I making a trip to the Iguazu Falls in November and I need help trying to decide between the two hotels located on the premises: the Sheraton Internacional and the Das Cataratas. If anyone has been to either or--even better--to both, can you please tell which is the better choice. I am more concerned with accomodations (rooms and facilities) than I am with proximity and views to/of the Falls. Also, how is the weather in late November?

I just got back from Iguazu, and stayed in das Cataratas. (Review posted on the Epinions site: http://www.epinions.com/content_155766787716)

IMHO, the Sheraton is the better *value* (rates usually cheaper than the Tropical das Cataratas), but the hotels have very different feels to them.

The Sheraton is newer and more modern, while the Tropical das Cataratas is traditional feeling, more upscale, and usually more expensive (I paid about US$250/night for a "deluxe" double).

The Cataratas doesn't have many (if any) rooms with what I'd call "great views", but to be honest, most of the time that you're going to be in the room, the views form BOTH hotels will be identical (inky blackness, since the falls aren't lit and there is no development nearby, other than these two hotels which face each other across the river).

If it's really quality of the digs and quality food that you're after, I recommend the Hotel Tropical das Cataratas. The Sheraton is more affordable, but das Cataratas is the more luxurious property.

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

Last Feb we stayed at the Cataratas, and visited the Sheraton. My choice is Cataratas. It's in the park, so the tourist busses don't get in till about 0930. We went for an early morning, (7:00) walk and had the falls to ourselves. Great rainbow, hundreds of green parrots flying around.On the way back we met one other couple. The buffet dinner was excellent, and the breakfast was very good. Our travel agent got us a standard double with b'fast for $120 per night.

Thanks for your replies. They were definitely a help with our making a decision on a hotel. Looks like it's a shoe-in for Das Cataratas! We hope to add to the forum when we return in early December.

Yes! I stayed at Das Cataratas and absolutely LOVED it!

Enjoy

I always visit the Iguassu falls.I stayed at Sheraton,Tropical Das Cataratas,Bourbon Cataratas,Mabu,and I had a dinner at Iguassu Cassino and Hotel's restaurant.Sheraton and Tropical das Cataratas are great hotels,in Iguassu Falls.Near the Iguassu Falls,there are some good hotels,the best are : Bourbon Cataratas and Mabu.Bourbon Cataratas is a nice resort,with a beautiful grove,the rooms aren't luxuous,but the hotel's nice and has some good restaurants with a delicious "feijoada" and "caipirinha".Mabu is one of the best South Brazilian's hotel,it's an all-iclusived resort (whit breakfast,lunch and dinner buffet)it's pools are nice and the rooms and bathrooms are small,but they're clean.The Iguassu Casino (Puerto Iguassu,Argentina) has an AMAZING restaurant,on Saturdays there's a seafood buffet (delicious).Iguassu Casino and Hotel has a small casino,the hotel is beautiful,it's lobby,rooms and pool.My last travel to Iguassu Falls was in 2004 August,and I stayed at Bourbon Cataratas.
You want to se the Iguassu Falls all the moment?
While,you must stay at Sheraton or Tropical Das Cataratas.

It's been many a long year ago (1988!) but I stayed at Das Cataratas and really enjoyed it. Some other people that were travelling along the same route ended up in a hotel that charged by the hour.

I enjoyed the helicopter ride over the falls and seeing the hotel from the air; do they still do those (and still turn the engine off when you're over Devil's Throat part of the falls?)

Tar heel,
we recently returned from Igauzu and visited both hotels. We stayed at the Sheraton and if your preferance is for proximity to the falls/activities etc it is well situated.

However, after we visited the Brazilian side we wished we had stayed there...or at least spent one night in each. In terms of your critieria, room facilities etc the Cataratas seems preferable. The hotel seems much more resorty and more charming. The Sheraton is extremely souless and has a convention style feeling despite the lovely surroundings.

I would vote for staying on the Argentina side at the Sheraton. the hotel is just adequate but you can take several walking tours from the hotel. But I would not miss taking a cab to the Brazil side and seeing the falls from that side as well. Las Cataratas looks like it might be a nicer property, tho i did not see the rooms themselves, but the touring is better from the sheraton. Either place is good but whatever your choice plan on seeing the falls from the other side as well.