We just returned from seven nights in the "Royal Club" at the Grand Cozumel. We travelled with two other couples and they too may post their own views of our stay in Cozumel.

Although the hotel has nothing to do with the airport and Mexican Customs one should be prepared for a 60 to 90 minute wait in line when they arrive.

We arrived at the Main lobby where we were greeted by staff and told to leave or luggage where it would be picked up and sent to our rooms. Since we were part of the "Royal Club" package we were transported by a small trolly to the Royal Club lobby where all seemed fine. We had to wait a while due to the fact that there is only one concierge at the desk. In the meantime all was well as they poured us champagne as we waited. Our rooms were not available and we asked if we could get our luggage so we could get changed from our "northeren attire". Now the trouble started... while they called the bell hop service they said our luggage was on its way. It took over three hours for them to find our luggage (that's two of the three couples luggage). The rooms were not ready and as we waited in the lobby where we heard numerous vocal complaints from other guests concerning lost luggage and no rooms (One such guest came to us and said Don't Give Them Your Luggage! Oops>> Too Late). After several hours we were shown to one couples room while the other two waited. The room smelled and was not completely ready. Later the staff agreed to give them another room. The rest of us waited another hour for our rooms.

We dined at the buffet the first evening and were terribly disappointed at the lack of variety and the blandness of the food. The staff was slow to refill empty platters and many times the description of the food did not align correctly with the items on the trays. When I arrived to dine not a plate was to be found. Asking the staff resulted in strange looks and no response. After a week we realized that the staff will non as if they understand you and then dart away into the kitchen to hide.

The a la carte restaurants were not much better however I must say that the Royal Club restaurant was the best of all those we tried. There is little selection at any of the restaurants and it never changes from day to day.

Time for a few of the good things: The beach and snorkelling were fantastic. We toured the island, spent an afternoon in St. Miguel shopping and snorkelled the reefs. All were great and are highly recommended. Tremendous sunsets.

Overall we would not recommend this as a five star resort (3 tops). It pales in comparison to any of the five star "Palace" resorts found on the Mayan Riviera. The staff here were polite but few were more than competant and there were not very many of them. Many times the Bars ran out of beer, liquor and glasses. They would have to close the bar down ang go somewhere for supplies as the bars only had one bartender. On one occaosion my wife and I were poured our drinks in cups the bartender just retrieved from another customer. A quick dip in a pail of water then add the ice and make our drinks. Needless to say the drinks went down the drain and not our throats.

The grounds are beautiful but there are so many problems here. Of the three couples we were the only room to have little animals made from our towels. Some days we would not have a face cloth but two bath mats. Some days we would have only one hand towel. One day no bath nat. OK I guess if you add them all up we averaged the correct number of towels and face cloths.

Our travelling companions and us agree that we will not travel to an Occidental resort again and will probably not visit Mexico for a holiday in the near or distant future.

We just got back from a spectacular vacation at the Occidental Grand Cozumel. We were there from Jan 30, 2008 through Feb 6, 2008. It was my husband and myself. Both in our mid 50's.

Check in was a breeze. We were staying at the Royal Club so were were taken to the Club by cart. While checking in we were given our champagne.

Our room was fine. No smell like other posters have said. Never a bug problem. Yes, the beds are hard. Prompt and perfect maid service. I don't think that our room was any different than the "hotel" rooms. I don't think that I would pay for the Royal Club again. Don't get me wrong, the Royal Club was wonderful. It was very close to the water and that was a plus but several other buildings were, too. Plus the resort is small so it really didn't matter where your bldg was located. The restaurant was very elegant and great food but we like the more relaxed type atmoshere so only ate there once for breakfast and once for dinner. Great service.

I was expecting a smell when crossing over the bridge to the pool and beach because other posters complained about that. I would say that my nose is sensitive and never notice an aroma in that area. It was fun watching the turtles everyday.

The beach was so perfect that we never did enjoy the pools. Chairs were always available. Not necessarily with shade but always a chair. They have so much to offer at the Dive shop. We sailed everyday. The nightly sunsets were spectacular.

We snorkeled through Dive Palancar. It was the two hour glass bottom boat snorkel for only 29 per person and stopped at two reefs. We did it with only two other couples. We loved it. I have to say that it was the best snorkeling we have done. Great coral and a great variety of fish. We pretty much have only done organized snorkeling through cruise ships excursions. It was much more pleasant with a small group. We also snorkeled right on the beach and saw several different types of fish including their resident barracuda. He is huge!

The grounds are well kept and absolutely beautiful. They do a great job of bug control. I am faired skinned and mosquitos love me but I never got bit. This is the first trip that sand fleas didn't eat my feet alive!

The food is fine. Yes, you get tired of buffet food but I don't go on vacation solely for food. Only had a long wait for a drink at a bar once. Our favorite drink ended up being the Grand Cozumel. Give it a try! The waiters go out of their way to help you. We did tip for meals and for drinks. They deserve it.

I wish they had a larger store for a bigger variety of souvenirs.

Rented a jeep from the hotel. It was very easy to do. We rented there because the price they gave us matched what we would have paid getting a taxi to and from town and the car rental. The trip around the island was fun. Stopped by the infamous Coconuts. What a view from up there! Did our souvenir shopping in town.

We never checked out the nightly entertainment so I couldn't address that. They did have two TV's set up in the Lobby Bar for the Super Bowl. We didn't participate in daily activities.

I have to add that Cozumel's airport is great. Nothing like Cancun. Customs was a breeze there.

This resort surpassed my expectations. Would we go again? You bet....already making the plans!

We arrived to be taken to the Royal Club for special check in even though we weren't staying at the Royal Club. Our rooms were very spacious and clean. The grounds were always kept clean but friendly employees. The beach front was perfect for snorkelling, clear waters and sandy walk in. Just down the beach was all rocky at the shore so our beach front was perfect. We saw lots of fish right off the beach, barracuda. Lots of activities going on if you wish or just sit back and relax. No problems getting beach chairs and when there wasn't enough they brought out more. The dive shop had lots to offer depending on what you wanted to do and the prices were reasonable. The nightly entertainment was a bit cheesy at times but some nights were quite good. The food was good and always different every meal. Good variety. Great people and location, very accomadating. Great place to stay and would go back again.

My husband and I (and Hurricane Dean on the way) stayed at this hotel Aug 2007 for a getaway. We really enjoyed our stay and looking into going back next summer (maybe earlier in the summer before the peak of hurricane season!). The rooms were a good size & very clean. The bathrooms were big w/ a seperate shower & tub (the shower was huge & made of stone!). The beach was so pretty. You can get free snorkling gear and enjoy the calm crystal clear water (next time, I'm bringing a raft to lay on!). We also got a massage at the hotel which was WONDERFUL.

The food at the hotel was "fair" - it could have been better, but it was okay. If you walk down the beach you will run into a "hole in the wall" place called "Albertos" with THE BEST food & romantic sunset dinners on the beach (the people are all very friendly too!).


The hotel did a wonderful job at evacuating everyone from Hurricane Dean (cat 5 hurricane) to the mainland to another 5 star hotel (then, if needed, to the convention center). The staff were all very kind, listened, kept everyone calm and stayed very professional & kept everyone safe. Thankfully, our travel plans had us out of there in plenty of time so we did not have to worry about evacuating (btw, having your own laptop & paying for wireless connection at the hotel is a good thing .... they only have so many internet "passes" so get yours early! They had 3 computers in the bar area w/ a long line of people trying to find flights out). We left the hotel HOURS early for our plane in fear of traffic (we're from Houston - been there/done that!) - there was no traffic and lots of cabs out waiting to shuttle people out. THANKFULLY, Dean missed Cozumel - ;o).

A+++++ Hotel - we can't wait to return!