hi everyone
my wife and i are staying at the GRI. just curious to know if anyone has stayed there and what they thought of it? do they have a laundry room? how's 'bout the beach? kitchenettes?

Hi Ron,
I have stayed at the GRI in their studios... the kitchenettes have been clean and had everything I've needed to do some limited (I tend to eat out) cooking, good sized fridge, microwave.

I'm not sure if they have a laundry room but there is no beach. They are not on the ocean, but a few blocks back (I have a good aerial view I can post when I get home if you'd like). They do however have a very nice pool/lounging area.

All in all I really enjoyed staying there.

Have a great time!!!

(Message edited by morgans4me on November 11, 2006)

thanks becky for the info. sure, if you have a photo from the air, that would be great. thanks again. ron

I also enjoyed my stay there. It's cheap, clean, and they've got hot water. Sure they're not right on the ocean, but how much of your time do you really plan on spending at your facility? I was at mine to eat here and there, and sleep. If you don't mind not being directly on the ocean, then it's a great place to stay.

Shawn, just curious ... is hot water unusual on Bonaire? I have only stayed at three places on Bonaire but they all had hot water. I have not seen it to be of concern when I have searched for accomodations. Or were you just pointing out that GI has the basics needed?

Here is the aerial view:

Oops... sorry about that (having a duh moment)

Here it is, really


The arrow is at the traffic circle by Chat N Browse, the 2 GRI locations are circled.



This is a closer view of the 2 GRI locations.

Hope this helps

OK, another duh moment... sheesh, I should go back to bed... the bottom pic is of the MAIN GRI location, not both.

Sorry for any confusion!

Denise, hot water is not an absolute necessity on Bonaire, as the water lines are on or very close to the surface and the water is naturally warmed by the sun. Still, it is nice to come out of the sea and have a warm shower. I would venture to say that many if not most of the locals do not have hot water. Some have the quick heat units in their homes, but only turn it on during the slightyly cooler months(Dec., Jan, and Feb.).

We stayed at the GRI a couple of years ago in one of the studios. At that time it did not have hot water. Normally the water temp was fine for showers but I preferred a little warmer for shaving.

thanks again to all

becky, thanks for the pix. just a quick question, has anyone ever tried typing with a golden retriever resting his snout on the keyboard? go away dodger....good boy
ron

No Golden retreiver here... but how about a collie's long snout? It's the same all over when we are owned by our dogs

.......golden retriever slobber all over our house! Wouldn't have it any other way! When he interfers with typing, let him chase the cat!

For me it is 2 boxers hitting me for my attention - they are wicked friendly but so strong ! and yes they leave slobber everywhere too. We love 'em for all they are. Denise

What dates will you be staying there? We will be there in Feb/Mar. We were there for a month last year and liked it a lot.

once again, to all my most hearty thanks.
carl, we will be there in 10days,10hrs,36mins, and i'm not really sure 'bout the seconds. can you tell i'm getting pumped up to do some diving. and Gail, yes it's nice that our 2 goldens let us sleep with them. 2 males(boomer & dodger). we love em. ron

Hello, Golden Reef Inn fans! Has anyone caught the new issue of Caribbean Travel and Life?? Liz is in it AGAIN... I think it was just last month she was in it as well !

Good job, Liz, but what about MY champagne and chocolates?? lol ! (I know I'll be alone and it's not a honeymoon, but stillllll....)

Congrats on your continued success!

Glad I got my reservation in early. ;)

Coming to GRI in Dec for week with fiance for some snorkling. Sounds great! First time on Bonaire.
Lowe Johnston

Lowe, have lots of fun and be sure to post a report when you return. You will really like GRI, it is very clean and very well run. Just a nice little place.

I always sigh a little when I look at someone's profile and it says "retired". Ahhhhhh someday....

Kelly..No need to rush the passage of time.. I find it goes by fast enough. Stay in good health & we all get there sooner or later.

Vince... lol... I was on the downside of retirement (I have almost 21 yrs. w/ the government) but then we got Riley.. nothing like a one year old to put it all back in perspective! ha!

SGK - what did they do, hire you when you were 12????? Isn't that illegal?

Kelly, ya can't hug a retirement check, they don't smile at you either

I'll keep telling myself that, Tom, while Riley (aka Spiderman) is scaling my furniture. lol!

Mara... shhhhh I was 19.....

kelly, you and steve need to keep working...especially steve...keep pumping money into the pension so i can continue to exist in the style to which i've become accustomed (same thing goes for brian and shannon)

I knew you would show up and add your "keep pumping money into the pension" comments !!! Wahhhhh!!!!!

Interesting trail of conversation here. We always stay at Sand Dollar. We have some friends decide to go the "cheap" way this year and stayed at GRI. They were miserable. No hot water in the shower except for some "box" that would push spirts of it out. None in the kitchen at all. So, those of us who travel and like it to be close to home - well, this is not. Also the A/C was only in the bedroom and the living area was very uncomfortable during the day. Needless to say they spent their whole trip with us at Sand Dollar. Right on the ocean (very nice for b'fast and after dinner).
Just wanted to pass on what some friends experienced. (and, btw, we are campers - we camp together in tents all summer in Oklahoma and Arkansas - so we're not spoiled - but, when you pay this much - you expect more).

oh yeah, and i do have a golden with her chin on the laptop at all times it seems

Hmmmmmm. geez, well don't know what to say tami. cept that my wife & i are the kind that tend not to spend a whole lot of time in our rooms. i'm thinkin that we will be in the water most of the time snorkling & diving and just lazin around. by and large, the comments surrounding gri have been of a positive nature. but y'know not everyone can be happy no matter where you stay. we'll let everyone know how our trip went when we return on 12/2. happy diving to y'all!!!

Re: Sand Dollar vs Golden Reef. Having never stayed at Sand Dollar but having walked through and inspected the site, I would agree it has a better location and possibly the rooms are nicer. However, their studio rates are $90 per day more than GRI. Assuming a 10 day stay, is it worth $900 more for hot water in the kitchen, being on the ocean, and air conditioning in the living room? That's a personal choice. I would like to be on the water as well but, personally, I feel that GRI is the better value since I spend most of the day diving and in the evenings I can always have a drink or meal at a restaurant with a view. In the past, we have stayed at Buddy Dive and thought it was a fine operation and a great location. However, I prefer GRI because I find it a very good value in comparison.

There are all different types of properties for all different types of people & wallets. Value for the dollar is a very subjective concept! Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. There are many factors to consider, but those properties which are water front, have great views, in an excellent state of repair will cost a lot more & will command a higher price in the rental marketplace. That's life.

We stay at the Belmar. Last trip my brother-in-law and his wife were on island with us but stayed at GRI to save money. This gave me the opportunity to hang around GRI quite a bit. Nice property, but I'd never give up the Belmar apartments, view, lighting, landscaping and dive docks to stay at GRI - and, yes, my wife and I are more than willing to pay the extra bucks to expirience those things for a short period of time. To each their own I guess. Have a great trip!

I work too hard at a very stressful job and watch my money closely, so my vacations are where I spend my money (and also on good faucets, but that's another discussion!). I own 2 very practical, boring cars, buy most of my clothes at Gap, Loft or the outlet mall, and cook dinner from scratch 5-6 nights/week. It's all about priorities and relaxing vacations are at the top of my list.

Sitting on our balcony at BelMar earlier this year was about the closest I've come to living in paradise. I generally get up earlier than the rest of my family & sitting in a comfy chair looking out at the water and reading a book, while sipping my Diet Coke (I don't drink coffee) was about as good as it gets to me. (The sunsets didn't stink either!)

will be at Golden reef in a few weeks.
arriving from Houston on the Continental flight 6 am

Are the car rental agencies open that early if you have a package including truck from Golden Reef
or does someone from Golden reef meet you?

(I have emailed GRI but not heard back)

thanks

They were open when we took that same flight earlier this year, so I would presume that they would be again as long as they know you are coming.

March won't get here soon enough for me. PBD is running rampant

Sue...Know what you mean about Belmar.. Personally I would never stay in ANY accomodation on Bonaire that was not waterfront with a great view. That to me is the essence of Bonaire.
My favorite at Belmar however is searching for the "green flash" while sipping Johnny Walker Black on the rocks & THEN going out & eating ribs!

Sue... those are my thoughts exactly about the balcony at BelMar. 26 days and counting...