Hello all,
You have so much information to share so I'll ask your advice if I may!

We are a family of 4, our boys are 14 and 12, all divers.

This is for this Christmas time for 2 weeks, dates somewhat flexible, earliest would be from the 14th Dec onwards, ideally around the 20th for 2 to 3 weeks. We prefer a villa with private pool, but that is probably asking too much at such short notice?

Otherwise, your best suggestions for somewhere quiet and private with a nice pool would be gratefully received! We'd need two bedrooms minimum, like to do our own cooking, are very quiet and a bit reclusive on our vacations!! (Too busy the rest of the year and need a bit of peace and quiet!)
We understand you can't go wrong with diving anywhere, and are happy to drive a bit if needs be.
I do hope you can help!
Jill

I know we're partial because we own a unit there but check out Sand Dollar Condo resort. They have very complete studio, one, two and three bedroom units and a great dive shop.

Check out Lion's Dive. They have 2 bedroom units with full kitchen, small pool, man made beach, TERRIFIC DIVE SHOP! It's small-only 31 units, so is pretty sleepy. And their restaurant is great as well.

Check out Belmar Apartments. It sounds exactly what your looking for. The apartments have two bedrooms, a full kitchen and the pool and private dock are only a few feet away. If you check out the Dive Trip Reports, there is a new posting for Belmar. The only drawback is that Belmar is south of the airport. Therefore to go into town is a few minute drive. It is not within walking distance to town. There is a dive shop on site for Toucan Diving. My wife and I stayed there this past June and would go back in a hearbeat. If you want more info feel free to send an email.

Jeff

Jill :

Here is the main website for Belmar.
http://www.belmar-bonaire.com/index.html

Also, we went through Carribean Adventures/World Dive Travel. They got us a great price. We dealt with Larry. He was very helpful and made sure everything was taken care of. The specials that Belmar runs expires in October. I don't think you will find any great package deals since you are looking at going in December. This is their busy time so the dive operations know they don't have to give a great deal to get the people to come. The weather does that for them. I've included the website for Carribean Adventure/World Dive Travel. You can use the 800 number and ask for Larry. I'm sure he will take good care of you.
http://www.worlddive.com/

Good Luck in trip hunting.

Jeff

I would suggest the Belmar too. My husband & I stayed there in September and really enjoyed it. Very quiet & peaceful. It had an adquate kitchen (we did breakfast & lunches in)and the 2 bedroom units are on the ground floor which comes with a storage locker outside the door. The staff at Belmar & Toucan Diving is great. We booked through their website and had no trouble with our plans.

Jill,
We loved Captain Don's with our 12 yr. old. My Trip Report is listed "An Innkeepers Trip Report - April 15th ...". When we were there the resort was very quiet..off season, I suppose. The cottages were secluded and we had the pool pretty much to ourselves. We'll definitely return!

Jill:
Just wondering, what did you decide?

Thank you everyone for your input! We've looked into all of the above, and have received personal e-mails too, so it's been a tough choice! At the moment we have a private house "in the works" but not confirmed, so probably we will be staying in Belnem. It seems from all the info we've received though, that we can't really go far wrong wherever we may be! We'll be sure to check everywhere out when we're there, because I have a feeling we might become new Bonaire addicts!
Thank you again to everyone for taking the time to reply!
Jill

If you are looking for a private house away from others, the condos mentioned above would not be that, at least not at the Captn Dons or Sanddollar. You will often share a wall with your neighbors!! Sounds like you on on the right tract with your house rental. Good Luck