Hey there folks! After much inquiry and research, my wife and I have decided that Bonaire will be our vacation this year! Looks like a beautiful island, that respects itself and isn't overrun with your standard "Rape and Pillage" type tourist! I must say, reading your posts was a big part of our decision...you all seem so passionate about Bonaire! ANYWAY, flight is booked, now just need accomodations. I don't expect any of you to be my 'travel agent', just wondering if anyone has any general thoughts regarding Lighthouse Beach Resort...looks quite nice, and very reasonable as per their website. THANKS A TON for any help, hopefully we'll meet some of you on the island!! 3/2-3/10

Have never been to Lighthouse but there are a few owners that are BTer's and I am sure they will soon let you know how they like their homes on Bonaire. Do a word search at the bottom of the page, you should find lots of information

Hi David,

Welcome soon! Just a quick mention, LBR is not really a resort. To me a resort has restaurants and so forth..it has a pool and a beach. I stayed there a few times. It's a quiet area and great if you like to power walk. The location is close to south shore dive sites as well.

Hey David! I sent you a private email. Ann is right, LBR does not have a restaurant or dive shop on premises. LBR is a private community of about 40 townhomes that are privately owned. Some owners rent theirs out, while others don't and then some live there year round. LBR has a large community pool that has been newly renovated with really nice walk in steps. That is their only thing that would resemble a "resort" in the term most folks use it as.

Hi David. My husband and I stayed there; e-mail me if you want specifics.

hi david, we live part time at lighthouse beach and will be there when you are going to be on bonaire. as debbie and ann have said, it's not a resort in the strict sense of the word. when you're there you'll be pretty much on your own. you can pick a dive shop to dive with and drive either to the shop for boat dives or just drive around the island for shore dives. we've done some great dives right off our beach. the pool is a great place to relax before, between, or after dives.

most people who rent there eat breakfast and/or lunch at the units and then go out for dinner...although some will eat all their meals right at the unit.

oh yeah...welcome to bonaire talk

At LBR you are perfectly positioned to explore the southern dive sites of Bonaire, and there are many great sites from which to choose. One great feature of the southern sites is the double reef system that runs parallel to shore from Punt Vierkant to Invisibles. You also have the Hilma Hooker, sunk nicely between to two reefs, and many "must see" dive sites like Tori's Reef, Margate Bay and many others.

Hey again all! THANK YOU so much for your input and advice. As this will be our first time traveling to the Caribbean, let alone Bonaire (not to mention that we don't dive...yet!), we've decided to book at Bellefonte Chateau for this trip. A 'Hotel' is a bit more familiar to us than a private townhome at this point. Never would have known by looking at the website, so I'm glad I asked you! Can't wait 'til March!!

Hi David.. You'll like Bellafonte which is a great place. We stayed there several years ago & enjoyed it.. One point, Bellafonte is a condominium & NOT a hotel. So in reality there really isn't any difference between staying at a private townhome (outside of the fact that Bellafonte as an office on site). I suspect the unit you'll be staying in may be owned privately.
When on the island, take the time to visit other resorts & properties as odds are you'll be back, especially when you learn how to dive. Have fun & you're in for a treat (I was about your age when I made my first trip to the Caribbean).

David,
When you get to the Island be sure to rent a small truck and go to the park. All the Diveshops offer "Discover Scuba" which allows you to try a dive with a instructor to see if you like the sport. Bellafonte is a nice place. You will enjoy staying there. There are many things to do on the Island other than dive but diving is the main attraction!(the best shore diving in the world)
Welcome to B/T and hope you enjoy your stay... Ron

david, you still have time to learn to dive. consider taking a referral course. you could do all your classroom and pool sessions in your home town and then complete the open water dives while you're on bonaire. ask your local dive shop for details.

Hehe...my wife told me that she had considered signing us up for diving lessons as a birthday gift! Since this will be only my second time snorkeling (wife is from Hawaii...been snorkeling all her life), that alone is still an adventure! Plus, we'll be trying out windsurfing and kitesurfing. We'll also be doing some hiking and climbing. We'll try diving sometime down the line though for sure!!

BTW...I did make sure to rent a truck to get around the Nat'l Park. Looking forward to grinding some gears up there!

david, don't forget gibi's on tuesday night