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Accommodations: Please help
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2000-07-16 to 2001-07-11: Please help
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joao Serra on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 4:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear all

I am planning a trip to Bonaire, probably first week of August. My goal is dive!dive!dive!, put may wife - also a certified diver - is not as fanatic as I am. I would sleep (almost) anywhere, as long as diving is worth it; however, I know that she would like a "luxury resort" (*****) athmosfere to our holiday, with the amenities and setting that come with it. Can you give me some advice on a place that is both "luxury" and also has a good dive operation on site?

One more question: is August a good time to go (it's certainly cheaper, but what about the weather and diving conditions?)

Thank so much for you help.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By lynda henderson on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 4:58 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am not an expert on Bonaire. I have not been there yet, but soon! When I get back I will be sure to report.

Anyway, from what I have gathered from this site and my own research; you cannot go wrong with the Plaza resort. It has a well established dive operation, great spot right in front of the resort too, nice amenities and setting (lots of plants and flowers), plus the price is not bad. There is the Harbour Village resort which also has a spa, but I believe it is quite expensive and people seem to choose the Plaza over Harbour for that reason. Good Luck.

PS. I believe that Anytime is good to go to Bonaire, because it is out of the hurricane belt (no threat of direct hit).

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Anonymous on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 5:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Harbour Village definately has the "luxury *****" atmosphere your wife is looking for. The dive operation is fantastic and the service excellent.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john bressan on Thursday, May 18, 2000 - 10:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Joao, We always go in July and have always had great weather, I doubt August is any different. It is my understanding the weather and water temperature is about the same all year. We have been told the only difference between the "high season" and "low season" is the demand created by the "snowbirds" searching for some sun in the middle of the east coast winters. We have not stayed at the Plaza, but have visited it and it is definately 5 star.

Have a great trip, it's getting closer all the time

John

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Antonio Ferrer on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 6:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

João,
com esse nome imagino que fale Português. Eu e a minha mulher vamos sempre a Bonaire em Agosto, e este ano lá estaremos outra vez. Costumamos ir para o Sand Dollar, mas o mais "luxuoso", como foi dito acima, é o Harbour Village. As condições para mergulho são óptimas em Agosto. Divirtam-se!
For all the usual crowd - Translation:
From your name, I imagine yoy speak Portuguese. We always go to Bonaire in August, usually to the Sand Dollar (we will go again this year); but the Harbour Village is the resort with more *****. Diving conditions are great in August. Have fun!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alan & Joan Zale on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 8:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear Joao,

We agree with the last message. August is a great time to go. We're there every August. We stay at the Sand Dollar and have a wonderful time. They have studio, one, two and three bedroom condos that are all fully equiped. They have the best dive operation on the island. Everything is right there. They have a grocery store, car rental, bank, tennis courts, pool, and the greatest diving in the world all about a one minute walk from each unit. If we can be of any help please let us know. Regards

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kate Hickson on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 11:52 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I would recommend Sand Dollar also, or Plaza Resort. Yes, Harbour Village is definitely the most luxurious (read:"expensive"), but because of this, it's only probably 1/4 occupied , so it always seems like a ghost town to me. Part of the fun of diving is the post-mortem: hanging out with your fellow divers at the end of the day, discussing the dive, where to go on the next one, etc. and I think there's more of that going on at a place like Sand Dollar or the Plaza. More activity, more people. Have an awesome time!!!
Kate

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Deal on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 1:03 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you must have luxury amenities, your choice is between Harbour Village and the Plaza. The Sand Dollar is nice, but the dive operation had to move off-site (although right next door) following Hurricaine Lenny, and the Green Parrot restaurant which used to attact so much attention was destroyed and has also been moved next door. The Plaza would be my choice for what you require: it has the luxery and the dive operation is better---I consider Sand Dollar's boats to be too small and uncomfortable. I have always believed that the Divi Flamingo runs the best dive operation---they do more boat dives daily and are the most flexible and convenient---but it cannot compare to either of the above for the luxury amenities.

Considerando às alternativas a melhor escolha é ficar no Plaza.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lorraine Meadows on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 8:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Plaza gets my vote too, for what your looking for.
Have a great time!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Josie on Friday, May 19, 2000 - 11:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Having visited both Plaza and Harbour Village, but not stayed in either (out of our price range), if I had the $$$ for one of them, I'd chose the Plaza hands down. Nicer ambiance, lots of plants and flowers, and in comparison HV seemed rather sterile. The Plaza's beach area is more extensive, and we had good food at the two restaurants we tried. Dinner at sunset at the Tipsy Seagull restaurant at the south end of the beach was wonderful!
We don't dive, but we enjoyed the snorkeling off the plaza beach, even after Lenny. Squid, octopus, tarpon, french angels, much much more...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joao Serra on Tuesday, May 23, 2000 - 9:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dear all,

It's really heartwarming to see that fellow divers care about each other ! Thank you, each and everyone, for your time and advice.

Um abraço especial de Portugal para o António Ferrer e para o Robert Deal.

Obrigado / Thank you

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Deakin on Monday, June 5, 2000 - 11:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Joao - I agree with all the posts above but nobody has mentioned Buddy Dive. It's my favorite place to stay. The rooms are very nice, A/C, color TV, kitchen, fresh linen daily. Plus the Dive operation is EXCELLENT! your just yards from great diving, and tanks are right there on the dock waiting for you, they even have a tank "drive thru" so if you want to drive to a different site you don't have to carry tanks from the dock to your car. They also have some great package deals.

 


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