Occidental Grand Punta Cana - All Inclusive

The food is the same every day for the buffet! The menu doesn't change. You have to make appointments in order to eat at a restaurant at night, if you don't go make the appointment early enough throughout the day, they will tell you to come back the following day.Their menu is very LIMITED! After the third day of us being there we went to the steak house restaurant and found a couple roaches roaming through the desserts, we just got up and left. It was insane. The lights went off for about two days!!!!!!!! and we had to rely on candles at night. The hot water would leave from time to time. Also if you leave the windows open and the AC on at the same time, according to them, it causes condensation, and your room floor will be soaken wet!!!!!.. This place did not meet my expectations. There were very few good things, like the shows they play at night and the beach is awesome, but thats about it. The sheets wouldn't get changed either and they barely had someone to clean the room at times. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone!.

When we arrived we immediately felt that the website was deceiving in its portrayal of a beautiful tropical resort as we found a dirty, run-down establishment that felt more like a cheap motel. When we checked in our concierge was very rude and could barely speak english. we were escorted to our room through swells of drunk teenagers and pushy vendors selling cheap junk. We arrived at our room in a building that included an atrium with a garden of dirt and rocks, and some garbage in the halls that had clearly sat there for some time. We entered the room and found a bathroom that looked liked it belonged in a seedy motel with mold on the tile, scum in the tub and bugs circling the lights. The room had a queen bed that was ok, a dirty couch that would be at home in a college dorm room, a plate full of rotten fruit and a crooked mirror that screamed "We dont care about making you comfortable". But the straw that broke the camels back was the view, we opened the drapes to find a patio with cheap plastic furniture overlooking a childrens playground that had been quarantined with caution tape! Im not saying that all rooms had a view this bad, but the fact that they were willing to offer this, and also later question why we objected to the view was a clear sign that this place is a dump. Immediately after we were making calls to switch resorts, we were forced to stay one night so we ate at the buffet, the food was foul, and just before I took my first bite I noticed that my fork which was on a recently set table was covered with food (also asked the same waitress 3 times for a beer, and one additional one for a drink and while they did make eye contact throughout the evening, never produced a beverage). If anything good came of coming to this resort, it made the next one that much better! Unless you are a teenager planning to be completely obliterated your entire trip DO NOT STAY HERE!!!! Spend a few extra dollars and you will be happy you listened, the resort we switched to only cost an additional 250 it was worth every penny.

On our arrival at the airport, we were greeted by a hotel employee who offered us a free excursion sponsored by the credit card companies. In reality, it was a scam to sell a time share they call vacation club. They held us hostage trying to convince us to buy a time share they call vacation club. We could not leave. It was unbelievable. When we arrived at the hotel, our room was not ready. The shower curtain had mildew and the towels were dingy and grey and one had a hole in it. Definitely did not expect this. Paid for the key to the safe. Staff said I would get deposit upon return of the key. When I turned in the key to the safe, another staff said there is no refund. I asked to speak with the manager and the receptionist had an attitude and said that I paid for the key to the safe. I asked to keep the key as a souvenier and she said if I kept the key I would be charged $75.00. She was very, very "rude." The buffet food was exceptionally delicious. The buffet staff was very cordial. The speciality restaurants (Mexican, steak house, and Italian) need to learn how to cook. The pizza was horrible!! the crust was burnt and dry. Avoid the gift shop at the hotel. They pressure you into buying what you do not want. I would never return to this hotel.

Our disappointment began as soon as we arrived, the check in process was long; even though there was only one couple in front of us. The welcoming cocktail and fruit platter never appeared; basically everything they said they had new for 2011 was missing. Our bellhop was extremely helpful, getting me a few bottles of water since I do not drink alcohol or soda. Our room was very big; however the furniture was a little dated. One night it rained and our ceiling leaked, i called the front desk several times and no one showed, my husband had to go seek them out several times. On our third day we became ill after eating at the steakhouse and remained ill upon our return. At one point the resort had a large group of teenagers, 500, come and their first two days they overran the resort; however, security was eventually able to get them in order and the resort developed activities just for them. In doing so a chunk of the beach that isnt for the royal club members became unusuable. Another point of discourse was the fluctuating price for the excursions, i can understand haggling over prices, but not with a resort i paid to stay at. On a positive note they were always cleaning the grounds. I would not return to this resort. When compared to other all inclusive resorts i have stayed they fell short and did not provide what their website advertised.

We had no air conditioning for 3 days, and when I went to ask for a new room I had to sit at front desk for 30 minutes in order to get room changed. When they did give us new room they told us we had 20 minutes to move our stuff because they were going to give the room to new guests that night. The room we got was smaller, but we did not care since it had air conditioning. They only had 2 of the 4 restaurants open nightly and the nightly dinner buffet had poor food choices. The best place to eat was the pizza place and it was not open that much. We felt that the amount of english speaking people was poor. I would expect that when I would go to a restaurant the waiters would speak english, but very few did, we had to point at the menu's to order. The pool was nice and clean, even though you had to be out at 7pm and the bar closed at 6pm. No bars open late except the disco club and the front of resort. No bars on the beach except for the time share holder's.

selection of food was limited...on the buffet..safety is excellent and views were spectular..the employees were all very helpful and all work well for a perfect..it was good to stay on the resort and find all that was needed!!!the tour was allso safe..very recommeded!!

The beach was beautiful, clean and safe. The pools and grounds very nice. The food was OK, a lot of variety to choose from at the buffet, we tried the Mexican restaurant but were disappointed, the salad was old and the fish looked like they brought up from the buffet, nothing special. The entertainment every night was EXCELLENT! The vendors were too much to put up with, very pushy and constantly after you, couldn't move without finding 2 or 3 around you. When we arrived our room was not ready, at 7 p.m. we were given a room at building 22 very run down, leaking toilet, flimsy door lock and only 1 king size bed when we were 3 people, we called reception asking for another bed and never came, next day after 2 p.m. we were moved to a room in building 11 wish was very good. We were not the only one moving rooms, it seems that it was a routine. I think the problem is that they overbook and when you arrive if they don't have you room they put you in one of the other buildings that are very deteriorated. One day they even asked for volunteer to be moved to a different hotel for a night. The service people at the bars, buffet and front desk were very nice and happy all the time. Overall we relaxed and enjoyed our vacation, but next time we look for a different resort.

Our ground transportation (Coco Tours) that we booked through Cheap Tickets was not good. They kept us waiting for about 45 minutes until they loaded us in a van. When we arrived at the hotel after midnight, they did not have a room available for us, and put us up in their Royal Club for one night. This was a huge inconvenience. The rest of our time at this hotel was great.

Hello all travelers...Just got back today, stayed 7-nights.This place is under a half an hour taxi ($35) ride from the airport.Beach is BEAUTIFUL, capital B.Ahhh, the food:Sit-down restaurants can be horrendous.Steakhouse -> old cow resembling a McRib sandwich.Italian -> dried out chicken served over, get this, mexican rice with mushrooms for an Italian accent.Mexican -> We were told BEWARE so we didn't go.Oriental -> Spicy tuna roll was really some dry rice wrapped around a piece of STARKIST tuna. Don't really know what the Miso soup was made from.Buffet -> Open for all three meals per day, gets kind of old after the third day.We were given two towel cards. Give two cards recieve two towels.Return two towels recieve two cards.If you don't return the cards...then...$20 each.One towel booth on the right side of the beach.Another just off the beach about two-hundred feet away.You really need to manage your time based upon these locations.If you are not a picky eater, this place offers a phenomenal beach, many drinking possibilities and somewhat cold staff. Every now and then we'd leave a tip for something or another. Upon arrival, our bellhop looked at me with disgust when I handed him two bucks...whatever!!!!!!!!!!!Oh, by the way, if you look at the website it states "special seafood dinner for all stays 5-nights or longer"...when I mentioned it to the concierge he looked at me as if I made this up...I repeated myself BOLDLY and suddenly he went on his computer and printed my reservation for Saturday at 9pm...the cost otherwise would be $44 per person...Let me tell you something...DO NOT PURCHASE A MEAL AT 'THE LOBSTER HOUSE'...absolute disgust...For free with 5-nights, ok, the location is right off of the beach.Oh...and also...two-year old American children speak and understand the English language better than 99% of the staff...good luck and don't leave the resort.

Have stayed at other properties in the Occidental group that were superior. This property is in need of updating, in particular the rooms are dated with badly worn furnishings. Had to speak to guest services three times about no hot water for showers and after the third time the water was luke warm at best. The pools and beaches were very welcoming, the staff was very friendly and hospitable.