Every now and then, you come across a hotel that is so special, you want to keep it a closely guarded secret. Awasi Iguazú is such a place.
Enveloped by the lush thickets of emerald green rainforest, a short 20-minute drive from the breathtaking Iguazú Falls, the property is the Argentine debut - following two Chilean properties - of the Awasi group, best-known for its eco-friendly lodges in off-the-beaten-track locations.
Comprising just 14 raised stand-alone villas, including one two-bedroom master suite, the resort is the work of Buenos Aires-based designers Eugenia Choren and Patricia Diedrichs in collaboration with Awasi’s owner, Ana Sainz de Vicuña, whose aim was to let the setting of the rainforest and the tumbling Iguazú River dominate the tableau.
Amidst a mood-board of whitewashed timber, lofty beamed ceilings, bespoke wooden furnishings and local handcrafted accessories like ceramics, woven baskets and botanical-themed watercolour paintings, each villa has its own wrap-around wooden deck with its own plunge pool, while the spacious bathrooms come complete with large bath tubs and fragrant organic toiletries by Fueguia 1883.
The property is anchored by the open-plan main lodge, which is made up of a lounge area, bar and restaurant, dressed with natural materials like linens, woven chairs and cowhide rugs in neutral low-key hues. A warm and inviting spot then, to enjoy a glass of Malbec before chef Aarón Castillo Tellería sends out seasonal dishes, like the marinated pacú with mango and fennel salad, that are inspired by the rainforest and it surroundings.
