Hi, Everybody!
I'm new here and am planning to go to Bonaire for the first time in July after years of going to Aruba.
We are trying to decide on accommodations, but are concerned about the safety and security of the rooms.
Can someone provide some pros/cons of each place? We're leaning towards the Bellafonte, but would appreciate any input.

Thank you.

I have only stayed at Belmar, but I would recommend it wholeheartedly ! I loved it there.

Thank you for the input, Kelly. You're the 2nd person that has said that Belmar is a great place to stay.

How is security, etc. there? The reason why I ask is b/c I've had some friends go to Bonaire and have some issues w/ theft in their rooms, not specifically in the hotels I've asked about. Just in general. I just didn't want to stay in a place where windows/doors could be easily broken, etc.

Is the airport noise at the Bellafonte that noticeable?

Any pros/cons would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Julie,

I also can only comment on Belmar. I am familiar with but have not stayed at the other locations. all as you may know are in the southern part of the island away from town and the main hotels/resorts. We have stayed at Belmar at least half a dozen times. The security is good in terms of door and window locks, and the location is not "thief friendly". There is a security guard at night. The location is lovely and the units are clean, modern, and well-kept. We have never been bothered by airplane noise at all at Belmar. We have friends who have stayed at Belafonte and visited us at Belmar and say they would stay at Belmar over Belafonte, but I've not seen that property first hand.

We've already booked Belmar for Dec. and can't wait to go back.

-David

We did not stay at Belefonte but checked it out and I have to say it is a very pretty hotel! Having travelled a great deal, it has a very European flavor to it. They are doing construction to include some penthouse suites. It does not have a restaurant but you can pre-order groceries and they will be there when you arrive. It looks like an Italian villa. Hopefully someone who has actually stayed there can shed some light on this.

We have stayed at HHH, Belmar and the Plaza. I won't repeat what others have said above - I'll just tell you that, now, the Belmar is the only place my wife and I stay when on Bonaire. Have a great trip.

Julie, I've stayed at Belmar, and echo others thoughts on the property. I've also read really good things about Belafonte and HHH. Do a keyword search at the bottom of this page for Belafonte and Happy Holiday Homes and you will come up with some good trip reports.

Julie, Belmar! No pool at Belefonte...classy layout...but never knew why they didn't put in a pool...

Wow. There's a lot in agreement of Belmar. I'll have to read up some more on this.

Thank you all.

Anything else in re: to the island itself? We're windsurfers so we'll be doing that a majority of the time, but any recommendations on restaurants?

Julie, you will love the restaurant right at Jibe City where you'll windsurf. Great fries, and you MUST try the sangria. Yummy.

If you haven't already been in contact with Ann Phelan, she is a local travel agent in Bonaire who specializes in windsurfing, she would be a WEALTH of information for you in this category!

Enjoyyyyyy

Bellafonte now has a pool and jacuzzi

All three of these accommodations are clean, well-run businesses with good reputations. Happy Holiday Homes is more on the budget side, providing private bungalows in a small park of cottages. It is not on water. Belmar and Bellafonte are on-water and more upscale. The closest bar/restaurant to the Bellafonte is actually the airport(which, despite being my competitor, I have to say is pretty good for an airport bar and restaurant). I'm the closest restaurant/bar to both the Belmar and the Happy Holiday Homes.

OK..I've stayed at both resorts, twice each time.
I can state no matter what you pick you will not be disappointed.

Persoanlly, I think the units at Bellafonte are nicer then Belmar.. At Bellafonte, the outside terraces are more privace, not so at Belmar as all the seaside units are open. You can easily see what your next store neighbors are doing on their terraces at Belmar. If privacy is more your concern while relaxing on your seaside terrace, go to Bellafonte.
Bellafonte really doesn't have a swimming pool as does Belmar. Some people view this as a plus since the pool is a "kids magnet", so generally it's quieter at Bellafonte with the absence of kids playing in a pool.
Conversely, Belmar as a dive shop on premises whereas at Bellafonte you can always book with the dive shop at Belmar, travel the 1/2 mile or so , get your tanks & store them in outside locker room at Bellafonte..Not really a big deal.
Diving at both locations is excellent.

As I said before, no matter which you choose I'm sure you will not be disappointed.

Ah, you all forgot now, Port Bonaire now has a pick up and drop off air station and is indeed closer than Belmar if staying at Bellefonte! It is known as Photo Tours Diving and they can take care of your diving needs quite well and cheaper than Belmar's Buddy Dive. Just a note as they just moved to this location to better serve the south side of the island and not all of you may be aware of this info. They used to be at Caribbean Court...... Sorry, I can't comment on any of them as I stay at my place on island, but have seen all of them and you should be happy no matter which one you choose. Airport noise may be a problem at Bellefonte, but only if you are a very light sleeper, a lot of folks say it doesn't bother them. They all have security at night and look very nice and kept up well.

Julie,
I also can only comment on Belmar. I have only stayed at Belmar out of the three you listed. Belmar does have a security guard and I like this feature. Here are my preferences when staying on the south side of the island:

Housing: Belmar
Food: The Great Escape (Across the street from Belmar)
Diving: PhotoTours (with tank pickup at Port Bonaire, Yellow Submarine in town, Hamlet Oasis next to Captain Dons, and Caribbean ? (can't remember the full name of the dive shop there) located down by Oil Slick Leap.
Booking Agent: Ann Phelan, a local travel agent in Bonaire.

Just my .02

Again, Bellafonte has a pool and jacuzzi now, at least according to their website. It is on the ocean.

Another option is The Great Escape ~~ it's also in that "end" of town. I've not had the pleasure of meeting Kevin yet, but plan on doing so when I am there in July. I have heard GREAT things about his place. You should check it out !

Julie,
I have stayed at The Great Escape. It is a very nice, clean, safe place to stay. The owners are fun to talk to and The Great Escape, IMHO, has the best linens on the island. If memory serves me, TGE offers a discount on diving at Belmar.

I am a stickler for kitchen and waterfront accommodations. If you don't require the kitchen or waterfront then The Great Escape has a lot to offer you.

I don'tknow if HHH has waterfront apts.

Thank you for your input. I think we have decided to go w/ BelMar. We purchased our plane tickets today and are very excited about going. We're due for a vacation. Now I'll just have to read up on places to visit, restaurants to check out, etc.

Cynde..Just to clarify..I was at Bellafonte a couple of months ago.
They have a hot tub/jacuzzi outside on the main seaside deck. However to use the terminology "pool" is in my opinion misleading. This is not a pool the way we in the US understand the word.

Thanks Vince, I was wondering about it. They have a picture on their website but it's not a close up. How big is the pool in relation to say, Belmar or the Great Escape? Half the size? Is it all shallow depth?

Hello Yana:

Yes HHH does have really nice waterfront app.
Cant compare apples and pears, so cant compare HHH and Belmar: Different formula, but both really nice!

And the last time when I was a at bellafonte there was a Jacuzzi.I heard they call it a mini pool

Greetz from Sunny Bonaire

Cynde.. Belmar has a swimming pool..At least I can take 3-4 strokes to get to the other side. I'd say depth at max is 6 feet.
Bellafonte has what I would more accurately describe as a hot tub/Jacuzzi..
Definitely NOT a swim pool. What is it, 2 -3 feet deep at most.
I believe they are using the terminology "pool" to circumvent what some perceive as shortcomings of the resort as not having a swim pool.
I see they are building 2 penthouses on the roof over there!

Thanks Vince

I agree on Belmar too! I quite like the small pool there, but there's also easy ocean access from the dock. The snorkeling back there is very good; last trip in Jan' 2006 we saw a free-swimming Moray, a sleepy Octopus AND a Scorpion Fish! Never disappointed on Bonaire

I'm giving this a go next time!

Here's looking at you kid.....


I have more from our trip, will post soon..

Oh OK, here's a couple more to keep you going..
Chips anyone?


Hello baby!
One of my favourite shots from our trip..

TTFN..

Sarah, absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing