Bonaire-- best house reef / most deluxe accommodations

[keithdiver]

Warm Water Diver, Thanks for your input. We are looking at the Bellafonte, Harbour and BelMar...any suggestions?

Save your money$$ And stay at the Den Laman condos They are privately owned condos, all state of the art appl, tv,stainless steel. Very classy place. the Diveshop is right there and the reef is the most diversed in the caribbean:shocked2:There are135 different species on that reef alone. Try to stay on the 3rd floor, flying fish room, or barracuda. The view of the reef and sunset is unreal You will not want to go out and eat anywhere after you see the sunset,and sunrise from that view..

 

[helimvee]

Christnk1,
We are considering the Bellafonte, have you stayed their? How does it compare to Harbour and Belmar if you are familiar with those accommodations?

I've stayed at Bellafonate and BelMar. Both are very similar. BelMar gets my vote because:

1. The ocean-side part has more space if you want to sit and watch the ocean or sunset. BelMar has a pool and surrounding deck - although I have never been in the pool.
2. It has an on-site dive shop. (Yes, I know that Wannadive is right next door to Bellafonte.)
3. The parking and access to rooms is more convenient at BelMar.

Please keep in mind that these are very minor points and if BelMar was full I would have no problem staying at Bellafonte.

I've also stayed at Den Laman and would take Bellafonte or BelMar over Den Laman if given the opportunity. Den Laman does have the benefit of being within walking distance of restaurants and Lovers Ice Cream. The down side of Den Laman is having to haul your gear up three flights of slippery wooden stairs and making sure you work around the restrictive dive shop hours.

As noted above, these are very small points and your vacation will be great no matter where you stay.

 

[dl348]

Between the 2 that you mentioned, I think Buddy's is nicer than Capt. Don's. They are literally right next to one another, so the house reef is basically the same. I've never stayed at Harbour Village but I have stayed at Plaza Resort and really enjoyed it there. The house reef is good...I believe it's called 18 Palms. Good luck with your decision.

 

[scubaren]

I stayed at Capt Don's a few years back and it was great. I did not find it to be run down. The shore diving was excellent. I still dream about going back there one day.

 

[phelana]

IMHO the most "deluxe" accommodations are one of the villas in Sabadeco near Andrea II. Most of the dive resorts are moderate in nature, well run and clean but not nearly deluxe in the standards you may seek. The villas are great for a group. Couples may prefer Bellafonte or Harbour Village.