Ok...we have narrowed our search down to a 2 bedroom unit at either Belmar or Capt. Dons. We have stayed at Sand $ our last two trips but the unit we like is not open for our dates. We will be bringing our 11-yo twins. It seems that Belmar would have a nicer view from our unit...but small property and small pool (which the kids will us a lot) Capt. Dons has a nicer pool but we would not have the ocean view from our unit. Has anyone seen the inside of both of these units? Just wondering which you all would choose? BTW..they are about the same price but Capt. Dons includes breakfast.

One more question. At Capt. Dons...have any of you seen the difference between the Habitat Cottages and the Oasis Cottages? We have a quote for both. Their web site says the Oasis are newer units and have 2 bathrooms instead of one. Just wondering about the location? Do they have better views..are the Oasis worth the extra $300 per week they quoted? Thanks for your help.

(Message edited by Lise on November 5, 2004)

Lisa,

Wish I could answer the Capt. Don's part of the equation for you but alas, I cannot. I can assure that at BelMar EVERY unit has an ocean view which is wonderful. I love Bel-Mar dearly but here is my qualifier. You're 11 yo twins. I have 2 kids myself 13 and 18 who both scuba dive. Now at Bel-Mar, there just isn't that much more to do - got the pool, got the ocean, got the docks. At Capt. Don's I don't know how many activities there are BUT Buddy Dive is just 2 resorts down and they have LOTS of activities. You might want to ask Bel-Mar or actually Buddy Dive some questions now that they have taken over the diving operations for Bel-Mar. What Buddy Dive activity center has are kayaking, snorkeling, caving, I believe bike activities and what not - things that can keep kids pretty busy and active.

So I probably didn't make a lot of sense but just something to think about. Capt. Don's is closer to other resorts (which is both good and bad) and they may have some activities there for younger people while Bel-Mar is gorgeous, the staff is very friendly and now that they have an affiliation with Buddy Dive might be able to handle some outside activities for the kids.

My 50 cents worth. LOL

Mara

But know that whatever you decide Lise - you're going to love Bonaire.

Thanks Mara for you help. We will put the twins in Carens Sea & Discover program..they have done this 2 different times now and LOVED it. So....the activities part is not as much of a concern. I am leaning towards Belmar because of the view. I love to be able to wake up and sit on my porch with a cup of coffee and look at the ocean....or the sunset each night! So the view is very important to me. The draw back is their small pool!

The pool at Bel-Mar is not THAT bad. Yes, it is small but when we were there last time the place was full and we there were several families and no one seemed too cramped there. At that time boy was 11 and he enjoyed it. The view is truly out of this world. The coffee in the morning and the cocktail in the evening is PERFECT.

When are you going to be there?

We also agree with Mara, BelMar is the best. Yes the pool is small but adequate. Have been there when families with children were quests and the kids seem to enjoy everything. If you take snorkel vest the kids will probably enjoy the fish under the pier too. The patios and decks are great for sitting with coffee or a drink and watching the ocean and the sunsets are great. Andy and Dave

Lise,
The Oasis Cottages are the newer ones. They have two bedroom suites each with their own bathroom...a definite plus. I believe the older cottages have one bath. Sadly, they do NOT have THE view but we love the privacy and the wrap-around porch/veranda. Belmar is a very nice property but we continue to stay in "our" Oasis Cottage.

I agree with you Linda, We Love the Oasis Cottages and we always ask for the same cottage 2019 Feels just like coming home when we get there.. and they are close to the parking lot which in my mind is a huge plus...{but then again we have water view from our home here on LI}
wherever you chose Lise, you will have a wonderful time and more than likely you will suffer PBD after you leave...

Lisa,
Heres's a sky view of Capt. Don's. The Oasis Cottages are located behind the pool..with the gray roofs. There are 11 or 12 cottages in a circle around a pond/garden area. The Habitat Cottages are located behind the two docks. That's Lion's to the extreme right. Hope this helps!

Thanks for your help! OK...think the decision is Belmar...here is why:
1) the view...I really LOVE to look out my window and see the ocean.
2) Location....my husband wants to do some kite surfing and it is closer the the location where they offer that.
3) We will overlap a few days with some friends of ours who have already booked at Belmar.

This will be our 3rd trip to Bonaire and I know we will love it again.. Lise

Oh Boy...just after I posted this...I had an email that Capt. Don's can offer a Villa Superior with another room attached (for the twins). Has anyone stayed in those?? It said they have a nice view...now I am confused again!!

HI Linda Great picture of hotels on coast. Are any of them Lions Dive?

The Villas at Captain Don's are right on the water - it's about 30 feet to the ocan, at the most. You have an unobstructed view.

I'm not sure if a Villa Superior is upstairs or downstairs; downstairs you have a patio facing the ocean, upstairs a porch. We were downstairs, and here was our view:



This was looking over the wall towards our unit (I was taking a photo of the cat):


And this was looking out the back door, onto our patio (at another cat), and to the ocean:

Susan, really nice pictures!!! You really have me thinking about Captain Don's next time around... and you know how much I love the Divi :-) Denise

Chris,
In the sky view photo above...Lion's Dive is on the right...units surrounding a pool.

Lise,
Sorry, the sky view doesn't show the Villas. They are located just to the left of the photo. Susan would be the authority on the Villas as we have never stayed in one. In her first photo you can see the paved pathway directly to the sea. Pretty awesome.

i amreally baffeled now cause I was sure Lions described their place as only having 38 units. It looks like a huge resort wich isnt what I wanted. Too late now . we have had some great rooms on the water in the past so maybe its someone elses turn now. I just dont like false advertising. And I am not real thrilled we have to move onece there also. Maybe out of two units we will get one that has a view. How is the snorkeling on their (Lion's beach?)

Chris,
Lion's IS a smaller resort....just the units around the ONE pool on the right. The pool towards the middle of the photo is Capt. Don's. The two resorts can be accessed through a gate.
The snorkeling all along that stretch (Capt. Don's, Lion's, Buddy's, Sand Dollar, etc.) is excellent. Sorry you have to move units mid-trip. Perhaps this will be worked out to avoid the change when you arrive. Relax and Enjoy!

Chris, you will love Lion's Dive. It is not a huge resort. And, it is on the water. I'm not sure which unit you will have, but I'd be surprised if you didn't like it. The house reef at Lion's is a GREAT reef. I'ts right between Cap Don's and Buddy's. Relax...breathe deep...you will have a great time...oh, and Lion's is one of the ONLY resorts on the island with AC in the living areas (most just have it in the bedrooms)

Susan,

The cats make the place..Whoever thought of it at Lions and Habitat, Yacht Club, well they are wonderful..I think all shops, galleries, hotels and offices would benefit from adopting a cat..Love the pix..

OK....we have made the decision to stay at BelMar...for the reasons mentioned above. Also at Capt. Dons...the twins would have been sleeping on a sofa bed in the living room/kitchen area. At Bel Mar they will have their own room. My husband is an early riser and likes to be able to go make coffee, etc. Also....just visualize 11 year old twin girls JUNK all over our living room!! At least at Belmar we can shut their door!

I wrote agent for Lions Dive to get local number of where to pick up key on arrival and he said I dont need to move. Thats good/ Trying to find thread on where the dinner is for BT next week. Any one know. Also the list of others who will be on island during same week. cant find that thread either. 4 more days and we are there. Thanks for all your knowledge ,suggestions and warnings!