I think I have read too many reviews...Need some solid advice. We are planning a trip in January. I have narrowed it down to BelMar and Sand Dollar, because we all like the condo type room with a full kitchen.
Our group likes to Dive all day, and then have cocktails on a balcony as close to the ocean as possible, then either head out for a cas. dinner or cook something at the room. A bar or rest. on the prop. is nice, but not necesary.
If anybody has stayed at both, or has some insight into the best choice based on our "M.O" on a dive trip, please advise.
Thanks a bunch.
Kevin

see my trip report on belmar:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/49771.html

i have not stayed at sand dollar but from what i have heard if you want a place that is quiet and non resort like then belmar. if you really want bar and restaurant then do sand dollar. but if you would rather open a couple of bottles of wine and hand out then bellmar

Hi Kevin, I haven't stayed at either but have two weeks booked at the Belmar starting Sept. 20th. I visited the property 14 months ago while on Bonaire. It was lovely....quiet, RIGHT on the water, very nice units with nicer than average kitchens. We like what you do, dive, dive, dive and then relax outside for cocktails and head to town for dinner or do something very easy at the condo and eat outside. A couple of times we also went to the bigger properties to have happy hour and check them out, they all looked great. Either way you will make a good choice and I will post a trip report in early October.....

Having stayed at both, Belmar has in my opinion more of what you're looking for. Clean, beautiful, quiet, ample cooking facilities and good and helpful staff both at the on-site dive store and Belmar itself. Each unit is decorated differently. You're right on the water, there's also a pool right on the water for after-dive relaxing. Check the Belmar website for photos of how close you are to the ocean. I'd recommend getting a vehicle rental, then you can visit restaurants and get food suppies. Of course, the shore dive sites all over the island mean a vehicle is part of the deal anyway....
Sanddollar has its good points too, but Belmar has my vote for post-dive relaxing ambiance.

Hubby and I are headed to Bonaire Wed. for our 8th annual visit and we stay at the BelMar and can't imagine "having to" stay anywhere else. I wanted to mention that there is a very nice little bar/restaurant, The Great Escape (I believe this is the name). We have only had a couple of lunches there but it is very nice, relaxed and the burgers we had were great! We do breakfast and lunch in our apartment (1st floor with patio going right up to water's edge). We like to go "downtown" for dinner along the waterfront, as after snorkeling all day, all over, this is about the most excitement we can stand! ...and it gives us a break, away from "home" (The BelMar). We go for two weeks and the snorkeling is great right there. Enter the water and go north or south and you will be very happy with the underwater life. I like to go one way along the shore and then swim out and come back further out. So much to see! Last year I entered south of the BelMar at Lighthouse Point and swam all the way home. Other times I have entered North of The BelMar at North Belnam and again swam home. Check your currents if you plan to do these long swims or they could be even longer! I am 56 and took up snorkeling 10 years ago in Barbados,before we found Bonaire and I can't imagine wanting to dive, between lugging equipment and being limited by time due to lack of air in tanks, it just seems like such a hassle! The water is so clear in Bonaire I feel like I get to see almost as much as a diver. (I'd have tried diving but am asthmatic.) At any rate I'd recommend the BelMar and hope that by doing so I don't lose my place next year!

We're partial to Sand Dollar, we own a two bedroom unit there. Everything you need is right on the grounds and they have very complete studio, one , two and three bedroom units all with complete kitchens.

Also, the house reef, Bari Reef, is great for fish life.

You can't pick a bad place to stay on Bonaire

Have not stayed at either but heading to Belmar this Friday for two weeks. Will post a trip report upon return, we think it will become an annual affair, only a different time of year due to our 8 yr. old daughter that will miss school this trip. In the future, if we want to bring her we'll go when she is on break, meaning March, December, or the summer vacation months. Anywhere on Bonaire is great, pick the place and the magic begins.