Let me start by saying this place is in the middle of nowhere! So its not like we could walk out and explore the country a bit. The room had a country feel but unfortunately my pillows had that country smell (if you've been to a farm you know what I mean). The reception area was pretty and the staff seemed helpful. NO INTERNET ACCESS at all- the connection kept "dropping' so instead of writing back to the States I had to call (very expensive). The food was good but nothing I'd write to Mom about. Kind of boring during the day- once you've rented a jetski or a horse you've pretty much did it all.
The nightly shows were good- and the night clubs were empty and weak. The all- inclusive drinks? even weaker- I couldn't even reach a buzz with the stuff they were serving (and I drink like a fish when on vacation). Oh yeah, did I mention it floods when it rains??? yes.. the water was a bit above my ankle in certain areas of the resort. I can't complain about the price, but I guess I got what I paid for. I couldn't get out of there quick enough! What can I say? Bad things happen to good people.

Travelled with a friend for a quick getaway. She was pregnant so we asked for a room close to everything if possible. Arrived at the resort and our room was horrible. Old beds and furniture and it was about a 10minute walk from anything. Balcony faced a back wall and parking lot. Tried to get staff at reception to move us to a room closer to the restaurants/beach but were told they were upgraded rooms and we didn't pay for one so they weren't going to move us.

Talked to our Signature representative in the morning and because it was a weekend, she couldn't move us to another resort. Asked us to come back the next day and she finally was able to move us to the Marien Coral (an amazing place).

The staff at the Occidental Gran were very rude and not helpful at all, was happy to leave. Even if I hadn't been travelling with a pregnant lady, I wouldn't have been happy with this place.

There was ALOT wrong with this hotel so I will list them:

*NO swimup bar, NO minifridges in room, NO water activities, NO bicycles available (all listed in brochure)

*travel brochure listed jacuzzi, but it was inaccesible because it is located in VIP members only area

*Ice machines were broken.

*Bottled water had to be purchased! (We were told it was free, as our trip was "all-inclusive"

*Maid came into our room and our ajoining room with her key even when we had the "do not disturb sign" up. she would do this EVERY SINGLE DAY! took our clean towels, left dirty ones. cranked the a/c, moved our stuff around. (Again, we did NOT want any cleaning service during these times). she also left patio door unlocked.

*called down to front desk to request towels. they never came. my roommate called twice more, and nothing. 3 hours later i had to go to the front desk, and we FINALLY got them.

*beds have bugs in them.

*sheets smelt horrible.

*pool closes at 6pm

*no water pressure.

*never any hot water.

*food selection was disgusting. (most options at buffet had meat and my best friend is a vegetarian. im vegan and could barely eat)

*too many peddlers on the beach

All in all I would NEVER go back to this resort....The staff are amazing! Nice people! But unfortunately thats not enough. I cannot even remember the amount of people we talked to that had the same experience as us. Most were not satisfied.

This was the worst place ever to stay at. I think that the people that write the good reviews are the ones that live there and go there on weekends. They pay $10 a night and drink and eat everything up. The pool was crowed with locals. They kick you out of the pool at 6 pm. Nothing to do at night unless you want to watch the same show every night. The resort is very risky. Locks don't work on the sliding glass doors. The A/C leaks all over your room. The food is lousy. The beach is nasty. The water is not clear at all. The pools are dirty. Charge for everything including towels at the pool so keep an eye on them. People will steel them to turn in for money. They offer horseback riding what a joke. You have to travel to get there and then it is ponies that go in a circle. You have to pay for real horseback riding. The hound you to join there time share. Worst vacation ever.