Bonaire lodging?

[Mike]

Looking at a trip to Bonaire May 2010 over Memorial day for 10 days or so.

We like a nice place to stay right on the water, preferrably right on the sandy beach with nice palm trees, beautiful water, you know the stereotypical tropical island theme, need the hotel type place (room service and all that). We will be diving but we also will spend time not diving so would like a nice place to veg out on a nice beach soaking in the wonderful tropical environment, read a book, sip a cocktail.. etc...

Sometimes it's easier to describe us as liking to go on vacation and dive while we are there, not necessarily take a dive vacation, if that makes sense.

So far I've looked into the Plaza Resort, they seem to have some rooms called "grand suites" that might fit the bill. However reviews of them online seem to be very in-consistant.

Harbor Village looks pretty pricey from what I have seen, not sure we need to spend that much to be happy.

Buddy Dive seems to get great reviews but not sure this is more of a diver place then we are looking for.

 

[dvrliz1]

You may want to consider Eden Beach Resort, they have a lovely beach......though NO PLACE on Bonaire has room service, but they do have a nice restaurant and bar on the beach...

 

[Tom Smedley]

Wannadive is a way cool dive op too! Ten days would be hard as airlines generally are Sat to Sat.

 

[DeputyDan]

Welcome to Belmar Bonaire


My wife's favorite.

 

[dvrliz1]

Depending on where you are coming from mid week is not at hard as it used to be....Insel Air or American out of Miami, then a hopper over.

Ed and I are more for a bargain and don't mind changing planes, etc, but I guess you have to be that way. I just got a RT flight from Curacao to Atlantic City Airport for $400 RT per person....go figure!!!!

Liz

Wannadive is a way cool dive op too! Ten days would be hard as airlines generally are Sat to Sat.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Liz

If I were coming alone or with a friend I would consider the Curacao shuttle. However, with a group there is the potential for disaster. I really liked the Wed to Wed flights before. It is great fun to be in Bonaire on the weekend. I like the street party in Rincon on Saturday morning and to dive when everyone else is doing the airport shuffle.

When Bon Bini was still in business they took me out by myself on a Saturday afternoon. How great it was!

 

[diversteve]

need the hotel type place (room service and all that). We will be diving but we also will spend time not diving so would like a nice place to veg out on a nice beach

Welcome to Belmar Bonaire

Belmar has neither...there isn't even a restaurant on the property.

What you want is the Marriott - on Curacao....nice beach, same diving as Bonaire, room service, pool/bar complex, diveshop onsite, good beachfront restaurant, small casino etc. Or if you don't mind being more remote (45mins. to town) Lodge Kura Hulanda - one of the leading small hotels of the world.

Except for Harbour Village, that's not found on Bonaire.

 

[DeputyDan]

I didn't think anyplace in Bonaire that I am aware of would fit the OP list.

 

[Mike]

Okay, screw it, I can give up room service if I have too. But gotta have a nice beach, nice beach bar, nice room all that stuff. I spent some time looking at the Plaza last night, seems close to what I'm looking for, but my Lord the reviews of that place are hot and cold.

Interesting comments about Curacao. Why does Bonaire get all the hype if Curacao is so comparable?

 

[DeputyDan]

Interesting comments about Curacao. Why does Bonaire get all the hype if Curacao is so comparable?

As Diversteve said the Marriott on Curacao will fit 95% + of all your needs.

That is why it was mentioned.