Divi plans first all-inclusive build on Bonaire (08/23/2006) [press release]

The Divi Group, which operates 11 resorts on six Caribbean islands including two all-inclusive properties on Aruba, revealed plans to build the first all-inclusive resort on Bonaire.

Construction is slated to begin next spring with completion set for the end of 2008. The hotel firm currently operates the 129-room Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino on Bonaire.

The new beachfront, all-inclusive resort will feature 275 rooms and 60 condominium units; a full service dive center; a fitness facility; a rock-climbing wall; an infinity pool; various restaurants and bars; an on-site spa; a casino; and retail shops.

Managment of the new resort will fall under the Divi All Inclusive Group in Aruba, which includes the Divi Aruba All Inclusive and the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive.

"The untapped market potential of Bonaire and the opportunity to expand the Divi brand in a destination that is committed to sustainable tourism and where we already have a presence made good business sense," said Alex Nieuwmeyer, who oversees Divi's operations in Aruba and Bonaire.

Islands on which Divi currently has resorts include St. Croix, St. Maarten, Barbados and Cayman Brac as well as Aruba and Bonaire.

Cheryl

They need to be quicker than that see http://www.zambezilodge.com/

Cheryl: Check out the thread entitled "Divi Corporation has a go." I believe this was a done deal back in June.

Where are they going to build it?

Hi, Mr. McPeak...

My understanding is that they are building on the old Sunset Beach property. Of course I am always subject to incorrect information, but I was told by a pretty reliable island source.

[insert donkey call here]

Hey, Kelly, I heard that call!

Mr. McPeak, yikes!!!! That all starts up again tomorrow!!!! Thanks Kelly. Sunset Beach is a great property. It will look much better than the Beirut effect it has now.

Is Sunset Beach a pretty good shore dive?

Mike, very similar to Eden Beach. Coral rubble slope into the deep. There is a huge concrete piling with lots of growth and fisheys. Just a short swim to the north the coral wall starts in front of the Sanddollar.

Sunset Beach is just north of Edens. The Front Porch divesite is off shore 20 yards in the sea. A small tug lay at 90fsw in rubble that is coming back to life after Lenny. Jeff Stine and I dove it in 1996 when that area was covered in live corals... Ron

In Sunset Beach's hay day. They had a small sandy beach, with easy access. The fish were so plentifull and would come up to you and nibble on your hands. (that's why you should not feed them) The grounds were lush and tropical.

Jan, you are so right. We dove it in 1995. It was beautiful.

An important point about Sunset Beach - in its hey day or as an abandoned site, it was a place where seemingly all were welcome and it has traditionally been a spot where Bonaireans could bring their children. It was a nice centrally located beach for children to learn to swim. I'm not happy to hear that it will be an "all inclusive" resort because that usually means that locals are excluded. One of the nicest things about Bonaire has always been that locals and tourists were not fenced away from each other, a condition which adds to the us and them feeling of a place. I hope when the resort is built we will still see the children of Bonaire and of tourists playing together on the beach.

Sunset Beach was a pretty decent place in its day. I remember the restaurant under a thatched roof, open on all sides. Like Ron said, before Lenny, it was a beautiful shore dive. Very short boat rides to Klein. The Green Parrot and the old Den Laman was within a short walk. The beach was very nice. My son learned to snorkel there; we had a hard time getting him out of the water because of all of the fish. I think that he was about 8 years old at the time. Ahh, I'm getting old.