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Accommodations: Are these all the resorts on Bonaire?
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2005-08-17 to 2006-01-02: Are these all the resorts on Bonaire?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Sims (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 9:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have done a quick Google search and was wondering if I have found all the all-inclusive resorts on Bonaire? These are the ones that I have so far:
Buddy Dive Resort
Capt. Don's Habitat
Sand Dollar
Harbour Village
Plaza Resort

Have I missed any? Looking for things to do for the non-super-die-hard-divers to do while I'm underwater. :-)

Thanks,

Herb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kathy Hall (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4325) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The Divi Flamingo is all-inclusive AND it has a casino. :-) Caradonna Dive Travel has a really good pkg for them. Good luck!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Botsford (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #363) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have a walk through this site, you may find a few things of interest...
http://www.infobonaire.com/

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #241) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

i'm not sure about the all-inclusives but there are many, many other places on bonaire to stay at. and you really don't need an all-inclusive since there are so many great restaurants on the island. even places without their own dive operations can connect you with a dive shop for your diving.
you might want to try www.infobonaire.com for more information on lodging, diving, and restaurants.
we've always said that we could keep visitors busy with at least 10-14 days of activities even if they didn't dive.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2326) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Pat, is right, it is all what you are looking for. Bonaire has something for everyone, divers, snorkelers, bird watchers, wind surfing, horse back riding, visiting the art gallery, donkey sanctuary to name a few things you can do on Bonaire. The website everyone listed is a great start to explore.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Sims (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 10:50 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The main reason that I want an all-inclusive is for my not-so-die-hard-diving wife. Her favorite sport is sitting by a pool and being waited on hand-and-foot. :-) When she is happy, I am happy. :-)

I have already visited the info bonaire website, but all those things you write about above (bird watching, horseback riding, etc) doesn't really interest her. She loves to shop and go to get her nails/etc done.

ANy more ideas?

Thanks,

Herb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Patrick T. (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #289) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Herb sounds like my ex-wife she was the same way.LOL ;-) Honestly a vacations is what you make of it. Hope you understand Island time and what that means. There is a lot to do on the island, it just a friendly island with great people to meet. You just have to go out there and just do it. It won't come to you.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy P (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #385) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

hi Herb,

Compared to places that have resorts like Sandals and what have you, Bonaire is, in my opinion, more of a "Do it Yourself" kind of destination. Lots of small quaint local restaurants and snak shops, a rather small "downtown" shopping area, and plenty of coral stone shoreline to wander, lizards to watch, people to meet, peaceful nothing to hurry for desert island paradise.

Even the full service (restaurant and dive shop on the ocean) resorts are not really the typical All Inclusive resort you might be imagining.

Just one guy's opinion. I dive, so my time spent on land is kept to mandatory minimums when on Bonaire. LOL

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde Lee (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #28) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Herb, I'm moving this to the Accommodations area:-)

I know that Sand$ and Buddy's do not offer poolside service...does Cap Don's, Plaza or Harbor Village offer this?

Also, what are you expecting with "All inclusive?" This might help with folks comments about what you are looking for specifically.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Back to Jeanine, or is it Tribs? (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1206) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 11:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Herb! I have to jump in here too. Do not confuse all inclusive with the Sandals or cruises or any other type of typical pamper you vacation. I stayed at the Plaza twice, had no clue it was an all inclusive. They had meal plans, but so does everyone else. No waiters by the pool, cash bar (room tab) on the beach. No real pampering there. The Plaza, and other resorts do have pools, the pools are usually empty because everyone is diving, so she will have plenty of relaxing time. However, haven't heard nor experienced much pampering on the island. Maybe someone on this list has experienced "pampering" and can chime in on this topic. I believe in truth in advertising and Bonaire is my favorite destination in the world - but if you are looking for true luxury, you might want to look else where.

If you are hooked on Bonaire, and who isn't, you might want to go with a private rental through Sun Rentals - I hear you can even rent a butler/maid and a cook and have a private pool! I have not had this opportunity yet, but hopefully someone has used these services and can tell you if they are worth the money and live up to "pampering."

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2327) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 12:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well, Bonaire doesn't really have much shopping, so your wife won't be happy with that. You can go through town in a few hours for what shopping it has. I love the art gallery, and they do have a couple jewelry shops and some clothing stores, but nothing like St. Thomas so to speak. All resorts here do have pools, so that will make her happy. Suggest you look into Harbor Village or Plaza for her. She would be happy at either of those as that is the most pampering you will get on Bonaire. Bonaire is basically a self serve island, diving freedom and island time, meaning at your own pace and all the resort have bars near the pool to get a drink or two or three. The people you will meet are friendly and just a great place if your wife justs wants to relax, read a book by the pool, take a stroll along the beach, Bonaire is great too. I dive, and really love the time inbetween to curl up with a good book and just relax, have a Bright and enjoy the climate and surroundings. There are a few places in town to get nails done and a spa near Sand Dollar where she can go for a massage and whatever else to pamper her body. I forget the name of that place, but it is in the shopping mall right after the circle going north, you can't miss it. Hope that helps. :-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6687) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 12:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I believe that Capt Don's has a day spa on premises. I had a wonderful Massage there in January..It is right in front of the pool that is right next to the restaurant.. I didn't think there was any ALL-INCLUSIVE like Sandals on Bonaire.. You can get meal plans and dive plans but I don't think beverages are included..for that Pina Colada by the pool!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cyn Loo Hoo (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14806) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 1:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Freddie and Jeannie on the Plaza and Cap' Don's info. I believe Harbor Village has an on site spa as well. Herb, as others have said, non of the 'resorts' on Bon are focused on extreme pampering like a 5 star resort (thus my question about what you expect for an "all inclusive") and as Debbie has said, not a lot of shopping, you can hit that in about 2 hours and your're done...does your wife snorkel?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Baum (GDLW) (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3338) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 1:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I saw a sign this time that I never noticed before at Jibe City. It said you could get a massage on the beach.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #243) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 2:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

yeah kelly, i think that might be ann of luna massage. she's been to the bt dinner at gibi's a few times.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andy & Dave Bartlett (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #397) on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 5:02 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Just as you go thru the gates at Plaza on the left is a little strip mall that has a small spa, beauty shop and small grocery, that is if they are still open. I agree with everyone else, if you are looking for 5 star all inclusive you won't find it on Bonaire.
If you want to stay in the ABC island you could try Aruba or Curacao, I believe they both have 5 star all inclusive resorts. The diving is not as good but your wife might be happier, the shopping and other attractions will probably be more what she is looking for.
Andy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1252) on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 3:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Capn Don's also has the Intermezzo Spa at the front of the resort by the entrance from the road. Sue & I had two fantastic massages there last month they are set up so you can the massage together. The last one we had was the deep tissue massage at the end I was virtually asleep.

At Sand Dollar and Capn Don's the pool is next to the restaurant.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By karen gaffner (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 10:27 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

just to add my 2 cents... if luxury and pampering are what your wife is looking for in a vacation I fear that she will be disappointed with Bonaire. Bonaire is unlike any of the other Caribbean Islands. That"s what makes it special.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kristin Dufford (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Friday, October 21, 2005 - 11:51 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Herb
I just returned from my first trip to Bonaire in September. My husband is a diver and I pretty much enjoy the same as your wife. Pool+book+wine+relax equals happy. We stayed at Buddy dive and while there is no poolside service, I had the pool to myself because everyone is diving. So I had to fetch my own drink, not a problem! I have stayed at many all inclusives and have enjoyed them, however my trip to bonaire was my best ever vacation in fact we have already booked to go back in January! I like to be pampered too, but the whole laid back atmosphere, so many wonderful restaurants to try, and great people make bonaire truly special. Give it a try, I'm sure your wife will enjoy!
Kristin

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Sunday, November 6, 2005 - 12:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Herb,

Like others, I'd say forget the all-inclusive as there are so many options on Bonaire for dining that you may not want to be eating on-site all the time. Our last trip, we stayed at the Divi and they had spa services (though we didn't try them) and are an easy walk to town if your wife wants to get out and about. They also have a Hertz office there if she'd prefer to rent a car and drive around the island. We convinced friends of ours to try Bonaire and I think they wanted a bit higher-end amenities. They stayed at Harbour Village and loved it. I believe there's a serious spa there.

Enjoy Bonaire.

 


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