Occidental Grand Aruba - All Inclusive

I traveled with my boyfriend to the Occidental after a great experience we had four years ago. Aruba is absolutely amazing but was disappointed with the Occidental the second time around. I am not sure if other hotels (like the Royal in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico) spoiled me with amazing buffet, drinks, and restaurants but the food and amenities at the Occidental were not up to par with what I remember. A few things that stood out - The staff did not seem as happy (lobby bartender was great though). The breakfast buffet was mediocre and had the same small food options everyday - same goes for the lunch buffet - many times if you didn't get there early enough, the food was gone and not replaced. The dinner at Zen & L'Olio were good, but not amazing. The room was just OK, the sink was clogged and the AC made the room muggy (turns off everytime you leave the room), plus the bed was hard as a rock. I didn't have the vacation sleep I wanted and ended up with a stuffy nose. Maybe I got a bad room but the TV was very outdated as well. Seems that the hotel in general just needs an upgrade. The activities were OK but I wish it was a little more lively and the lobby bar was pretty small. The crowd at this hotel was a lot older, but maybe that's just Aruba in general. I was never a fan of the RIU and I prefer all inclusive so we decided to stay there again but next time I might have to re-think. But the beach was AMAZING, the pool was a lot of fun. Be up VERY early to snag a tiki hut!

We booked this trip through the Expedia mystery hotel option a little over a month prior to going. We thought we would like the all inclusive package because it seemed to just be more convient knowing very little about the area. Not all our rooms weren't ready when we arrived but one was so we all got changed and went to the pool. First impression of the rooms - outdated and needs refreshing. Furniture was simple but too big for the size room. Small cracks and stains on the walls, could use paint. The beds are on the harder side but still comfortable after a day in the sun. We tried to make reservations to the speciality restaurants but were told they were all booked - when we finally got our reservation it was for 9pm and then understood why everything books so fast - restaurants only seat about 25-30 poeple. The Italian restaurant was not our taste at all but the hibachi restaurant was wonderful - dinner was really good and our chef was entertaining. Breakfast and lunch was the same all 4 days - NEVER changed which was a big disappointment. Plus there were three more restaurants on location that were closed... information we would have liked to know before we booked. The drinks were not what we expected either. Very watered down with lots of fruit juices and sugar. Aruba is beautiful and between the beach/pool and shops across the street your vacation should be relaxing and memorable.

RUN DOWN ROOMS, VERY FILTHY, MOLD EVERYWHERE, GROSS...

I booked a Delux Ocean View room, but when I got to my room...it was a view of a run down parking lot. The lady at the front desk proceeded to try to tell me a delux ocean view is a partial view of the ocean...smh. I had to ask for a manager after she told me there was no more rooms available. Needless to say all of a sudden a junior suite became available once a manager was requested. But the resort was paradise!! House keeping staff was awsome!!

Wonderful location, beautiful beach, great location! Our room over-looked the air-conditioning units for entire facility, extremely noisy could not sit on tiny balcony area to enjoy the air. The room was clean but had very worn furniture, not updated at all. Pool bar and beach bar bartenders were not friendly or hospitable at all. Lemons were the only fruit available for garnishment to beverages. Reservations were required for dinner, although we were not able to get the time we wanted the restaurants always had plenty of seats available. Mexican restaurant required gentlemen to wear long pants, never told this until we arrived for our reservation. Only one restaurant open for breakfast every day and it was a buffet. Barely two restaurants open for dinner every evening, no place to find snacks after hours although this is an all-inclusive.

It is so expensive considering food and pool and other facilities in hotel

Hotel was nice. Drinks were a bit weak, but plentiful (since they were included). Room was clean, but there was no ice dispenser on our floor, and we repeatedly had to ask for water (housekeeping was supposed to restock the water daily). Room key stopped working a couple times, security questioned me when I went into the lobby without a shirt on to get the key card fixed. Hotel was right across the street from the night-life of the "high-rise" area of Aruba, so that was a definite plus. DePalm tours had an agent located in the hotel lobby, which made booking tours/cruises very easy. Breakfast and lunch buffets were what one would expect at a buffet, not too bad but nothing special. Hotel restaurants were somewhat disappointing, and I'd recommend making other arrangements in town (ElGaucho steakhouse was well worth the cab ride to downtown!). Overall we were happy with the hotel, and would consider it for future stays.

The staff was very nice. The all inclusive package took the worry out of planning once we arrived. The evening shows was a pleasant surprise, just the right amount of time.

Food is good, not a lot of walking from room to pool to beach...staff very pleasant...resident Iguanas, casino...near restaurants, shopping......great place and will definitely go back next year!

We stayed here as all inclusive and upgraded to the Roal Club. I really liked the smaller feel of the Roal club and having the separate restaurant as an option. The beach and pool were beautiful but you have to reserve your spot early. We at at a few of the restaurants there and they good but not that great. I think the quality and flavored of the food could be better. I would recommend eating out for dinner to get the local flavor and there are do many places to go. I would recommend this hotel if you are not a foodie but I did like the hotel and the staff was very friendly.