BookIt.com Verified Traveler Julie Damon from Battle Creek, MI

"Loved it! The Occidental Grand Aruba was fabulous. Rooms were great, staff was super friendly, very helpful and the food was very very good. It's not a 5 star if that's what you're looking for but very nice and well worth the money. Made restaurant reservations when we got there and got the times we wanted but it wasn't summer break yet which is a busier time. Make sure you go to the Italian & Oriental restaurants. Sit in the area where they cook right in front of you. Lot's of fun. They say men have to wear long pants but many didn't and the last night my husband didn't and they didn't say a word. Hotel is right across the street from Hard Rock, Hooters, other bars with outdoor bands, and lots of shops. Great location. Would recommend going on the ATV tour. Make sure you take snorkel gear to see the fish at the Natural Pond. Will definitely go back to Aruba and stay at the Occidental. They make GOOD drinks too!"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler George Stone from Brattleboro, VT

"We had a great time! The folks were very nice and accommodating. There were numerous pros, too many to list! The two cons we had were these: No where was it mentioned in the hotel description that dress attire was needed for men to get into one of the restaurants. The second was being asked numerous times about wanting to learn more about the time shares. No is NO. People treated us nicely even after the answer was no! But, it would be nice if they didn't bother you about that. The hotel was clean, beautiful and the food was great! So much so that I gained 8 lbs!! Yes, overall, we would return. It was such a relaxing vacation and the location was great!"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Cesar Perez from Elmhurst, Ny

"excellent all around. we had a very good time."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jean Thimios from Monroe, NC

"Hotel was average, dont believe hype about exclusive clientel, Staff was exceptional, bus ride into town ( malls, etc) was no problem, beach policy in reguards to seating by ocean and pool is a joke, its suppose to be 2 hour limit so other people can share chairs by pool etc. Not enforced, get up at dawn to put your towel on chair, etc.Food was not good at small buffet ( fries mostly), but much better at large buffet. Italian rest., Asian rest, and carribean were good but unless you want to eat at 9pm, make reservations before you even get at the hotel. Rooms were on the small side, ocean view is part concrete wall, get a std room and save some money. Not sure all inclusive was the cheapest way to go here, unless you hit the bottle a lot. Ocean water is cold!, at least when we were here."

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jennifer Bemboom from Foley, MN

"The Occidental Grand was a very nice place to stay. I did have to ask for a blow dryer the first morning was not in the room. The water for the shower was luke warm not hot at all. But for the most part of our trip it was great. If you like a bloody Mary in the morning you wont find one till 10:00 a. m. Little disappointing when you are on vacation. Beautiful place and very friendly staff and other guest. The food was very good as well"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Jodi from Marlboro, Ma

"The hotel in Aruba was excellent. I had a great time. The staff was so helpful and friendly. The only complaint I would have is that the guests would save their chairs by the pool early in the a.m. but then never come and use them. I think they would save them in case they wanted to use them at some point but instead were at the beach or doing water activities. It just wasn't fair to people who wanted to lie by the pool and could not get a chair."

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"My daughter & I had such a fantastic time at this resort. The staff was more then great and unbelivably friendly!, our room was very nice and comfortable. The grounds was so nice! There was such a peaceful feeling at this hotel, but yet so much to do. The shows was not like broadway, but they were really entertaining and good. The food was good. This was our first trip to Aruba, we spent only 4 nights and 5 days. We are already planning next year to go back there and spend more days then before. Aruba is such a nice country to visit and I would definitely stay at 'OCCIDENTAL.' Thank you!!!!"

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"My husband & I loved Aruba and our stay at the Occidental! The staff and just the whole ambience in the lobby and at the restaurants was soooo pleasant. Our highlight was 'dinner on the beach'!! Everyone should book that at sunset time and be spoiled by a private waiter...just a dream!!!
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"All the staff was really nice and helpful. There was a mix up with my room but thankfully I brought my paperwork with me and everything was easily sorted out and we were compensated for our troubles with a nice dinner in the Royal Club. I would defintiely go back and recommend The Occidental to anyone thinking about going to Aruba!"

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"The hotel was better then our expectations. The staff was very freindly and helpful.

I would recomend this hotel to anybody to relax or do what ever you would like."

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