Help! We are 4 people trying to decide where to stay. We think we have narrowed it down to:
1)Aqua viva...very inexpensive ($525 pp with rental vehicle and 6 days diving), use of eden beach, being renovated, seems like a decent location. Does anyone have any info. or experience with them or the location, rooms, etc.? No pool at the appts., but is eden beach really close??????
2)Sun Oceanfront appts. Has it's own pool...can see the water. $$650 for same deal as aqua viva. Any familiar with it...location, rooms, etc.
3)Eden beach resort.....has it's own beach, restaurant, pool, etc. Price will be around $750 for room, vehicle and diving per person. For $220 pp less, we could stay at aqua viva and use the facilities at eden beach for free....is it worth it, is it really that convenient to get to eden beach from aqua viva? Are the rooms any better than aqua viva?
4)Sand dollar condominiums. Seems like a realy nice appt. has a pool on site...restaurant too. how aboutlocation??
I would so appreciate any and all recommendations...Please end my agony and help me make a choice!! Thanks, Robin.

Robin, remember that the new cam location is on the property at Eden Beach if that helps any.

Eden Beach rocks! Wannadive operation there is the best also...you cant go wrong with this place!

Robin,

AquaViva is right across the road from E.B.
I know the owners of A.V., Miguel and Daysi. They are great and keep their place tiptop.
Plus they are partners with E.B.
Personally, I do not think you can go wrong with any of these 4 places. But I would spend more on your first trip to Bonaire, and stay on the beach. You will be going back.

Bud

Here's a pic of the beach bar at Eden....

Here are a couple more...




Oh you can tell Im ready to go back!!

Our family just returned from our second visit to Sand Dollar Resort and we are already planning to return for a third visit. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxed place with the convenience of an excellent dive shop on site, a dive pier that ends just a few feet from the reef, fully-equipped kitchen facilities, then you'll love Sand Dollar. As you mentioned, they have a restaurant, and they also have tennis courts - if you're into that. Sand Dollar is located just north of town - convenient but not too close. Apartments are nicely furnished and have daily maid service. Packages are available that include rental vehicle, diving, and daily breakfast buffet via www.sanddollarbonaire.com. They can also assist with airfare at bulk rates.

I forgot to mention... If you go to www.gotobonaire.com you can also see pictures of some of the apartments, dive pier, etc. at Sand Dollar.

I'd stay on the beach as well, particularly if you're doing a lot of shore diving. It's just more convenient.

Thanks everyone for all of the info. Robin.

Hey Gregg Babcock.....I got your e-mail and would like to speak with you or e-mail....can't figure out how to do that......If you see this posting....please e-mail me at beanburrito@comcast.net and tell me how to get in touch with you. We are going from Jan. 13, 2005 to Jan 23, 2005. Thanks, Robin.

here are some more people that will be there the same time as you Robin..

Dec. 23rd - January 2nd James McPeak and his lovely wife

Dec 26 - Jan 18 Ed and Liz Ginocchio

Jan 1-2 Brian & Sue ++ Cap'n Don's {trip end}

Jan 13-23++ Robin Seltzer

Jan 15-22 Freddie and George Hughes++ Capt Dons

Jan 15-22 Babsi and Ken Abruzzo++ Capt. Dons

Jan 22- Feb 7 Fred and Karin van Veen ++ Bonaire Bungalows


Tuesday BT Dinner at Gibi's
January 4, 11, 18, 15
Friday nights at Bongo's Beach Bar 7:30
Full Moon on Tuesday, January 25

Robin,

I emailed you directly.

Thanks,

Gregg Babcock

Robin,

Bonaire really does have loads of lodging choices -- what may be a good fit for one person, may not be for another.

A few things to ponder:
a) How important is cost?
b) What features are most important to you (i.e., proximity/quality of a house reef, pool, location, proximity to water/beach, room amenities, bar, restaurant, on-site dive operator, resort amenities, size/social scene, etc.)?
c) How much are some of those amenities worth (either in terms of cost or traded off against other amenities)?

My personal favorite (Carib Inn) works great for me. While they fit my criteria to a "T", they might not fit your criteria at all.

In terms of your four choices, I have never regretted staying on the water --- especially on a first visit. I also treat my first trip anywhere as part scouting expedition to see if there are lodging options that best fit my criteria.

First time to Bonaire, I'd stay at Capt. Don's again. Everything is convenient & everyone was so helpful. Then there's Lion's Dive and the dive shop there is great for any training you might need. Buddy's has evening parties and Sand Dollar has a nice beach area and dock. We enjoyed staying near all four and walking to the restaurants in the evening for dinner. I agree, stay by the water at least the first time & the second Can't wait to return for a month next time!
Enjoy,
Dawn & Scott

Thanks everyone for all of your wise advice. We have booked a rental at lighthouse beach.
We will let you know how it was when we get back!

I've stayed at the Yatch Club and Aqua viva. I definately prefered the Yatch Club. I also went and looked at Happy Holiday Homes, and next time I'm in Bonaire I will probably stay there.

Darryl

We only have experience with Capt Don's.
They are completely focussed on diving.
Getting in/out the water or boat is very convenient. We've been there twice, loved it.

They have only 2 disadvantages:
1. Takes >30 min walking to town
2. If you are in waterfront villa nr 12 or higher, you'll hear a slight noise of the island power facility.

I've added a few photos here:

We only have experience with Capt Don's.
They are completely focussed on diving.
Getting in/out the water or boat is very convenient. We've been there twice, loved it.

They have only 2 disadvantages:
1. Takes >30 min walking to town
2. If you are in waterfront villa no 12 or higher, you'll hear a slight noise of the island power facility.

I've added a few photos here:

Eden Beach is a nice place. WannaDive is a ton of fun. Bongos is a great hangout. Service from all three is top notch. I may be bias, since I haven't stayed elsewhere on the island, but when you leave with a grin on your face and immediately start planning a return trip, that says it all. My 2 cents.

Eden Wanna Bongo is the ONLY place IMHO

I'll throw in another vote for Happy Holiday Homes. Great price. Quiet location. And -drum roll- wireless internet access!

My personal favorites: Carib Inn (small, on the water, pool, good value) and Happy Holiday (small, great value although no pool or house reef). It can't be said too many times: there is a lodging choice to suit almost any traveller (the only option missing is a Hilton/Hyatt/Mariott -- something I think is just fine!)

We will be in Bonaire for the first time in Feb. and cant make up our minds where to stay. Am thinking of Sand Dollar, Capt. Dons, Divi, or Buddy beach. Any suggestions?? We dont dive, but love to snorkel. We are in our 70s but are very active. Any suggestions would be most helpful. Thanks

Welcome to the board Darlene.
As you can tell from all the post above, everyone has their favorite place to stay and honestly, they are all fine. Here is one to add one to your list, Lions Dive. It is in a line with the ones you mentioned. SD, BD,LD,CD in that order going away from town and it's an easy walk between them. In any case you will want a vehicle of some sort so be sure to include it in your plans. Some places offer it as part of the package, others don't. We find it nice to have breakfast included in the package but no other meals. There are just too many good places to eat on Bonaire to be stuck at one place. The restaurants at all the places you mentioned (and Lions Dive) are very good but I much prefer to eat at a different place each night. For what it's worth, we like Buddy Dive.

My favorite is the Divi! It is walking distance on a beautiful prominade along the water into town and a lot of the restaurants. The snorkeling around the cement pier cannot be beat!

Also, the Woodwind sails right from the Divi Dive dock. It is at great way to spend a morning sailing on a trimaran that includes two snorkel stops, open bar and lunch. There is also Reneesnorkeltrips to do guided snorkels. She is excellent and reasonable. She can take you to all the easy entries.