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Accommodations: Plunge Into Another "Where To Stay" Thread
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2004-08-04 to 2005-05-09: Plunge Into Another "Where To Stay" Thread
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Forand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 1:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good afternoon.

My wife and I are planning our first trip to Bonaire for 2 weeks next summer. We have enjoyed lurking and sponging info from this well-organized and comprehensive forum. However, in the course of reviewing the plethora of hotel and resort-related conversations, the archives, etc. I am honestly having some difficulty keeping track of which accommodations would be best suited for our particular needs.

As a result, I would appreciate it if I could be obliged to tap into the "Where to Stay" subject yet again. I know that vague questions are somewhat frustrating and yield vague answers. Since I know what we like, I would like to tailor the question according to our specific priorities.

In general, our accommodation needs are basic. Solid diving readily accessible from the hotel/resort site. A/C in BR at a minimum. Studio or 1 BR apt max. TV not req'd. Kitchen, bed, dining area req'd, preferably an ocean view w/balcony or porch. Pool not req'd but a plus. Doesn't have to have a restaurant or bar on site but walking distance to local restaurants, etc. a big plus. We prefer keeping things "small" and private, so it doesn't have to be a big resort. Room/unlimited shore dive air/car rental packages in the neighborhood of $500-$700 pp per week would be optimal, but may be flexible if the location is "perfect" and we are not afraid to put our planning skills to use ala carte as well. We plan on doing mostly shore dives with 2-3 boat dives, so boat diving need not be part of any package. No need for meal plans. We typically lock doors and can deal with petty theft issues, but a room with a safe, security system, guard, etc. would be looked upon favorably.

So I guess if I had to lay out the priorities point blank, I would summarize as follows (and in this order):

1) Best House Reef
2) Room/air/rental package & price
3) Proximity to other dive sites
4) Privacy/Resort size
5) Cleanliness
6) Proximity to local restaurants, etc
7) Pool
8) "Safety"

I would appreciate it if you could help hone our research by dropping a few names that would seem to meet our needs, elaborating at your discretion, it's all good.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Belinda Z (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #191) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 1:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob,

I have not stayed at any of the resorts on Bonaire yet (our first trip we rented a villa) but have reservations at Carib Inn for March 2005 and it sounds like it might be a place you would like.

We are not divers so I have not paid any attention to his dive packages but Bruce is awesome and we met one of his dive masters on her day off and she was very, very nice.

I know this is probably not very helpful but I think Carib Inn gets overlooked sometimes in the shadow of the larger "resorts" and I really think you should check it out.

Just my $.02

Belinda

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Julia Graves (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #475) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 5:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have a look at Lions Dive, it seems to fit your requirements. If you have any specific questions about it drop me a direct e mail. Welcome to the board!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 5:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

sounds like Carib Inn would be the perfect place for you. The last time we stayed there, we did not even rent a car. We dove the house reef and did some boat dives. Walked into town for shopping and ate at the resturants with in walking distance when we wanted to eat out. You can also walk down to the local produce stand at the water front and buy fresh produce. Jokes market is across the street and sells most anything you need. Can't beat the setting, it is beautiful, small, quiet and clean. And the prices are good also. However they book up way in advance so don't wait to long.
An added plus is the dive shop on site has great prices if you need to buy any gear... And no they did not pay me to write this :-)

Jim

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Johnson (BonaireTalker - Post #46) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 12:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would also add a vote for the Carib Inn -- I am returning there in two short weeks (yea!) for what I think is my 10th stay. As you might guess, it fits my criteria (which are similar to yours) very well. I really do enjoy the place for many reasons (staff, house reef, location, setting, rooms, etc.).

As for prices, I came up with $805 for a one-bedroom seaside or bungalow for 7 nights, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 3 boat dives and a Toyota p/u truck. This included all taxes (pp per day room tax, per day car tax, sales tax) and insurance on the car. Before taxes and insurance, you would be just below $700. You could always drop down to a one bedroom non-seaside and save $70 ppdo for the week.

The downsides of the Carib Inn? While not concerns for me, others might consider: a) they do not do air/hotel packages; b) they are small (10 units) and have no on-site bar or restaurant; c) the rooms have no phones; d) the front desk is staffed 8-5 (they have a system for accomodating those who arrive after 5pm); e) they do not pump nitrox.

The only real downside from *my* perspective is that it can be hard to get a prime room (especially the two-bedroom!).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By J Rushman (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 2:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I can't believe what you folks are saying!! The Carib Inn is our secret! It's hard enough to get reservations there. We don't need to make it any more difficult!

(P.S. How did Kitty's house do in the hurricane?)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #778) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 9:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Divi Flamingo and Sand Dollar both would be good matches. Divi is right on the southern end of Kralendijk and has studio apts with the water and a pool right there. Their porches are screened in. Both are bigger than Caribe Inn, but not huge. Sand Dollar is a bit further from town to the north. Check out www.inforbonaire.com for more info about accoms and rates.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linnea Wijkhof-Wimberly (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #779) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 9:33 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops, make that www.infobonaire.com

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Forand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 10:15 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks to all for your informative responses. We will check out Carib, Lions, Flamingo and Sand Dollar, as well as the Hamlet Oasis recommendation I received via email. Thanks again!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jean Peck (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 1:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bob you might want to check out the Bel Mar we are going for two weeks at the end of sept. beginning of oct. this is our ninth trip and eighth year at Bel Mar you will have to check prices but it is well worth the price

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marabeth Owens (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Friday, September 17, 2004 - 12:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I couldn't agree with Jean more. I have stayed at Lion's Dive, Buddy Dive, Hamlet Oasis, Bel-Mar and private homes and have to say that whenever I can, I stay at Bel-Mar. The only thing that you may have an issue with is walking to restaurants. But since you are shore diving you'll have a car/truck so that shouldn't be an issue.

And honestly - I have never had an issue with any of the places that I stay. I keep in mind that I am on an island and I live by the island mindset.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By juan zambrano mazzei (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 11:26 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

.I think you can find a lot of good hotels and inns in Bonaire, my personal option is eden beach, also Dive inn, the first one is bigger, nice rooms,nice restaurant¨bongo´s bar¨, parking lot, swimming pool, and the other one is smaller,8 rooms with kitchen,nice dive shop......bluefish

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Forand (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 7:44 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for your responses. We will look into those options as well! Thanks for helping us make an informed decision.

 


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