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Accommodations: Another where to stay
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archive - 2006-03-01 to 2006-08-31: Another where to stay
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeremy Lubkin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 3:01 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ok, we did lots of reading here and on scubaboard and tripadvisor. My wife (non diving snorkeler) and I are going May 4-9. Flights booked, now for the room. Our first trip, and 5yr anniversary so we decided to splurge a little and do an oceanfront resort. Since she doesnt dive she wants to have a nice spot on the beach to chill on. Research has the short list of:
Buddys ($165/nt but only 1rm left - and that was today, might be booked).
Sand Dollar ($155)
Eden ($120 studio, $185 room)
Divi ($122 standard, $160 deluxe)
Belmar ($160)
Plaza ($210)

I think Divi and Buddys are on top, probably in that order (why pay more for Buddys if I could even get it?).

So what is the recommendation? Esp from long time visiters or those who have stayed multiple places? Am I missing someplace? If it were just divers diving I would go with Golden Reef or something, but for this trip I think it will be a bigger resort.

Thanks!!!
Jeremy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Taft (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #618) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:30 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy, folks who have stayed at all of the above places will certainly chime in but I just wanted to make sure that in your research you found that Bonaire does not have long stretches of white sandy beaches with soft entries. Some of the resorts have small sand beaches, some with softer sand entries than others. Some have sunning piers as well. Just did not want your wife to be disappointed in her beach spot!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Shane Newmyer (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 8:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy,

My wife and I are/were in a similar situation. our first time, as you know will be May 6-13th. What helped us choose Buddy's was the free upgrade to Nitrox (we're both nitrox divers) and the $75 per person food credit. This helped us justify the higher cost for Buddy's, and our local dive shop was just there in November and everything went very well. Though if price wasn't an object we would have probably chose the Plaza...nice beach front rooms. Look forward to diving with ya.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Grasshopper (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #17410) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy, welcome to BT!

What is your wife looking for when you are diving? All of those places are wonderful. Belmar is beautiful. Pool by the water, 2 docks right there, etc.., but it is south of town and no on sight restaurant (although the Great Escape is just across the street to get something to eat).

Divi and Buddy's are probably about the same as far as ammeneties. On site pool, restaurant, etc. Divi has a SMALL beach area, but not something you could really throw a lounge chair on. More for entering and exiting water. Both Divi and Buddy's have docks.

That said, I don't think you would be disapointed with any of your choices.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Phillips (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #364) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy,
As a long time repeat guest at Buddy Dive, I'm a little biased, but I would put in a vote for Buddy's. To get the best deal, I would recommend looking at their website for various specials, including Drive and Dive, to see if that works out cheaper for you. I can also highly recommend calling Amy at Caradonna Caribbean Tours 1-800-328-2288 ext. 114. She's always been great at finding the right deals for us at Buddy's, and can also recommend and book other places. She knows Bonaire (we met her there and dived with her) and is always a great help. If you want, you can tell her that I referred you from Bonaire Talk; doesn't get me any commissions or kickbacks, but it's always nice for them to know where their leads are coming from. And tell her I said hi.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeremy Lubkin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 1:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks all. I will give Amy a call and see what she can come up with. I think it is Buddy/Divi/Eden in no particular preference so I will see what she recommends and how the numbers all work out.

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #455) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 3:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy,
You could try emailing/calling Ann Phelan. Ann lives on Bonaire and is a great travel agent. Her information is:
Ann Phelan
Skype:Caribchakita
www.bonairecaribbean.com
011-599-786-3134 Bonaire Local
508-644-8491 (Dial from the US to Bonaire)
BTW I would go to Belmar. Great views, a quick trip in and of the intense sun and my very favorite...No Sand!! I hate it when sand sticks to my skin after lathering up with suntan oil!!
Also across the street from Belmar is The Great Escape...good food and "adult" drinks.
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Yana girl (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #456) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 3:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy,
My message should read
a quick trip in and out of the intense sun
Yana

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #173) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 4:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We are long time Divi visitors and would highly recommend it for your visit. It is close to town and your wife could easily walk there while you dive if she wanted.Also, the snorkeling on the reefs off shore of Divi are great and there are always a number of folks to snorkel with. Finally, both are very nice resorts and you won't go wrong with either.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By T-Shirt Divers John and Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #360) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My vote is for the Divi. It may not have alot of sand but there are docks, decks, pools, bars, casinos etc. and friendly people.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kent Gerber (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #137) on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I also vote the Divi. Stayed there for the first time 5 weeks ago. It was great. Booked it thru Amy.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #974) on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 7:11 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Divi always gets our vote. We are timeshare owners and have been going for about 19 yrs to Divi. Never get tired of Calabass reef. The reef and the fish and the location to town cann't be beat.
We all have our favorites here.
Past experiences.You'll come back too!
Have a great time wherever you choose.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By karen gaffner (BonaireTalker - Post #83) on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 8:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

another vote for the Divi, stayed there for the first time last week and was really pleased.( we had stayed at plaza resort on all our other trips)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meredith Lynch (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #130) on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 10:33 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I vote for Caribbean Club! Awesome accomodations for a great price---$60 US a night right on Oil Slick Leap where it is nice and quiet and away from everything.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Russ Coash (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 11:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've stayed at Belmar twice and do certainly recommend it.

However if "beach" is really important to the spouse Eden Beach is probably a better bet (I have not been there).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jeremy Lubkin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We have decided to go with Divi. Buddys is full, and Eden looks very nice but I hear their house reef is a little dead. I am sure all are great, but that is our choice. Anyway, I am curious about upgrade poicy at Divi. Do they do it? Online I can book a run-of-the-house room where they will give us the best room available at checkin (right now they have over 20 deluxe rooms). Or for an extra $3.50pp/nt I can get the standard room plus breakfast from Vicky (Amy refered me to Vicky) at Caradonna. Vicky(and calling Divi) say if I book a std room that is what I get. Just curious if they would upgrade us (esp as this is our 5yr anniv. trip).

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3095) on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 3:42 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Jeremy, you are going for a short time, so go for it! I don't think the extra $7 per night will break the bank. I think you will like Divi very much. :-) Enjoy your time on Bonaire.

 


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