This hotel is set in a beautiful area. We went in October for the second half of our honeymoon. We stayed in an ocean view room. It had a nice view and howler monkeys were down by the cliff in the trees every day right by our room! (the highlight of my stay here) We did feel a little bummed when we tried to pay to upgrade our room but because we did not want to do the hour long vacation thing the next day at 830 am(on our honeymoon and we only had 2 1/2 days in the area) we couldn't upgrade. Also, there was no guest information in your room. we kind of felt lost as of what to do in the area once we got dropped off at our room. There are alot of steps which didnt bother us but it would stink to get around if you were injured or in a wheelchair or out of shape..we only got to eat at the Italian restaurant one night. We got there at 8:30 AM and got the last reservation for the day. When we got there for dinner half of the restaurant was empty. We couldn't get one for oriental. We ate at the buffet and snack bar the rest because we couldn't get reservations any other night. The food at those were ok. We were satisfied but not raving. Went to get our pool towels and they didn't have any. There was one English lady who worked there at a desk outside of the souvenier store and she was the most helpful of anyone on our trip to the occidental. She told us where to go and what to do and was very genuine. I can't remember her name but she deserves a shout out and a raise because without her, we really wouldn't have been very satisfied with this hotel or known what to do besides hang out on the property.. The girls aurora and Jennifer in the tour office helped us get a sunset cruise as well which was beautiful and we thank them for that. The people were nice and we did enjoy ourselves here. We would return for a quiet relaxing time but seemed really far from a lot to do without renting a car.(which u can do here also). Go to seafood and steak papagayo in coco they will pick u up and take you back for free at the hotel gate as long as u eat dinner with them. You can eat and then walk around playa coco and shop etc. the food was awesome and service awesome and venturing out of the hotel was nice as well.

My girl was initially disappointed and was asking "where is everyone'? (we had gone during the low season at the end of October), but as each day passed, she was more and more impressed with the beauty of the hotel. The staff are very nice and helpful.
The only drawback is that there are no nearby towns (a complaint from my girl, I liked it!)
By the end of the stay she was very impressed and was wanting to stay longer, but alas, we had no more time.
Suffice to say that we both enjoyed our (too short) stay at the Occidental Grand Papagayo and would recommend it as a place to stay to relax and enjoy a respite from the rat race..
A wonderful place to stay, Occidental Grand Papagayo.

My wife and I spend a really great 4 days in Costa Rica. We were there 5 days but thanks to the management at the Occidental the fifth day was a complete drag. Too long and boring to get into but I travel about 18 weeks per year all over the world. I have not complained about any property in years. This place is nearly impossible to find, the food is basically garbage and the rooms are average at best.
Don't cheat yourself by staying away from the great towns Costa Rica has to offer. If you want isolation go to Sugar Beach. That is an amazing property (also kind of hard to find but worth it). If yo want fun, go to Tamirindo. Good value all over there!

Great resort. Lots os walking , but needed the exercise after the meals. Did not hear much noise in rooms. Would have been nicer if bar would have been open 24 hrs but made due Massage on the beach was incredible