This was our 2nd trip to Cozumel. Our previous trip was 2 years ago and our stay was at another resort just south of Occidental.

Likes:
The beach was nice and there were plenty of lounge chairs to choose from. Other reviews complained that there was no beachside/poolside servers taking drink orders, but that wasn't the case during our stay. The food was average with the exception of the guacamole. All I can say is OUSTANDING and I'm from Texas and we know guacamole. The rooms were clean and cool. The entertainment staff is friendly and really makes an effort to get to know their guests. The grounds were kept neat as a pin.

Dislikes:
The resort is swarming with timeshare agents that despite what they say don't just want a simple yes or no. We sat through 2 1/2 hours of high pressure sales. I finally had to state my frustrations to the rep and probably came off rude, but at that point I didn't really care. The nightly entertainment was fair. After the "show" they just had some lame DJ in the courtyard. No one really danced. The people that work in the snorkel/dive shop seemed more interested in texting than in helping their potential customers. The next complaint isn't so much about the hotel, but about the conditions of the water. The water was murky and made for casual snorkeling at the resort not worth the effort.

Overall, we had a good time. However if we go back we'll definitely go back to the resort we went to 2 years ago. (Iberostar)

We love Cozumel but this hotel wasn't for us. That being said, we still had some good times. Just because I wouldn't recommend this hotel doesn't mean some out there might think it is great. Read and decide for yourself. I hope the Tips are helpful.

We changed rooms twice before we got one that was decent. Why if they are empty would they give us their worst rooms? Tip: don't accept a room that smells bad, the air conditioning doesn't work or isn't clean. They seem to start you off with the worst and work their way up. Those rooms would have been ok if that"s what they were advertising online.
The property was beautiful and had lots of wild birds and the hotel kept some flamingos as well. The beach was excellent and obviously the high point of the hotel. The sunsets were amazing -everyday! You can walk for miles on the beach, so enjoy it. Tip: bring your wallet as there was some great little spots to stop for drinks and whole fried fish.
The food was really bad. We tried to go to one of the restaurants but they required reservations. That is normal but the place was empty why not allow the guests you do have enjoy it -seemed over regulated and close minded. Tip: Drink lots before eating as the food is not very good. The place must be hotel most distance from town otherwise I am sure most people would prefer to eat elsewhere. I think it over a half hour from the airport. Tip: Rent a car as you will have more freedom. A couple Taxi trips a day will pay for the rental.
DO NOT STAY HERE IF you have local friends that you wish to pick you up or visit. This Hotel treats them like dirt. Our friends showed ID and told the gate they were picking us up. They treated them as if they were criminials and refused to let them wait in the Lobby. They had to wait for us outside the Property and we had to walk out to them. This happened again when friends staying at a differant hotel came to pick us up to go out to dinner together. The manager said it was private property and they could deny acess to whomever they wanted. They were rude and unreasonable. There is not enough crime in Cozumel to justify treating anyone like this!
The negatives took away from the great beach and scuba diving. They run a great scuba shop. The people were really friendly and didn't have cold erogance they had at the hotel. I dont think they had the same boss. These scuba people were wonderful and we even bought a great video of our dives but next time we will stay somewhere else that has better food, closer to town and treats our friends better. Funny thing was is that we told them so and the person claiming to be a manager said that's our choice. They really dont seem to want your business.

We spent a week at the Occidental Grand and loved every minute. Our two teenagers thought it was so good they didn’t want to come home (a first) and are already talking about wanting to go back again asap. The hotel is wonderfully clean, attention to detail was great. We loved the food (and with two fussy teenagers who we thought would balk at Mexican food) we were pleasantly surprised when they told us the food was 'awesome'. Pool area and beach are wonderfully maintained with staff even raking the sand every night to keep it looking like a postcard. Daytime activities were a little typical but we found the balance between getting people involved and having quiet time just right. Staff didn't push people too hard to take part and pretty much left everyone to do what they wanted. If you don't like an active pool area then the relaxation pool is for you - complete with birds, iguanas and turtles just wandering or flying by. Staff were great, friendly and its really obvious they appreciate our custom. Nightlife was what you made it and while we were there the nightclub 'le mission' was being refurbished but this didn't make any difference to us as a family - we simply did our own thing. If you fancy seeing the Island then take the Jeep Safari tour...definitely recommended. You'll have the chance to snorkel with stunning fish, see the centre of Mayan culture, taste the world’s best Tequila, have lunch on the beach and even get up close to the crocs in a stunning wildlife sanctuary! Also, if you fancy a little more action in the evenings head into town and visit Carlos and Charlies bar - ask for a large Sol beer! Won't say anymore than that...but you'll smile when their friendly staff deliver it. Would definitely go back and I suspect our two teenagers will be heading back themselves in a few years without their parents! Enjoy!

My husband and I traveled with two other couples and all stayed in the Royal Club. I am not sure how it is for the non Royal Club, but we found everything from staff to facilities, rooms... to be top notch. Before we arrived on 6/24/09, I read both the good and not so good reviews and really hoped I did not have the experience of those that wrote the "bad" reviews; luckily we did not. I think as one reviewer put it, your trip is what you make of it. Sour grapes only creates more sour grapes. We smiled, said Hola to everyone, were respectable to all, and in return, we received the same from all. If we needed something, we asked and received. The room we stayed in was clean and cool, especially since the weather was very hot and humid. We had sufficient towels and toiletries. Even though tips and gratuities are included, we still left a few dollars each morning for the housekeeper, and she took good care of us. When toiletries were low, we asked and received what we needed. The bed is hard but we still slept well; I personally like soft beds, but surprisingly I slept well. We enjoyed the restaurants but I would stick with the seafood as only in the US can you get butcher quality meat. Overall the food was good; desserts could have been better, but nothing was awful, just different. The buffet offered a wide variety of food for all. We are big social drinkers and were not put out by the pool bar closing at a specific hour. We just took a stroll through the beautiful grounds to the one other cocktail lounge that was open til 1:30 am. The grounds were amazing, frogs, birds, huge iguanas all over. I fed fruit to 5 iguanas at one time; keep your distance though as they are wild. We also tipped a few bucks at the restaurants and to the bartenders and all were appreciative. The only negative type comment is the "Time Share" calls. You may receive calls from reps saying you can pick up your free gift or that they have amazing deals on excursions, but what they do not say is you need to sit through a time share seminar first; don't be intimidated, just say "no thank you". I took a walk through the neighboring Occidental Allegro (10 min. walk North on the beach) and it was not nearly as nice. The Grand Cozumel is definitely more elegant and upscale, amazing grounds.