My husband, daughter and I will be coming to Bonaire for the first time in January 2006. We are trying to decide where to stay. Any comments on these two places would be appreciated. PS. Thanks for all the great postings and pictures!! We can't wait to shore dive for the first time.

I read somewhere that bonaire village villas didn't have hot water. I can't remember where I read about it, but that immediately turned me away from them. I'm not sure if it was just the one villa or if they are all like that. I never read about the yacht club.

I have stayed at Yachtclub at least 3 times and have enjoyed it every time. Its a small facility 2 blocks from the water and Yellow Submarine. We are usually three, my wife, son and I and rent a studio, AC throughout the apartment , not just the bedroom. They have a beautiful pool and very nice little gazebo where we ate and cooked on a small BBQ they had there. Pasa Bon Pizza is 50 yards down the road. The kitchen is adequate, great beds, cable tv such as it is, clean, had a night guard last March. I would recommend it for those wanting an affordable accomodation with a small quiet atmosphere. They had warm water in the afternoons in the shower only.

on bonaire it's not unusual to find places without hot water tanks. the water mains are on or close to the surface and the sun warms the water all day long. we take our showers in the afternoon using cold water only...and the "cold" shower is about as warm as a shower here in the states. the only time we use our hot water is when we wash dishes...and once last winter our hot water tank stopped working and i didn't really notice it for a while.

I agree with Pat about the hot water -- many small places only have "solar-heated" water, and we don't find it a problem. The showers in the afternoon are certainly warm!!

If you're considering these two places, also look at Bonaire Town Homes, which is the place we've stayed at six times now. Price-comparable with the others, and clean, comfortable, with complete kitchens, great outside seating/hammocking/eating areas -- and, best of all, we think --- wonderful owners in Benny and Ester Robles.

Check out their website: www.bonairetownhomes.com

They only have 3 available units, so they often fill up early for high season, but it's certainly worth a try to see if they have a bungalow available. Whereever you stay, you'll love Bonaire.

Josie