By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #421) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:10 am: |
Has anyone stayed at the Carib Inn? I know it is small and very difficult to get a reservation, but we managed to this trip. We have the 3 bdr house reserved and would like input if anyone has it. We will be cooking in a lot. Like the idea of being close to the water. Unfortunately the size of our group did not permit us to stay at the Sand Dollar as we have in the past.
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By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #834) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 2:15 pm: |
i think might be a taste of "old" bonaire...if that makes any sense...nice house reef...i get the feeling that maybe that whole area (including the divi) are past their peaks...
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By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 2:29 pm: |
Gail...
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By James T. McPeak (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #116) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 9:56 am: |
We have also stayed at the Carib Inn. I would mirror everything said above. Bruce is a good guy, and the place has a charm and ambience not found in too many places. I especially enjoy the grill and gazebo out front, and the whole experience. I believe we stayed in Rm. 9, which was a 1 bedroom studio that was oceanfront and very nice.
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By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #423) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 10:11 am: |
Thanks so much for the info - I had read somewhere that it wasn't up to par, but that was one person's opinion.
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By Christin Helander (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:15 pm: |
Not to contradict anyone above but I can add comments since I stayed there for two weeks. Yes, it is right on the water, there is a dock and gazebo right there. If you don't mind things being a bit run down, it works well. I thought that it could use a real infusion of upgrades for the price. I would not stay there again, if you want more info you can email me directly.
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By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:28 pm: |
Gail...
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By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:31 pm: |
we have stayed there twice. Absolutely love it. I would not hesitate to stay there again or to recommend it. Our favorite room is the two bedroom water front. Bruce is a great guy and the dive staff are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are kept clean and I'm a little surprised at the previous post about the place being a little run down. The 2 bedroom is nicely furnished with a large tv tasteful decor and the airconditioning in the bedroom could keep a penguin happy.
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By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #556) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:47 pm: |
We have never stayed there, but we always seem to stop by to pickup tee-shirts - they have a great selection. Bruce has always been nice, even when Geoffrey is at his goofiest.
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By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #557) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
And I now disavow authorship of that last sentence -- yikes! Runs on and on, with TWO uses of prepositions at the end of the phrase... I need more coffee.
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By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 1:07 pm: |
As I mentioned before, we've been staying at the Caribe for many years and we usually stay for three or four weeks. Each year there have been some improvements on the units or the grounds. No the Plaza it isn't, but for friendly faces, comfy rooms and that gazebo to lounge in with book AND BEER in hand, it's great! Carol
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By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 1:10 pm: |
P.S.
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By Christin Helander (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 8:00 pm: |
There is a place for everyone and that is the beauty of the boards, we can exchange opinions and ask questions. I feel I work hard to take a two week vacation and do not want to go to a place and find it depressing. I agree the Carib Inn WORKS, but I also stayed in the two bedroom waterfront unit and thought it was not up to par. The towels are stinky, a moldy smell that is not pleasant to dry off with after showering. For $180.00 a night (we shared with another couple and their children) I think it could be alot nicer. The word I would use to describe the property is "funky". I prefer small resorts/hotels, and like a quiet place with charm but this place didn't have that feeling to us.
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By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 9:35 pm: |
Christin,
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By Christin Helander (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 1:59 am: |
You could probably recommend them to me but I most likely wouldn't care for them. I have agreed with all the comments, waterfront, pool (though pretty teeny and not a place I would spend any time), veranda, yes, dive lockers, but honestly it was such a mosquito breeding ground that it was not serviceable. I am not going to argue price, I am willing to pay more. If this is a discussion about bargain accommodations on Bonaire say no more. And that gazebo with grill, I found it to be run down. Broken PVC furniture with extremely worn cushions. You are right, if you are in the market for 26 dollars a night on the water then the Carib Inn fits the bill. Again, I am not the large resort type either, stay away from loud, all inclusive experiences and seek out the small, charming, private places to stay. I however do not want to arrive at my destination and feel it is disappointing and wish I had booked something else. It is great that you love the place, that is what makes us all interesting and seek out different set ups. If I post a question about a resort or a restaurant or anything related to a place I have no knowledge about then I welcome all comments, the good and the less favorable, in fact I expect folks to post about the experiences, the feel of the place, the treatment they received and it is up to me to sort out the feedback. Vive la difference!
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By Linda Stoltzfus (BonaireTalker - Post #69) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 11:43 am: |
Christin,
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By pat murphy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 4:39 pm: |
we have stayed at the carib inn four times since 1995 and have loved every minute of it. bruce and his staff are great and make you feel right at home. the first two times we were in room 3 (?) the studio room that opens onto the pool. the next two times we had room 7...second floor two room unit with an ocean view. it was really nice. we are going back to bonaire again in a few months but will be spending seven weeks there instead of our usual 7-10 days. if we were going for two weeks or less we would be back at the carib inn in a heartbeat. we will do any boat dives with them tho. i would recommend the place to anybody...
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By pat murphy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:02 am: |
i have stayed in places throughout the caribbean and have gotten up to use the bathroom during the night and have watched cockroaches and other local wildlife scurrying for cover. i have never, ever noticed this problem at the carib inn. except for the occasional mosquito i don't remember any bugs in our room. it's been my experience that the rooms have been clean, the staff friendly, and the dive operation very well run. what more could you ask for?
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By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #427) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 2:04 pm: |
Well unfortunately we have had to cancel our plans to stay at Carib Inn because of their policy on tanks. When we dive, WE DIVE. They would only allow us to take one tank at a time and that just won't work. We like to take at least 2 tanks, sometimes 3 and we always do a night dive so we need access after hours. Bruce was VERY understanding tho which was appreciated.
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By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #854) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 2:13 pm: |
i can vouch for the one tank hassle;)
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