I am going to Bonaire in October. I was going to stay at the Habitat, but I was shocked that the Maduro Travel Group they want the full amount of my stay 2 months BEFORE I even go to the Island. I, usually, pay a hefty deposit before then pay the rest as you check out of the resort. This makes me nervous. So, I am looking elsewhere for lodging. I always loved the Hotel Bonaire, then the name changed to the Bonaire Beach Club. Has it changed names again?
Donna

Hi, Donna. I don't know the answer to your question, but I must agree that payment that far in advance seems a bit demanding. As far as I know there is no shortage of good places to stay in Bonaire. You could have your pick I think. Habitat is great, but......... BTW, we are getiing a DFW BT Dinner together next month . WOuld you care to join us?

If you make your reservations directly you make a deposit and then pay at check out time at most places, but all travel agencies I have used do require full payment 60-90 days in advance.

Donna, sorry to say Hotel Bonaire, aka Bonaire Beach Hotel, aka Sunset Beach Hotel, is no more. It closed a number of years ago, and then burned. But there are many other good choices.

I noticed that policies have toughened during our 6 years of going to Bonaire. Due to slackening of the economy? We started out paying a deposit, then the total at check-out, but that has changed to paying in full AHEAD of vacation. Both Sorobon Beach and HHH did this. It seemed rather extreme, but we did it anyway. What leverage do you have as a guest when you do that? None. Fortunately we always have maximum fun. So the money is happily spent.

Hi Donna! Feel free to give Margo Chornlesky a call, 1-800-433-3483. She owns World Dive/Caribbean Adventures ( www.worlddive.com} and is an expert on taking care of people who travel to Bonaire. I'm sure there are others who do a great job too, but Jake recommended Margo to us a number of years back and she and her staff have never let us down. I think Larry is her "Bonaire Expert" assistant! He's great too!

We quit staying at Habitat (unfortunate) simply because Maduro was too difficult to deal with. As someone else already said, there are too many nice places to choose from on Bonaire! I know, it's confusing for us creatures of habit to stay somewhere different! We've stayed twice at Habitat and 3 times at Buddy's. We've gotta try something new next time...maybe Belmar.

I saw that Margarite invited you to join our DFW/BT group. We would love to add you to the list. I'm the one organizing everything. If you are interested, please send me an email, gbadsteb@yahoo.com, with your city, phone # and preferred email address. Also, if you have a spouse or significant other who will be joining you, please send their info as well and I will add everything to the DFW/BTers spreadsheet.

Hope to hear from you soon!

The Sunset Beach Resort looks real nasty!!! Looks like a war zone and diving in front of it is the same underwater. Looks like a bomb dropped, such a shame.