We are looking for a place to stay for two weeks in March, 2003. We would like a place with kitchen facilities and a washer and dryer. Heard this may be a good location. Anyone with any other ideas? It will be my husband and myself.
We have stayed at private homes in Hope Town, Bahamas, Exuma and Eleuthera. Liked Eleuthera the best but feel Bonaire will surpass.

check out Island Rentals..but don't think they have washer dryer at the apartment...laundry by the stadium is easy to use and air dry coul'nt be cheaper...

You should definitely check out Bonaire TownHomes. Website is www.bonairetownhomes.com. Here's my rundown:

Location: Less than a mile from the very center of town. In a quiet residential area (only two homes on their street).

Amenities: A one-bedroom unit and a two-bedroom unit. Both have nice, private, outside sitting areas (with hammocks), and outside seating. Nice gardens (we love just lazing in the hammocks and watching the birds and butterflies). The bathrooms are fully tiled, large (showers only, but HUGE ones). Kitchens have everything, including rice cooker, toaster, coffee maker, full fridge, full stove/oven, microwave. Plenty of cooking utensils/dishes/silverware. Living rooms have small TVs with satellite. Dining area separates the kitchen and living room area. These are smaller in the one-bedroom unit than the two-bedroom unit.

Although the units don't have a washer/dryer, I bet you could talk Ester into using hers --- or a laundry is less than a mile away.

The place is almost new, immaculately clean.

Bedrooms are airconditioned, living rooms have fans. All windows have screens, and the front entrance also has a screen door.

Owners: Make the place extra-special. Benny, his wife Ester and their 7-yr old son, Dylan. Dylan feeds the iguanas and lizards everyday when he comes home from school. Benny built the place, and is constantly working on making improvements. The first time we were there, I mentioned a shelf in the bathroom would be convenient, and the light in the living room wasn't positioned properly for reading. The NEXT DAY while we were out, Benny built a nice shelf in the bathroom, and put a reading lamp into the living room.

When I hurt my back on the flight down there, he went to great efforts to find someone who could treat me -- and drove us to the hospital and made sure there weren't any language problems. We've never even mentioned a need that wasn't attended to immediately.

The rates are VERY reasonable, and compare VERY well with everything else we saw of such good quality.

When we've been there, we've spoken to their other visitors and I've heard only very positive comments. I know, I must sound like they pay me, but really we are SO delighted to have found such a nice place, great rates and lovely people. We couldn't consider staying so long unless the rates were low, but we also insist on pretty high standards. It's sometimes hard to meet both these needs. I'll be back there for my fifth stay for six weeks next Feb-March, and I can't wait to get back.

Email me directly if you want any further info or have specific questions. I'd better stop before Jake pulls me in for "overt commercialism of BT" (Hi, Jake!!)

We'll be staying at HHH for a week beginning in 9 days, so when we get back, we'll let you know what we think.

Thank you for all your input. I've yet to hear anything bad about Bonaire. Can't wait to visit.

Donna-
Please do let me know how you liked HHH. I see you are from Iowa - we're from Black River Falls, WI. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Hi Terri,
When in March is your trip? Jean & I are at Sand$ 21 Feb to 10 March (our 6th consecutive year). All Sand$ rooms have fully equipped kitchens (but no washer/dryer). As Feb/Mar gets closer, I’ll start posting the “Feb/Mar BT’er 2003” list.

Since your from Black River Falls, a couple questions:
1) Do you dive Lake Wazee? We live in northern Illinois and both our families live between the Twin Cities and Duluth, so we drive through (past) Black River Falls often, but have yet to stop and check-out lake Wazee.
2) Do you ever drive down and do the Three Little Devils Trash & Treasure dive (7 Sept this year)? We are going for our 9th consecutive this year. It’s a lot of fun, plus it helps keep Devils Lake and the State Park clean.

Also, if any other BT’ers will be at Trash & Treasure, I’ll be either wearing my BT or ReefCam T-shirt at dinner/post-dive activities.
Chet

Hi, Chet and Jean
The Estills will be in Bonaire:
Alan Jan 29 - Feb 21
Josie Jan 29 - March 12

See you then. Giby's on Tuesdays?
Josie

Josie,
Hi!
Darn, looks like we'll miss meeting Alan again, we arrive late on the 21st.
Yes, Gibi's is on our calendar for both Tuesday's that we'll be on-Island.
And, maybe a Feb/Mar BT'er annual reunion at Cai.
Chet

See you there....

Chet-
We are not divers - only snorkeling. I live approximately three miles from Lake Wazee and it truly is a beautiful place. From what I understand the diving is very nice. Someday I would like to try diving but for right now snorkeling will suffice. Thanks for all your input. We plan on being in Bonaire between Mar. 14-28.

Terri,
Have fun snorkeling; we spend just as much time snorkeling when we're on Bonaire as we do diving.
Chet

Chet and Josie - my little dive travel group of 6 will be on Bonaire Feb 15 to March 1 next year. If the list is starting now, please put me on it! See you in Paradise...

Ginny,
You were already on my preliminary list for 2003, thanks for the exat dates (I had calculated 14/15 Feb from your posting of "days to go"). 185 for me now.
Chet

Terri,
I just got back from Bonaire yesterday. We stayed at Happy Holiday Homes and it was great. We had a 2 bedroom bungalow, furnished kitchen, bathroom, dining area, and private front and back porch. The place was immaculate. We were so surprised of how clean, well kept, and good service. Louise and her husband own and operate the 14 bungalows. THey are very sweet and willing to help you if you need anything. The place is very peaceful and close to dive sites in the south. There is a washer on the premises but no dryer. I don't know if you have been to Bonaire but you won't need a dryer. The houses have your own private area to hang your clothes to dry. You will need to buy or take extra toilet paper. Erica

Erica,
We also liked HHH but we wished we brought more towels. It was 3 years ago but my memory was that we had to use the same two towels for 3 or 4 days. Did you experience this? Other than that we were very pleased.