This upper-middle-range resort is situated on large, well-maintained grounds in Foz do Iguaçu. There's not much in the area, but it's about a 40-minute drive to the Iguazu Falls. Features cater to leisure travelers : outdoor and indoor pools, spa and fitness facilities, and a kids' club. Conference facilities attract business travelers, plus there are two restaurants and several bars, including a pub with bowling lanes. The 300 clean and spacious apartments and suites have flat-screen TVs and minibars, but the free Wi-Fi can be weak in some units and though there are balconies, they're not furnished. Travelers seeking proximity to the waterfalls and who don't mind splurging should check out the Belmond Hotel das Cataratas.

The 193-room Belmond Hotel das Cataratas is a luxury property with possibly the best location for visiting Iguacu Falls. It's the only hotel with direct falls views, and guests have access to the park when it's closed to the public -- a huge plus given the crowds that it draws. Rooms are decorated in a classic Portuguese colonial style with tropical accents, and some have falls views. Two restaurants, plus a bar with live music nightly, keep everyone fed and entertained, while the outdoor pool is heated for year-round use, and the spa provides relaxing treatments. Fitness and business centers, plus a tennis court, are other pluses. For travelers who want to be on top of the falls, this is the only option, and the rates reflect that.