I stayed at Buddy Dive last year and loved it. I just read a message in a diving newsgroup that Buddy Dive had purchased Lion's Dive and that it was very unorganized. Everything ran so smoothly when I was there, I can't imagine having a bad time there. Any firsthand information?

Also, now when booking with Buddy Dive, is there a chance that I would get a room at Lion's Dive instead, or can I specify Buddy Dive? (I guess I could write Buddy Dive and find out.)

Thanks for any information on this transition.

Edward

Please post on this board anything you find out. We are planning a trip in May and have always stayed at Lion's Dive. Thanks.

My Wife and I stayed at Buddys November 13-20 this year and were assigned a room in the Lions facility next door which at first made me a little nervous. We were informed that Buddys had just taken it over which we had learned ahead of time through Bonaire Talk.
It turned out that the room was beautiful with a nice view towards the water overlooking the pool. They had a safe in the room, and everthing else was fine. Bear in mind that we were there during the tremendous rain storms that week when some of Buddys ground floor rooms got flooded out.
Buddys dive operation and Managers Rum party etc remained the same and we had a great vacation in spite of the rain and wind out of the WEST which made entry from the dock a problem for a few days. Swells actually ripped some planking out of the dock.
We have stayed in Bonaire about ten times and Buddys about three times. We are already planning our next trip back sometime in November/December and will stay at Buddys again.

If you have questions or specific requests I would recommend emailing Buddy Dive at frontdesk@buddydive.com. In my experience they have always been great at answering your questions/concerns and at meeting whatever needs you may have.

Buddy Dive replied to my email this morning and said, if requested, they would guarantee that I would have a room at Buddy Dive and not Lion's Dive. I assume one could also request a room at Lion's Dive.

I'm sure they will be the same great operation, only larger.

Bob and I did not find the service to be the same at Lions Dive when we stayed this October. We have stayed a number of times before and missed the feel of the more personal service of a small operation. It was small things; for example the water was turned off for a while and we were not told it was going to happen. It may just have been teething problems.

My wife and I are going to Bonaire Jan 10-18, we are staying at Lions Dive. We were told be travel agent, both properties are owned by Buddy's and it is possible to book either place. Lions is actually cheaper than Buddy by 200.00 for wife and I. Buddy's is still using Lion's as a filler if Buddy's is overbooked but do not know if you get cheaper room rate.