Bonairetrip
Contributor
One of the great things about Bonaire is that there are variety of amenities (and price points). I am not really sure what the point is of trying to convince people that Buddy Dive is a great bargain (Oly5050User) or that it is super expensive (StreetDoctor). Buddy is certainly different compared to the GRI (especially since one is on the water and one is not). But then again, Harbour Village is different again (also on the water). As is the Carib Inn (also on the water). As is almost every other lodging choice.
To make it simple, a 1 bedroom at Buddys is $180/nt plus taxes ( http://www.buddydive.com/images/downloads/Nightly_Rates.pdf ). At HV, it is $485 per night. At the Carib, it is $130 per night. At GRI, the price is $75. All prices are the simple room rates -- no package, no diving, no car, etc. And packages might be easier or a better value...
If you want really nice grounds, skip Buddys. HV is where you want to be. Want a place super dive focused? Skip HV -- Buddys or Carib are better in that regard. Is a swim up bar a requirement? Buddys. And are you cool with new diver orientations that only happen once per day? If not, head to Carib Inn.
My point is that each property is what it is and they charge what they charge. Pick what you like when booking your own trip. When providing advice to others, try and figure out what is important to them.
For one group, Buddys is worth every penny. For another group, they are shocked to learn they could have turned that one week trip into a two week trip if they stayed at GRI. Some will find Buddys too plain. Others will find the HV too pretentous. Some won't like that the Carib only has about 11 units. Others will find Buddys too large.
As for me, I prefer the no package deal approach. I rent my own truck at a fair price and with superb service (Telerin for about $250/wk). I dive at the Carib Inn where they calculate your diving bill a la carte and then charge you the lesser of that amount or any appropriate package. I also stay there as I like the mix of location, price, amenities, scale and quality of staff. I eat many meals in the room or at the gazebo. It all works for me. It will likely work great for some others. For others, Buddys is the best fit. Or GRI. Or HV. Or...
(It will probably surprise nobody that I did not buy my dive gear as a package....)
To make it simple, a 1 bedroom at Buddys is $180/nt plus taxes ( http://www.buddydive.com/images/downloads/Nightly_Rates.pdf ). At HV, it is $485 per night. At the Carib, it is $130 per night. At GRI, the price is $75. All prices are the simple room rates -- no package, no diving, no car, etc. And packages might be easier or a better value...
If you want really nice grounds, skip Buddys. HV is where you want to be. Want a place super dive focused? Skip HV -- Buddys or Carib are better in that regard. Is a swim up bar a requirement? Buddys. And are you cool with new diver orientations that only happen once per day? If not, head to Carib Inn.
My point is that each property is what it is and they charge what they charge. Pick what you like when booking your own trip. When providing advice to others, try and figure out what is important to them.
For one group, Buddys is worth every penny. For another group, they are shocked to learn they could have turned that one week trip into a two week trip if they stayed at GRI. Some will find Buddys too plain. Others will find the HV too pretentous. Some won't like that the Carib only has about 11 units. Others will find Buddys too large.
As for me, I prefer the no package deal approach. I rent my own truck at a fair price and with superb service (Telerin for about $250/wk). I dive at the Carib Inn where they calculate your diving bill a la carte and then charge you the lesser of that amount or any appropriate package. I also stay there as I like the mix of location, price, amenities, scale and quality of staff. I eat many meals in the room or at the gazebo. It all works for me. It will likely work great for some others. For others, Buddys is the best fit. Or GRI. Or HV. Or...
(It will probably surprise nobody that I did not buy my dive gear as a package....)
