Occidental At Xcaret Destination

Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya

Our Customer Rating

8.4

(based on 91 reviews)

This hotel exceeded my expectations,it was a fabulous place,staff so helpful,all pools kept so clean and fresh towels at all times,food was beautiful,the only downside was the pizza restaurant and the oriental restaurant,very poor choice in both.gardens amazing and all the animals too.loved it.

Peter, Sallins

Checked in: 25 Aug 2019

Hotel Information

Overview

7 swimming pools
Seafront location
Near Xcaret eco-archaeological park
10 km from Playa del Carmen

OVERVIEW

Occidental at Xcaret Destination is a impressive 5 star all inclusive resort just 10 km outside Playa del Carmen on the east coast of Mexico. The resort enjoys a seafront location with a private bay and white sand and it’s right next door to Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park with unlimited free access to over 40 cultural attractions and exhibitions. The hotel complex has five freshwater swimming pools, in additional to an adults only saltwater pool and a children's pool.

As part of the all inclusive package, you can eat at the two buffet restaurants or five à la carte restaurants, in addition to the three snack bars. Royal Level guests can also dine at its gourmet restaurant. Ten bars are dotted around the resort as well. A scenic garden surrounding the hotel features classic Mexican design elements like thatched roof buildings in some areas, creating an overall exotic tropical atmosphere.

WHO IS IT GREAT FOR?

Visitors to the Occidental at Xcaret Destination say it is a great location for couples because it is spacious so that you can always find an area or swimming pool away from more crowded areas for quieter times.

AT A GLANCE

Seafront location
10 km from Playa del Carmen
63 km from Cancun International Airport
Free parking

FACILITIES

Pool and Leisure

Seven swimming pools
One adults only pool
Non-motorised water sports
Private beach
Spa
Gym
Children's facilities

Restaurant and Bars

5 à la carte restaurants
2 buffet restaurants
10 bars
3 snack bars

Entertainment

On-site eco-archaeological park, Xcaret
Daily entertainment
Nightly shows

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Other Facilities

Wi-Fi
Transfers
Car hire

LOCAL AREA AND THINGS TO DO

Occidental at Xcaret Destination has plenty of on-site activities thanks to its seven swimming pools and direct beach access. A spa with massages and a sauna provides the ultimate in relaxation. Scuba and snorkelling opportunities are offered in a private cove in the eco-archaeological park, Xcaret. Unlimited park access is available throughout the hotel, allowing you to spend as much time as you want exploring it.

Also nearby is Xplor Park with zip lining, rafting and underground rivers. If you want to go further afield, there is a booking desk at the hotel for tours to the two Mayan ruins in the region or the town of Playa del Carmen and its exciting nightlife.

FOOD AND DRINK

Le Buffet serves international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Sonora Grill is a steakhouse open for dinner
Los Olivos is a dinner restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine
La Hacienda offers Mexican food for dinner
D'Oriental serves sushi and Asian cuisine
El Pescador offers seafood at dinnertime
La Piazza is the hotel's pizza restaurant
Paco's Tacos allows informal dress and is open for dinner
The Beach Club serves breakfast and lunch buffets
El Lago Snackbar has quick snacks from lunch until dinner
Royal Level is a gourmet restaurant reserved for upgraded guests
Swim-up Bar has drinks throughout the day
Cangrejos Pool Bar offers drinks
Flamencos Pool Bar has drinks
Caleta Bar has alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Lobby Bar serves cocktails
Terrace Bar is open late
La Bodeguita Bar is in the theatre area
El Lago Bar serves drinks
Sports Bar has drinks and snacks
Palenque is the nightclub

HOTEL FEATURES

765 rooms
Nine room categories
Lift
Paid Wi-Fi

OVERVIEW OF ROOMS

Every room with outdoor furniture, a flat screen television and coffee making facilities. There is also air conditioning, a ceiling fan and a free minibar that is refilled daily with drinks in each room.

Suites have a sitting area with sofas and a table, providing a place where you can relax. Upgraded suites include a private swimming area and have their own hot tub.

Information based on previous season and could be subject to change.

Bar and restaurant opening times may vary based on the season.

Facilities

Air Conditioning

Babysitting / Childcare

Bar

Children's Club

Gym

Parking

Restaurant

Spa Facilities

Swimming Pool

Television

Wi-Fi

Our customer reviews

3.5

Andrew, West Calder

Checked in Sat 04 Jun 2022

We stayed here for 3 weeks, so here’s an honest review: Wifi that’s works in 30% of places, 50% of the time. It’ll often go down across the entire hotel for many hours and the speed is like 1997 music download - seriously slow and liable to crash you out. 3 tier system where 90% of effort and investment goes into services for Barcelo and “Royal” level members. While there was plenty of these elite areas, they are completely unused, as all the guests want to use the facilities that are more fun. This means there’s not enough of anything else for everyone else. No spoons - ever. But soup. I’m not kidding. People with spoons are considered mystics of some sort. 3 pools all play music. Different music, but 1 is always so loud that it drowns out the other 2 so you rarely get music that’s tolerable. Makes it impossible to relax unless you go down to the sea pool, which only has a few beds. Room not ready for 24 hours so we were unable to pack, effectively wasting a day. Welcome gift took 5 days and was then not what was promised. Restaurant booking system. You have to arrive at exactly 530 to book your table. In person. They may say no. They’ll probably say no. If you get there at 6 they will say no. Guaranteed. Random towel provision - some days 3 bath towels, some days a hand towel and a bath towel (for 2 people to share?!?). Sometimes sod all. 2 of 3 pools were drained by a third for our stay, with work being done on their edges at what can only be described as a glacial pace. Draconian dress code where men must wear trousers, shirt and shoes but women are ok in a bikini in the restaurants. All bars close at 6pm, so you must go to the main building if you want a drink. It’s therefore not possible to sit on the beach and get a drink after 6pm. Constant badgering by the staff in every building trying to get you to sign up to a timeshare presentation. We were hassled 7 times in total and they really don’t take no for an answer - it will do your nut in. In summary this obviously used to be a great resort until Barcelo got hold of it. It’s now 3 stars at best run mostly by staff who could not give a crap and cannot be bothered to find out the answers to what should be simple questions.

8.0

Sarah, Ruislip

Checked in Wed 06 Apr 2022

I really enjoyed the hotel, although I had a couple of small issues. The room I was put in was great, with a beautiful view of the jungle type area, monkeys and birds and deer everywhere. However the air conditioner didn’t work, so after being unable to repair it, they moved me to another room. The air in the second room worked but the room had so much damp in it that it literally had a ring of water on the ceiling, and black mold in the bathroom. I don’t have lung issues and was only there a few days so I decided to take my chances with the mold. Other than that, the bed was cozy and comfy, the staff were cheerful, friendly and so helpful! The grounds were lovely, the pools well-maintained and fresh, and the views were fantastic everywhere. Super convenient access to the park made it easy to come and go as we liked, some nice little shops near the open-air lobby and relatively close proximity to Playa del Carmen for a nice day trip made it a great place to relax and enjoy ourselves. The one caution I would have is this: if you enjoy fresh, delicious foods, pleasantly spiced and thoughtfully prepared, do not come here thinking that’s what you’ll get. You will get, at best, mediocre cafeteria food. Plenty of it but you are not likely to find much joy, even if you’re lucky enough to get into one of the restaurants, which fill up very quickly. Typically you’ll find yourself at one of the buffets, and being just certain that THIS meal is going to be the good one (it’s not, trust me). Overall though, based on the great deal we got when booking, I’d do it again!