Hey - this is my first time using BonaireTalk. Cheers!

Husband and I are going to Bonaire for the first time. Don't like the bigger resorts (cost and crowds) and don't want something too "rustic". I particularly like a nice pool. First prize would also give us a place where we can walk into great snorkeling from the beach/shore as close by as possible.

I think we've landed on the Tropical Inn, apparently across the street from the Van de Valk Resort, so 2 minutes away from beach & shore access to the water.

Can anybody share some insights? Is the road it's on really busy/noisy? Have you stayed there? What's your experience been there?
All comments/help would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, we're going April 1-15. Sounds like we need to take mosquito repellent, eh? (Sorry, we're from Toronto!)

Thanks all.

Janitor -

We have not stayed at the Tropical Inn, but if you will go to the bottom of this page and click on "keyword search" and type in "Tropical Inn," I think you will find a number of postings regarding the property.

Bon bini na Bonaire Talk, y'all. (Sorry, we're Texans!)

Charles Poteet
Dallas

For all your wishes except the short walk to the beach I can recommend Deep Blue View. Very quiet. Very nice people (Menno and Esther). Nice view and nice pool. It is though about 1 kilometer from the water and even further if you want a beach. Check them out at www.deepblueview.com

Cheers and good luck

Bas Noij

Janitor, welcome to Bonaire Talk! Bonaire is a small island, very quite and not too busy as far as traffic (for me at least, living in So Cal!). No streetlights, only stop signs.

Tropical Inn is on one of the side roads that I use as a short cut to go South from town. I don't think the "noise" from the road will be bothersome. The Old Inn restaurant on the property has good food as well. You are probably within walking distance to the Plaza to get in the water, but I wouldn't say it's "steps" from the sea.

A couple of other choices that are close to the beach/water are Coco Palm Gardens, Dive Inn (right on the water), Ocean View Villas, Black Durgon (on the water), Carib Inn (on the water), Eden Beach (on the water), Great Escape that might be in your price range and closer to an entry point to the water for easy snorkeling (JMHO). Go to www.infobonaire.com and click on "accommodations" and then choose the middle price range for more info on the above properties.

Janitor, didn't see your "pool" part. Black Durgeon, Dive Inn don't have pools, but you are right on the water. Ocean View Villas also has no pool (according to infobonaire).

I've stayed at Lighthouse Beach Resort before. Close enough but far enough away. These are townhouse proerties. Don't let the "Resort" part fool you. It is very quiet and has a pool. Even has a little beach. Some of the townhouses are right on the beach.