Четверка на твердую пятерку! Four for a solid five!

Rested in March with the whole family. This is our second trip to the Dominican Republic, for the first time we rested in the Caribbean, and this time we really wanted to be closer to the ocean. Occidental is one of the few fours that is located right on the ocean. Check-in, as in all hotels, is from 15.00. This is not very convenient when you arrive on an early flight (and the flight is not the easiest, frankly), so I recommend renting a separate transfer in advance (at any tour agency, for example, us they meet 2Banana for the second time) and get to the hotel for a small cost, bypassing the delivery of tourists to 100.500 neighboring hotels, you will also learn good advice about the country from them and not a standard retelling of the culture of the Dominican Republic and an offer to buy a local SIM card at an exorbitant price (as is customary with tour operators), leave a tip at the reception (usually 20-25 dollars is enough) for early check-in and you can even choose the building in which you will live. Of course, if the hotel is not crowded, and this happens during the holidays. We, fortunately, did not find a Canadian vacation and chose a room in the western part of the hotel, in 1 block overlooking the ocean. There was also a children's and adult pools, very convenient. If you are staying in buildings 4-7, be prepared for the fact that they are located next to the main pool and the epicenter of entertainment for young people. Here it's a matter of taste. It was more comfortable for us to live next to children's entertainment. In general, navigation in the hotel is extremely simple and understandable, because the hotel itself is a monolith opposite the ocean line and all restaurants, gym, spa, lobby areas are nearby. In the morning we had breakfast, went to the beach, spent some time playing and jumping on the waves, in the afternoon, as a rule, they intensified and we returned to our pool combined with a children's pool and the whole family spent time there until lunch. And after lunch, we often took seats by the main pool, because interesting master classes and dance programs were held there. The beach is located at an equal distance from all buildings, and quite spacious, however, there was practically no calm. We didn't take this into account. Locals say that the ocean is much calmer in summer, in March the waves are quite strong, so it was not possible to stay on the beach for a long time. But it is very pleasant to walk along the coast with the whole family in the afternoon, and there are many beautiful places for photos, which is important. You don't have to travel anywhere for a photo session. What I would like to note in the food of the hotel: you can have a bite to eat almost around the clock, because you can find snacks and snacks at any time, plus meals in restaurants. It was somewhat difficult for me to make a choice, because I adhere to proper nutrition even on vacation (I almost always had to eat the same thing), but it was easier for my husband and son - for people who can afford to relax on vacation, there is a fairly large selection of meat , seafood, and bakery products (high-calorie and delicious food). I would also like to note very good and high-quality (for a four) alcohol, President beer, good whiskey and rum, and good wine in restaurants. The hotel has a very friendly and reverent attitude towards children, waiters in restaurants always offer comfortable seats, animation entertains children from morning to evening and teaches them to dance to local music. There was not even a special need to go outside the hotel, well, with the exception of excursions and visiting souvenir shops. Were very satisfied!