Occidental Grand Punta Cana - All Inclusive

THE ROOMS ARE OLD

For the money you spend I see tons of Resorts with Jacuzzi’s etc. in the room and modern Card key easy to carry not the old fashion digital safes.. For the Price Occidental needs to wake up more often i am finding myself agreeing with the complainers..

Nice resort, but beach was nicer.

This was our second visit to the Occidental in Punta Cana, we were there last March. The check in was much faster this year. The resort is nice however it lacks enthusiasm from the entertainment staff. I barely knew when there was an activity going on and some of the activities listed on their schedule was cancelled due to broken equipment. There was a terrible sewerage smell around the swim up bar which made you not want to sit there. As a matter of fact the bathrooms behind the swim up bar flooded and the swim up bar was closed for two days. Some nights the entertainment wasn’t that good. The food was your typical buffet fare, but we always walked away content. I think it’s a little below par for an Occidental but all in all we had a good time.

Beautiful Beach & Beautiful Property!

Overall I LOVED Punta Cana and I really LIKED the Occidental Grand Punta Cana. The Pros: BEAUTIFUL beach, friendly staff, amazing sprawling property!!! The Cons: the showers need a huge upgrade, the food was not good at all, so if you’re a foody or looking for good food, not the place for you, and you tend to get a bit hassled by people on the property trying to sell you excursions. The best food for me was La Taqueria! It’s the little fast food taco stand that’s open from 6:30pm-12am. Best food there! The pizza place next door (also fast food) was a staple for last night food coming back from the bar. The buffets and restaurants all were not good. I’m not huge on food, so I got by, but by the end, I was definitely craving a good meal. The showers were pretty bad, but hey....shower in the gorgeous ocean? haha We got hassled a bit walking around. But I think by the time you tell them no a few times, they back off. The beach itself was SO incredibly beautiful. The pools were nice and the property itself was a joy to walk around. The staff was friendly and the Mangu club next door was a blast!!! I recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a nice cheap getaway!! If you’re looking for good food - might go somewhere else. I will definitely be heading back to Punta Cana....I LOVED it!!!!

Great Stay

This is an excellant hotel if you just want to go and relax. The only negative is the casino is a joke, only about 20 machines. Not a casino at all. Food was good and everything was clean and in it’s place.

If you want a lounge chair and umbrella, you must get it early especially at the beach.

Fantastic Resort

Great hotel, wonderful service and terrific food!

Traveller's tip on recreational activities

We had a wonderful package, but we were confused as to how to use the snorkeling tickets...we ended up using another service. The hotel has many vendors who compete for your activities and if you get confused easily, it can be difficult as to who to choose!

no rush to go back

the hotel was ok but they serve alot of pork.the hotel has alot of water damage .I will go back but no rush.one thing I did like is that it is close to the shopping area and the club so you are not stuck on the resort.I will book with expediate at any time.It was no problem

Great place but there are better!

The Occidental Grand Punta Cana is a lot of fun. The service is excellent, the drinks are delicious and the beach is unbelievable. The food leaves a lot to be desired however. And the quality of the room needed improvements. Overall the whole experience with this resort was wonderful but next time we go to Punta Cana we will be staying in a different resort. We seen a lot of nice resorts along the same beach and i would recomend spending a little extra and stay at a 5 star instead of a 4!

Traveller's tip on dining

Make sure you really understand exactly what kind of food you’re resort offers. They may advertise Italian and Oriental but their idea of these foods is probably not even close to what you will expect. Try and look at menus before you book you’re trip.

No pool, but overall an OK stay

A few days before we arrived there was a storm that made the pool overflow. It took almost a week for them to drain it, clean it and refill it. It didn’t reopen til the day we left. There were other smaller pools but it was a shame that the largest pool wasn’t available to use. The beach was beautiful and the food was great, we liked the Oriental place the best. It was kind of a pain to have only certain restaurants open at certain times. We had the romance package, which was great! Make sure you bring your itinerary so you can prove you purchased it. We also loved our room, it was clean. We did see a bug and there was no hot water during certain hours. The bathtub was a little shoddy but overall the room was great. We also went on the Marinarium which we would highly recommend!

About this hotel...

If you read below you’ll notice a few negative reviews on the hotel. This hotel isn’t all that bad. The food is good and staff is pleasant. As a matter of fact they accomadate to all your needs, which is great! There are plenty of outdoor acitivites and excursions to participate in. Reservations have to be made for their specialty restaurants, which all have delicios food. For an additional charge they have a lobster house available for dinner; you also have to make reservations for this, but it’s intimate and I totally recommend it. You could choose to have your dinner outdoors or on the beach. The ocean is beatiful; very relaxing. All in all We had a great time.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

1- Make restaurant reservations early in the morning. 2- If you’re going to do excursions don’t book with the travel agency. There are a few guys within the hotel that could get you the same for a cheaper price and you could bargain, which is great! 3- Don’t purchase and souvenirs in the hotel; there are a few little stores right outside the hotel with better prices, which are bargainable.

two different hotels in one

the first room we had was average, then it rained and in it came through the roof so we had to move, the second room was in the preferred area this was a whole different room 10 notches up from the first one. none of the regular rooms have ocean view I guess that’s reserved for the 10% of people that pay way above the going rate. The food was great in the buffet the specialty restaurants were not so good. Not much to do at night sit in the bar or watch the hotel shows. No piano bar, or bands to dance by unless you wanted to join the under 30 crowd at the disco outside the hotel. All in All I give it a 5 out of 10.

Never wanted to leave

Booking through Expedia we had a direct shuttle through ClubCaribe to the hotel. Once at the resort, our bags were taken and we were escorted to the check-in desk and given welcome cocktails. We were allowed to walk around the resort, get drinks, food, whatever while waiting until check-in at 3:00pm. We were driven to our room, helped with our bags, introduced to people who helped us with anything we wanted. The food is good, I recommend the Brazilian restaurant and the dessert at the Oriental. The taco restaurant needs no reservation and is amazing. The gym is small so don’t expect to be able to do your normal workout routine. The Tiki drinks are delicious. We met with a ClubCaribe respresentative who told us all about the hotel and things to do. We booked a day trip off the resort to Saona Island...amazing trip and very recommended. I would definitely go back. Everyone was very friendly. Some people associated with the island will entice you to sit for a vacation package presentation by offering a bottle of Mama Juana, beach bag, etc. We declined because it sounded time-sharey.

Traveller's tip on recreational activities

If you want to use the Catamarans, they offer lessons at 9:00am to learn how to use them. We were not informed of this so were unable to go out on one that last day we were there.

Beautiful Beach

I was very pleased w/ the room and the food. I dined only at the buffet but there was always something there I could eat. A large variety of food. The beach was absolutely georgeous and the staff at the bar were generous w/ the alcohol. Would definitely go back again.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Take the Samoa island excursion. The ride on the catamaran and the speed boat were fun. I would not venture outside the resort much. City run down and the people harass you to buy stuff. Take insulated mug w/ you so less trips to the bar. They give you these tiny cups if you don’t have your own.

Don’t pick this one

The hotel check in staff where probably the rudest people I have ever encountered on a vacation. The bathroom had small mites on the sink. They told us we had the best room in the resort which, looked out to a sidewalk. And, the hotel advertises a safe in the room HOWEVER they neglect to tell you that the LOCK to the safe costs extra. There are also time share sales reps in EVERY building from 8-9am - 8-9pm. It was awful.

Traveller's tip on dining

I would highly recommend the Steakhouse on the resort. Otherwise, the buffet would suffice. (Did not eat at the Mexican house. The Italian and Asian were just ok.) They only provide house wine (of course, YOU can buy a higher brand). And, it isn’t very good.

An Amazing Experience

The hotel was beautiful! The attention and service was great. The food was fine! The good thing is that they offered a great variety. The main buffet was much better then the beach buffet for lunch. The beaches are amazing! You’ll have a great time.

Traveller's tip on dining

You can make the reservations for the restuarants with the person in charge of your building, and not have to go to the lobby each day. Make reservations at least one day ahead, or do them all at once for you’re whole stay. The mexican restaurant is not so good, but the Taco’s outside are delicious.

Not bad, but not again

The trip was great but I am not sure I would go back. The food wasn’t all that good and it was difficult (took lots of waiting time) to make reservations for the better restaurants. I also was surprised at how windy it was on the beach. I’m not sure if it was the time of the year (late March), but it could be cold on the beach if the wind was up and the sun went behind clouds. So overall, I was relaxed and happy to be there, but probably wouldn’t go back.

I do not recommed this hotel/resort

I will never stay at this hotel again. They seem to care for themselves and not the guest. We had to switch our room because we had a terrible sewerage smell in the night that was so bad that it woke us up. We had bugs in a our bathroom. We asked where the hot tub was and an employee that sits at each building to assist the guests told us they didn’t know. My friends and I actually commented that this was the first hotel that we did not feel safe in. The room doors had a door lock, and deadbolt and a chain - are they trying to warn us? We had problems with making dinner reservations. While the sign says checkin at 3pm, we had to wait 45 minutes to an hour to be able to get into our rooms. Do stay here!

I will back next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the service, the people, the beach, ( the most clear water ever seen), Oh! the weather, sunshine the food: everythin you want, the drink too!!!!

Fake Illusion

When we arrive our room wasnt ready. When we did get our room it had one big king size bed. It was my bestfriend and I celebrating a close friend bday celebration. WHen we wentback to the front desk the gentlemen told me that he was doing me a favorite and was upgrading me bc it wasnt something I paid for. I kindly showed him the reservation stating it was suppose to be a Junior suite with 2 beds and that he wasnt doing me any favors. The room condition was horrible. We lost power while we were out there. The diner reservation was reserved for 11 of us. Unfortunately the amn stated we were crazy and that we had none. The beach is beautiful, the loctaion is perfect for local shopping and the club insid ethe resort was great. We all went ATV OMFG itwas horrible. We book with the hotel and t was a nightmare. The bus broke down on us. The gentlemen lied and told us we would be on new bikes. The bikes were old, they power off on us, we paid for 4 hrs we ot 3hrs. We ha dto wait about 2 hours for transport back to the hotel. It was miserable. If it wasnt because it was a lot of us and we made the best out of it. The food was okay nothing exciting. The drinks were extra for top shelf. The best view is the beach.

Traveller's tip on shopping

The local is a great place to shop. Be prepared to bargain and list your price they will match you. The have great painting. The palm resort & Melia rooms are more beautiful

Will NEVER go back

The room furntiure was "well used" and needed to be replaced. The shower was terrible. I felt as if I was in a college apartment, not a resort. Nothing was one bit luxurious. The food was taseteless most of the time, to get a decent seafood dinner we had to go to the restaurant that was not part of the all-inclusive. The grounds were nice, the pools were well maintained, and the beach was great.

Traveller's tip on shopping

Skip the local markets if you don’t like to be hassled and can’t say no. Otherwise, enjoy bartering to get cheap souvenirs for home.

Not-So-Great Service

the good: bar and waitstaff were courteous overall beach was beautiful plenty of beach chairs the bad: front desk service was terrible! food was okay bathrooms in hotel room were out-dated

occidental-flamenco

The hotel is moderate but nice and clean. Is a great place for senior citizens ,young couples and families,not for singles.The pools were great,and the beach is across the sidewalk. Its a great hotel with great staff.I met people from all over the world there. I like the food,and the services offered. The water and the beach is great in punta cana.

Traveller's tip on shopping

Do not shop at the hotel,shop in town look around, everything is so expensive, at least,the prices are at least, twice then in the USA.I did not change money, I used USD.

good, not great

First of all, the beach and water were fantastic. Some of the best in the Caribbean. Everything at the hotel was good, not great. If you are expecting the Ritz, this is not for you, but for the money it was a fair deal. Very true to the motto, you get what you pay for. Nothing bad about the place, just nothing outstanding either. The pizza and taco bar were the best food. Surprisingly the nightly entertainment was not bad and rather enjoyable. I recommend it if the price is right for you.

Just your average resort

Nothing too special about this place. The beach was excellent, except for the guys trying to get you to buy things or sign up for activities. The food was ok. The portions at the restaurants were small. The main buffet closed for a few hours a couple times a day which left you only a few other options which had the same blah food everyday. The nightlife was lame. After dinner there was a show that had more talking than performing and then usually some music in the lobby bar. This is a nice, clean, not too big-not too small, relaxing place for vacation, but if we went back to the Dominican we would probably check out another resort.

Traveller's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Dont buy from the guys on the beach, go to the little hut. We met a person that got ripped off. If you can speak a little spanish it will do wonders for you when trying to communicate with the workers!

It’s a nice place, but I wouldn’t go back.

The place is comfortable and clean. However, there are always people who works there try to sell us things, which made us very uncomfortable. the buffet there is good, but other dining were alright.Althought that it is inclusive, many activities still needs to pay extra. shopping there is expensive (They charged more than regular price in U.S) Bars close at 1am the latest, which is not cool. Wish there are more late night activities.

Beautiful but needs renovation

My husband and I went to Punta Cana for a leisure vacation. The location of this hotel is great, the beach is amazing and made the whole trip worthwhile. The service was excellent and all of the employees knew English and Spanish. No need to be fluent in Spanish (their native language). However the hotel rooms need to be renovated and updated! We didn’t spend much time in our room so it wasn’t a huge deal, but would have been nice if it was recently updated.

Traveller's tip on dining

If you want to eat at one of the restaurants and not the buffet you need to make those reservations immediately. Don’t assume you can just go to one of the restaurants anytime you want, they book up quickly.