Excellent location within the tourist section of the city. Everything is a short walk away from the hotel. The pick of restaurants, tourist attractions and of course the beach.
Very friendly and helpful hotel staff, easy check-in process (although the online check-in option before you arrive didn't work for me).
Amazing breakfast options from cooked bacon, sausage and eggs, cooked vegetables mix which I haven't seen anywhere else. Cold meats, cheese, bread etc. Limitless coffee and tea from a single machine (so be prepared to queue).
More pastries than you can possibly eat in a week of breakfasts.
Excellent value for money.
The room we had was unfortunately on the first floor, which means NO windows. At least not usable as it opens onto a vertical shaft that has all the air conditioning and heating ducts in it. No daylight.
The room was a family room, so a decent size. Good sized bathroom with an excellent walk in shower. Plenty of towels, although paper thin. Plenty of USB sockets around the room for charging stuff, which was very welcome. Apart from the suitcase full of European adapters I had hauled all the way from home!
The Occidental is equal to, if not slightly better than the chain hotels from Travelodge and Premier Inn we have here in the UK. Very clean and functional without cluttering up with too much character.
Would happily stay here again, but if staying more than one night we would ensure a room with a usable window giving some daylight.