A Week in Paradise: My Honest Review of the Occidental

Spending a week at the Occidental was an incredible experience, filled with breathtaking views, fun adventures, and a few minor disappointments. If you’re considering a trip here, here’s my honest review to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

First Impressions & Accommodations

The Occidental is absolutely stunning. The lush gardens and picturesque walkways made every stroll feel magical. The resort was clean, well-maintained, and offered some of the most gorgeous views I’ve ever seen. However, the rooms were a bit outdated. While they were completely functional and clean, the lack of a balcony was a deal-breaker for me. We love sipping coffee in the morning or enjoying a glass of wine before dinner outside, and this was something we truly missed. If you’re like us and a balcony is part of your vacation routine, I highly recommend checking ahead or upgrading your room.

The Resort & Atmosphere

One of our favourite parts of the trip was the wildlife. There were so many animals around the resort, but they never felt like a nuisance. Our kids loved watching them roam freely, and it added to the tropical vibe of the place.

The staff were mostly fantastic. Housekeeping was thoughtful even when we declined service, they still checked in to see if we needed anything. The bartenders were skilled and friendly, making excellent drinks. However, I do think more bars should have been open in the evening. The one available bar often had long lines, and a second one near the entertainment area would have been a great addition.

Entertainment & Nightlife

This is where the resort really fell short for us. Simply put, there wasn’t much entertainment. Everything shut down early, and after dinner, we felt like our only option was to go back to our room. While this worked fine for the kids, we had hoped for more activities or nightlife options for adults. If you’re looking for a lively evening atmosphere, this may not be the best resort for you.

Dining Experience

Making dinner reservations was a struggle. Everything was fully booked, and the only available times were after 7:30 PM not ideal with little ones. More staff in this area could have helped because I noticed plenty of empty seats at the restaurants, suggesting better organization was needed.

The buffet was hit or miss. Some nights, it felt like the food was just leftovers from lunch. If you went late, your options were very limited. Lunch was decent but repetitive. The desserts lacked variety and weren’t very memorable, and I was especially disappointed with the coffee. I always thought coffee in Mexico was supposed to be amazing, but this was far from it.

A snack bar available all day would have been a game-changer. Sometimes, you just don’t want to leave the beach to grab food, and having more convenient options would have made a difference.

Beach & Pool Experience

The beach was perfect—clean, plenty of seating, and the ocean was stunning. The only downside? A lack of nearby washrooms. The pool, on the other hand, was always packed, but we found it too hot to sit there for long anyway. Another issue was seat-saving. People would claim chairs early in the morning, making it tough to find a spot. A stricter policy on this would have been appreciated.

Shopping & Local Adventures

Each night, a small market popped up in the center of the resort, which was nice, but the selection was very limited. It was the same vendors every night with very few options. A larger local market once a week would have been fantastic.

We also took a trip into town, which was a cool experience, but the heat made it tough to enjoy. We barely got through half of it before we had to retreat from the sun. Again, this is why having a better selection of shops at the resort would have been great.

Final Thoughts

This trip was full of firsts for us, making it hard to compare to past vacations. While there were a few things we wish had been different, overall, we had an amazing time. Would we return? Yes, but with a few adjustments like securing a room with a balcony and setting different expectations for nightlife. If you’re looking for a beautiful, family-friendly resort with a relaxing atmosphere, the Occidental is a great choice. Just be prepared for some minor inconveniences along the way!

Always

Victoria