What is Awasi Iguazu?

Awasi Iguazu is a Two Michelin Keys hotel located in Iguazu, Argentina. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Awasi Iguazu have?

Awasi Iguazu has been awarded Two Michelin Keys by the Michelin Guide, indicating an exceptional stay.

Where is Awasi Iguazu located?

Awasi Iguazu is located in Iguazu, Argentina, in the South America region.

What makes a Two Michelin Keys hotel special?

Two Michelin Keys hotels offer exceptional stays with outstanding service, distinctive character, and memorable experiences.

How do I book Awasi Iguazu?

You can view more details and booking information for Awasi Iguazu through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Awasi Iguazu | Two Michelin Keys in Iguazu, Argentina

Name: Awasi Iguazu
Address: Iguazu, South America, Argentina
Rating: 4.5

Awasi Iguazu, nestled within Argentina's verdant Atlantic rainforest, stands out as a Michelin Two-Key property lauded for its exceptional, ultra-personalized luxury experience. It consistently receives high praise for its immersive jungle setting, unparalleled service, and gourmet dining, making it a truly remarkable destination.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Awasi Iguazu garners overwhelmingly positive sentiment, frequently described as a "top-tier luxury," "extraordinary," and "stunning" choice for travelers seeking an exclusive escape near Iguazu Falls. Reviews consistently highlight "exceptional" service, facilities, and food quality, cementing its reputation as a standout property. Guests often remark on the "best service" and "phenomenal" culinary experiences, even in its remote setting. Its Michelin Two-Keys designation further affirms its status as an exceptional stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of Awasi Iguazu:

Service & Personalization: The most frequently cited highlight is the "remarkably high level of service" and "ultra-personalized" approach. Each villa comes with its own private guide and 4x4 vehicle, allowing for completely tailor-made excursions and flexibility. Staff members are noted for speaking perfect English, remembering guest names and preferences (from water choice to dietary needs), and even proactively anticipating needs, such as swapping decaf coffee pods for regular ones or ensuring a hot tub is ready after an excursion.
Location & Immersion: The lodge's secluded setting within a private section of the Atlantic rainforest on the banks of the Iguazú River provides a magical and immersive jungle experience. While offering easy access to both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguazu Falls (approximately 20 minutes and 1 hour drive, respectively), it also provides unique excursions beyond the falls, including jungle treks, bird watching, and visits to its private Yacu'I Reserve.
Design & Privacy: The 14 villas are built on stilts to minimize environmental impact and are thoughtfully spaced for utmost privacy within the jungle. The design features elegant décor with natural wood, muted colors, and traditional Guarani crafts, with large windows that seamlessly bring the rainforest views indoors.
All-Inclusive Amenities: The comprehensive all-inclusive program covers not just gourmet meals and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but also all daily excursions with a private guide and vehicle, and airport transfers. Each villa's private plunge pool and well-stocked minibar (included in the rates) are also significant highlights.

3. Room Quality

Awasi Iguazu offers 13 spacious standard villas and one larger Master Villa, all designed as luxurious suites. Standard villas span approximately 1,075 square feet, while the Master Villa offers around 1,290 to 1,507 square feet, accommodating families with two bedrooms.

The rooms are described as peaceful, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing, with a décor rich in wood and muted natural colors, complemented by botanical artworks and textiles inspired by local Guarani culture. Each villa features a sunken living room, a high-quality bed and bedding, ceiling fans, and air conditioning. A furnished patio extends the living space outdoors, complete with a private plunge pool that is noted to be "just the right size and temperature" for the humid climate. Bathrooms are generously sized, featuring enormous bathtubs, separate showers, and luxurious amenities, along with plush robes and slippers. A thoughtful touch includes a well-appointed service area with a pod coffee maker, water boiler, premium loose tea mixes, sweet snacks, potato chips, and a selection of red and white wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, all included in the rates. Notably, the villas are designed for tranquility, with no televisions.

4. Dining Experience

As a Relais & Châteaux property, Awasi Iguazu places a strong emphasis on gastronomy. The dining experience is considered "exceptional" and "phenomenal". Chef Mauricio Alvez, a Misiones native, crafts "signature cuisine" that draws heavily on local ingredients and the culinary heritage of the Guaraní people, striking a balance between sophistication and simplicity.

Menus change daily, offering a three-course structure with two choices per course, alongside a selection of classic dishes. Highlights from guest experiences include crunchy fish croquettes, lamb shepherd's pie, a deconstructed lemon pie, delicate boga fish, and a flavorful corn and cheese soufflé. Meals are expertly paired with an impressive selection of included national wines, and a sommelier is available to guide guests through optional premium bottles. Cocktails, including excellent Argentinean gin martinis, are also highly praised. The elegant treetop restaurant offers stunning jungle views, and meal times are flexible to suit guest itineraries. Room service is also available during restaurant hours.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Awasi Iguazu is consistently highlighted as a defining feature, often described as "exceptional" and exceeding expectations. The personalized attention begins even before arrival, with a Personal Reservations Assistant coordinating trip details.

Upon arrival, each guest party is assigned a private guide and a 4x4 vehicle for the entire duration of their stay, allowing for fully customized excursions. Guides are highly knowledgeable, often with local expertise in biology and the region's history. Staff members are noted for their warmth, friendliness, and enthusiasm. They speak perfect English and have a remarkable ability to remember guest names, preferences, and daily itineraries, contributing to a highly personal and intimate atmosphere. Proactive touches, such as ensuring a private hot tub is ready after a day of excursions or adapting beverage offerings based on casual remarks, further enhance the guest experience. The genuine happiness of the staff is also frequently observed by guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Awasi Iguazu is situated in a private, 25-acre section of the Atlantic rainforest, part of a larger 600-acre protected area on the outskirts of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, along the banks of the Iguazú River. Its location offers both seclusion and convenient access to the region's main attractions.

The lodge is approximately a 20-minute drive from Iguazu Falls on the Argentine side. Access to the Brazilian side of the falls takes about an hour, including border crossing procedures. Complimentary private transfers are provided from both Puerto Iguazu (IGR) and Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) airports, which are 25 minutes and 35-45 minutes away, respectively.

Beyond the iconic falls, Awasi offers a range of bespoke excursions, including visits to its private Yacu'I Reserve for kayaking and jungle exploration, bird watching, trips to other regional waterfalls, and archaeological Jesuit ruins. It's important to note that due to its jungle setting and stilted villas, the property is not wheelchair accessible.

7. Value & Pricing

Awasi Iguazu is positioned as a high-end, luxury "super all-inclusive" experience. While considered expensive, with one reviewer noting it can be "2x the others' cost" compared to other Iguazu hotels, guests consistently deem it "worth every penny" due to the comprehensive nature of the stay and the exceptional service.

The all-inclusive rates cover all meals, an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including a selection of national wines), personalized daily excursions with a private guide and 4x4 vehicle, and round-trip airport transfers. As an indication of pricing, historical rates from 2020-2021 showed a standard villa for a two-night double occupancy stay around USD 2,210 plus VAT. More current data suggests an average nightly rate around $2,667, significantly higher than other hotels in the area. Foreign non-residents paying with foreign currency benefit from a reduced VAT rate of 10.5% due to the all-inclusive nature of the program. A minimum stay of two nights is typically required.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of feedback or considerations for potential guests include:

No Televisions: The absence of TVs in the villas is part of the serene, immersive jungle experience, but might be a minor point for some guests.
Warm Villas: Some west-facing villas can become warm in the afternoon, although staff can mitigate this by keeping window shades closed.
Limited Connectivity: Guests might experience a lack of cell service in certain areas due to the remote jungle location.
Accessibility: The hotel is not wheelchair accessible due to its jungle setting and design.
Excursion Diversity: Guests who have experienced other Awasi properties (like those in Patagonia or Atacama) might need to adjust expectations regarding the diversity and sheer number of excursions, as Awasi Iguazu's focus is more concentrated on the falls and specific regional activities.
Travel Logistics: When combining Awasi Iguazu with other Awasi lodges in South America, long layovers, often overnight in cities like Santiago, might be necessary due to a lack of direct flights between remote locations. Additionally, border crossing conditions for trips to the Brazilian side of the falls can change and cause unexpected delays.