Community Forum

*Arubalisa* · 08-01-2010, 12:48 PM

Hannah, there is some additional info at
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/occidental.html

Please do come home and write a review for us and let us all know how you like the resort so that there will be additional information for travelers like yourself. We encourage all forum members to share their experiences with us so that we can plan our upcoming trips.

Sgroi135 did give a pretty comprehensive review of his stay only a few weeks ago.

*Arubalisa* · 08-01-2010, 06:27 PM

2nd trip July26-31st

kbdiadora · 08-02-2010, 08:25 AM

My husband and I have stayed there 2 years in a row - venturing to Barbados last year for honeymoon and back to stay at the Riu this year - it was a toss between the two hotels and we figured we would give a new one a try this year. But we enjoyed ourselves both years we stayed there. Rooms were always clean and very nice. Food, from what I can remember was good - I know the Italian was one of our favorites...but if you sit outside, make sure you have something for your hair

pool was never crowded and the beach was the same...we go in October each year....night life.....we would go to the casino for a little bit, went to their "club" a few nights and it was always dead (which we thought was funny and enjoyed ourselves anyway) but for the most part we always walked around at night/pier bars. All in all, we never had a bad experience there and would have stayed there again if we didn't want to try somewhere new.
Have a great trip

drtaft · 08-02-2010, 08:31 PM

Hi Hannah, I just posted my trip report yesterday so if you want to read it I tried to describe the hotel and our experience. I personally will not stay there again, the food was not very good and it was very crowded, long lines to eat, difficult to get reservations to the restaurants, and difficult to get palapas on the beach, but the one nice thing was the pool and the rooms weren't that bad. I was also confused at first if I made the right choice as I had read such mixed reviews. But, everyone is different and everyone is looking for different things in a hotel. My advice to you is to make sure you try and book the restaurants and water activities as soon as you get there and book for the whole week. If you want a palapa on the beach you must get there early. Also be aware of what time your flight gets in and just know that the lunch buffet stops at 5pm, we were starving when we got in and had to go out to eat because the buffet had stopped. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy your stay.

*Arubalisa* · 08-03-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtaft

Hi Hannah, I just posted my trip report yesterday so if you want to read it I tried to describe the hotel and our experience.

2nd trip July26-31st

Love Aruba · 08-04-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannah

Has anyone been to Occidental recently? I am book early sept and with mix reviews I am not sure that I made the right hotel choice

We have stayed at the Occidental 6 times and have enjoyed every trip there. Well last year my husband had to go in the hospital, but the hotel was great to me during that time.
I am one that only has good things to say about this hotel and we do love staying there. The only time we really had to stand in line to eat was during a time that the power was off to the whole island. They only had one restaurant open and it was buffet. We have never had a problem with getting a reservation to any of the resturants. One reason may be that we eat early, so I can't tell you what it would be like if you eat late. The food is very good at the resturants, in our opinion. Love love the Italian, and the Hibachi-always great.
The rooms were always clean, and clean towels every day. I have heard other people say they didn't get towels, or their rooms cleaned every day, but that was not the case for us.
All of the staff are GREAT. I just love them all. Very friendly, and always willing to help in any way they can. They always remember us from year to year. I don't know how they do this with all the people that come through there, maybe it is just their job, but I love that!
I think you have made a great choice, and I hope you enjoy your stay. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Have a great time in beautiful Aruba!!

Pat

tangy003 · 08-05-2010, 07:06 PM

I have just come from Aruba and the Casino is closed at the Occidental.I was told they will remain closed for 3-4 months for renovations.IMHO they needed to renovate that casino and update the equipment too.The rest of the place is great.You will love it there and the food is very good.

My ticker says it all right now.

*Andrea J.* · 08-05-2010, 08:37 PM

thanks for the occidental casino update!

Sgroi135 · 08-07-2010, 02:34 PM

The Casino is going to be run by the same owner as the Radisson! So hopefully they will have a similar, I like the Radisson Casino.

08-01-2010, 12:48 PM	#21 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	Hannah, there is some additional info at http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/occidental.html Please do come home and write a review for us and let us all know how you like the resort so that there will be additional information for travelers like yourself. We encourage all forum members to share their experiences with us so that we can plan our upcoming trips. Sgroi135 did give a pretty comprehensive review of his stay only a few weeks ago. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

08-01-2010, 06:27 PM	#22 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	New Review posted THIS AFTERNOON 2nd trip July26-31st Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

08-02-2010, 08:25 AM	#23 (permalink)
kbdiadora Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 51	My husband and I have stayed there 2 years in a row - venturing to Barbados last year for honeymoon and back to stay at the Riu this year - it was a toss between the two hotels and we figured we would give a new one a try this year. But we enjoyed ourselves both years we stayed there. Rooms were always clean and very nice. Food, from what I can remember was good - I know the Italian was one of our favorites...but if you sit outside, make sure you have something for your hair pool was never crowded and the beach was the same...we go in October each year....night life.....we would go to the casino for a little bit, went to their "club" a few nights and it was always dead (which we thought was funny and enjoyed ourselves anyway) but for the most part we always walked around at night/pier bars. All in all, we never had a bad experience there and would have stayed there again if we didn't want to try somewhere new. Have a great trip Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ KBDIADORA

08-02-2010, 08:31 PM	#24 (permalink)
drtaft Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Palm beach, baby beach, and Flying fishbone... Age: 39 Posts: 15 Images: 9	Hi Hannah, I just posted my trip report yesterday so if you want to read it I tried to describe the hotel and our experience. I personally will not stay there again, the food was not very good and it was very crowded, long lines to eat, difficult to get reservations to the restaurants, and difficult to get palapas on the beach, but the one nice thing was the pool and the rooms weren't that bad. I was also confused at first if I made the right choice as I had read such mixed reviews. But, everyone is different and everyone is looking for different things in a hotel. My advice to you is to make sure you try and book the restaurants and water activities as soon as you get there and book for the whole week. If you want a palapa on the beach you must get there early. Also be aware of what time your flight gets in and just know that the lunch buffet stops at 5pm, we were starving when we got in and had to go out to eat because the buffet had stopped. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy your stay. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

08-05-2010, 07:06 PM	#27 (permalink)
tangy003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Palm Beach Age: 51 Posts: 264 Images: 25	I have just come from Aruba and the Casino is closed at the Occidental.I was told they will remain closed for 3-4 months for renovations.IMHO they needed to renovate that casino and update the equipment too.The rest of the place is great.You will love it there and the food is very good. My ticker says it all right now. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Caribbean Maps

08-05-2010, 08:37 PM	#28 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	thanks for the occidental casino update! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

08-07-2010, 02:34 PM	#29 (permalink)
Sgroi135 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Beach! Posts: 494 Images: 6	The Casino is going to be run by the same owner as the Radisson! So hopefully they will have a similar, I like the Radisson Casino. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Decided to take down my timer!