3 Best Hotels in Side Trips from Buenos Aires, Argentina

The falls aren't the only good views in Iguazú: half the rooms of this chic hotel look onto the churning, jungle-framed waters of the Iguazú and Paraná Rivers. Even the pool, set on a large terrace, looks over the river. The view gets seriously panoramic from the top floor, one of the best sundowner spots in town. The view inside the rooms is lovely, too. Gorgeous throws and pillow shams offset the clean lines of the contemporary furnishings. You don't miss out on luxury by booking a standard, as all have king-size beds and flat-screen TVs.

Being in the pampas doesn't mean you have to forget about slick design: this 1910-built town house has been transformed into the coolest hotel around. Crimson sofas add a splash of color to the slate-gray atrium, whose checkered floors, exposed beams, and stained-glass windows hint at the building's past. At night the lights dim and the space becomes a wine bar. Cow-skin rugs bring just the right dose of country to the minimalist rooms, which have huge beds. Some open directly onto the sunny patio, where tables, chairs, and outdoor sofas overlook a tiny pool.

That thundering you hear in the distance lets you know how close this hotel is to the falls—the lobby opens right onto the park trails, and half the rooms have big balconies with fabulous falls views. (Be sure to reserve one of these well in advance, as they're the most popular). The rooms are perfectly serviceable, with sleek furnishings and wall-to-wall windows. The spa has a gorgeous hot tub and treatment tents on an outdoor deck. You can see the rising mist over the falls from the beautiful swimming pool, which is surrounded by palm trees and jungle.