Does anyone know a reputable, clean, not a whole in the wall, condo group to rent for a week? need house reef and reliable dive operation in close proximaty to units. Thanks - Mike

You'd have done better asking if there were any you should avoid.
Just stick a pin in the map Mike, (you cheap skate) it's unlikely you'll be disappointed.
They're generally pretty good on the hole (whole?)
I'm surprised Jake hasn't nudged your query across to the appropriate section.
Check out "Accommmodations"...that's where you oughta be. You'll find virtually every nook & cranny on the island probed into there.

Right you are Andy! I've moved it.

Mike - check out Bel-Mar, Plaza, Divi, Eden Beach, Sand Dollar, Buddy Dive, Lion's Dive, and Habitat - all have house reefs, on-site dive shops, and condo-units (rooms with bedrooms and kitchens). Links can be found on http://www.InfoBonaire.com under Accommodations (most are probably in the moderate category - use the list box to select the right pages).

Jake

Mike,
I have stayed at the Dive Inn twice (Divi Flamingo is next door). Its small(only 6 or 7 rooms), basic (not fancy), and less expensive. It is clean (good maid service), well maintained, and everything is in good working order. The dive shop, the pier, and your car are all just a few steps away from your room. Downtown is just a short walk. The people there are very, very nice and accomodating (which is the norm on the island). Go to http://www.infobonaire.com look under Accomodations to find more info and their web site.

Mike, check out my response to "need house/bungalow to rent" on the previous post. It's up to date and accurate. We were delighted with our accomodations and proximity of the dive sites. Does have its own house reef and several others REALLY close by. Please also read my comments in the Dive Operators section. I'll summarize our whole trip in Trip Reports later this week. Another place worth checking, but not on the seaside, is Coco Palm Gardens. It's adorable! And reasonable.

Mike, also check out MY response to the above "need house/bungalow to rent" thread. We're delighted with Bonaire Town Homes (are there NOW, for our fourth stay there!)

try www.bonairebungalows.com

or try www.bonaire-exclusive.com

Bob,

You may not be aware of this, but the site you recommend is full of pictures stolen from well known Bonaire photographers, such as Julie Morgan and Suzi Swygert (and they even had one or two of my photos which I did get them to remove) - all used without permission.

We had tried to get the owners of the site to remove the stolen pictures (which they have even had the gall to imprint with their site name), but they became belligerent, saying that it was their right to use any photos they found on the Internet (for their own commercial gain, obviously), something which is contradicted by copyright law.

Anyhow, I would strongly advise against renting property from people with such poor ethics, as such an attitude may well be present in other business dealings.

Many of the homes they offer for rent are available through others who don't steal photos from others, incidentally.

Also, the owners of the site in question are one of a number of people that don't appear to be charging (& paying) the required Bonaire room tax of US$5.50/person per night, which, if it's the case, makes these illegal rentals with potential legal liabilities for the renters, owners and rental company alike.

So, my advice is to stay away from www.bonaire-exclusive.com or www.boniareexclusief.nl (Dutch mirror version of the same site).

Jake

Dear Jake,

How do you know that they do not pay room tax?

Greetings Bob

Jake did say "don't appear to be charging (& paying) the required Bonaire room tax of US$5.50/person per night"

The tax is not currently listed or mentioned on their website either included or not included.

So if anyone doesn't include a text about tourist tax on there website, you speculate that they are

"one of a number of people that don't appear to be charging (& paying) the required Bonaire room tax of US$5.50/person per night, which, if it's the case, makes these illegal rentals with potential legal liabilities for the renters, owners and rental company alike."

I had a great time because of Bonaire Exclusief and the house was perfect (#13). If you think they do something illegal you should prosecute them.

Stop this gossip, that's poor ethics.


PS: they mentioned the roomtax on there Dutch website.

Glad to hear they have added that to their website although they will want to add it to the English as well as the German pages too. FYI - the Dutch page says the tourist tax is included as well as hot water, gas and electricity in the rates.

Illegal vacation rental apartments are a very hot issue on island right now. Efforts are being made to identify them and begin prosecuting them. And yes, websites or brochures that mention price but not tax in any form are just one of the red flags which will lead to closer scutiny by the authorities.