have to navigate over, and that the accessible bathroom flooded (due to poor drainage layout) when you showered.
Staff were very pleasant and helpful if I needed anything during my stay.
Gran Melia Iguazu FAQs
What are the benefits of staying at this property?
The primary benefit of staying at the Gran Melia hotel is that you are already within the natural park and are in close proximity to the trails. You’ll be able to get an early start and beat some of the crowds, which will allow you more opportunities to see wildlife and get better photographs (without all the other people in them).
Another benefit is that you can enjoy Iguazu Falls from your hotel. Since much of the property at Gran Melia Iguazu overlooks a portion of the falls, you can have spectacular views while in the pool, at meals, and even from your own balcony (if you book a falls view room).
How much does it cost to stay at the Gran Melia Iguazu? What’s included?
Prices for jungle view rooms start at $895 per night. This rate includes free breakfast, Wi-Fi, access to the sauna, usage of the pool, and free self-parking. Not included in the price is the entrance fee to the national park. Rates may vary by season.
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Is staying at Gran Melia Iguazu worth the price?
You are paying for a luxury hotel and for the convenience of staying within the national park. I loved having the option of exploring the Argentinian side of the falls early before the crowds arrived. Personally, I thought the price was worth it for the beautiful surroundings and convenience.
When is the best time to stay at Gran Melia Iguazu hotel to visit the falls?
This hotel would be lovely year-round. However, check the cruise ship schedule as it gets very busy (often sold out) either right before or after a cruise ship departs on a voyage from Buenos Aires. The less busy seasons of spring and fall would be wonderful times to enjoy both the hotel and Iguazu Falls.
How long should I plan to stay at the hotel?
Plan to spend at least two nights at the Gran Melia hotel (if budget allows). This will give you plenty of time to enjoy both Iguazu Falls and the property. However, if you want to see additional things in the area or want a more relaxing stay, plan for three nights.
Is the Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel in a safe place?
I felt completely safe during my stay. The only dangers you must watch out for are the monkey burglars. Yes, that’s right, the resident monkeys will break into your room if you leave the balcony door open or anything out on your balcony. While these little criminals are adorable, please do not feed them or try to pet them… they can and do bite.
Gran Melia Iguazu Review: Would I Stay Here Again?
In a heart beat! While my travel budget doesn’t allow for luxurious stays often (hardly ever actually), I really enjoyed my time at this hotel. The proximity to the trails and wonderful atmosphere were incredible. If I ever go back to Iguazu Falls, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else.
Final Thoughts on My Stay at Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel
I hope that this Gran Melia Iguazu review has helped you decide whether it’s worth staying here and what you can expect during your visit. If you do decide to make this your home base while discovering Iguazu Falls, I know that your stay will be fantastic.
