Occidental Grand Papagayo

This resort isn’t great- it’s a 3.5 star at best. Customer service is awful- if anything goes wrong you’re basically on your own. Lack of beach- very rocky and limited sand- about 10 chairs. 2 pools only which close at 7. Old run down rooms, food isn’t bad but it’s cold and same each day. Difficult to get around the resort as buildings are very far away and many many stairs and hills. The employees here don’t even try. I’ve been to many resorts and am not picky with food or amenities but this one I wouldn’t recommend.

After the reviews I'd read I was expecting a disaster of a trip. But NO! This was a great escape that was excellent value. The staff were all very friendly, Italian and oriental restaurants were fantastic. Clean sheets daily and mini bar stocked daily. We weren't on the premium package, and honestly don't see a reason for it. The buffet is OK, and breakfast is the same daily but they do have an egg station which makes anything to order. The pools close early but that didn't bother us. Certainly no lack of alcohol. The snack bar made excellent burgers, it's basically another buffet restaurant. There are a LOT of steps but again that didn't bother us at all. They also run Shuttles all over the complex so if walking or fitness isn't your thing you can take one if the few Shuttles.

Come for the relaxed atmosphere, come for the stunning views and nature, but most of all, come to Papagayo Occidental for the wonderful staff who will make your stay one to remember. Everyone is so friendly, helpful and professional. From the food and bar staff, to the entertainment team, the maid and spa services, and everyone else, they all go to great lengths to make your vacation most enjoyable. It feels like we are family now every time we come back. After spending over 14 weeks at Papagayo Occiental over 4 different stays, I will tell you, don't let those who can never be satisfied fool you with their negative reviews of this fine resort. It is a 5 out of 5 across the board. The price vs quality is unbeatable, the food is tasty, varied and top notch, the entertainment team and facilities are great (althiugh a bit dated), and the staff are exceptional. Ask nicely and they will do everything to make your stay the very best possible. After being here a few stays, I can tell you who are those leaving the bad reviews. They are drunk all time, rude and demanding, expecting to get good service acting this way simply because they paid to be there. I heard one complain "I wanted my steak medium rare, why is it pink?" Lol. The good thing is that those guests are the minority. Kindness and respect begets the same, everywhere on Earth. Also, this resort is not a party resort for 20 year olds or those over 50 acting like they are on Spring break in Cancun. It's great for couples and singles looking for a good relaxing time, with tours available for adventures, chill out atmosphere and fun in the disco. And please, don't compare this resort to others across the bay that cost easily 2-3 times as much, as those comparisons are unfair. Besides, Papagayo is much closer to Coco and the airport than those other resorts. Be sure to book the à la carte restaurants and do have a massage at the spa. Catch the musical acts in the lobby and never miss the aquafit in the pool. Saturday pool party is a BLAST! Over our different stays, our rooms in the 100, 200 and 500 blocks were cool, clean and comfortable. Book premium for the best value. It come with access to the premium alcohol air-conditioned lounge with a spectacular view, and a free bag of laundry! Service all around is top notch. From our arrival to the minute we left, our stays were wonderful. We only wish we could have stayed another month each time we went. For those few times where we needed assistance, everyone was ALWAYS responsive and most accomodating. Ask nicely and the staff will do everything possible to meet your wishes. Then, remember to reward great service with thanks and tips. Be ready for stairs and a lot of walking as the property is on a hillside, and, it is not close to town (12km). Taxis are available or take an Uber to Coco Beach (town). There is also a handy car rental office directly in the resort lobby. While dated, the resort offers an unparalleled value. The grounds are well maintained by a hard working team. Tours can be booked in the lobby with Larry, the crocodile whisperer or JJ and others, the tours they offer are all fun. There is a small beach, musicians mist nights and a disco to let loose. There are two pools with the 'party' pool offering a swim up bar. Drinks are also available in the snack bar restaurant near the main pool, the lobby bar or the premium lounge. There are three smoking areas. The spa offers great massages and treatments. Silvia, Lorena and Dana are miracle workers. A great variety of fresh and delicious food is available at the buffet for meals, at a snack and at three a la carte restaurants for dinner. Tell them your preference hard or soft massage and they will fix you. Tiping is optional, of course, however, leaving a dollar or two (bring cash $1/$5 USD or colones) for every person at every meal and for every drink is the least one can do to reward the exceptional service. If you can, budget $10-$20 a day for tips and leave a nice tip for your maid daily or before leaving as well. Keep in mind, minimum wage in Costa Rica is about $5/hour. Rooms Clean and comfortable. You can access the HDMI ports on the TVs. Wifi was very fast in our room in the 500 block (premium). Nearby activities Coco Beach (town) is a $60 return cab ride away. The animation staff offers sunset walks to the next beach (Playa Panama). Safety We always felt safe at the resort, but be ready to see monkeys, coati mundis, iguanas, raccoons, squirrels, many many birds and even sometimes skunks on the property! Be sure to lock your patio door if you are on the first floor as those smart racoons have figured out a way to lean onto the door, fall sideway and wedge it open! Walkability Be ready to walk as the resort is on a large hillside, or take the shuttle bus around. Some rooms include golf carts. There is a large central staircase with 76 steps, understand this staircase is central to the resort. Food and drinks Food is great and varied options are available daily. Xosta Rica , Mexico and Peru nights are the highlights with fish, beef, pork.amd chicken. Chef Douglas is the best! Fresh made daily breads and desserts are INCREDIBLE (the nougat is CRAZY good!) Free room service is included with premium rooms. The Grill restaurant is only open on Saturday. Everything on the Italian restaurant menu is excellent. Noteworthy details The premium rooms offer the best value.with: liquor upgrade; access to the premium lounge (with snacks air conditioning, great WIFI and exceptional sunset views); a free bag of laundry (great to go home with clean laundry or do halfway through your vacation); and the turndown service. Exceptional staff include (but are not limited to, as everyone is so GREAT): Enrique, Diego, Roy, Malory, Lilianna, Yasniri, Jasmara, Harry, Carlos, Carlos, Sr Carlos, Jockson, Yendry, Roger, Antonio, Yocfor, Brian, Theilor, Fabiola, Melanny, Oscar, Raúl (GM), Ismael, and many others! We love you all, see you again soon!

Hotel- the hotel is older. Which is not bad per se but if you’re expecting something new it may be disappointing. The power grid in the room is fragile and my husband and I learned quickly that we couldn’t have AC +fan + tv on at the same time without overwhelming the circuit. But not something that was going to completely throw us off. The room was clean and that’s what mattered the most to us Activities- there is little to no activities. If you’re looking for a tulum/cancun experience this is not the hotel. It is a very relaxing laid back feel to the hotel. The pool bar closes at 6 and the pool is shut off by then too. They have live music but is mostly just playing instruments. My husband and I were here diving so we had a fun time coming here after a morning of diving to relax Food- the food was good. Breakfast is SOLID. The sausage is good. And the gallo pinto is delicious. No complaints here. The snack bar has amazing fried chicken and fish. We kept going back to look for the fish but they didn’t have it back which made me sad because it was SO GOOD! I truly have no complaints about most of the food except the Mexican food day… please please please get an abuela from Mexico to come down and teach Mexican food because whatever the hell it was that day was so so so bad. The “al pastor” meat was grainy and tough. It was by far the most off putting thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. The cheese (queso) is watery and honestly a good queso blanco would be a better much more welcomed experience. The Chinese restaurant was AMAZING! THE TEMPURA ICE CREAM was fantastic! 10/10. Again- the Mexican food day needs to be re-evaluated. Drinks- they are very generous with the alcohol here. 0 complaints Massage- Wow! This experience was AMAZING! My husband and I did the couples massage for $170 which includes a body scrub, facial, and massage. Dana and Deborah were very professional and respectful of our bodies. You start off with a chocolate/coffee full body scrub which was amazing! They then wrap you and lay you down to have your facial done. After the facial you wash off in the shower which has hot water. Once you are clean off the scrub (which leaves your skin feeling so soft and the room smells amazing) you then get ready for your massage which is done with a mint/menthol body oil that gives you a tingly cooling sensation. This whole experience was very relaxing. The girls were amazing! Truly worth booking a massage here when you stay so you can relax even more

Well but we have to improve a lot of things said in the survey like the snack, pools, little and no beach etc.