We want a place where we can have a very relaxing time... call it our second honeymoon :-)
Maybe we will dive but it is not our major interest! We want a beach front, oceanview place with a very nice beach. We do not want a noisy place. We want a place where we can just get out of the room and walk to or through (even better) the sand and lie there and swim once in a while on the calm caribbean sea.
WHICH AREA IS BETTER? Bel mar apts? Harbour village is too expensive. Is there anything else?

I don't think Bel Mar has a beach. You might want to consider the Plaza Resort, or even Sorobon (which is clothing optional, on the other side of the island from the other resorts)
Not a lot of "beachy" areas on Bonaire, but it's a WONDERFUL place for two people to enjoy each other, quietly. Even if you don't dive, the snorkeling is lovely.

Gabriela, We will be staying at Belmar for the first time, but we checked it out on previous visits to Bonaire. I think it will meet all of your needs except the beach. They do not have one. Plaza has a beach, but it is in about the same price range as Harbour Village. The other option is to stay at Belmar, and drive to beaches like Pink Beach (if it has been restored from the storm damage) or Windsock. We will be at Belmar July 1 through July 15. If you are going after that, I would be glad to give you our first hand impression. We look for the same things you are looking for, except, diving is a priority with us. If you have any questions about Bonaire in general, this newsgroup is a great place to get answers, or feel free to e-mail me direct.

John

There are quite a few different seaside private homes throughout the island that can be rented out for a holiday or vacation home. Lots of pics and prices at www.sunrentals.an

My fiancee and I have stayed at the Belmar on our last two visits to Bonaire and we enjoyed it immensely. The property is very well maintained and the rooms are clean and bright, all facing the ocean. We spent many memorable evenings on our veranda, having a cocktail and watching the sun set. Toucan Divers has a dive shop on site. No beach here, but a nice pool and you are right on the ocean. Definitely first class, and very relaxing.

We are planning to visit Bonaire for the first time. We are considering the Harbour Village. Our ideal vacation allows us to relax on the beach during the day and dine in the evening. Does the Harbour Village offer a relaxing atmosphere? How is the beach area? Is it busy? Is the hotel worth the prices they charge? What about the restaurants at the Harbour Village and throughout the island? All feed back will be apreciated.

Harbout Village is exacly what you want. The have a new chef and fro what I understand, he has been setting a few palates on end! I have not tried the restaruant yet, but will. Hopefully, Jake and Linda will try it and report.

Thanks Michael. We had a really bad experience at the first hotel we stayed at in Barbados last year. We are planning this trip with great caution. Comments will be greatly appreciated. We are not divers, but love the water. Beach lovers we are. How are the beaches on Bonaire; especially around the Harbour View? Are the restaurants on the island reasonably priced or should we lock into the all inclusive at the Harbour? Are there any other hotels we should consider.

1) There are great, reasonably priced restaurants on Bonaire. I'd feel I missed a lot if I got an all-inclusive anywhere. It's too much fun to try around, and don't forget there are some neat "local" places too.

2) Bonaire isn't really a "beach" island. The beach at Harbor Village is OK, so is the one at Plaza Resort and at Sorobon. The beach at Windsock is also very nice, and is the longest. We've been alone there at sunset, but never during the day. But, none of them are world class. Just nice, small beaches. Other beach areas are mostly coral rubble, and mainly provide access for diving and snorkeling. The one time we were at the Harbor Village (we like to check everything out), the beach was very quiet, and there was no one at the pool.

3) The snorkeling on Bonaire is wonderful!! We are just snorkelers. We visited last year for two weeks, and came back this year for four weeks. Even though the Lenny wave surge did lots of damage, there are incredible numbers of many, many different interesting fish. We snorkel every day and were never bored with it.

Bonaire is quiet, friendly and a lovely place.

I second Josie's comment #2. We love Bonaire, but not for the beaches. If you must have long stretches of pristine sand, fringed by palm trees with a hammock slung between a couple of them---sort of the post card look for the Windward Islands or the South Pacific---then you might be disappointed. If you don't demand that, Bonaire is a wonderful island of friendly people and great beauty in its own way.
And definitle try the restaurants...stay away from any all-inclusive plan!