The Occidental Grand was a good hotel for the most part. Visually, it was very beautiful. The pool was great but the hot tub was more like a warm tub. The beach was not at its best because a hurricane was nearby so there was a lot of seaweed and mucky water. Obviously not the hotels fault. They did do a good job at cleaning up the seaweed as quickly as possible though. I traveled with a group of 10 and everyone's room was beautiful. It was only my room that had some minor issues such as the lock on the door stopped working twice so we had to call security to come and fix it. The 2nd time they came,  they changed the battery so it didn't happen anymore. Also, we didn't have hot water in our room. We had to call maintenance on two separate occasions to get them to fix it. The cleaning ladies were great. They did a good job on our room everyday and nothing went missing. Some days they came very late though. Around 4pm but not a big deal. Almost all of the staff were extremely helpful all of the time and always had a smile on their faces. They gave my group free upgraded rooms and wifi. Out of everyone there, I only found that 2 of the bartenders were miserable but the rest of the bartenders were awesome. The only real complaint I would make towards the staff is when my group of 10 rented jeeps to tour the island, we spoke to the front desk a day prior and they said they would pack us lunches and to come get them the next morning before we departed for our adventure. Well that morning when we went to get them the front desk said "sorry they forgot". So from 8am until 7pm most of my group didn't eat because they couldn't fathom spending money on the ridiculously overpriced food. But to top it off, that same night we had an A La Carte booked for Japanese to do the cooking show and our reservation somehow magically got canceled in the system. We didn't get our lunches. We didn't get our cooking show. We still ate in the restaurant but they weren't prepared for us so the food was overcooked. The waiting service was bad and the manager didn't even offer us something complementary for all of our troubles that they created. Other than that everything else was great. Italian and Mexico were fabulous. The Seafood restaurant was just okay. Overall we had a great week. We made friends with other happy travelers and played lots of volleyball in the pool. I would definitely recommend the hotel.

Just returned from a family vacation October 1-8, 2016. We arrived only a couple days following hurricane Matthew which did not leave much to be desired with regards to the beach/ocean. Alot of seaweed in the water and also on the beach. Although the ocean was very warm, the water was not Crystal clear as anticipated. I rated the ocean with 4 stars because it certainly has the potential under normal weather conditions. The pool was amazing. They offered aqua fit with an instructor each morning, dance lessons poolside, and bingo in the pool every afternoon. We enjoyed playing water volleyball. Many fellow resort guests joined in making it super fun. Needless to say, the convenience of the swim up bar was awesome. The staff were wonderful; greeted you with warm smiles each day and promptly responded to requests to ensure your needs were met. The buffet had such a variety and was tasty for the most part. The Italian a la carte was our favorite by far. Highly recommended. We booked (family of 10) an a la carte for the japanese cooking show, however, we arrived only to find out it had been mysteriously cancelled. Although we did not see the show, the manager was extremely apologetic and took accountability. The host seated and served us despite the confusion. The seafood ,a la carte, food was very tasty. Unfortunately, all of the meals were cold when served. The service was great at the Mexican a la carte; the food was good. The rooms are a hit and a miss. We had 4 separate rooms; two of them were great 1722 and 1623 and two of them 1807 (alot of noise due to having a restaurant/bar above) and 1711 (alot of condensation, wet floor, dripping ceiling which in turn meant damp bed linen and clothing) not so much. Yet all rooms had a fabulous view of the ocean. We went on the catamaran excursion (4 hours) which was alot of fun; friendly staff, music, and an open bar. The downside was the snorkeling, but again,that was due to the after math of the hurricane. We also rented jeeps for the day and toured the Arubian Island ourselves which was much cheaper, financially, than booking an island tour excursion plus our time at each attraction was not limited. Overall it was a great experience and an enjoyable trip.

We just returned from the Royal Hideaway. It was our third and best!!! Everything was amazing. Food/room/pool but the staff were unreal. The staff make your entire vacation There wasn't anything you can fault at the RH Cannot wait to go back

The hotel is classified as a 5 star. It was MAYBE a 3. I have never been so disappointed. Our check in was awful, it was completely disorganized there were about 15 people standing behind the counter and no one spoke to us for about 15 minutes and they were doing NOTHING. when they did speak to us the check in was very frustrating and took way too long. THen we got to our room. WE HAD NO CURTAINS... we were on the first floor and you could see right in. We spent the whole first day trying to explain to someone that we needed curtains. Noone would assist us or come help. It was very annoying and disappointing. Finally after day 1 we were so upset we got curtains. The pool was dirty. There was green sludge in it and the same bandaid floating there for the whole 5 days. The food was alright.. it was not awful it was not great. None of the staff would help you with anything out of the ordinary though, if you had a special request forget it! Our shower in our room was revolting and our bed was completely uncomfortable. I am also sure that other people had bed bugs as a LOT of ppl said they were itching in the beds. I would absolutely never go back and in fact never stay at a Bavaro Again.

First nite front desk was kind and friendly...had our morning Air Canada meeting and won a free tour of the island..food was good..we went out to eat at local restaurants bc everything is close by..such a great vacation..will definitely be returning but want to try new resorts even though beach is public n we visited the Hyatt and won extra money at the casino..

The hotel grounds are ultra clean. The staff was great and ready to help through out the hotel from the reception, to bars, to buffet and restaurants to maids. The food was delicious for people who like fish THIS IS THE PLACE. There's always something for all tastes. Older rooms are OK. We asked to change into a family room and it was renovated and a lot of space it was perfect. We were with Air Canada for the first time. Our representative Wilson was the best we have ever seen, he would do anything to make your stay memorable. We will be back this is a great family place and diver's place. We recommend.

Resort is under renovation and I'm sure it will get better in due time. Beach is awesome. Food is surprisingly good. We had an Oceanview Bungalow which is about 10m from the beach..it was great! Downside is, the bed and pillows are so uncomfortable. Beach is beautiful. Kite surfers entertained us in the afternoon. We didn't get our beach towels until the 3rd day coz they didn't have clean ones. Majority of the workers are very friendly, esp. Yoexy from lobby bar, Maximo our house keeper, Maria the masseuse and Janetty from a la carte restaurant. There was an old Gardiner who greats you daily and very friendly (didn't get his name). We rented an ATV and a car on 2 separate occasions just to get out of the resort/island, as the island is strictly resorts. Playa Pilar is a must see! By far one of the best beach. We went 3x!

The resort and staff were wonderful. The staff were very friendly as always! Franklin at the beach bar is amazing! The grounds are kept very clean. The food was great! The staff really make an effort to ensure families are treated well! The beach was beautiful and it looks like they are renovating the buildings close to the beach which should be lovely!

1. Staff and customer service is top notch, in our opinion. 2. Resort is gorgeous, beach is amazing with tons of stuff to check out while snorkeling and there's a great mix of things to do. Lots of lizards around the grounds and other local wildlife. Quick taxi services and beautifully situated. 3. For a resort, the food was way better than expected. We are also vegan, which makes matters a little more cumbersome at times. There was good variety, and the chef prepared a few special meals for us while we were there when the menu wasn't as accommodating. Good restaurants in Playa del Carmen (a short ferry ride away) and good variety on the resort. *Enrique was the best staff member there, always smiling and ultra helpful! 4. Book activities while you're in Cozumel. We scuba dived, did snorkeling tours, parasailed, ATV'd through the jungle - and it was all totally worth it. Locals are friendly and helpful. 5. Cons: Timeshare people in the hotel lobby, expensive Wi-Fi service, rooms that could use some finesse (and minor mold removal!) Allegro is great, overall and we would return in a heartbeat.

This resort is quaint and beautiful. I love it here to just get away from the rat race and recharge. Good is adequate. You won't starve. Bungalows on the beach are fantastic. Took my adult kids, did the swim with the dolphins. Amazing!

Honestly very impressed with this resort. Wonderful staff and amazing grounds with all the wildlife everywhere. Loved the beach cove area. We will likely return here with our children! The room was clean and overall met our needs. Lobby also very pretty. Close to Playa which is also convenient.

The resort has 2 swimming pools and one splash aria for kids,very clean .Garden is impeccably,clean rooms and good food.I think every fussy eater can find something to eat,is buffet breakfast ,lunch and dinner but you can choose dinner in one of 3 Ala cart restaurants.The beach is with soft sand and clear water..no gelly fish no corals. The resort is a paradise for Scuba divers lots of coral reefs.

My friends and I (two couples) loved our stay at the Occidental Grand Punta Cana! We all agree that the staff are what really made the trip fun/wonderful - shout out to Franklin at the beach bar for keeping us hydrated with his special drink mixes and water too (you work so hard!), Wilken at the lobby bar for being so friendly and funny, Alexander who bounced around the restaurants and always made us laugh, and Ramon for all the super fun activities and his amazing dancing skills!! That aside, the areas that we all felt could be improved upon are: The floor of the main pool was rough and we all ended up with cuts on our feet from it by the end of the trip. There were also pool lights that were dangling in the pool, needing repair. The waterfall over the pool bar would have ruined our drinks if we hadn't brought Bubba Mugs - perhaps it's an unnecessary feature? There was garbage on the beach, in the sand. The rooms were nice, but we rated them 3/5 stars in comparison to rooms at other resorts we've stayed at. We were informed the resort will be undergoing renovations and hope this is true as it will make the resort that much more amazing! A few more positives: The night time shows were fabulous and entertaining, the food was delicious and we loved the all night pizza, the landscaping was great, and we also loved the animals that went around for photos! It was good value for the money we paid, and we had an amazing experience we'll never forget!!!

If you're looking for a small, cozy resort then this would be a good place to visit. Grounds and rooms could use some love as they are showing there age however the staff was very friendly. If you are a person who would rather sit on the beach rather than by the pool then this might not be the resort for you as with the tide change, there were numerous hours where the beach was no existent. I was surprised to have some of the staff at the resort attempting to sell items right beside our bungalow as well as while on the beach. However, because of the size of the resort it did provide a very cozy feel and allowed for great interactions with other guests.

I stayed here with my best friend May 9-16, 2016. Great place!! Needs some renovating.. but they just started so it would be worth checking out once they are complete! Rooms not ready until after 3pm so have to wait around if you get there earlier. Rooms not in great shape and in need of some serious TLC and updated technology/machines, but how long do you spend in your room anyways?! The newly renovated rooms are supposedly better, must pay more for them right now. Great people working here and staying here too. Buffet and Asian restaurant pretty good actually! Italian restaurant best of our trip. Mexican restaurant was horrible. Beach is beautiful!!! Pools are very nice too! Spent most of our time at pool and beach. We didn't do any excursions or nightlife activities as we were usually up pretty early but there are tons of nightlife and excursion options though. Great relaxing and fun vacation. Overall, would return here only after all renovations are completed. After update this place would be even more amazing!!

Amazing views from every direction. Not for the elderly or handicapped due to the stairs. Food was great, staff was amazing and the tours were worth every penny. You need to get off the resort to get the full enjoyment of Costa Rica. Hotel had monkeys, birds and iguana's roaming around. Would definitely return to this resort. Very clean and safe country to visit.

The resort is huge. A bit of a struggle with language. Some of the workers didn't understand English too well, but we made out ok. Asked for rum punch drinks & sometimes got a fruit punch. Beach is not good for children. Lots of huge waves & an undertow. Never saw a life guard the whole 2 weeks we were there. Air Transat has a reserved spot on the beach for their clients only. Not maned by anyone therefore I had to be up at 4am everyday to get a spot with shade. Not enough shade spots for the size of the resort. Food was terrific. A la cartes excellent as well. rooms need to be renovated. Bed was comfy, but bathroom sink pipes exploded & water everywhere. Took 3 days for maintanance to come to fix it.

Wonderful, helpful, friendly staff. Beautiful grounds. Cleanest well kept resort I have ever been too! LOTS of stairs and walking though so those with mobility problems should not go here. Food was good, Lots to do. Can't say enough good things about this resort. Will definitely be back!

This resort was ideal for what we were looking for. Spacious, comfortable and the food was wonderful! lots of options. The only complaint was the bathroom, the ceiling above the tub leaked. we had read this in other reviews so we were not surprised. However; I heard the resort was being remodeled this summer. We would definitely return.

This was my third time to Dominican Republic and my first time at this resort. I went with my two girl friends. Nice size resort not too big can walk anywhere within 5 minutes. The beach was absolutely gorgeous! The pools were very nice as well and clean. The food was very good especially at the a la cartes, I recommend the Mexican, Italian and Steakhouse. The service was wonderful as well very friendly. The rooms were a tad outdated but comfortable beds. You have to try the late night pizza it was to die for. The only complaints would be that there was always a line at the beach bar and sometimes they were out of even beer and had tiny glasses that were the size of shot glasses. They would get bigger glasses later but it did happen often. Great trip though would come again!

This is our 2nd time to visit the Occidental, and our experience was wonderful, and we will return again. We stayed in building 23 on the 2nd floor, and although we heard a few complaints from some in other buildings, ours was wonderful. The room and balcony were beautiful, and the mini fridge was restocked daily, plenty of bottled water, and our housekeeper was amazing, and kept everything very clean. The bathroom could use updating, as the water from the shower would leak onto the floor, no matter how careful you were, but that would be the only complaint I would have about the room. I found the king size bed, very comfortable. The grounds are beautiful, the food is amazing, in the buffets and at the a la' cartes. The beach is beautiful white sand, and kept very clean. (the only thing, I might suggest, as we went on the Transat preference club and were supposed to have a section of the beach specifically for this club, would be to have the area marked off better. We could never get a place under one of the huts as it was always reserved by people who shouldn't have been there, different color arm bands. They would reserve with their towels early in the morning, and maybe not even get to the beach until late afternoon. We were told at our orientation, to let security know if this happened, however, we really felt it was honest mistakes by them, as it wasn't well marked, and didn't want to embarrass them. A rope dividing to closer to the beach with a better sign would have prevented this). The night shows were a great improvement, over last years, even having an early live show for the children, very much enjoyed. The staff, everywhere, were very friendly, happy and pleasant. Truly a pleasure to interact with them. I couldn't have enjoyed our stay, any more then we all did.

The hotel was awesome. Beautiful grounds, super friendly staff, great food and abundant wildlife right on the resort. Monkeys, iguanas and many different birds. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. The resort is quite hilly so be prepared to walk up hills and steps. It's not bad at all and there are shuttles readily available to take you from place to place. The ocean was beautiful and warm.

have travelled globally and extensively for over 30 years. If you embrace a culture and its traditions and people for what they are (not what you expect), this is a truly wonderful experience! The staff was amazing and so kind to the grandchildren. The food isn't the same as at home, but that's why I travel; great experience for kids to learn that sometimes, you can't 'order up' and get what the grandmother gets for you! -- excellent choices and always something delightful! (the kids went beyond their comfort zones and learned to expand their dietary likes -- plus the pasta, pizza were excellent. Also, the baker on the resort is fabulous! Great choices, hot and fresh! Our accommodations were superb . Imagine our delight when we arrived to 2 connected ocean-front villa rooms-- 2 huge clean bedrooms, 2 t.v.s, and 2 bathrooms! Beds were exceedingly comfortable and the pillows were lovely. The washrooms had no problems, air-conditioning was excellent and quiet, t.v. had just enough choices in several languages but not so many that the kids wanted to stay inside. the cleaning staff was superb. And, of course, to see the sunrise over the ocean was superb! Nighttime shows were very professional. Yes, sometimes the hotel ran out of a particular thing .. rum, coke, wine or mint but it was always available in a day. Folks, you're on holidays!! Kick back and try something new! All in all, simply a wonderful holiday! Thanks to all! I guess bottom-line, I have to say, $ for $, this was one of the best holidays I have ever experienced. TripCentral did an amazing job of booking us at an amazing price.This is not a resort to go to (nor is Cuba the place) if you are rigid, demanding or only willing to eat/drink/do what you do at home! We will definitely return next year and are bringing more family with us!

It is a 3 star resort so one must adjust expectations but we loved it. we had a nice quiet bungalow and that is JUST what we wanted. We very much enjoyed our trip and would totally go back. The staff were really nice and the beachside accomadations were the best.

There are not enough washrooms located around the resort to accommodate the amount of people. The washrooms were not always in working order especially the women's. We had to fix our toilet in our room several times. Furniture in rooms was well used but apparently it is suppose to be upgraded soon. We could not regular our AC. When entering our room and the AC came on we would get a foul smell. Not sure what is used to water the lawns but it was VERY FOUL SMELLING! We would have to take another route to the beach as the water was laying on the walkways and since we didn't know what it was we did not want to walk through it and get it on us. Beautiful beaches and lots of chairs. Good food and very clean. Friendly staff.

Beach was beautiful, food was good , grounds clean , rooms definately need work . The light was hanging on wires , air conditioner leaked constantly , toilet didn't work properly . Was under the impression that we would have a Transat room but was not the case.

We loved everything about this resort, We have been to a lot of places but this is the first time we said we would come back to the same resort. We read a lot of review before some things were like the reviews but some things were not. You have to go to this resort to see the beauty and the worm friendly people.

We were suppose to have a separate check-in desk. Noone was working there so we had to wait in the lineup for 30 mins + to get checked in. Staff was not very friendly. Resort was nice. The room we had was a good size. Very dated. Lights with cords cut off or no bulbs. Broken drawers. Couch was dirty. Bathroom was large but needed some updating as well. Tub was dirty. Lots of bugs. Power went out in the building (not the resort) one night. About 5 hours before it came back on. Two nights in a row we had no water from approx. 1am-7am. Was not impressed with this. Went to customer service area to see what they could do and they turned us away. Buffet - food was pretty good. Service was not. Most days we had to keep pestering just to get a glass of water. Most of the restaurants were the same as well. It seemed like the only ones who got service were the groups of ladies. The Steak restaurant was the exception. Food was delicious and the serivice was outstanding! Lobby bar - would it hurt you to smile? Always felt like we were bothering them when ording a drink. Waited over 20 mins (with tip in hand) one night to order a drink. Gave up and went to the bar by the theatre. The guys are that beach bar we always great! Smiling and always friendly! They always has a long line of people but you never waited long to get served. Late night pizza - AWESOME!!! Overall we still had a nice relaxing time. The beach was nice, the pools were nice. The layout of the resort was nice. We walked around it a lot during our stay.

Food was very good. We have traveled many times to Cuba selecting Four Star accommodation or more.Due to price restrictions on our part & reviews we chose this resort this year.. rooms were comfortable & very clean..We loved the fact that we did not have to reserve chairs in the morning. we could always find chairs on the beach at any time in the sun or under Palm trees for shade. We are beach lovers but pool chairs seemed to be available as well. This resort is small in comparison to other resorts we have been to but we loved it. Never a line up at the bars or buffet.. Great resort for those with mobility issues as everything is on one level ,no hills or long walks. The beach however goes on & on so we could get our long walks in when we wanted to. The staff were amazing & were willing to do anything to make us feel at home.We met many people who are repeat guests Ten times or more & we will become one of them.Kite sailing was amazing entertainment while lounging on the beach.Many guests enjoyed fishing with great results ten minutes walk down the beach.

This was our 11th trip to this hotel, although it had been 3 years since our last visit. Hotel has been repainted, and improvements made. Nice to see repeat guests and a number of the same staff. We will return again next year - it's our home away from home..

This resort is amazingly clean outside and inside. The food is awesome and tons of variety. Everything is easily within walking distance. The biggest down fall with this resort is the week we were there anyone that got a sunshade on the beach kept it. They would leave personal belongs and towels over night to save it and that was from one end of the beach right through to the other side. This was very frustrating as it didn't matter what time you got up you would never get one and there were lots. We always found a chair and a tree to get under but the resort should be policing this. The shows were average I find them the same everywhere I go I'm not a fan of them at all. The disco was so much fun at the resort we didn't leave the resort to go to Coco Bongo in Bavero but they say that's a good time for $60. There are lots of people tying to sell excursions on the beach they say to book through the resort for everything. The boathouse at the resort has people in red shirts walking around trying to sell you on excursions through them and tell you the other company down on the beach rip you off. We sat all week watching this and come to find out the other company sells cheaper and you get in the same boat at the boat house at the resort, we found this very sneaky. We were a group of six and all had a wonderful time no sickness no waiting in big lines for food. You can't go wrong with this resort.

Hotel was beautiful. We went April 3-10, 2016 so we were at the end of the dry season so it wasn't as lush as it would be during other times of the year. We stayed in Room #806 Royal Luxury Package. Wine and chocolates were in the room upon arrival -- GREAT view! -- Room Service is free with the Luxury package. -- Wifi was available but VERY spotty, so it was better to just take my tablet to breakfast and dinner with me as there always seemed to be a good signal at reception --- Just too many stairs to get to the room. Seriously, I can't see any senior or anyone with a disability being able to do that for a week let alone after laying in the sun and drained of energy. There are carts that you can call and have pick you up and take you to the lobby or wherever, but if you don't want to wait then you have quite a hike ahead of you. Food was fantastic and so was the variety. Staff could not have been nicer or more cheerful (Katherine "Katy Perry" is a rock star staff member...remembered everyone's names, always made it a point to speak to us, and has a FANTASTIC personality). There are many scheduled activities at this resort (snorkeling, rifle shooting, cooking lesson, archery, water volleyball, etc) but some of the equipment needs tending to (ie. archery....the arrow rest was like a plastic 3M mug hook that was falling off so it was hard to hold the arrow to shoot it). My only two complaints would be: ONE: there are NO CLOCKS ANYWHERE! This drove me nuts sicne I had no watch. There are activities that you have to sign up for and arrive at specific times. Also the snack bar and buffets close at certain hours so it would be helpful to have at least 2 clocks on the premises. II suggest one by reception for those catching buses to Coco Beach or the airport and one outside the snack bar so it is near the Activity center where you show up for scheduled activities and can be seen at the pool as well. TWO: it would be nice to have shelves in the shower. We had to line all our stuff around the floor of the shower and being low, water was getting in some of my shampoos that had paper-tear tops (like samples) rather than lids. I would suggest bringing eye moisturizer as well as there were several dry fires on the hills outside the resort and the smoke made my eyes dry and burn for the first couple of days...again, dry season issues. Rooms were cleaned well, but the last 2 days there our rooms were not tended to until around 4pm so we had no water or drinks. Also, that defeats the purpose of the nightime "turndown" other than to take our used towels from the morning. When we first arrived they came before noon, so I'm not sure what changed. Overall a great resort and we would go back again!

I was a little hesitant about this resort because the price was so amazing. I quickly fell in love with it. The a la carte restaurants were amazing and the buffet had a large variety of foods to choose from eg. fish, chicken, salads, pasta etc along with the best desserts I've ever had at a resort. Both the grounds, pool area and rooms were clean and well kept up. I have travelled to the Carribean over 16 times and this was the nicest beach yet. Soft, silky sand and easy access in and out of the ocean which is ideal for young children and the elderly. I would highly recommend this resort.

My fiancé, his parents and I visited the Occidental Grand Xcaret from March 31-April 7. The only hitch we had is as a family, we wanted to have our rooms close together and we were first placed in 2 different buildings. Once it was brought to their attention, they were able to put us in the same building, even the same floor! When I was first searching for our vacation resort, my instructor priority was size. To say that this resort is big is an understatement. Now we love to explore so this was perfect for us, but if you don't care to walk then maybe avoid this resort. You're right in the jungle so there is plenty of shade if you need it, and plenty of sun as well. Huge pools, plenty of loungers, minimal beach. The small beach we were aware of before we booked and it didn't bother me in the least. In fact, it was perfect for snorkeling... tons of fish to see right on site! There is a lot of wildlife to see as you walk through the resort. Many restaurants, some we liked, some not as much. But even for picky eaters, you'll always find something to eat. Everyone is so friendly, we especially loved Fabian, who always greeted us at the snack bar by the pool. All in all it was a very enjoyable trip and I would go back in a heartbeat.

Excellent services, nice beach with a lot of activities to do, friendly atmosphere, nice spot for family vacation also a lot to do with kids and beautiful surrounding. Recommand this spot for a holiday!

This was a beautifully landscaped and the grounds were very well maintained. The beach was lovely and great for walking and snorkelling. The pools and pool areas were very clean. Only thing lacking was shade both on the beach and around the pools. More umbrellas would have been a plus. The food was very good and there was always a great selection. Staff were very friendly.

The beach was breathtaking. The food was good and the rooms were dated. Our biggest complaints have more to do with transat than the resort. Our inbound flight was delayed 3 hours and on our return flight we were left on the plan for 45 min waiting for take off with no AC. I am still surprised no one passed out. The flight staff both ways were significantly less than friendly. And our on site Transat reps...well I could write a an entire review about them alone. They were less helpful ( and more pushy sales reps) than the resort staff themselves. Unless you went to see them to purchase something all you got was "come back later" (when they had more time to pressure you into selling something, NOT fix the problem!)

I just came back from a 7 day all inclusive trip to this truly amazing resort. End of March to the beginning of April. I couldn't believe any of the bad reviews after being there for a day. The staff are super friendly I hadn't met one unhappy person there, this even includes the 3 different excursions we did. The beaches are speechless and we never had to fight for a chair I'm not much of a pool person but there would always be seats available walking by! I would go back for sure I already miss some of the wonderful abundance of foods lol so stop thinking about going and just GO and ENJOY!:)

Great resort the grounds were beautiful the beds very clean the only issue they gave me 2 doubles instead of a king but the food was good always founf something good to eat the only down was the beach not very big but the great pools made up for that and mcgill at the pool bar was an amazing bartender I ever saw. Thank you to xCaret for a great week

Just returned from an 8 day stay at the Allegro Resort and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This resort is rated a 3 1/2 star but it was at least a 4 or 4 1/2 star resort. The grounds were gorgeous and groomed everyday to look their best. The food was better than I expected and customer service was great. The staff made sure to make every visitor feel welcome. The al a carte meals were a fantastic experience. The Air Transat representative did a great job explaining taxis, shopping, ferry, and the most popular things to see on the island. Cozumel is a very relaxing place to go if you just want to get away or if you feel the need to shop, it is also close enough to do some shopping too. Our Tripcentral agent, Nicole Kirk, did a great job helping me choose this resort and I was not disappointed at all. I will definitely be returning to Cozumel next year to continue my ventures.

The intimate Occidental Grand Hotel and Spa, located on the southwest section of the island of Cozumel, just south of Cancun, has matured magnificently over the past 15 years into a lush tropical jungle-like setting of beautifully manicured natural multi-coloured vegetation, with comfortable customized ceramic tiled walkways accented with individually constructed ornamental water fountains at every intersection connecting the 21 separate atrium-style villa buildings in this intimate hacienda-style resort. Located on the long white sandy beaches of Cozumel immediately in front of the world-renowned Palancar and San Francisco Reefs, part of the 'Arrecifes of Cozumel National Park', the Occidental Grand is a destination location for scuba diving enthusiast from around the world. The secluded Royal Club section of the resort is intimate in setting and specialized in service for all guest offering concierge dining at three excellent specialty restaurants, including the very intimate and up-scale 'La Carreta' restaurant, located within the Royal Club section. The beautiful setting, friendly and very eager-to-please staff, a complete range of inviting and personalized pool locations from active to quite, friendly resident wildlife (including 'Pancho', the resident orange iguana), food and beverage offerings from simple to very specialized, and a wide range of complimentary water-sports equipment and guidance under the watchful supervision of Gustavo at the on-site dive centre, make this a wonderful place to visit! And as a bonus, any avid Hobie Cat sailor will enjoy testing the ever-present strong trade winds while cruising over the crystal clear waters just off the sandy shoreline.

This hotel is the perfect size. No trains or trolleys to get around. Staff are friendly and upbeat! Beach is beautiful, food is good and the resort is incredibly clean. If you're looking for a quiet relaxing vacation in the sun, this is the place!

We went as a group of 4 girls (2 of them had never been to all-inclusive before). It's not your typical resort on a large span of beach but a grand resort that offers a more exotic and environmental experience. Although the resort was at capacity, we never felt crowded and no lineups at restaurants. Very clean and beautiful - looks like it has just been renovated. Friendly staff who recognized us everywhere and great food. Disco can use a real DJ and pools were frequently out of towels. Only 160 pesos to taxi to Playa Del Carmen which offered clubs/bars and a beautiful beach! All of had a great time and many memorable moments with too much tequila :)

We are already planning to return. The beach, the rooms and the food were excellent. The staff were beyond words. They treat you like family. This was our tenth trip to Cuba-second time to Sercotel. The first time was 5 years ago and was our first trip to Cuba. We enjoyed our trip then too but wanted to try some different resorts. We have enjoyed every trip but this one was special. The staff make the difference. They were so warm and welcoming. The feel is very casual like going to the beach when you were a kid.This is just what we wanted. It is not real fancy. But there is nothing else you need. Clean comfortable rooms, warm weather, great beach and unmatched hospitality. Everything you need.

Very clean and well taken care of will layout and friendly the staff always there to help you the wild life was really relaxing you could eat of the walkway it was so clean lose to some good attractions and good eats

Our first trip to Punta Cana and we loved it! We travel to Cuba usually twice a year and decided to try the DR. What a great place! Beautiful beaches, friendly staff, great service, great food and of course great drinks!!

Grounds and beach are great. Good selection of al a carte restaurants. Rooms are very dated and in need of repair immediately but renovations start in May and understandable why they wont repair yet. Food good. Very few staff speak English and this was frustrating sometimes.

Great food, nice layout, and loved the inland ocean lagoon swimming area. Live fish in the cannals (which you could feed with the provided feed), and live birds perched in the lobby areas. They could improve their entertainment.

Wonderful well-priced resort. Food and drinks great! Water and snorkelling great. Excellent service! Rooms clean, well-stocked, well-kept. A-la-carte restaurants all had great menus and service. Good time was had by all!

It was a beautiful resort, the staff was very kind and the food was amazing. Everything was very clean and lots of fun activities for kids and adults. The A/C in the room wasn't the greatest but worked slightly.

This hotel was great if you are an avid scuba diver or snorkeler. The pool and beach volleyball were great, however, there were very little activities for teenagers in the evenings which was disappointing. The beach was very disappointing....not really the white sand beaches I have heard about. The food at the restaurants was outstanding, however, the buffet meals remained just adequate. A great resort for families with small kids, however, not as good for families with teenagers. The staff were very friendly.

Was a great resort, very clean, well maintained. Food was very good, variety was great. Staff was very helpful when needed. If you have the time, you have to make sure to go to the Xcaret park next door. Its a must see, so many animals and things to see for all ages.

This place was incredible and mind blowing . The good was perfect . And the employees were the most amazing people I have ever met!!! The things they have for kids to do everyday was so sweet and the booze bars were just amazing! Highly recommend

Resort very nice, clean, friendly staff, amazing food & selection. Rooms very nice, especially 2nd floors. However last 3 days there was no hot water, the day we were leaving we had no water pressure at all.

The grounds and public areas are very well maintained. Food was very good, a great variety. If you were hungry when you left the restaurant it was your fault. Water pressure in the morning was poor and have a shower late afternoon before everyone else as hot water ran out quickly Great staff. Pay for everything in pesos as it works out cheaper than US of Canadian. We will go back!

The hotel is located in a jungle- so beautiful! So many different animals! The grounds are always clean, food is great, lots of entertainment, lots of pools, beach is very small(only downfall)but nice!

No long walks on the beach. It is a sandy lagoon, great for young children. Enjoyed the open Beach restaurant, Nice view from the balcony area. Pools where well cleaned. Personnel was pleasant. Main buffet area Noisy!

We stayed there the week of Feb. 12, 2016. For a 3 Star Resort we were really impressed. Didn't like our first room being too close to the disco...no problem, got moved. Good room other than the thatched roof allowed some sounds from the next room. Staff were super and friendly. Food, although a little limited it was better than expected - we were pleased by the buffet and the a la cartes. Good diving. Good beach and lots of umbrellas/trees. Not much for snorkeling right at the beach. We would go back. Canadian dollar was a killer!

The grounds were well maintained,buffets a little smaller then we were use to. But the food was fantastic. Room was beautiful. They are a little understaffed (especially in some of the bars..ie.beach area the bartender worked very hard to serve everyone...another person in this area would improve the service). The people are very friendly and willing to share there knowledge about the birds,trees culture truly enjoyable trip. Snorkeling off the beach was amazing even had a chance to swim with a Hawkbilled turtle no once but on three different occasion. The weather was hot everyday above 35 degrees C. Would recommend for everyone if your have leg issues or heat issues maybe another location would be better.

The beach is beautiful.The grounds and beach area were clean,The food was mediocore,The room was nice We really enjoyed the bed., it was fantastic,Service could of been a little better.Overall the fantastic weather and beautiful beach made up for any inconviences,

Hotel was very pretty with lush tropical grounds and very cool iguanas. Nice beach with good snorkelling right there. Staff all very nice and helpful. Got a little tired of the buffets at lunch and dinner.

Had an amazing time, the beach was beautiful, staff very friendly, night entertainment was great, they could of had more things during the day, our room was decent the cleaning staff were awesome, the food was good, large variety. (Had an awesome time)

Very clean, very friendly staff, good variety of food, amazing scenery and snorkelling. Rooms were small, but does that matter? Will book with trip central again but not with an Air Canada flight - both flights were oversold and we flew standby both there and back. Not a great way to start a vacation.

resort was clean, grounds well maintained, paths were very clean, well lit at night, public restrooms very clean, friendly staff, clean pools! beach area well groomed, good variety of food, bathroom could use an update...overall...wonderful holiday!

Beautiful Grounds, excellent beach with great snorkellig! Dive shop very accomodating and well run. Rooms were adequate. Food was pretty good, found the buffets to have less choices than other resorts. Overall geat vacation.

Good resort, this was actually my 2nd time here. We went with a group of 16 just for a standard vacation. Resort put us all in the same block so that was nice. Food was amazing, everything was clean, staff was awesome. The hotel is getting a little older so you can tell the rooms are starting to date and there is some wear and tear, but I am not on vacation to be in a room so what can you do. We all had a good time and no real complaints, the only thing that would be nice is if there was a bar a little closer to the block 19 end of the pool, but the serves did a pretty good job of keeping us hydrated.

This hotel is very nice and clean with pools around the whole property. I would recommend this place to anyone who doesn’t care about long sandy beach that you can walk for hours however it offers small man made beach that is beautiful, great for kids and very privet. Enjoy the amazing sound of the jungle with singing birds and monkeys jumping from tree to tree. The hotel is on the border with Xcaret park that is also amazing and worth to see. One day is not enough to see and participate in everything in the park. The hotel offers the ride to jewelry factory and tequila factory as well the playa the Carmen town with all touristy stores, restaurands and long sandy beach.

Have been to several resorts in the Punta Cana area in the past. Overall this rated up there. Good resort for families with small children. Rooms were spacious and clean. Wide selection of food in both the a la carte and and buffet. Overall, good value for the dollar.

The hotel is run down, the beach is not good, but all the staff was so nice and helpful. This resort have a lot of potential, the new owner will have a lots of things to change. It is a nice place if it was taking care of, its a small resort, nice for a family with children.

This was our first time staying at this resort. We purchased the Royal club package and upgraded to a studio suite upon arrival. We were treated like royalty. Food, room, entertainment, beach and staff were excellent. A special thanks to Jorge in the beach area. His service was always accompanied with a smile:) If you are looking for a smaller more intimate resort I would suggest the Occidental Grand Nuevo!

Resort need restoration OK in general.... Not a WOW! Good service No Kleenex and face cloth, matress in VERY poor shape, Glasses on the beach shall be a NO NO!! Buffet very good, resto a la carte deceiving except the Oriental

Everything was perfect-staff, food,drinks, service and the beach. We especially liked the size of the resort with everything so close together. We never encountered a line up nor had to wait on service.

Resort was great. We upgraded to the royal club which was great. Beter drink service and food. Our kids booked the regular room rate and there was definitly a difference in the rooms food and bar service. Large resort but there were not alot of activities through the day, Just beach and pool suning

The food, pools, beach, activities, rooms and staff were super awesome! Nolberto Lopez, Jesus & David with the Guest Activities team were the best I have ever seen. They continued to entertain the guests of all ages day and night. The food in the Mexican & Oriental Chop House were outstanding. Not so great in the Italian. The only complaint I had was the bed was hard as a rock. The rooms and grounds were very clean and well kept.

Honestly we didn't expect much from this resort as we booked last minute but it was by far a favorite of the places we've stayed! The rooms were spacious and cozy. Bed was comfortable (an issue we ran into when we stayed in Cuba). Beach was bigger than it appeared in the pictures and beautiful. We saw lots just snorkeling around the area! Food and abundance of restaurants were fabulous (highly recommend governor tacos from the Mexican restaurant!). Service was generally great however we did find that our "concierge" didn't follow through with any of the requests we made (i.e. more beer in our fridge, straws, he kept telling us about a "welcome gift" however never gave us anything). But overall the resort was a huge hit. Walking around is like walking through a jungle with deer, monkeys, birds, etc. We would absolutely return!!

I would rate the Allegro as a 31/2*.. The units were comfortable,clean and close to everything on the grounds ..The grounds were very well looked after,the grounds keepers don't get enough credit for their hard work..The food was a 4 out of 5 most of the time,we enjoyed it,was always something yummy to eat.Once in awhile the middle counters were a bit cold but we all know it's hard keeping a buffett hot for long periods of time..The a la cartes we all fantastic,there are 3 of them..The staff were wonderful and very prompt to fix or answer any questions we had..

Great resort, fabulous staff, food and beach. The resort is just a short drive from the airport. It's not a huge resort, which was refreshing. I went with a couple of friends and we all stayed in one room. In other resorts I've been to the rooms were definitely large enough to accommodate 3 people, where this was a bit small, but by no means too small and let's face it, we didn't spend much time in our room anyway. Just a note that very few of the rooms have balconies. We had so much fun in the lobby bar (Jessica was amazing!), we didn't make it to any of the evening shows, so can't comment on the entertainment. I would go back to this resort in a heartbeat and recommend it to everyone!

This hotel is excellent. The staff make it a five star! They are always willing to help and always have a smile. The rooms are spacious and very clean. The ocean water on the bay in warm and the beach is nice. The disco is fun at night. Ask them to play rock a and roll otherwise you will just get techno music! There is not a lot to do at night so bring dice or cards. The Mango Martini is the best. They do not water down drinks. Just be aware there are lots and lots of steps and steep his because it is built on a cliff.

Great Vacation,,one of the best resort that we ever been,, I should say the best so far. Great food, amazing people, beautiful beach very nice pools and very clean, the rooms are great beautiful gardens with very colorfull flowers, beautiful lobby with great colorfulcentre pieces full of beautifull flowers There"s so much to say about this beautiful resort,we will b back very soon. Supricing the security it is great 24 hours a day..THANK YOU OCCIDENTAL GRAN FO A GREAT TIME..

We enjoyed the fact that this is not a huge resort but one that is smaller and the staff recognizes you and call you by name. All staff went out of their way to assist you. A friendly hello by name a handshake and even carrying your dinner plate to the table for you. The food was delicious and varied each day and a theme night at supper. We celebrated our 30th anniversary at the Italian restaurant and were treated to an amazing meal with a bottle of champagne and fancy desert. The grounds were beautiful and always being maintained. A heated swimming pool was also a nice touch. We chose an ocean view room that was well worth the money. The sun set right outside our window with extraordinary views. The room was big and comfortable and the air conditioning was always cool. Water pressure in the shower was strong and water always hot. There was always outdoor music but not so loud that you could not enjoy yourself if you just wanted to sit and relax. The maids kept things in spotless condition and there was a turn down service at night with chocolates and towels being replaced as well. Drinks were of very good quality. The beach was amazing, soft sand, no debris and very wide. Will return for sure

I wish I could give the resort 2 1/2 stars... The guests make this resort a place that you want to be. Everyone is super friendly and it seems like many of them return year after year. The hotel staff were not very friendly or accommodating, especially at the front desk. We had to beg and chase the cleaning staff for clean towels and toiletries. Also, the Transat Representative was not willing to help you or answer questions, unless you were buying an excursion from him. The drinks were decent and overall the food was very good. The pizza at the snack bar is great. We wished there was more than 1 bar open at night and not up a giant flight of stairs. Overall the resort is dated but nice, the grounds are clean and the beach is beautiful.

This resort is well laid out on the hills leading to the beach. The staff are outstanding and exemplify what service is. The food at the buffet was a great mixture of areas of the world and local cuisine. Occasional evening entertainment would bring this resort to the next level, it would be a great chance to display local customs and arts.

My fiancé and I just got back from our first vacation together at the occidentail grand Xcaret. First off I need to compliment how utterly beautiful the resort is. The location and grounds are so beautiful. We were looking for a place that had a bit of everything (ocean, pools, animals, jungle etc) and we found exactly what we were looking for. Walking through the trails each day we got the pleasure of watching monkeys fly through the tree overhead, deer walking around eating, birds singing. Truly an amazing combination of wildlife meets luxury. The staff at this resort are top notch. Everyone from front desk, housekeeping, bartenders, waitresses, bellboys, maintanence.....everyone was super friendly and amazing. The food was great, there was always a choice for everyone. We enjoyed how the food at the buffets would change daily so you weren't always eating the same things. We seriously had the most amazing trip and are starting to save so that we can come back again next year!

Beautiful resort. Service & food excellent. ENJOYED the monkeys, birds and other tropical animals. The violinest in the lobby-excellent. The resort is well kept. Would go back!! The beach was a little small. Great place for families.

This resort was beyond our expectations. We were there to celebrate our 30th anniversary and it was everything we hoped for plus more. The staff was very attentive and the food was excellent! To summarize in one word AWESOME!!

Very friendly staff everywhere we went in the resort. Clean rooms and bathrooms. Nice beach, very good food. The resort is older, but well kept. Well worth the price. Not a good place for snorkeling, but perfect for kite surfing.

This resort was built before its neighbours on either side, Palladium and Princess, and its infrastructure is beginning to show its age. For instance we had to call maintenance for a malfunctioning toilet and a minor roof leak. On the other hand the resort is clean, we found all staff helpful and friendly , and it is on the incomparable Bavaro beach. We especially liked the beachside Seafood restaurant. We would recommend this resort to travellers who focus on Sun and sand and are generally not fussy. The cost was at least 10% lower than neighboring larger resorts, as well.

The hotel needs upgrading. The rooms are very small and the bathroom is sub standard with old toilet and shower. The room looked over the sink and no one fixed it and you could not open a window. The food was ok but not enough variety. There was a buffet and one a la carte and nothing special about either. A 4 star has at least 3 or 4 a la carte options. Buffet at beach was good and staff very friendly

The Occidental grand was the most beautiful setting i have ever seen. Woke up in the morning to monkeys on my balcony, lush jungle like setting. The beach was a little far but good exercise. Rooms are very clean and spacious and the staff were amazing. Traveled alone with my 12 year old daughter and never felt unsafe.

This was our third time going to the Allegro. It appealed to us before we had kids and this time we brought the whole family and it was just as fun. The landscaping is beautiful, the staff are great and the beach is right there.

We enjoyed the resort, however the both pools were very cold. The lobby area and all areas of the resort were kept very clean and I like the fact they were using plastic cups that could be re-washed not thrown away. I must admit the room was just OK as on the departure they stated it was a premimun room I would certainly not have paid any extra. Staff very friendly and helpful, Maria our housekeep could not do enough!

My partner and I just returned from an enjoyable week at the Allegro Playacar Beach Resort Hotel. The resort has well-cared for lawns, palm trees, and gardens. There are two crystal clear pools and a beautiful white sand beach. The accommodations are in two-story octoplexes with thatched roofs. The rooms are bright and clean. The resort truly has the appearance of a Mexican paradise. In addition, its smaller size engendered a family atmosphere among the guests and staff. The food is very good, but it lacked the variety I would like. There were two Mexican buffets, a Mexican à la carte restaurant, a pizza kitchen, and a hamburger barbecue. There was also an Italian à la carte restaurant, but it was difficult to get reservations. The restaurant servers and bar staff are very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. They seem to enjoy serving and getting to know the guests. Definitely, the resort is an incredible value, a hidden gem in Playacar. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy an excellent Mexican holiday.

Had to change our room 23(226) because of the musty smell, bathroom so outdated it was unable to look clean, A/C didn't work ,furniture was beyond repair, telephone didn't work, complimentary fruit in the room was rotten and had flies on it. Were given a room in a different building after much discussion and hassle. This room was less dated and clean. Received none our package with this room. (bottle of rum, bathrobes, slippers, fruit or beer in the fridge. Second day after talking to cleaning person received the daily beer in the fridge. By this time we were tired of the hassle of speaking to the people in charge. Reception staff seemed bored and not friendly. Grounds and beach area are beautiful and well kept, staff friendly and chatty. Would we return to this resort? If it was all updated we might consider a return visit.

lot of walking food is good a la cart medium beach is rocky rooms are so so great eco resort with wildlife not a good place for kids or older people lots of stairs and walking to rooms or restaurants need more beach

Service in restraunts the worst I have ever had, food in restraunts not good. Basketball hoops broken, no archery, lots of seaweed on beach, evening entertainment worst ever! toilet plugged every day! However the reserved evening meals were great, bartender at pool bar was great! Not much else to say other than will never stay again.

I loved the multiple pools... the staff... the enormous size of the resort... the food!! The best part was the inlet to snorkel in! I can't even think of anything negative to say! I recommend anyone to stay here!!

Ok food ok rooms ok pool great beach excellent staff. If kite boarding is your thing this is probably the best spot in the world to learn how. Pilar beach is amazing but the one in the resort isn't far off. Talk to the guys at the paddleboat shack for snorkeling. Way cheaper than the catamaran.

The Occidental provides a relaxing stay in the sun. A great beach, with the opportunity to have long walks. The service is good, as is the food. The shuttle to Cartagena is excellent. The majority of quests are Colombians, and it makes for a nice ambience. The staff has sufficient English to serve non-Spanish speakers. Overall, a great place.

We were first put into an older room, which was very bad, we were switch three days later to a newer one, they would run out of food at the lunch time as well. The staff at the bar areas made the trip much better!

Got there late in the day and the room we got was a little rough, musty smell, bath was unclean and window didn't lock. Went to the front desk to complain and they had the window repaired. Next day I asked for another room and they gave me a lot nicer room on the second floor. The buffet was good and the restaurants were excellent. Bars offered premium alcohol and the service was very good. Beach was clean and lots of chairs around pools and beach. All and all, a good deal for the money spent.