Just what we needed this awful winter!

The resort was like a healing retreat for all who beaten senseless by mean Canadian winters. Big, beautiful buildings, open to the amazing jungle, monkeys and parrots as available to see as waiters with drinks. Staff was over the top kind and polite and happy (be sure to tip - embarrassingly some tourists think they should be waited on hand and foot - the gratitude for a 20 or 50 peso tip always brings good service and a happy relationship - just saying). Pools were immaculate. Funny, some would [... read more] think the lack of natural beach to be a deficit, but the manmade lagoon is awesome and the adults sea pool is a best kept secret. We went as a group of seven - all loved it! Oh and the food, consistently great.

Amazing!!!

We stayed at this resort from March 14th to 21st, 2015. The resort is extremely beautiful and big. The rooms were beautiful and the food was great. I had read the reviews before I left and was a little worried. Needless to say, I think the people who were complaining must have been at a different place. Yes, there is lots of walking, but who wouldn't want to walk around such beautiful lush grounds. We stayed in building 19. We had monkeys on top of our balcony 3 our of the 7 days (a mother and h [... read more]er baby). We saw flamingos and a deer who was about two feet away from us, while walking down to the beach. We visited the ruins on site, which were great. We visited Xcaret park next door. We only did one day, which was enough to see everything we wanted to see. We also swam the underground caves at the park, which was a blast!! We went back in the evening for the show, which is a must see. The resort has a movie nightly and then afterwards at 9:30 a live show. Most of them were kind of cheesy but the Michael Jackson one was really good. We didn't eat at any of the al la carte restaurants, just the buffet restaurant, which was really good. They had different themes every night. There is a huge variety of food, so there is no excuse for not finding something you can eat. The staff was amazing. Although tipping is not required, we did tip and often. It surprised me how many people don't tip. These people work for peanuts and a few bucks shouldn't make or break you, but is huge for them. We tipped the maid daily and the pool bartenders who brought us drinks, as well as at the buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner. There is really nothing bad I can say about this resort. We had an amazing time. Oh, by the way, we were able to get FREE wifi in our hotel room, in the lobby and at the pool. Not sure what all the complaints were about the wifi because if we could do it, everybody should be able to do it. The "vacation club" people at our building tried for a good solid two days to get us to go to the "special breakfast" or to get "special gifts", but we declined, and then adamantly declined the second day, and then they didn't bother us. I would totally recommend this hotel for family or couples!!!

Absolutely beautiful I would definitely stay again

everything was good about this hotel lots to do service was great, big place but there was a bus to take you down to the beach very friendly place I would definitely go back the timeshare people were not too bad they do not bother you too much

This resort is amazing!

Beautiful resort! The staff were amazing, the food was plentiful and delicious. We liked the idea that we didn't need to reserve for any of the 5 a la carts restaurants. Clean rooms and grounds. Loved all the wild life wandering around. The only negative thing is that you are approached a few times by staff that want to sell timeshares.

Amazing Resort

This was our first all inclusive vacation and we were very confused on what resort to go to. We eventually picked Occidental had we are glad we did. No complaints at all. Food was great, just make sure you plan to be at dinner before 730 pm and you will have no problems eating at any of the fine dining places. All resturants were exceptional. Swim up bar and pool was fantastic, bartenders were entertaining and provided exceptional service. Rooms were large, clean and everything you need. Beach a [... read more]rea is a cove, and no problems getting room to spend time at the beach.

Great getaway

We loved this resort, stayed for a week and enjoyed every minute. The food is plenty, the drinks are yummy and the staff is wonderful. It is a for start which is correct. The only negative would be that excursions and shopping are a bit pricey, but these are outsidef of the resort. The night shows were fun, although are later in the evening at 930.

Great resort!

Beautiful resort! Food, service and grounds were all great. Very clean! The beach isn't the greatest as it is man-made but good for families. We spent most the time in the pools which were kept very clean. More of a family and couple resort. Would go back!

Great resort

We were given the wrong room we had purchased all in all great place besides the bars were not open enough or long enough pool side bars closed at 6. Resort was full so room we had purchased was not correct room in the picture

Great vacation

The resort was lovely, lots of wildlife on the property (monkeys, deer, birds etc). The food was great, we tried all the restaurants and the food was great, no complaints. The beach is small, but we knew this before going. I loved the beach cove for snorkelling. Even though the beach was small, there were plenty of seats, we preferred the 2nd level. Service was great, at restaurants, bars, beach, etc. I would definitely return. I loved having the unlimited Xcaret pass, we went every morning and  [... read more]explored a bit every day.

Spectacular!!

The resort was everything that I could have asked for and more! We purchased the unlimited Xcaret Package and it was worth every cent! We went to Xcaret every morning and explored a different area of the park before we hit the beach for 1030 am. The resort forgot a few things on check in - such as our towel cards, robes, coupon booklet etc - but the food and Xcaret Park made up for the small oversights that the resort made. I highly recommend this resort!

Wild resort

Great resort had all kinds of animals roaming the resort ,lizards monkeys,deer...and a few I can't remember the names. More birds you can shake a stick at...even saw an owl. Xcaret is a must see my favorite the turtles. The evening show is a must see. A resort hidden in the jungle. Wife and I loved it.

Amazing place, had the best holiday

Excellent holiday get away can't wait to go again. The food was the best and the service was exceptional. I would recommend this resort to anyone looking for a very relaxing holiday, the people that ran it were very helpful with all our daily needs as we do not speech spanish.

Amazing Resort

Great restaurants, friendly staff, clean rooms,nice pools, only down side was no ocean to swim in. The man made lagoon was full of seaweed, and smelled badly. They were doing they're best to clean it daily.

Beautiful resort except for the beach

The resort (surroundings) buildings, outside landscaping are all beautiful, food including restaurants a la Carte and buffet are 4 stars but the big des appointment is that there is no open beach, there is only a man made basin

Nice resort

I'm a beach guy so I wasn't really feeling this beach. Man made and to small. Was kept clean so that's a positive. The food wasn't the greatest but was edible. Two others that I was with had gotten sick off what we believe to be the soup

Ok vacation, not a 5 star

The resort was ok not very welcoming or going above and beyond for people. It took 3 days to get the room fridge replaced, not all of the rooms accomodated the number of people we had and the restaurants were long waits up to 2-3 hours, the pools were so cold you could not swim in them. noone was in them.

Great vacation

Awesome food, you must go see Roman at the little colourful Mexican diner upstairs, his service is simply extraordinary. Avoid the Steak House at all costs however. Italian is great too! Cleanliness overall was really good, from bathrooms to rooms to pools. it was a great holiday, only downside is the service at the reception desk, employees have no clue how to manage issues and the manager I spoke with regarding a malfunction of our room key was sooooooo arrogant and didn't care at all our ke [... read more]ycards stopped working 3 times over the stay (during one of these occurrences my 3 yo daughter was sick outside our room... major inconvenience that she didn't even care to address)

Great place for families

We stayed for a week, it took a couple of days to familiarize ourselves with the complex and the park next door. We had trouble with the AC in our room but it was fixed quickly. This place has a lot to offer for families. A three day pass at the Excarat park is needed to do most of the activities. The hotel itself has a lot to offer. Entertainment in the lobby, great beach, on site animals, sports tennis, archery, fishing(bring your rod) etc... This is a large complex with friendly people. My gi [... read more]rlfriend and I enjoyed this place and would recommend and go back

Nice resort but huge!

Beautiful and well kept resort. Lots of lush landscape and clean beach. Pools are kept very clean. Food is very good, especially the beach restaurant and the drinks are top shelf. On the downside, the resort is large and its very easy to get lost on the paths and the bridges. Very little nightlife here but you are a close cab ride to Playa Del Carmen which has tons of clubs.

Exactly what I was looking for

Loved everything about this resort...loved the entertainment in main lobby every night...loved the parrots...loved the location(5minuets to playa del Carmen) .....loved the cabanas....loved the adult pool area.... Even the food was great!!! Will definetly recommend and go back!!!