Where to stay on Bonaire.....

[Stacyt38]

OK seems my family and I may be making our second trip to Bonaire in the summer of 2012!! I'm not really sure how many of us will be going at least 8 and up to 16...maybe more! Anyway last time I was in Bonaire I was not a diver (got certified after returning home because I caught the Scuba bug there). Looking for the best place to stay I have several places in mind just wondering from some of you where your favorites are. We will def be doing lots and lots of shore diving and want to stay all together. Who has an opinion??? I am so excited about this trip can't wait to go now!

 

[Bonairetrip]

As a previous visitor, you know there are tons of options. The real question isn't what my favorite lodging option is (although I am happy to share that: Carib Inn), the question is what is the best place for you to stay.

To that end, it would be helpful if you could share some information with us.
a) Budget?
b) Is being on the water a plus, a must have, or a who cares?
c) Is have a pool a plus, a must have, or a who cares?
d) What other amenities are important?
e) How large a place? Full size resort (like Buddys)? Standalone villa? Something in between (4 to 15 units)?
f) Location? (Walking distance to town? North or South?
g) How many and what type of units? (Three bedroom units? Two bedroom units, etc.)

With 8 to 16 folks, you have some options that others might not have. For example, the Carib Inn has a 3 bedroom house for $170/nt + $10pp for the fifth person. So, lets assumd you have five people there. And then you also get the two bdroom unit for the same price and have 3 people there. (You could add one more to each unit for $10 pp/pn for a total of 10). So that is $370/nt for the 10 people (plus the pp/pn taxes). Or about $37/pp pn.

Or you could go to the Sunbelt site and start looking at the Villas that old around 9 or 10 folks for probably twice the price.

There are lots of options, what are your interests/requirements?

 

[diversteve]

I was considering taking a large group (8-12) to Bonaire last year so here's a couple of options I found.

Rent whatever combination of apts you need at BelMar - Welcome to Belmar Bonaire It's the other Buddy Dive location and 5mins. from the good south sites. And you can use Buddy's drivethru tank pickup when you dive north. Downside is it's a short drive to any sort of food/bar. I stayed there about 5 years ago, it's pretty nice. All the condos face the water to the west. It's a pretty compressed property so the dive dock is about 100' from the building. The reef is a continuation of the Corporal Meiss divesite from what I understand. Good dive for your BMP checkout - we also dove it once in the afternoon. Supposed to be seahorses there but we didn't see any.

There's also a 6BR house - Beaurang Residence - in Kralendijk. They rent either or both floors. Don't know if there's any shorediving off there. http://www.sunrentalsbonaire.com/vacations/beaurang-residence.html

Two from VRBO, I know nothing about either except they had space for 10. The 2nd one mentions being setup for divers.

Belnem vacation rental by owner: 5 bedroom Villa rental that sleeps 10. Luxurious Oceanfront Villa
Hato vacation rental by owner: 5 bedroom Villa rental that sleeps 10. Seafront Villa with Beautiful Tropical Garden up to 10 Persons

 

[Stacyt38]

Thank ya'll for the information. Of course I want to go as cheap as possible without staying in a horrible place. Being on the water would be nice but not an absolute must. Pool would also be a plus but not a must since there is water all around!! Would like to have a kitchenette so we can cook some mac and cheese (some of the family are very picky eaters) and maybe wifi (not a must). Don't really need to be close to town just a rental truck to get there would be great. As far as units go we could split up several different ways so its wide open there!!

I really appreciate the input!

 

[DeputyDan]

Thank ya'll for the information. Of course I want to go as cheap as possible without staying in a horrible place. Being on the water would be nice but not an absolute must. Pool would also be a plus but not a must since there is water all around!! Would like to have a kitchenette so we can cook some mac and cheese (some of the family are very picky eaters) and maybe wifi (not a must). Don't really need to be close to town just a rental truck to get there would be great. As far as units go we could split up several different ways so its wide open there!!

I really appreciate the input!

You have basically described the Golden Reef Inn!

 

[gypsyjim]

I have not stayed at Liz's Golden Reef myself, but that does describe it pretty well, and they have a good reputation among the divers that I know, who have stayed there.

 

[Stacyt38]

Well I probably described GRI because that is where we stayed last time! Too funny! I was looking at maybe Buddy Dive or Captain Dons just looking for other suggestions.

 

[diversteve]

I saw this recently also - Coral Paradise Bonaire Resort - Top Rated Scuba Diving Resort Looked pretty nice (and new)
I think it's just north of Habitat so I believe the diving package is through them. (looks like CD's boat in one of the pictures)

 

[Bonairetrip]

Here is what would do given your input:

Do more research:
- Info Bonaire - Hotels & Accommodations - Resorts, Condos, Inns, Apartments, Houses and other accommodations
- Bonaire Talk: Accommodations
- Bonaire Hotels: Read Bonaire Hotel Reviews and Compare Prices - TripAdvisor

Think some more about: Big or small. In a big place, you can be lost from each other. It is easy to not see each other if that is your goal (and your units might be far apart). But it can be a challenge to coordinate. OTOH, in a small place it is very easy to coordinate and visit. But you will always run into the other person -- perhaps when you would like some more private time.

Consider some off the water places:
- Golden Reef Inn
- Happy Holiday Homes (I have stayed here in the past)
- Casa Oleander/Coco Palm

Consider some on-the-water places:
- Carib Inn (I stay here; the challenge can be to get reservations as they often fill up way in advance)
- Coral Paradise (Sort of on the water)
- Some of the biggies (Buddys, Dons, Divi, etc.)
- Den Laman
- BelMar and Bel Aire

 

[Bonairetrip]

Well I probably described GRI because that is where we stayed last time! Too funny! I was looking at maybe Buddy Dive or Captain Dons just looking for other suggestions.

Those are not good choice for me. But they might be for you.

What specifically appeals to you about both places?