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Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2001-07-12 to 2002-10-06: Accomdations
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By debra murray on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

We went to Bonaire for our honeymoon 10 years ago at Sunset Beach Resort. I no longer see it listed. Has it been absorbed by another property?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debra

Sorry it has closed, see the link below. Recommend Cap'n Don's, there is also Buddy and Lion's Dive nearby.

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/24/5770.html?FridayMay1820011127am#POST17955

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise L. Kacavas on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 12:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debra, I just read the thread Brian linked to. I would only comment that one of the messages in that thread refers to nastiness by part of the dive group at the Divi. I was shocked to read that. I have been to Bonaire four years in a row and each time stayed at the Divi and dove daily with their dive group. And we had only the best of experiences and service. They were always very safety conscious, friendly, and willing to do whatever they could to ensure a safe and memorable dive. I realize sometimes 'bad' things happen, but I wanted to assure you based on my experiences and others I dive with . . . that the Divi dive group has always been great with us.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alan & Joan Zale on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

You might want to check out Sand Dollar Condo Resort. They are right next door to the old Sunset Beach Resort. They have very large studio, one, two and three bedroom units all with complete kitchens. Everything is right on site.We like it so much we bought a unit there several years ago.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 3:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debra

I have not stayed at the Divi only Captain Don's (4 times - 5 will be in 2002 for our 25th Anniversary in September), my link was to save time explaining. I did not notice a negative comment about the Divi - else I would not have posted the link.

Checkout the threads most places are good it depends on what you want.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Denise L. Kacavas on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 3:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian, I hope I did not offend you. I did not feel you were spreading the negative comment in the thread. And, it is good for people to hear the good and be aware of the bad. I just happened to see it and wanted to assure Debra of my exceptionaly good experiences there in case she considered the Divi. Sounds like September will be very special for you!!!! We celebrated 25 years this past July, but not in Bonaire. Maybe this summer we can get back there.. have a great time come September - too soon to start counting down ?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anonymous on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 3:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Debra, in answer to your question (without advertisement and re-criminations) Sunset Beach Resort felt victim to financial difficulties a number of years ago. The hotel sat empty until fire gutted the structure, it now sits an ugly scar on Playa Leche.

The sands of the once beautiful "Milk Beach" were taken by the high waves generated by Hurricane Lenny 2 years ago. No attempt has been made to restore the property or the beach. The sand was deposited onto the reef of Front Porch and as a result the reef in this location is in distress. The waves caused the tugboat to roll over and it is now resting in just slightly less than 100 ft.

Sunset Beach Resort had a certain European "atmosphere" that has been replaced with upscale resorts. No other resort (perhaps Plaza Resort) has a beach to rival Playa Leche before the waves

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Thursday, December 27, 2001 - 11:12 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We still love to snorkel in the Sunset Beach area....tons of life to see there. It is sad to see the rest of the property as it is, but the water is still great. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wimberly on Friday, December 28, 2001 - 2:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have only stayed at Divi (I have a time-share there), but have never had any problem with any of the staff as far as being 'nasty'. I have been on dive boats out of Divi where I have felt like jumping down some of the the other divers throats for doing idiotic and/or rude things, but the boat captain/dive master were always polite. I do recall some years ago one diver, who the staff felt was an unsafe diver, trying to solo dive off of one the piers being told he needed a buddy and he got irate and cursed out everyone in sight. The only problems I have ever had originated with the reservations staff in South Carolina, but the Bonaire staff always bent over backwards to resolve the differences between what I had asked and paid for, and what was sent to Bonaire as far as what I had reserved. I feel most of the problems that people have at any resort in Bonaire as far as service/staff are self generated.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By freda armstrong on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 3:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I'm going to follow up with the Sunset Beach Resort thread. We've stayed there three times and enjoyed it, tho' it was getting a bit tired. When we stayed at Sand Dollar on our last visit we did a sunrise dive at Front Porch, but had to get permission from a guard who left the gate open for us. Is the property still gated? It was actually quite a walk in full gear from where we could leave our vehicle, to where we entered the water. I LOVE THAT DIVE! On our first visit to Bonaire, staying at the S.B.R. we did Front Porch five times in five days, each time with different circumstances: day/night/macro/close-up/wide angle, and any combination thereof! Sorry to see it disappear.

Freda

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker on Sunday, December 30, 2001 - 11:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freda, we were there in May of this year and did not have to go thru a gate, etc. There was a security guard on the property, but he did not ask us to leave the water area. We spent a few hours in the water in front of the old resort area. I don't know if they have tightened up the security around the property since May 2001, however. I would imagagine someone can comment on the situation as it is today? Carole

PS We did enter via the vacant lot next door to the Sunset, however...not actually thru the middle of the Sunset Beach Resort property, itself.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By debra murray on Monday, December 31, 2001 - 11:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the information about the Sunset Beach Hotel. Sorry to hear of its demise. The beach was great and the chef made the best fish soup daily. I will look into the other properties mentioned.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By nancy h. buzard on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 2:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hey, look at this! A great deal on a 2-bedroom/2bath condo with full kitchen and all extras. I can't use my time share at Lions Dive on June 15-22, 2002 and would love to rent it out for a reasonable price. Since I travel alot I asked friends on the island to handle this for me. If interested, contact Mary at: info@bonbinidivers.com

 


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