Hi
Searched for this hotel here at Fodors/Tripadvisor etc. Only coming up with old info. Anyone stay here recently?
Thanks

I'm not sure if this will help but I actually just returned from Aruba, but stayed at the Marriott. I don't really have info. for the Occidental...but if you looking for any suggestions..go with the Marriott. It's a beautiful property, the service was great and the rooms are very clean.

Hi,
We've been to the Occidental Grand which was formerly the Allergro and returning this Oct. Was there last Oct also. We did the All-inclusive and glad we did. It saved us running around during the hot day looking for a place to eat as any hotel restaurants can be expensive. We go to just relax and veg out on beach or pool so enjoy all-inclusive. There are a few restaurants across the street and we did chk one or two out in the evening. Now the Occidental has beautiful pool area with water running around the outside of it and some rocks with water running down them next to the open air restaurant outside called Tradewinds. The beach is perfect and nice & wide! Many beach loungers also. Ocean is very calm so you can get a float and float all day. Food is fine and plenty . Drinks good too! Rooms very clean & were average in size and appearance . Several nice gift shops on main floor and also 2 on lower level kinda hidden outside across from Tradewinds. Pizza bar is open from 7pm to 12:30 a.m outside & also kinda tucked away near pool . Gota ask where it is. There's little lites that lite up the trees surrounding the little hut at night. And a few pic nic tables. Great pizza fer late nite snack ! Tradewinds open air restaurant is great for brkfst buffet and lunch buffet!
Papayas outside restaurant next to pool is good for dinner or lunch. Carusos is Italian restaurant and was nice dinner & food was fine for us but really not like Italian here in CT. Then there are the dinner buffets with the shows. Shows are no biggie and actually we prefer Papayas at nite. Didn't make it but here prime rib buffet nite at show room is suppose to be good tho. ther's a beach bar and pool swim up bar. One inside hotel and inside casino also. I love the location of hotelas it is right across street from some restaurants and in the middle of strip. But the All-inclusive was really great for us as we got to relax all day! There is a sidewalk along the beach you can walk at nite from hotel to hotel. I have some pics if you want to see them of Occidental pool and a room.
I can e-mail them to you. Just e-mail me at > [email protected] Hotel service was GREAT and no complaints. Even got upgraded to ocean view. Where ever you stay, have a wonderful time and wear your *carrot sun lotion* that you can purchase on hotel's lower level at a gift shop. We started with 45 sunscreen and didn't help at all . I hardly ever burn as I am medium to dark skin tone but Aruba sun is surely stronger then Cancun sun! I finally asked all the young girls why they could lay in direct sun without burning and they said they used the Carrot sun lotion. One brand carrot lotion is made by *Hawiian Tropic. Tried it and both me & husband had no problems after that! Tanned nicely.
e-mail me if you would like a few pics sent to you. You will love Occidental.
Carla, mom of 10 great kids!

Thanks for the help. We have been to Aruba previously but, can't remember the Allegro/Occidental hotel.
Any more?? ;p

Ria1 - I am staying at the Marriott in October. We have a Gardenview room reserved. Did you see the gardenview rooms? Are they ok? I have heard that the grounds have not been kept up too well lately. What did you think. Any other information you have would be very helpfull.

The Allegro/Occidental is in a prime spot in between the Hyatt and Radisson. The hotel itself is kind of old, but perhaps was renovated during recent chnageover. Can't beat the location! We'll be at the Hyatt next week.

I will be going to the Occidental in Nov on the all inclusive package. Glad to hear the one response with all the positive about the hotel. Was to Aruba two yrs ago and stayed at the Wyndham on an all inclusive package and I think it's really the only way to go. Walked over to the Occidental which was than called Allegro and it is in a great spot. Was just looking into some snorkling never did it & will have to teenage girls with me, 14 & 16. Looking at Octopus Sailing Cruises & Plelican Watersports. Know anything about them?

Thanks again for the great info. The only problem with AI if the food stinks, what are you gonna do? Go out and pay double for food?? The last time we were in Aruba we found the restaurants outside the hotels are great!!
I know the Marriott is very nice but, have no idea about rooms there.

I was at the Occidental a week and a half ago for 10 days. The hotel is in a great location, it is a nice place and great people work there.
The food is not bad at all in the all inclusive, Breakfast buffet is great, as is the lunch buffet and papayas where you can get sandwiches and burgers etc., dinners are great you have to try the filet mignone at papayas.
The rooms are not that of a 5 star hotel, but they are neat and clean for sure.
I have been there 5 times and cant wait to go back.

We stayed at the Occidental/Allegro twice. First time was great. We were there on our honeymoon in Sept 2001 (during 9/11) and the place was great. People were friendly & helpful. We loved it so much we went back in July 2003.

Second time around we were VERY disappointed. Occidental had taken over management and the food had gone down hill a lot. Our room was despirately in need of a new matress. We actually flipped it ourselves, but the other side was equally bad. It sunk in the middle and you were hanging onto the sides of the bed to not get "sucked in." We asked for a new room, but they were over booked and moving people next door to the Hyatt. We had the AI plan and we would have to come back to the Occidental for food & drinks. We just kept our room. We would not stay there again.

Aruba itself is beautiful. We would not hesitate to return to this great island.

Good luck.