We stayed at the Bellefonte for a brief time (3 days) during the holidays before continuing on to Aruba. The place was just as described....
simple, beautifully appointed, and extremely clean. The decor was very Euro / Pier One / Island. The hotel had a private pier where you could lay out in comfort and the staff was very friendly. I only wish that we could have stayed longer. A large resort could never measure up to the intimate environment provided at the Bellefonte. AND.....the rates were quite reasonable......approximately $425 for three nights in the studio (which was the smallest room). Highly recommend!

Jessica, that is where the Queen stays, when on Island!

Me two.

OK, Jerry, your a QUEEN Too! LOL

I too am a big fan of the Bellefonte and have stayed there on my last three yearly trips to Bonaire. Last year new management was working very hard to get repair problems under control that were a result of normal wear and tear of the property. Does anyone have an update or opinion of the condition of the property? In particular, kitchen appliances, fixtures, etc.? I’m actually most interested in the condition of the Senior and Grand suites on the lower level and the dive amenities. (rinse tanks & dive lockers)

Thanks

Ernie,

I stayed at Bellefonte in March 2006 and Sjord was the manager. Is he no longer running the office at Bellefonte?

Amy

Sjord is no longer the manager at Bellafonte.

Thanks Vince!

Amy

Amy, Robbert is the new manager, and very nice

We stayed on the 3rd level in August, and found all of the appliances working properly, with the minor exception that the ice delivery system on the frig door clogged, so you had to reach in to get the ice. Rinse tanks were tiled, and located on both sides of the dock next to the showers. Dive locker was secured by a padlock on a wrought iron door and seemed to work fine. A/c in bedrooms worked well, until the power went out island-wide from the approaching hurricane --and was restored as soon as power returned. Elevator was flooded for a couple of days, but returned to service in time to get the baggage to the truck.

Perfectly fine accomodations for the money spent!

Great, thanks for the report. The upper units get a little less wear and tear but overall it sounds like things are in pretty good shape. I know the ovens and dishwashers were having some problems but the maid staff offered and did the dishes when I was there. I felt bad though leaving dishes for them while I went diving. (Well OK maybe not that bad!) I do agree with the earlier post that Robert is very nice as well as the staff. I was afraid he might not stick around long with all the work it takes to manage a property like that. Yes, that elevator has been flooding since they installed it but I only use it to haul my luggage when I arrive and depart. Anyway, thanks again and if anyone has other comments that are maybe best left in private email, I would appreciate hearing it.

We are considering Bellafonte for a 4-day trip and are concerned about the fact that there is no on site dive shop and no restaurant. Are they valid concerns or will it be pretty easy to deal with on outside shop (please recommend) and other restaurants? Thanks, Kim.

Kim, we just got back from 8 days at Belefonte, and it is fabulous. We used Dive Inn, and Bert came to the condo for the orientation and delivered tanks daily to us. It is a very quiet place, so if you are looking for somewhere with lots of activity, it's not the place.

In regard to restaurants, you are no more than five minutes away from town, so it's really not a big deal. I'm currently working on my trip report.

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/1022/348429.html?1201044898

All right, I'm sold! Thanks so much for the advice. We're going to go with the Bellafonte and I think Dive Inn. This is a great forum.

Kim, I hope to finish my report in the next few days, and will have pics of Bellefonte, and Dive Inn as well, so keep checking back We saw eagle rays on all but 2 dives on the house reef!

Kim..Bellafonte is really a great place to stay.
Great seaside terraces on all the seaside units.
Also, really nice reef & it's quiet.

As Cynde said the lack of a dive op on premises
is really no problem & the restaurants in town only a 5-10 min short ride by car. You'll love it. Recently in our trips we've been vacillating between Bellafonte & Belmar.

PS I see you hale from Brielle. Many moons ago (when you didn't need to be certified) I learned how to dive in Point Pleasant in the Manasquan Inlet! The old Jenkinsons etc. Fond memories indeed.

Hi Vince,
Thanks for the advice. We've decided to go for Bellafonte, based on all this good BT press. Now the problem is getting there. We have all these continental miles which we really hoped to use to offset the cost of this trip, but it's proving pretty difficult, since we cant really go for a whole week... still working on it.

Yep, Brielle. We call it "gorilla diving" down hear. My husband and I did our final AOW dive in the Manasquan Inlet and had to be rescued! The current was so strong that we ended up barely surviving-- diving practically in our own back yard. Man, I need the carribean!

Anyway, I will gladly take any other trip tips you can offer-- restaurants, car rental companies, etc.

Thanks.

Kim.

Well Kim, the good thing about those currents in the inlet is that you get a free ride out into the open ocean when the tides are going out. Once beyond the jetties it breaks up & you can comfortably exit on the beach. Just make sure you don't try to surface least you make contact with a very unfriendly prop. attached to the many boats which zip by. How I ever survived diving there as a skinny 13 year old kid, I'll never know!

My advice on Bonaire? Well I hate to tell you but unequivocally a week will never be enough for you! Our first time was in '85. You'll know what I mean when you arrive. You'll be staying at a really nice place! The hardest part about Bonaire is getting there. The second hardest part will be leaving. You'll see.

I stayed at the Bellefonte a year ago and really enjoyed it. Very clean and all was working well. We got our air from the Belmar/Buddy Dive and loved that too. This time we are looking for a room for just two. Has anyone stayed in the studios at Bellefonte? Is there enough breeze on 1st floor. I know the building seems to be designed for air flow.