I cancelled my reservation at Plaza Resort to go to Buddy Dive. Now I'm afraid I may of made a mistake. Being the first time in Bonaire I don't know much about it or its hotels. Did I make a mistake?

JIMINI

Jim, Buddy Dive has some very good reviews, though we've never stayed at Buddy, but at Plaza a few times. I'm sure you'll be comfortable at Buddy, you can always stay at the Plaza on your next trip!!..

ps: this might help:

http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/24/2441.html?MondayMarch1920010239pm

Jim, We've stayed at Buddy's the past two years and have no complaints. Would go back in a heartbeat. Tell Helene, at the front desk, Jasmine and Rosita, at Dock of the Bay, we said "hello". You'll have a great time there and the best breakfasts. Nice house reef, especially at night when the tarpon will feed on fish in front of your eyes. Have a great time and happy diving. Debbie

Jim, only stayed at Buddies once so far, but will return in November. Very nice, smartly run, friendly place. Good folks abound, both the staff and the other guests. I think you will be well served and well pleased

Well, they are managed by same group so standards are the same. They are both different. I have not stayed at Buddy but have heard nothing but good. It is casual and more dive oriented where Plaza is a lovely resort that has it all. The only diff is you cannot cook at Plaza. So, if u want a resort it's Plaza and if u want a wonderful casual dive property near it all, Buddy is great too..I cannot imagine either being a bad choice.

Annie

Stayed one night at Plaza this month courtesy of Air Jamaica. Rooms were large and clean. It is a resort hotel with an attached dive operation. It is also large, with several minutes walk between any two parts, feeling sort of sterile and impersonal.

I have walked through Buddy's from parking lot to restaurant-- much more compact and friendly looking.

Doubt you can go really 'wrong' with either one-- seems more a question of the style of accommodations you prefer.

Going back to Buddy Dive for the 2nd time this year, the first experience was great. I haven’t stayed at the Plaza, but I figure why spend more when I like Buddy Dive? When vacationing in Bonaire I spend so little time actually in my room other than sleeping, showering and having a quick snack I personally don’t think spending a lot of money on a room is worth it. Especially since Buddy Dive is certainly comfortable, convenient and full of nice folks (guests and employees.)

The bottom line is you can’t go wrong at either place…after all you’re in Bonaire!

I have stayed at Buddy's numerous times. You should not feel disappointed in your decision. Buddy's is much smaller and more compact; you don't have a long walk to the docks, bar etc. The facilities are comparable; modern. The biggest difference maybe that Plaza does maintain a beach. Buddy's does not have a beach (ok with me since I don't care for the sand). Buddy rooms only have a.c. in the bedrooms (not the central area). This can be a problem at nite when the bugs come out

I usually stay at the Divi and have never stayed at the Plaza, however I like to take a walk over there and stroll through the lush gardens that they have though out the resort. That is where I get most of my iguana pictures. I would not like to stay there because everything is so spread out. The property is beautiful and well maintained so if you don't mind walking a bit, it is a nice resort.

I have also stayed at Buddy’s a couple times in the last year and agree that you most definitely won’t be disappointed. Their dive operation is first rate. The accommodations are adequate but there is room for improvement. For the most part the fixtures they used in construction were not really “industrial strength” and suffer from wear and tear. On my last trip one of the showers was broken, light fixtures were hanging loose, towel racks loose, etc. Somehow this didn’t bother me that much because everything I considered essential was fine. One big improvement which would be nice ( but a big expense) is if they had screens on the windows. This would allow for the fresh sea breeze at night without the bugs. Also, the one bedroom is a little strange in that you have to walk through the room to get into the apartment because the front door is in the bedroom.

With all that said I would not hesitate to stay there again. The friendly staff makes you feel more than welcome and do a great job to help you get the most out of your Bonaire experience.

I would be interested to know if Plaza also suffers from these minor imperfections or if this is just common.

Ernie, we stayed at Plaza '97, '98 and '99. Our room was in good shape, nothing falling off the walls. Our fridge broke down one time, but it was very quickly replaced. As for screens, I really don't remember. But each room has AC, so it was always comfortable. As for the walk between places within the resort, IMO it's a very pleasant one, many tropical plants and trees to enjoy along the way. Laguna rooms to pool/restaurants/beach etc, only about 100 yds (not far).. And finally, the thing we always enjoyed was our stroll along the beach after dinner, I'd slip off my sandals and feel the cool sand between my toes, and then maybe stroll over to the Marina and admire all those beautiful boats!..

Jim:

One more for Buddy. We have been there several times and will return. We have not done the Plaza thing, but it is my impression that Plaza is at it sounds, a little higher class and resort type, where Buddy is more like home, casual and laid back (A bunch of fun without having to worry about impressing anyone)

Looks like you dive a bunch, that being said, Buddy is the place to go.

Have fun

Dave

Dave, why worry? I've only ever seen folks at Plaza walk around in shorts/flip flops/bathing suit etc; same as anywhere else really.. then again, I find it hard to go without my Armani glasses!...

We've stayed at Lion's Dive, which is right next to Buddy's. We've often eaten lunch over there. Don't worry; Buddy's is fine. It's hard to go wrong in Bonaire, as you'll soon discover. Relax and enjoy your trip.

And one more for Buddy....We stayed our first night at the Plaza (reserved in advance) but chose to spend the rest of our two weeks at Captain Don's Habitat. While there, we enjoyed all three properties (Buddy, Lion's and Habitat) that are side by side and easily accessed. The location is great and the "house reefs" superb. We traveled to Bonaire (last April) thinking we had to have a sand beach and discovered we much preferred the alternative. We're already planning for next Spring. Enjoy!!!
Linda

I am sure you know Buddy is managed by the same company that owns Plaza. I was at Buddy for the first time last night at a party to bid farewell to BT friends Becky and Tom. What a LOVELY place...wow..I am NOT a diver but would LOVE to stay there..Annie

Guess I will add my $.02 on Buddy. We have stayed at Buddy's the last 3 years in a row (June 8-15 this year) and I have nothing but good things to say about the staff and property. The only "negative" that some people find a problem is that only the bedrooms have AC. We don't find it a problem at all, open the windows and doors and let the breeze blow though. The dive operation, the restaurant and the resort staff are all great. Don't worry, it's actually hard to get a really bad place on Bonaire.

I have been to both Plaza two years ago and Buddy's a few weeks ago. Plaza does have a much nicer and bigger beach than Buddy's. You can go from the beach into the water at Plaza. You can't from Buddy's. Both places are great. I really liked the rooms better at Buddy's. Our room had a full kitchen and a great balcany facing the ocean. Watched the breath taking sunset every night. Have Fun! We did!

I stayed at Buddy's in 1999, 2000, and 2001 for a week - 10days each time. I like the package that Buddy's offers - the truck, the drive thru airfill station, nitrox, the breakfast buffet. I like to convience of doing night dives right off their dock. The living room area is not air conditioned but has fans. The bedrooms have a/c units. Great ice cream at Lover's ice just on the other side of Sand Dollar.

I was impressed with the landscaping of Plaza and believe that the rooms might be nicer, but Plaza is so spread out. Plaza does have a very nice dive shop.

When I go back, however, I'll be staying at Buddys!

My wife and I have been to Bonaire 5 times in the last 4 years. We have stayed at Buddy Dive, Captain Don's and Sand Dollar. If you like shore diving Buddy Dive can't be matched. They have a great staff and the accomidations are nice, "but who cares I'd sleep in a tent to dive in Bonaire". The management at Buddy Dive have always been eager to accomodate you as their guest. If you ask my wife there is no better place to stay or dive then Buddy Dive Bonaire, I agree.

we have stayed at plaza resort 2x and will be there again in 2weeeks. great rooms,great beach,great location have never had a complaint and the water taxi stops at the "door'

I’ve heard things are a little spread out at the Plaza. This is no big deal to me unless I’m having to carry my tanks out to the car for a shore dive. It’s a little hard to tell from the map on their website so can one of you Plaza veterans let me know how far it is from the parking lot to where Toucan stores the filled tanks. I know it will be pretty hard to beat Buddy’s drive through air station.

Thanks
Ernie

it is about 2yards to the parking lot..shouldn't be a problem.we love the fact that its spread out and beautifully landscaped sure you will too

Karen is right, also, Hugh tells me that there are filled tanks over by the beach, at the Tipsy Restaurant and at the shop too. Tanks are available for guests 24hrs a day, every day.

OK thanks. I guess is wasn't that hard to beat the drive thru air station after all.
Wow two yards, now if I could just get them up and down thousand steps!

Thanks
Ernie

karen,

hello. my name is angela and we are going to bonaire in sept. and staying at the plaza. we couldn't get a grand suite, all booked. what do you all stay in when your there? do you know are the jr suites really ocean view? have you ever stayed in a villa? it looks really nice from internet and brochure. where does the water taxi take one to, the one you mention that stops at plaza?

thanks in advance for any of these questions you can answer for me.

have a great time!

Angela, we've stayed in a Villa (Laguna View) at Plaza a few times. The description on their WWW is accurate. As far as I can remember, there is a view of the ocean from the Jr Suites, though the Grand Suites are closer. Some rooms overlook the pool area, and the ocean is beyond. I don't think you'll be disappointed, Plaza is certainly a beautiful resort. Have fun.