FAQ
Get the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Occidental Vacation Club
About Occidental
- Who is Occidental Hotels and Resorts?
- What are the four hotel Brands of Occidental?
- Who Is Occidental Vacation Club?
- Why did Occidental create a Vacation Club?
- What is the Occidental Advantage?
About the Resorts
- How many resorts does Occidental have?
- How many resorts have Occidental Vacation Club facilities?
- What are Occidental Affiliated Resorts?
- What does the all-inclusive package cover and what items are optional?
- Does the resort supply transportation from the airport to the resort?
- Do you have internet facilities in your resorts?
- What kind of electricity do you have in the Resorts; do we need adaptors for electricity?
- What is the weather forecast and weather conditions for your resorts?
About the Membership
- What are my Member Benefits when I join the Occidental Vacation Club?
- As a Member, do I always have to stay at an Occidental Vacation Club Resort?
- Can I use my week in the City hotels?
- May I vacation more than once a year?
- How many Bonus Time days can I reserve at once?
- How many rooms can I get when using Bonus Time?
- Can I use additional weeks with affiliated RCI resorts?
- How many Members does Occidental Vacation Club have?
- What is the First Club membership?
- What is the Grand Level membership?
- Can I give my vacation time to friends or relatives?
- When can I call to make my reservation?
- When is my reservation confirmed?
- When do I receive my reservation confirmation letter?
- What is a lock-off suite?
- Can I lock-off (split) my suite?
- What does “Annual” or “Biennial” mean?
- What do I own and how is my ownership secured?
- How soon after purchase will I get my share certificate to the property?
- How soon may I use the club after purchasing?
- What is a maintenance fee?
- What can I do with my ownership weeks?
- Can I ever sell my Club ownership?
- Is this an investment?
- Avoiding Fraud
About First-time Visits to our Resorts
- How do I learn more about Occidental Vacation Club?
- Can I visit the resort to see how I like it before joining the Club?
- Can I send my friends and family to visit?
Policies
Who Is Occidental Resorts and Hotels?
The Occidental Hotels & Resorts Group recently celebrated its 30th year anniversary. In 2000, it acquired the Allegro Resorts hotel chain, which was mainly owned by Westbrook Partners and an affiliate of the General Electric group.
The Occidental Hotels & Resorts group is a privately owned corporation, with hotel assets in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Aruba, Costa Rica and Spain, worth over a billion US dollars, and is controlled by certain funds managed by the second largest bank in Spain, BBVA.
The Occidental Hotel Group is a pioneer in all inclusive vacation properties.
Managing properties located among the world's most desirable tropical locations and cultural centers, the Occidental Hotels & Resorts experience is giving all inclusive vacation packages a whole new meaning. Guest discovers that there truly are no limits when it comes to enjoyment and relaxation at the Rivera Maya all inclusive resort or another of our vacation hotspots. With unlimited access to a wide array of amenities and activates, every vacation here is unique. Indulge in a la carte dining and top shelf drinks at one of our many fine restaurants or enjoy on site aquatic activities. Whether you’re interest in Caribbean all inclusive or Mexico all-inclusive trips Occidental Hotels & resort can help you plan the perfect vacation
What are the four Hotel Brands of Occidental?
Occidental Hotels and Resorts current portfolio of properties is made up of four distinct brands:
- Royal Hideaway
These are five-star deluxe type properties. Our Royal Hideaway Playacar is a ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, while becoming the first All Inclusive property to have earned the coveted AAA FIVE Diamond rating three years in a row.
- Occidental Grand
Enjoy a world beyond expectations at our flagship Occidental resorts - The Occidental Grand. Every care melts away in the tropical sunshine, beautiful natural locations and the unrivaled Occidental Grand commitment to service. Guests enjoy unlimited access to our impressive array of amenities, including a variety of award-winning restaurants, water sports, spa services, beach activities, the exclusive Royal Club, and more, all while enjoying pristine surroundings that deliver an authentic cultural experience that highlights the very best of the area.
- Allegro
Delight in an authentic, exhilarating vacation at the Allegro resorts. A distinctive blend of lively activities and entertainment along with tasteful amenities and accommodations, Allegro is perfect for fun-seeking couples and families. Our Fun Club will keep you motivated throughout the day or simply choose to do nothing at all, except relax. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of land or water sports and an active nightlife, creating a vacation as bright and vibrant as Allegro itself.
- City Hotels
From Spain's legendary metropolises of Madrid to the colorful cities of San Jose, Costa Rica and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Occidental Hotels offers an extensive selection of extraordinary properties around the world equipped with all of the modern conveniences of home. Business and leisure travelers alike will appreciate Occidental Hotel’s well-situated locations, highly-attentive service and deluxe amenities creating a vacation experience beyond compare throughout every stay.
Who Is Occidental Vacation Club?
The Occidental Vacation Club is a fully owned subsidiary of Occidental Hotels & Resorts Group from Spain.
The fact that the vacation Club is part of a Hotel Company differentiates our Club from traditional timeshare condos. Our resorts are full-service, all-inclusive properties with multiple restaurants (in some cases up to 8), bars and entertainment facilities.
This allows the Club to provide the membership with higher levels of service and facilities. Including, with a First Club or Grand Level membership, fully stocked bar in the room, members lounge, private restaurant and exclusive beach area with butler service.
Occidental Vacation Club has been selling vacation club ownership since 1994, initially under the Allegro Vacation Club brand. At present, more than 23,000 families enjoy 2 trips a year using their Occidental Vacation Club membership.
Our program is extremely flexible, allowing for multiple uses during the year, any day arrival, in four and five star resorts located mostly in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica. Members may also visit European properties managed by our parent company Occidental Hotels.
Members may purchase usage rights from Studio type apartments to three bedroom villas. Each typical unit includes fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, spacious living room spaces, balconies and in most cases ocean or beach locations.
Occidental Vacation Club’s Mission Statement is simply “To provide high quality, hassle-free, all-inclusive vacations to our members, in as many destinations as possible, at a reasonable price.
To learn more about our club or have an agent contact you please click here.
Why did Occidental create a Vacation Club?
Occidental Vacation Club was created in 1994 to meet the needs of families that were vacationing at the Occidental Hotels every year or two. Occidental wanted to create a vacation program that really rewarded and exceeded the expectations of their loyal guests, so that members would enjoy their vacation the way they want it and when they want it. The vacation Club ensures a great occupancy rate for the resorts, and rewards members with remarkable vacations at an outstanding value. Today, Occidental Vacation Club has grown beyond twenty three thousand Members and is expanding at the rate of 3,000 new members per year.
What is the Occidental Advantage?
What sets Occidental Vacation Club apart from others is the Occidental Advantage; full-service resorts, all-inclusive convenience and gracious hospitality all with Occidental quality and savings. Occidental Vacation Club also offers unprecedented flexibility in choosing among a wide variety of vacation experiences. Only Occidental Vacation Club indulges you with the personalized, premium services of one of the world’s most distinguished hoteliers. Celebrating 30 years of hospitality service and with over one billion dollars in assets, Occidental can be trusted to deliver a lifetime of treasured memories.
About the Resorts
How many resorts does Occidental have?
Occidental currently owns hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Spain. Occidental maintains a focus on expansion for our members by looking for great resorts in high demand vacation locations throughout the world.
How many resorts have Occidental Vacation Club facilities?
Presently nine resorts have Vacation Club facilities and services that cater exclusively to our members, most located in the Mayan Riviera, Cozumel, Dominican Republic, Aruba and Costa Rica.
What are Occidental Affiliated Resorts?
In order to give our members more choices of destinations, Occidental Vacation Club has made agreements with individual resorts and the world’s largest resort exchange company, Resort Condominiums International (RCI), which has over 4,500 resorts that members can exchange into.
What does the all-inclusive package cover and what items are optional?
In general, the resorts all-inclusive package includes food, national beverage at all bars and restaurants in the resorts and includes the activities, most non-motorized sports. Services not included are excursions, Spa services and motorized sports. Please refer to the OVC resort web site for particulars. (First Club and Grand Level enjoy premium imported beverages at the private lounges.)
Does the resort supply transportation from the airport to the resort?
Most of our resort destination areas have transportation unions and regulations that do not allow individual resorts to supply transportation for guests or members. Please call the resort to find details and prices of airport transfers.
Do you have internet facilities in your resorts?
All First Club and Grand Level lounges have free internet access. Some of the resort lobbies have wireless internet access; please check our web site Resort List for individual resort details.
What kind of electricity do you have in the Resorts; do we need adaptors for electricity?
At our resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America you will find an electrical current of 110 Volts, 60 cycles AC. same as in the United States. Resorts in Europe are 220 Volts, 50 cycles; you will need a power converter and plug adaptor in order to use your appliances. Be safe; make sure that you check with the resort personnel at check in for safety precautions.
What is the weather forecast and weather conditions for your resorts?
In the Resort List section of our web site you can find a weather icon with the days weather conditions.
About the Membership
What are my Member Benefits when I join the Occidental Vacation Club?
As a member, your family has access to a lifetime of remarkable vacation opportunities. You have the choice of staying at your home resort, or exchanging your time for a vacation within select all-inclusive, full-service Occidental Resorts, in some of the world’s most sought after destinations from Aruba to Spain. You have the flexibility of trading your weeks at over 4,500 resorts through Resort Condominium International (RCI). You may take advantage of special benefits such as discounts on Occidental City Hotels. You're also entitled to savings on golf, recreation, dining and merchandise at select locations throughout the Resorts. And you'll have a dedicated team of Occidental experts to help you with every aspect of planning your vacation and using your Membership, services exclusively for Occidental Vacation Club Members.
As a Member, do I always have to stay at an Occidental Vacation Club Resort?
Vacation flexibility is the key to Membership in Occidental Vacation Club. As a Member, you may choose from any of the multiple Occidental Vacation Club Resorts, or from select Resort hotels at over 4,500 RCI resorts worldwide.
Can I use my week in the City hotels?
You will not exchange your week into a City Hotel, as a member you get a very discounted rate and you can use your week in another of the affiliated resorts.
May I vacation more than once a year?
Yes, that's part of what makes Occidental Vacation Club unique. By way of three flexible methods; you can Accelerate your usage by borrowing from next year’s vacation time, or Bank your week this year for next year, or by making a reservation within 60 days of your requested vacation time, you may vacation as often as you like using the flexible Bonus Time system. For example, you can escape to Grand Aruba Resort in the winter, go on a golf vacation in Grand Punta Cana in the summer (#1 golf in the Caribbean and Mexico) and still enjoy the fall vacation in colorful, Folkloric Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.
How many Bonus Time days can I reserve at once?
You can use up to 14 days in a row, and based on the resort having availability, you can check back in for another 14 days!
How many rooms can I get when using Bonus Time?
You will receive the equivalent of your purchased accommodation type in hotel rooms. A two bedroom suite could receive two hotel rooms.
Can I use additional weeks with affiliated RCI resorts?
Yes you can, using the RCI Get-away program.
How many Members does Occidental Vacation Club have?
As of December 31st, 2011, over 23,000 Occidental Vacation Club Member families are enjoying exciting vacations to dream destinations and the many other benefits of Membership.
What is the First Club membership?
These memberships are designed for our most discriminating members and include private, members’ only areas for check –in and check out, member’s only restaurants and bars, as well as upgraded accommodations and services.
The First Club membership: In all the Occidental First Club destinations you have access to the exclusive First Club lounge, Private Beach Area and a private Pool or Jacuzzi® with Butler services. You will be greeted by name by our Concierge while enjoying a fresh glass of Champagne. Specially appointed suites with every conceivable comfort and luxury you could imagine, including Snorkeling Gear or a Fishing Rod. Each day the Members Only First Club Lounge is available for Gourmet Breakfast, Premium bar or just a classy hang out joint with good music. As a First Club Member you will be served by an attentive hospitality staff catering to your every whim.
See our First Club site for more details or the individual resort section for resort-specific details.
What is the Grand Level membership?
To meet our most discerning members' growing demands, the Grand Level was created to offer the ultimate in luxurious accommodations and the most indulgent member services of any of the participating resorts. This membership includes all benefits of the First Club and more. The Grand Level, a boutique hotel setting, sheltered within Occidentals’ full-service resorts, grants our Grand Level members privacy, a beach-front location, attentive room service, and the exclusive services of private concierge. In all the Occidental Grand Level destinations you have access to the exclusive restaurants, lounges, private Beach Area with chic beach beds and a private Pool or Jacuzzi® with Butler services. The Royal Club Lounge is at your service for Gourmet Breakfasts, Premium Bar or just an elegant ambiance to relax with good music.
Your special attention begins with signature amenities and the small details that emphasize exclusivity and comfort.
On every plate, in every room, with every interaction; Occidental Grand Level builds an extra measure of delight. You are immersed in surroundings that soothe and inspire, with engaging details that uplift and energize.
See our Grand Level site for more details or the individual resort section for resort-specific details.
Can I give my vacation time to friends or relatives?
Yes, you can give your weeks to any person by way of a written permission to the reservation department, including the details and contact information of your permitted user. Bonus Time is personally yours and cannot be given away. However, why give away your weeks when you can send your friends with the convenient OVC referral program. Contact info@occidentalvacationclub.com or Toll Free 866.616.6691 USA/CAN for more details. They will get the same great vacation and save money. You will earn great rewards and keep your week for later use.
When can I call to make my reservation?
For your owned week: From one year up to 24 hours.
For Accelerated Weeks (only applicable for some types of contracts): from 12 months to 24 hours in low season and from 60 days up to 24 hours for high season
For Bonus Time: From 60 days up to 24 hours prior to the arrival.
When is my reservation confirmed?
Immediately if you are on the phone, within 48 hours if requested by fax or e-mail.
When do I receive my reservation confirmation letter?
Immediately, after reservation is made and paid, by fax or e-mail, or by mail within 10 days.
What is a lock-off suite?
A Lock-off is an accommodation that may be divided into two or more smaller units for exchange or usage purposes. For example, a two bedroom lock-off may be divided into a one bedroom and a studio, or some other configuration which the resort will provide. One of the locked-off accommodations could be used for exchange purposes and the other lock-off could be used at the home resort, giving the owner the ability to vacation an additional week each year. If you do not need to use your entire large unit, you may divide it into two or three smaller hotel rooms.
Can I lock-off (split) my suite?
Yes you can, if you own a one bedroom apartment or a 2 bedroom suite that gives you the right to use two stays of 7 days in a smaller accommodation. One bedroom can be locked-off in 2 hotel rooms. Two bedrooms can be locked-off in a one bedroom apartment and in a hotel room. If you use a shorter stay, you will lose the remaining days.
What does “Annual” or “Biennial” mean?
While most members choose to purchase membership that grants usage every year, (annual), members may also purchase membership that allows usage every-other year (biennial). This choice is typically made due to limited vacation time or limited financial resources. Biennial memberships are either odd or even year usages. Weeks with odd year usage can be used during years ending in odd numbers while weeks with even year usage can be used during years ending in even numbers.
What do I own and how is my ownership secured?
OVC issues shares of ownership in the resort properties and Right to Use Contract. While some memberships only give a right to use of the property for a limited number of years, Occidental Vacation Club you own shares in the property in perpetuity, which entitles you to vacation time each year forever. This Vacation club ownership is one in which the property usage does not expire. Much like home ownership, you own it in perpetuity and may sell, rent, bequeath, or give away the property as you choose.
How soon after purchase will I get my share certificate to the property?
The usual time frame is ninety to one hundred and twenty days after the final payment has been made.
How soon may I use the club after purchasing?
Just as soon as your paperwork, initial payment and registration have been made, you may contact the resort and start planning your next vacation.
What is a maintenance fee?
The maintenance fee is an annual charge that goes toward the upkeep of your resort. Your maintenance fee covers property taxes, insurance, utilities, cable, telephone, and all property upkeep such as furniture, carpet, and the common facilities of the resort. On average, you can expect this fee to increase by about 2-4% annually.
What can I do with my ownership weeks?
Once you own, you can do the following (all are very common uses):
- You can use your week by vacationing at your resort property. Occidental Vacation Club suites are more spacious and elegantly appointed with more amenities than hotel rooms. As an owner of the resort you are entitled to special privileges and have the benefit of more graceful treatment and refined services.
- If you desire a little variety, you can trade your weeks for vacations at all the other OVC resorts or deposit your weeks with Resort Condominiums International (RCI) and choose from 4,500 resorts in 85 different countries.
- You can rent out your week or give the week to friends, family or employees. Sometimes, the owner can rent out their week and generate some cash from renting the week for more than the maintenance cost.
Can I ever sell my Club ownership?
Yes. Once you are the legal owner of your resort share, you may sell it at any given time. Occidental Resorts and RCI do not assist in this process.
Is this an investment?
First you must consider that the membership is not bought for any economic benefit in a way that an investment in real estate would be. It is not realistic to think that the value of your share will increase with time. The is a lifestyle “investment” with many benefits of having a lifetime of luxurious holidays, with superior accommodations and where the facilities are of the highest precedence. It is of special benefit for families or people, who enjoy travelling to exotic destinations and where there can be important savings.
Avoiding Fraud
Occidental Vacation Club is not offering, now or at any point in the past, any resale or renting program within our club.
Our company does not accept any deposits or cash payments on any name other than Occidental Vacation Club. All the transactions between us and our members are being handled exclusively through credit cards or our banking account provided in your club ownership documentation. This means that if you are willing to pay off your promissory note or make any additional payments, it can be made only to the accounts provided by us.
Any offer you might receive from a third party regarding this matter should be first reported to your service agent. We urge you to contact us in order to avoid fraud attempts and uncomfortable situations.
About First-time Visits to our Resorts
How do I learn more about Occidental Vacation Club?
Simply call (866) 616-6691 or email info@occidentalvacationclub.com to communicate with an Occidental Vacation Club representative who will be delighted to explain how easy it is for you to visit our resorts and experience first-hand the Occidental Advantage. Outside the U.S. or Canada, please call (809) 320-1551 or email info@occidentalvacationclub.com.
Can I visit the resort to see how I like it before joining the Club?
Absolutely, it would be our pleasure. We have a very specially priced Resort Preview for those who are interested in joining our Club. There is absolutely no obligation to purchase anything. Contact our information center at (866) 616-6691 or email info@occidentalvacationclub.com for details of this special offer.
Can I send my friends and family to visit?
Of course, if you have family or friends who vacation yearly, feel free to send us their contact information and we will offer them the same opportunity to enjoy a vacation at Occidental. Contact our information center at (866) 616-6691 or email info@occidentalvacationclub.com for details of this special offer.
Policies
Discount Pledge: Our Guarantee to You
Usually Members All - Inclusive rate is 35% to 50% off the regular Occidental hotel rates; however from time to time, in the normal course of business some of our hotels promote discounts and specials in order to fill - up during certain periods of the year. We guarantee that if this should happen, you as a member will receive an additional 15% discount off that published special rate even if you have made and paid for your reservation at a higher rate. We continue to value you and your ownership as our highest priority.
All you have to do is verify any of our hotels that the particular property where you have reserved has been promoting a rate that is lower than the rate in your confirmed reservation. Simply show the staff at our Call Center or a Club Staff member, by directing us to a specific promotion on the web, copy of a newspaper/ magazine advertising or a print-out of the special.
The Customer Service Agent or Club Guest Service Agent at the hotel is authorized to execute the discount on the spot! If you have already paid for your reservation will give you a credit note for your next holiday or send you a cash re - imbursement.
Restrictions:
- The plan applies only to specials promoted in Occidental Hotels.
- The Discount usually refers to rates published on the Internet or news media on packages that are Land Only. In other words a package selling or promoting the hotel rate only and not a combination of land, transfers, air etc.
- The Discount does not apply if Occidental Vacation Club itself is advertising the promotional package as part of its various marketing campaigns.
- The Discount only applies when a member is using their ownership week. Does not apply when using bonus time, referral rates or any other Club rate.
- The Discount guarantee applies to any special rate promoted up to seven days prior to arrival.
- This is a limited time offer
Unconditional Money Back Guarantee
This is our unconditional guarantee that if any item in your confirmed reservation is not fulfilled you will be reimbursed for the equivalent of a night stay for each night the problem persist. For example if you booked a two bedroom villa however upon arrival for any reason is not available we will book you into the available units but your stay will be free until we can move you to the reserved two bedroom unit.
At most of our Club Properties there are Club Guest Service Staff or First Club Concierge. If upon arrival you find that we not providing the confirmed accommodations or the level of service booked (Grand Level, First Club etc) inform our staff.
They will try to fix the problem but if is not possible they are empowered to issue a certificate valid for your next stay until the issue is resolved. If you prefer a Cash Refund they can process it via our head office (cash refunds take about 30 days).
Restrictions:
- The certificates have no cash value and may not be exchanged for cash. When issuing a Cash Refund you will receive a credit equivalent to the all inclusive rate paid.
- The Guarantee applies only to confirm bookings made with our Club as per the details On the confirmation documents or the system, does not apply if the booking you have made is less than what you own. For example the fact that you own a Grand Level Two Bedroom Villa but have made a booking for a Studio at a Platinum Property does not grant you a reimbursement for the Two Bedroom Villa.
- The guarantee does not apply to properties booked via RCI.
- This guarantee is subject to Club Rules and Regulations and may be cancelled without prior notice.
