Awasi Iguazu

One of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Iguazu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil are a wondrous sight to behold, and this luxurious new lodge is an exceptional base from which to explore them. It comes in the form of Awasi Iguazu in Misiones, on the Argentinian side of the falls, affording opportunities to get up close to the world’s largest waterfall with trails, boat trips, and walkways built into the surrounding rainforest.

Awasi lies just 20 minutes from the spectacular falls, hidden among the Atlantic rainforest treetops and built on stilts to ensure a minimised impact on the environment. Each villa, of which there are just 14, is sprawling, with blonde timber and vaulted ceilings featuring alongside pine floors and distressed wood touches. Natural colours and fabrics ensure an earthy, laidback feel, but there’s luxury at its heart, with outdoor showers, enormous baths that overlook outside’s verdant canopy and expansive private balconies with a personal plunge pool and sun loungers. Take the chance to relax on your rainforest-surrounded dark wood deck, only interrupted by the thousands of bird species chirping among the ferns.

If you can tear yourself away from your luxury villa, head to the delicate lighting of the exquisitely-designed dining and bar area; deep leather sofas, pine wood tables and rich grey furnishings provide an elegant but cosy area to enjoy a fine Argentinian wine. Then, enjoy a dinner made from seasonal and local ingredients, from fresh river-caught fish to succulent meats, and a wonderful array of vegetarian options – the gnocchi is particularly noteworthy.

Guests can explore the falls at their own leisure when the park is closed to the rest of the public – don’t miss the particularly impressive Devil’s Throat, where half of the entire falls cascade into a narrow section, causing a magnificently explosive spray. Discover the rest of the landscape and its history, meticulously preserved through its national parks and conservation efforts, with a vast array of excursions. Enjoy trails through subtropical rainforest, where thousands of endemic plants and animals thrive, and trips with a personal and wonderfully hospitable guide who'll take you on drives in your 4x4, kayaking, hiking, wildlife spotting, boat trips with sunset picnics and to archaeological sites.