Hello! We are coming to Bonaire for the first time the week of Dec. 11-18! We are VERY excited and I have been reading lots of great recommendations on BT! We are spending the first part of the week at Deep Blue View. But we can't decide where to spend the last part of the week. I have looked into Divi, Capt. Don's Habitat, Kontiki, and Caribbean Club. They all sound great but I was wondering if someone could give me some of the pros and cons of each so that I can make an informed decision.

We are very laid back in our (very) early 30's, we are divers but would also like to explore other options (maybe try windsurfing?) we will try (almost) anything once We love to eat and try new and different foods. We would love to be able to walk to nearby places but definitely not a necessity!

We would appreciate any advice out there! Thank you in advance!

-Dawn

Wow, those are all pretty different. May I suggest you start by searching past posts for each property?

IMHO, you first should decide what is important to you:
a) Do you want to have a nice house reef? IMHO, there is nothing like it -- so easy to dive, especially at night. But others enjoy the short drive to the many shore sites and find the loading/unloading not a bother. (Both Divi and Dons have nice house reefs)
b) How about a pool (I think all but Kontiki)?
c) How about bar/restaurant/24 hour front desk?
d) How about a kitchen?
e) How about walking distance to other stores and restaurants (Divi is best for this as Playa is a short walk, Dons is next best as you can walk to Buddys, SD, Lovers, etc.; OTOH, CC would allow more nature walks.)?
f) How big do you like your resorts (larger = Dons, Divi; smaller = CC, Kontiki)?
g) Should it be located right on the water (Dons, Divi) or is a short distance ok (CC and Kontiki)
Divi is located just south of town. It is an easy walk into town. Like almost anywhere on Bonaire, it is a short drive to most other locations. The house reef is very nice.
If I recall (and I am not certain), most rooms do not have kitchens. Has a nice range of amenities (bar, restaurant, pool, small casino, etc.) and is larger by Bonaire standards (probably 130 rooms).
h) What is your budget?

Carribean Club is sort of all by itself near oil slick leap. I have never stayed there so I have little to offer other than location. It would be close to some walking trails and oil slick (don't worry, long story but never any oil there) but you could not walk to any other businesses. It would be very close to the northern dive sites. No house reef per se (although some sites are very close although) and the resort would be smaller at less than 20 rooms.

Kontiki is over towards Lac Bay. That would make it better located for windsurfing, mangrove kayaking, etc. Again, another smaller resort without a house reef and not really within walking distance of any businesses to speak of. I have also not stayed here. It would be closer to some of the east side sites (which I love but do require a fair amount of experience -- they are best if you first dive them with a local). It would be a decent drive into town -- 15 minutes?

Captain Dons was discussed extensively (compared and contrasted with another small property -- the Carib Inn) at http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/24/189969.html?1101073444

Whatever you do, enjoy!