The next day we were annoyed with the Marriott because David had ordered a car to the airport and had reconfirmed the car, yet when it came time to check out there was no record of the reservation. It does seem Marriott is slipping. We managed to hop in a taxi and check in to the domestic airport. We found this small airport to be modern, clean and efficient. Our flight to Mendoza was on time and the seats in Premium Economy were very comfortable (no business or first available) but the small sandwich was poor. Premium tags worked well with our luggage being quickly delivered first, and the small, clean modern airport was very comfortable.
Our driver stopped off where we bought park entrance tickets (about 45 USD per person), then drove a short way to the Melia Grand Hotel, the only hotel in the park on the Argentinian side. https://www.melia.com/es/hoteles/argentina/parque-nacional-de-iguazu/gran-melia-iguazu?utm_campaign=google&utm_content=5954&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=directories Immediately as you enter the hotel lobby you are confronted with a fantastic view of the falls. More than the falls themselves you see the power of the falls with the thick cloud of mist rising into the sky due to the force of the water falling over the cliffs.
The hotel is modern and clean, and they did a very good job of making it feel like a resort, with music at night, special telescope star gazing, etc. The gym was spacious but didn’t have sufficient weights, but then again we really didn’t have the time (?) or better put, desire to focus on exercise while here. After our siesta we tried to do a bit of a hike but the park closes at 4:30 pm so we returned to the hotel where we spent time in the infinity pool overlooking the falls and watching the sun set. We had booked half-board, so we had dinner at the main restaurant which provided huge portions. Of course we had various types of meat.
The next morning we walked over to the Jungle Adventure pavilion for the 10:15 group (remember to check in and change your electronic tickets for paper tickets) where they load us on a open air bus for a drive through the forest (secondary rain forest). https://www.iguazujungle.com The guide on board the bus explained about the flora and fauna, which we found interesting if not a little difficult to hear.
Then we walked down to the river, put on life jackets, grabbed a waterproof bag and boarded the boat (I would guess it held 45 people). Here we went along the river and posed for photos in front of the falls. Then the fun part was boating under the falls. We did this twice each time with David squealing with joy and shouting for more. It was great for a laugh and fortunately the water was not cold.
Back at the hotel we had lunch at the pool restaurant (huge calzones), then walked over to the train station where they offer complimentary transport to the edge of the falls. Once you arrive at the end station there are a series of raised walkways that take you to the actual edge of the falls. Here you were really see, hear and feel the majesty of the falls. The falls spread in a crescent shape far to the left and right of our vision. There are plenty of people here but you can still have your moments of peace with nature. It is most definitely worth the experience of visiting Iguazu.
That night we ate outside at the barbecue where I had flank steak that had been smoked for hours. Delicious and the dessert was a chocolate cookie that was cake like and we couldn’t help but eat everything.
The next morning we were driven to the Brazilian side. It was a interesting to see more of the area which is poorer and more ramshackle. There didn’t seem to be any hotels to be able to compete with our hotel. Once we arrived at the park we bought VIP tickets, which is highly recommended as you jump to the front of the line of the more Disney-like experience. Its quite a long drive in a bus to the last station where you then walk along the shores for beautiful views of the falls. There are stunning views. The downside is that the walkways are a bit narrow and there are too many people (a la Grand Canyon) which made the walk more of an amble and less enjoyable. But the views were great and the trip was well worth doing.
We then went into the Belmond Hotel, which is quite elegant but doesn’t have the views of the falls so is less recommended. The food was more average, another disadvantage of this hotel. We were glad to have chosen the Argentinean hotel.
Back at our hotel we had our final dinner at the main restaurant and for some reason the chef was ‘off’ tonight and we didn’t enjoy the meal (my chicken was cold). The manager handled it well so in the end we felt that hotel overall did an excellent job. (Of course, it is crazy expensive so they should!)
The flight on Aerolineas Argentinas from Iguazu to Mendoza had moved departure times on multiple occasions. Just at dinner they did so again and we wouldn’t have arrived at the home David rented until midnight, so David wisely changed the ticket to a much earlier flight that required changing planes in Salta rather than BA. This worked out beautifully as we got off the plane in Salta and reboarded the same plane and took off 50 minutes later. In the end we arrived hours earlier than planned but the car was there to greet us and it was an easy transit. I will see Aerolineas back office seems to be lacking but their execution is tops.