After reading the latest review about the Grand Occidental and relating to much what was said, I wanted to share my experience. I agree that the staff is certainly a "hit and miss" situation. Having been to the Mayan Riveira 4 months earlier I couldn't help but compare the two resorts. Although the Grand's rooms were beautiful the entertainment staff at the pool were very "crude" to the young women. Both male and female staff members were using inappropriate language, shouting out "racy" comments that made me feel uncomfortable sitting a few feet away. I also witnessed many young ladies being "lured" at constantly around the pool. Although this seemed to happen daily at the pool, I did not see this behaviour from other staff members.

In regards to service, it all depended on who your server was and what area you where in. My group ended up avoiding certain sections to sit in to avoid particular waiters that provided bad service (even though we tipped constantly, it didn't help with the service)

I found the buffet to be lacking. There was not enough variety and I found the selection tedious after a few days. Thankfully the restaurants provided a break in the routine. I did like the fact that we were able to book all reservations the first day. Unlike at other resorts where you'd have to get up at early hours to reserve, the Grand's system was very convenient. I recommend you sign up first thing, or else you're stuck with the lacking buffet.

I would recommend that you stay away from the beach buffet/BBQ during the day. While I was standing in line for the BBQ during lunch one day, I noticed the cook pick up a few pieces of raw chicken breast with his hands to place on the grill and then (without washing his hands!!!) picked up a hamburger bun with his contaminated hands, placed a burger inside and hand it to a person in line! I was totally disgused!! So I recommend you stay away from the BBQ. However, if you choose to eat lunch at the beach buffet, I suggest you get there when it opens, because if you don't, after a few hours the food looks like it has been baking in the sun. The ice-cream, in the freezer, was melted every day and looked like a soup bowl.

Bring bug spray!!! You'll need it or else you'll have to pay $9 US in the shop for a tiny can (Which they sold out of after a few days). Even with spray on I got 6 new bites a day. And they itch like crazy! Athough one reviewer liked the jungle-effect, I personally would have liked to have seen a more "groomed" swamp-it might help with the bites!

I also found the the beach to be on a slant that I found uncomfortable. If you want to lay on your back you have to go by the pool or else you get a sore back.

We snorkelled and just loved the reefs. Bring a camera.

If you want to go into Cozumel, you'll need $15 US one way for a taxi because there is no local bus system. Just remember to set the price before you get into the taxi.

I also found the resort's policy about long-distance calls absurd. I was unable to contact a Canadian operator during my stay. Athough this operator, along with any other 800 operator (US) should be accessible to guests, it is not. The resort requires you to only use their two agencies which charge ridiculous prices. It costs about $20 US for a one minute call, that's only if the agency gets your charge card and then it could take up to 24 hours to place your call!!! I felt like a prisoner in this resort-I always thought that we should have the right to contact our own country's operator? Well, that's what I thought...apparrently not so in Mexico because I couldn't even do this with a public pay phone. Every time I punched in the number I was systematically hung-up on.

We stayed at the Grand 6/14-6/18. We had a good time in Cozumel but my expectations were too high for the hotel. So I was a little disappointed in the service. 1. The room smelled. Like the rain water had settled or something. It was in the sheets and everywhere. 2. They were always out of towels when we went to the pool area. Even at 10:30am. 3. Making reservations was a total diaster. We wanted to go the steak house at least one of the nights we were there. I was 1st in line one morning but it was already booked from people making reservations the day before. We were told you could only make reservations the day of. Anyway. The food was ok. Breakfast was the best meal. But I slip and fell in the buffet one morning on the wet floor and no one from the management offered to see how I was doing. I cut my hand and everything. Not to whine, we did have fun at the pool and beach area and everything we did outside of the property was fun. I will not be back any time soon.

My husband and I enjoyed our vacation here June 27-July 4. Reading other reviews posted, I will comment on what we enjoyed and what the resort offers.

Hotel Grounds - Excellent. Beautiful. We saw lots of wildlife right on the grounds. Bring some mosquito repellent if you are out at night (we only needed one night though but were glad to have it.)

Staff - Mostly attentive. Our maid service was average in June, but we had a different lady in July and she was wonderful. Ask if you something wasn't done as you liked.

Medical - There is a doctor on the grounds to help with injuries and special needs. Use them. Make sure to bring your Epi-Pens and medications down to the beach with you.

Language - I was impressed with how well the majority of the staff did with understanding basic English. This is, after all, a Spanish speaking country. If you have a problem, question or concern to express that can't be completed through basic words and gestures - don't tell the 'hired help' - get one of the hostesses/managers or courtesy desk people to intervene.

Food - Buffets were above average. There is a wide variety of fruit/salads/cheeses available nightly with rotating main entrees. Special requests would be hard except for the made-to-order omelets at breakfast. Reservation restaurants were varied - we enjoyed Los Oliovos the best.

Space - The hotel was fully booked for the week we were there but never felt that the resort was packed full of people. We never had a difficulty getting a beach hut (10:30/11:00ish) and the buffet restaurants were never fully seated. Bellhops were quick to help us with our bags for checkin and checkout.

We would stay again. We vacation at upper scale resorts and hotels and were pleasantly satisified with this experience. If you are needed superior and individualized service you will not find it at this or ANY all-inclusive resort.

I spent a week at the “Grand” from June 27 through July 3 and it was great. It exceeded my expectations including the couple we were traveling with who regularly stay at the Presidente.

First the negatives: bring plenty of mosquito repellant. A small can at the gift shop is ten bucks. No ocean views. No wait staff on the beach, you have to serve yourself. The dive shop sucked in my opinion. They were so busy, they didn’t even care if we dived with them or not. I swear the guy at the counter was sad to see us walk in the door. The mornings we dove, their boats were packed. We used a shop called “Black Shark”, two tanks for $55 and I and my buddy were the only two on the boat and they picked us up at the pier at the Grand. That was awesome. The Grand is the last major resort on the south side so cab rides one way are $17. As much as we moved around, it was more cost effective to split a jeep with the couple we were traveling with at $66 a day. Money well spent. Stay out of town when the cruise ships are in. It is chaotic and hot. That’s really about the only complaints I have.

The positives: The standard rooms were large, modern and clean and had the largest bathrooms of any resort in Mexico that I’ve stayed. We stayed on the third floor and it was great. I thought the service from the staff was excellent. We were treated wonderfully. Also, many people on Trip Advisor suggest tipping even though it is all inclusive and I wholeheartedly agree with them. For instance, we tipped the maids and asked them to move our cleaning time to 10:00 am and they did. They also kept my fridge stocked with cold Modelo; so many that we had to store warm ones in the closet. The maids will do anything for you and give you anything you need for a two dollar tip every day. By tipping, we ate at any restaurant we wanted, whenever we wanted and always at the best tables. I can’t stress this enough, just a two dollar tip here and there will get you treated like royalty. The grounds were of course immaculate. We did see several snakes including a beautiful young boa. I thought the food was great. No, it is not surf & turf like we had a Prima’s downtown but good never the less. Great fruits, salads, broiled fish, pasta, breads and desserts. Honestly, you would have to be very, very picky to not like the food. The beach and the pool were great in my opinion. Plenty of chairs and palapas for everyone and the resort was full while we were there. Check in and out was as smooth as I could have ever hoped for.

The bottom line: would I do it all again? Absolutely, I would stay at the Grand any chance I could. A great resort.