Occidental Grand Aruba

We stayed at Occidental in May 2009. It was just fabulous! We were in a suite on the 9th floor facing the pool/ocean. We did not take the all-inclusive, as we've been to Aruba many times & prefer to go to our favorite restaurants (Flying Fishbone, Screaming Eagle, Madame Jeanette's, El Gaucho) instead of paying for all-inclusive & then paying more to go out at night to different places. It works for us this way. However, we ate at the restaurant on the beach a couple of times (buffet daily) and it was great. The service was also excellent & the room was spotless! Our maid was very accommodating if we needed anything extra. What can I say about the beach here ... one of the best on the island. We do own a timeshare in the states, but did not exchange it into here. Instead we rented from an owner (on Redweek) with no glitches at all. In fact, it was so great here that we've already booked with the same owner to come back in Oct 2009! We will save our timeshare weeks for 2010.

We also put our friends in touch with Redweek & this resort, and they ended up renting the 1st week in June here from the same owner & absolutely loved it. It was their 1st time in Aruba, so the Occidental was a great place to start.

One last thing, if you want a good beach spot (in front), you do have to get out by 6-6:30 a.m. Otherwise, most of those spots are taken like all the other resorts. The pool also fills up early. My husband is an early riser & liked getting his coffee at the Dunkin on the beach & would then read the newspaper or take an early morning walk until I rolled out of bed.

Everyone should experience this place!!

Just back from another great trip to the best resort on the Island. Located between the Radison and Hyatt Hotel with the best strip of beach on the island. Being that only 1/3 of the resort is Timeshare Ownership, the top three floors, makes for the best guest service and daily maid service in each of the units. Much easier and less expensive to book a timeshare owner unit for a guaranteed room. The all inclusive is like none other. Five restaurants to choose from for dinner in addition to the nightly theme buffett. Even if you want to eat off the resort a night or two, you will see that its a great value for the money with all top shelf liquor at the 5 bars. See you at the resort soon !!! Bon Bini !

We stayed at the Occidental in November 2008. The rooms we had were very spacious and clean but a little dated. The kitchen had the basics (cooktop but not oven). The staff were very pleasant. The on site restaurants were good. ( We especially liked the breakfast buffet.) We also found the beach in front of the Occidental much nicer than up by the Marriott. We would definately stay here again even though the facility itself is a little dated. It seemed quieter, the beach nicer and the staff were very accomodating.

This is a great resort in a perect location for vacation. Beautiful rooms, daily maid service great ocean views and the staff is wonderful.

I do have to disagree with the descripion that redweek has about the resort being mandatory all inclusive. Many of the original timeshare contracts are OPTIONAL all inclusive. Check with the peson you're renting from. If you don't have to take the AI, you can enjoy all the great restaurants in Aruba and still stay in these beautiful units.

We had a super time at the Occidental Grand Aruba in November 2007. My wife, children (ages 3 and 6) and I enjoyed the resort every minute of our one week stay. The one bedroom deluxe room was impeccable, the food at the buffet and specialty restaurants was yummy, and the service was friendly and prompt.

While the kids played in the sand on the beautiful beach, we relaxed on lounge chairs in the shade under trees . The pool is gorgeous and it was hard to get the kids out. Throughout the day, there were numerous fun activities for all ages at the resort.

It was our second time here and we highly recommend the Occidental Grand Aruba to our friends and family... and those who have gone have been equally happy with the resort.

My daughter and I have stayed at the Occidental (formerly Allegro) for the past 9 years every April. Weather, food, staff, pool, beach......nothing compares. Home away from home!

stayed 1 week, my wife and i loved ittttttttttt. the food, people, calm ocean, view, shows and the service. will go back i miss it.

stayed in the time share. The rooms are incredible, marble baths, large kitchen, all new furniture and carpet. The staff is friendly and the beach is perfect.

The timeshare we stayed in was superb. It was so nice, I could have just sat on the double balcony overlooking the ocean, if my husband hadn't wanted to actually go to the pool or beach. Both pool and beach terrific. Food was terrific too. The only fault I had is we didn't win in the casino.

Very clean and friendly service at the resort and throughout Aruba. Most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. Weather pattern is very predictable and does not vary at all throughout the year. Different shows nightly at the resort. Various restaurants for different types of food at the Allegro. Would DEFINATELY return.