Any recommendations about Belmar?

Randy..Welcome to BT.. Belmar is a great place to stay right on the water in Belnem. In the past we've stayed there many times. All the rooms are oceanfront.

Is noise from planes a problem?

Not at all Randy..

The Belmar is my wife's favorite place on the island.

Plane noise was not an issue.

Our favorite too!

My second favorite..

Would you recommend second floor or ground floor?

Randy,

1st floor units walk out onto the pool/deck area. Second floor and third floor penthouse units walk out street side and require you to walk back through to the pool/oceanside. 1st floor units are all two bedroom. Second floor units are either one bedroom or three bedrooms. We prefer first floor but the size of your group may dictate what you need. All units are nice and several have been renovated.

We have stayed there twice and loved every minute.

Thanks everyone. We booked 3 bedroom. If you have any tips, discounts, etc. please let me know.

just booked again for november....our favorite place also..the outside verandas are huge and great for down time reading and such..security is great..we always look forward to seeing our security professional again, learning some new phrases and stuff...tanks are always available out front for shore diving or by the street..last year, they were doing aft and am orientation classes where someone could dive if they came in on say the delta flight from atlanta..don't think you guys will be disappointed at all with your choice

Even though we no longer stay there, I frequently meet their head of security "Butchie" on my morning walks when he is getting off. Always a cheerful greeting (Bon Bon) from him!
Randy I'm sure you'll be very happy there and get to know Butchie.

Vince, if you don't mind me asking..just really for curiosity sake and future reference...you said 2nd favorite..was wondering, if you don't mind, what your favorite is now...thanks ahead of time..also for letting us know Butchie's name...if you see him after november with a saint's jersey, you'll know where it came from

Monty...VINIBU @ Bellevue; of course! (Just click on my name).

Bellevue is a great place, but as far as I know they dont provide dive facilities. Belmar does, and has a exellent house reef.

Hendrik.. Welcome to BT. Just to clarify your posting, there is not a dive op on site at Bellevue (which is the way we like it) but we do have a secured gated gear storage area by our beach, rinse tank for the equipment and of course a fresh water outside shower next to the equipment storage area.

And, if you like Belmar's reef, the reef in front of Bellevue is identical (but gets less dive activity) since we're only 30 secs away. Picking up and dropping off tanks at Belmar's street side tank storage area is EZ-PZ which is why we recommend that our guests use them. No need at all to lug tanks around.

Have stayed at both Bellevue and Belmar, Id like to add my comments regarding both. Belmar is much older but several of the condos have been renovated and are very nice. Bellevue is new but also tight quarters. The rooms are larger but its small outside. It can become crowded around the sitting area. The people in the home next door to the north arent very friendly either.

Belmar has a bigger pool but also more guests so that can be a trade. The pool at Bellevue is nice but very small. There is a sitting pool as well at Bellevue but it is not a hot tub. No docks at the Bellevue but a small sandy beach area and that is nice. Two docks at the Belmar.

Parking - not so good either place but who cares about that.

IMHO, dive ops next door is a must from a convenience standpoint. Bellevue is only a couple blocks north of Belmar but its nice to walk out your door and into the dive shop when you need to. Belmar has three rinse tanks, storage and freshwater showers outside. Bellevue also has a tank, a shower and a locker. Belmars is bigger but obviously so to handle more divers. There are also boat dives from Buddy Dive that leave from the Belmar.

Belmar has both dive staff and condo management on premises daily. No one is available at Bellevue but can be called. Fortunately we had no issues at Bellevue so that wasnt an issue.

Security - both gated. Belmar has a night guard as well - boochie!

Noise - same street - same cars. BUT one negative about Bellevue was that the doors facing the street are slotted/vented. Even when cranked closed, road noise comes right in. Belmar's doors are older but solid and the rooms are pretty quiet.

Outdoor cooking - Belmar has a grill and cooking area. No grill at Bellevue.

Id also stay in a first floor unit. At both complexes the first floor units walk out directly on the pool area. Upper units require exit out the back, down the steps or elevator (Bellevue) and then re-entry to the first floor.

...and finally Rum Punch Party....only at the Belmar. We had to make our own party at the Bellevue and thats ok too.

So, negs and pos' for both but I do lean more towards the Belmar. I think the Bellevue is a little cheaper in terms of rent but not considerably.

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