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Accommodations: Carib Inn
Bonaire Talk: Accommodations: Archives: Archives 2000 to 2006: Archives - 2002-10-07 to 2003-04-30: Carib Inn
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #421) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 11:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #834) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 2:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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...

dive shop has a good rep...

and how wrong can you be in bonaire anyway?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Saturday, March 8, 2003 - 2:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gail...
Have been staying at the Carib for the past 10 years and have always been pleased. Friendly, knowledgeable owner and staff, dock and dive facilities right out in front, gazebo from which to enjoy sunsets (there's a grill out there too), units kept very clean. We've stayed in the house also. It has 3 bedrooms (one very large) and two full baths, full kitchen facilities and separate dining area. There is A/C in the bedrooms, TV, but no washer or dryer. Quite private. We enjoyed it. Carol Collins

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By James T. McPeak (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #116) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 9:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #423) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 10:11 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks so much for the info - I had read somewhere that it wasn't up to par, but that was one person's opinion.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christin Helander (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:15 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gail...
Don't get nervous. The house was in excellent condition when we last stayed there. The bathrooms are updated with large showers and one has a separate dressing room with a large vanity and sliding door closet. The kitchen had a large side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, a stove and microwave oven. Very bright and cheerful. All in all we thought it was great. I'll be anxious to read all about your trip when you return. Carol

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:31 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.
In my opinion for the money you can't beat it.
I dream about sitting in the gazebo with a book in hand watching the boats go by while waiting for my next dive....

Jim

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #556) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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. :-)

When we stopped by last December, the pool was being repaired, so if that's one of the "run-down" things being referred to, I believe it's been taken care of.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan Feldman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #557) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #19) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 1:07 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #20) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 1:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

P.S.
Susan's right. The Carib Inn also has the best tee-shirts on Bonaire. Carol

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christin Helander (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 8:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Willoughby (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, March 9, 2003 - 9:35 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Christin,
Just out of curiosity, based on the $180 a night that means that you had 7 people staying in the unit. Can you recommend a dive resort with a waterfront apartment that has it's own veranda, dive locker, full kitchen two full baths, living room, dining room and the pool literally right outside your front door for that price? I'm not being argumentitive here, it's just that in my experience, and I have been to several islands in the Caribbean most units like this are a lot more money than $180 a night for seven people. That's not even $26 per night per person. If you have a reccomendation I would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Jim

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Christin Helander (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 1:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (BonaireTalker - Post #69) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 11:43 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Christin,
This board is full of information and we need to keep it open for positive and negative feedback. We have also been disappointed in our accommodations in the past. That is why last April we traveled to Bonaire with only one night reserved for our 2 week visit. We searched our first day and found what suited us best. Thanks for your comments!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Monday, March 10, 2003 - 4:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By pat murphy (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

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?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail Currie (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #427) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 2:04 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

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.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob neer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #854) on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 2:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

i can vouch for the one tank hassle;)

(even MORE overhead)

;)

 


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