Gran Melia Iguazu

A great experience from arrival, just getting out of the car the WOW starts. Great exterior areas, fabolous view. Room was just ok, not at the level of a 5-start, more quality was expected. However, I recognize the great bed, pillows and shower. Balcony was incredible. I used the red level service and it was worthy every extra penny. Selva was a fantastic concierge. Food and beverages offered to red level guests were very good. Food at main restaurant was excellent, great menu, abundant dishes. Overall we enjoyed a loy the perfect location, the extraordinary views and the hotel excellence.

It was the best hotel that I have been. Thank you Hugo and Carolina for giving me mate every breakfast. Great food and service. Super friendly staff. The swimming pool is amazing! Rooms are comfortable and clean. Stunning views of Iguazú falls. Asado is served every night.

Loved the view from the hotel. We had breakfast there two days and Juan and Andrea went out of way to see all my allergies were taking care off. They checked with the chef every step of the way. I am very thankful and appreciative of their hospitality, attitude and dedication to service. We are so happy with everyone at the hotel.

Excellent hotel, brilliant service and views of the falls with direct access to them. One of the highlights was our driver Luz who did our airport transfers but also took us to the Brazilian side. Without her we could have not done half of what we did! Very professional, courteous and kind! Our teenagers daughters loved her! Luz made our trip very special. Top marks for Luz and the Gran Meliá hotel!

As someone with decades of experience staying at high-end properties around the world—including Relais & Châteaux, Leading Hotels of the World, and the Belmond group—I have a solid benchmark for what defines true five-star hospitality. Unfortunately, Gran Meliá Iguazú does not meet that standard. While the location is undeniably stunning, the service, management, and overall guest experience fall drastically short of what a luxury resort should offer. We arrived with our two young children after a long journey, expecting comfort and professionalism. Our room was not ready. When I politely asked if it was possible to access the room a bit earlier, the front desk showed no willingness to accommodate. At a luxury resort, and especially when traveling with small children, I expect some flexibility. Eventually, we were told we could enter the room at 2pm instead of 3pm—but without any courtesy or proactive effort. It felt indifferent and dismissive. Nobody guided us to our room or provided an introduction to the hotel’s facilities. That’s basic hospitality, not an optional extra. To make matters worse, the hallway to our room had a strong, unpleasant odor—something between dampness and sewage. It was truly off-putting and completely unacceptable at this level. Food and beverage prices were unreasonably high. $6 USD for a small can of water is not luxury pricing—it’s opportunism. After we checked out, our flight was unexpectedly rescheduled to the next morning, so we returned to the hotel to enjoy the pool for a few more hours. Before going on a short hike, I asked the receptionist for water. Unbelievably, she said it wasn’t possible. After I voiced my frustration—understandably so—she eventually handed over four bottles, saying she was just following “management’s instructions.” This level of rigidity and lack of hospitality is astonishing in a so-called five-star resort. Later, when we were ready to leave again, the receptionist insisted on checking the minibar—even though we had already checked out and paid earlier. At this price point, the implication that guests might be trying to cheat the system over a minibar item is insulting. It reflects a mindset of mistrust and micromanagement that simply doesn’t belong in luxury hospitality. There was also a BBQ planned during our stay, but by the time we inquired, it was fully booked. No one had told us in advance that reservations were necessary. At this level, I expect staff to be proactive, not reactive. Thankfully, a German-speaking receptionist did step up and resolve the issue, allowing us to attend. It was one of the rare moments that reflected any real service mindset. Gran Meliá Iguazú may look like a luxury resort—with its sleek design and breathtaking view of the falls—but appearance alone does not make a five-star experience. True luxury lies in warmth, attention to detail, and service that anticipates the guest’s needs. That was clearly lacking. By contrast, Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, where I stayed the night before, just across the border, is in a completely different league. It delivers an exceptional, seamless experience with the professionalism and grace one expects at the top end of the hospitality industry. In the end, Gran Meliá felt transactional, impersonal, and mismanaged. I left not relaxed and refreshed, but frustrated—and that is the exact opposite of how any guest, let alone a family on holiday, should feel.