We recently spent 4 nights at the Grand and it was wonderful. The grounds and buildings were well taken care and no bad smells that you read about in other reviews. Our room was nice and housekeeping did everything to take good care of the guests. Matter of fact all the employees bent over backward for the guests.

There are two large pools. One for relaxing and the other for activities. We used the activity pool all week. There isn't a swim up bar, but an employee was by all day long to bring you drinks of any kind. There was no problem of getting chairs or umbrellas for shade. Also the beach is nice and not man made. Snorkeling from the beach was just okay. We did take a snorkeling trip to 2 reefs and really enjoyed that. From the Grand it only took about 15 minutes to the 1st reef and we were out a couple of hours.

The food was pretty good for an all inclusive. It was well presented and you could always find something you liked to eat. We ate in the steak restaurant one night and it was just okay. You just have to remember you aren't in our country and the food is different and they are catering to more than just Americans. There isn't alot of Mexican food that you would expect going to Mexico either. We did eat one time at a place on the island and I got sick. I was the only one that did, but next time I will eat only at the hotel.

Please tip the employees. It is not expected and I really don't think it makes a difference in the service you receive, but they work so hard to please the guests. The kids running the activities at the pool all day and they then do the activities in the disco in the evenings. There is a concierge stationed in every building. They try to get you to go to breakfast and hear about a vacation club. If you go, that is the only way they are paid. We went and probably won't go again, but I would tip the concierge anyway. He was very helpful and so very nice.

We have been to one other all inclusive in Cozumel and no question the Grand wins. We will difinitely return.

My family (two adults & two children ages 12 and 10) stayed at the Grand Occidental from August 15-23, 2006. We had a great time!

The great food made the vacation the best all inclusive ever! Food was a 10 of 10. Fresh quacamole everyday at the buffet was a blast as was the fresh fruits during breakfast (try the yellow mangos), grouper from the grill at lunch spiced up a bit, to either a excellent buffet dinner or the specialty restuarants. We NEVER had montezuma's revenge, not even after arriving home. Anyone that tells you the food is bad here doesn't know what they are talking about!!!!

Our room when we arrived had a damp musty smell which wore off about the second day. The room was very big and the bathroom the biggest we've ever seen at an all inclusive (and we have stayed at 3 AI's: FDR Resort in Jamaica, Breezes in Dominican Republic, and Breezes in Curacao). The shower had excellent water pressure, almost better than at home. The room, which we spent little time in was a 9 out of 10.

Activities are minimal at this resort. No matter for us since Dad and son went scuba diving twice per day with Dive with Martin. We did NOT use the resort dive operator "Palancar" for several reasons. Before dad left the states, he realized that Palancar charged for the use of their equipment (if you were only diving and not taking a course) which would add $18 dollars a day per person to dive. Dad and son had no equipment, so Dive with Martin offers equipment use INCLUDED in dive price which was comparable to Palancar without added expense. My 10 year old daughter did certify this trip with Palancar as a Jr. Scubadiver which turned out to be less than what Dive with Martin charged. When she was done with certification course with Palancar and got her 2 included dives, she then accompanied dad and son on the dive trips with Dive with Martin. The dive sites Dive with Martin took us to were EXCEPTIONAL! Drift diving was awesome! You will not be disappointed. Dad, son, and daughter saw plenty of fish, turtles, manrays and yes, our first sharks (nurse). Dive with Martin also includes a free underwater video for one of your two tank dives if you purchase at least 4 AND includes a FREE night dive too. What a deal! Check out [--] for more info. I can't recommend them more highly. They picked us up at the Grand Occidental dock every morning we said we wanted to dive. Diving was 10 of 10.

The shows in the hotel plaza were fun and entertaining, especially the Mexican one on I think Monday night. Bottled water was plentiful and always kept in room refridgerator along with soda and beer. The people that work at this resort work VERY hard. We tipped often and early for better service. I don't think it would have mattered though if we hadn't, but we felt it was the right thing to do since they are paid so little and worked so hard for us and the other guests. There is very little night life at this resort. The resort disco is open until 1AM but is small and often uncrowded and underutilized. The beach was great, but not as smooth and sandy as was prior to the hurricane we were told.

We were NEVER hassled by the Vacation club people. The guy sat right outside our room, but I would ignore him and only say hello and goodbye if he tried to talk to me. I was surprised that we were not hounded as previous reviews had mentioned they were.

Really a great place to go and relax and eat great food and dive if you like that sort of thing. FYI, we purchased our package via AAvacations.com and bought the deluxe room with two beds only. The price we paid was awesome compared to the value we received. We would do it again: Thank you Grand Occidental Cozumel.

Frank S.
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

We just returned from a three night stay celebrating our anniversary. We utilized Travel Advisor and most of what you read is true as we had a delightful time thanks to the outgoing staff and people.
Some of the negative things we didn't read or didnt know about was the very mediocre food, internet service availability, warm lobby areas. We also experienced a few setbacks(no king bed) our first night which was corrected early our 2nd day. A thunderstorm(I thought was minor)knocked out the house internet service($6.00 per 30 minutes but email is cheaper than international calling) and the satellite cable(who needs it anyway)for a couple of days. Our room required a room key to operate the lights(discovered after an embarrassing complaint ) Sonoma Grill was a huge dissapointment. Pizza was good but not great. Breakfast was also good(recommend fresh omellettes)but not great. Lobby bar/internet area was nice but extremely warm and humid(ceiling fans would be a minimal investment and huge upgrade). Gift shop was limited on selection for souvenirs.

The positives are the people and the lush extremely well maintained facilities. Many struggle with English but fight thru it to keep you happy. Rooms were clean and housekeeping was excellent(daily towel swans). Comp. snorkeling equip, kayaks, and other items. Nice pier for Scuba pickups, beach,water and pool areas were immaculate. Disco, pool hall, Kareoke,and number events were all wonderful additions.
All in all the people, service, and beauty of the property were phenomenal and we'd would definitely stay there again but may go to town for a meal or two. Cabs quickly accesible(everywhere in town) and $15 one way to San Miguel area.

I was a little scared to go because of the hurricane last year...I came to Cozumel 4 years ago with my husband and as soon as the taxi got to downtown Cozumel I could see the difference...There are piles of debri in different places that are still not picked up, and the trees are pretty bare...some trees are still uprooted and left where they fell....BUT......when we pulled up to Occidental Grande.....it was beautiful !!...It is gated and the taxi has to tell how many are coming and going everytime you enter or leave the premises...and you have to show your wristband ..which is great..also..Occidental owns Allegro resort next door so you can get a day pass there as well...as soon as we pulled up...we were greeted with champagne and friendly faces...check in was very fast..we got there at 1:00....and check in was 3:00..but our room was ready so we were in our room 10 to 15 minutes after we got there. We had 9 total 4 adults 5 kids ages 8 to 18..they all had a blast...but when we got to the room me ,my husband and 8 yr old son shared a room..and the room only had 1 king bed..we are not the skinniest...so we went to check the othere kids room and they had 1 king bed for a 12..13 17 and 18 yr old...um not gonna happen ..and they cant sleep on floor because it all marble/rock....(but very pretty)..so we went back to front and asked if they had anything with 2 double beds..they apologized and gave us 2 new rooms right then..so again..great service..they did not get upset at all!..5 min later in our new rooms. The grounds around the room are spectacular...very dark green and tropical..you would never know a hurricane hit..also iguanas everywhere..huge ones..my son had a great time finding them..when you took the bridge/walkway to the activitie pool..thats where you can see the damage..you can tell the walkway use to be very green and shaded. They play games in the pool everday...and every nite at 9 or 9:30 there is a show at the big circle up front.....when you go to the snorkel dive shop there..ask for Dino....he is very nice and can tell you what is best for your group...he let us take or family of 9 on the glass bottom boat...with us only..so if you travel in big groups ask for a private tour...and tell him the beatiful texas family says hello....(thats what he called us)..you can rent a mopehead for 35 dollars for 24 hrs....well worth it...if you want to rent a jeep its 85 dollors or you can listen to an hr long sales pitch at breakfast or lunch and get a jeep for 35 dollars for 24 hrs...the taxis ran 4 people abot 18 dolloars one way...so a jeep.mopehead will come in handy..unless you never leave resort....glass botoom boat is well woth the 30 bucks a person...you get 2and a half hrs..and get to snorkel on 2 different reefs as well as looking thru glass bottom boat...went to xel ha.....wonderful..beautiful...we did all incusive xel ha...thats all the food drinks..beer icecream..towels and locker included...for 100 per person..and thats transportation also.....all in all was a great trip..the beaches had small shells and small rocks and smaal sticks mixed in with the sand......I will probably wit a couple of years to go back to let the beaches get smoother and the tress around beaches grow some leaves...but i WILL COME BACK TO OCCIDENTAL GRAND.....I cant say enogh good things about it.....oh just to let you know about their service my brother n law was kidding around about mosqiutos..pretending he was getting eat up and slappin his leags and a groundsman said mosquitos????and went and got spray and started spraying around the bldg..we told him we were kidding...but he did it anyway....i dont think i got bit 5 times the whole 5 days i was there........anyway this hotel is very nice and friendly for all ages!!