Planning a group trip to Bonaire. Buddy dive?

[DeputyDan]

Thank you Deputy Dan! Having stayed in both sides of Buddy's, I will not go back unless I have an iron guarantee that I will be staying in the Buddy side of the resort. The reef is fantastic, the dive op is great, plenty of tanks 24/7. Everything you are looking for except the promise of nice rooms.

We have not stayed at Buddy since being on the Lion's Den side.

My wife enjoyed the Belmar. It is a good location if you are going with other couple. Don't know how well a big group would work there.

 

[Diver DennisP]

It looks like our group (i'm dorkfish's husband) will likely be between 4-10 people, we're thinking in all likelyhood 6. Of course we don't NEED to have a 3 bedroom, but if it does turn out to be 6 people it would be nice.

 

[Diver DennisP]

The one thing you said you wanted is newer rooms (Up to date). You may not get this at Buddy.
Buddy has two parts - the old Buddy Dive and the old Lions Den. The old Buddy Dive units are great but many of the old Lion's Den units are dumps. Just beware!

Have you looked at Den Laman? (no breakfast included)

I have attached an areal picture of Buddy dive. I circled 1 of the 3 building that house the 3 br apartments. Is this the older part?

 

[I'm a Dork Fish]

The one thing you said you wanted is newer rooms (Up to date). You may not get this at Buddy.
Buddy has two parts - the old Buddy Dive and the old Lions Den. The old Buddy Dive units are great but many of the old Lion's Den units are dumps. Just beware!

Have you looked at Den Laman? (no breakfast included)

I did look into Den Laman. It was a little more expensive. I did like the way the Deluxe Ocean front rooms have a little patio area. Except we do perfer a second floor room just for security reasons.

I didn't realize that finding a place would be so hard!!!!!

Andrea

 

[I'm a Dork Fish]

Den Laman only has 2 bedroom units that sleep 4 people. Might not fit the 3 bedroom requirement. How about Sand Dollar?

I did look there. I know this is terrible but based on the pictures, Buddy dive looked nicer. I know I probably shouldn't base it on that. I guess that is why I am looking to regulars to get the facts straight. With that said, I really want to Thank everyone for their input!!!

Andrea,

How many people are in your group, that may help for me to point you in a good direction.

Liz

I believe my husband my have answered this one...

Thank you Deputy Dan! Having stayed in both sides of Buddy's, I will not go back unless I have an iron guarantee that I will be staying in the Buddy side of the resort. The reef is fantastic, the dive op is great, plenty of tanks 24/7. Everything you are looking for except the promise of nice rooms.

This is truely making me hesitant on Buddy! I did post a pdf file showing where we would be staying. Hopefully someone can verify which part these buildings are located in.

Andrea, check out www.habourvillage.com, it may have all you are looking for. Don't be discourage by their higher rates. I suggest to contact their in house travel consultant Lourdes in Miami and negotiate a group rate. Definitely this is the best in Bonaire and not necessarily the cheapest, it is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

I will definitely check into this. Thank you!

 

[DeputyDan]

The circled units are good.

The ones on the left with the arrow 2 br and 1 br are the old Lion's Dive units.

I would say go for it if you are in one of the circled units.

 

[I'm a Dork Fish]

Well that is definitely good to know! Thank you!

 

[oly5050user]

Spring break 2011

I think we have narrowed it down to Buddy dive. I just want to make sure that I am making the right decision and not missing another resort.

(Sorry Liz: Our group is wanted to stay at a bigger resort) Although we haven't made a final decision yet!

I have looked through so many threads / recommendations and I trying to figure out exactly why it was narrowed down to this resort.

Here are some things that come to mind...

Most of us like to idea of a bigger resort (resort atmosphere)
While I am looking for more upscale (mid-range is good) not looking for elaborate
We like the idea of a 3+ bedroom condo/apartment
Newer rooms (up to date)
Great house reef
Something close to the main city
Restaurant at the resort
Nice up-kept landscaping
planning to do a lot of shore diving
good supply of tanks
Something under $1,000 pp for the week included shore diving and 6 boat dives
I am sure more will come to my mind later

Andrea

I run groups to Buddys every year.Groups as small as 9 to as large as 32.. I have a group going April 17th.
At Divi you see the cost as high at $1080.pp...thats for unlimit shore and breakfast..
At Buddys you can budget for different costs. To stay at a Buddys in a 1 bedroom apt for dbl occ is $1,129 to $1,192pp. Stay as a single then it costs from $1,458 to as much as $1,829.That includes 6 boat dives-free nitrox-unlimit shore -rental vehicle-buffet breakfasts..If you have 4 people then a 2 bedroom apt is even less expensive(around $938.-$987. pp).Have 6 people then even a bit lower.Do not want the boat dives? then deduct $117.You can do even better if you time it right for a DEMA special; or such.
.if you wish to set up a group there and have any questions pm me here.

 

[oly5050user]

The circled units are good.

The ones on the left with the arrow 2 br and 1 br are the old Lion's Dive units.

I would say go for it if you are in one of the circled units.

circled units appear to be building 1 and 2..they have 3 bdrm units and 2 bedroom units on the upper level.Buddys does not promise what unit /building you will be placed in.There are units at the old Lions Inn side that have been newly renovated so do not stress out on it too much.By the time you go in 2011 they will all have been completed.If I remember this post I'll report on the progress there when I return in April.

 

[oly5050user]

It looks like our group (i'm dorkfish's husband) will likely be between 4-10 people, we're thinking in all likelyhood 6. Of course we don't NEED to have a 3 bedroom, but if it does turn out to be 6 people it would be nice.

if you have 6 people get the 3 bdrmm.each bedrm has its own bathroom.I suggest to request 2 pickups instead of the van that will be assigned to you.It will cost a bit extra,about $30.pp but may be worth it to you . I find it easier to dive out of the pickups.If you have 10 take the 3 bedrm unit and a 2 bedm unit ..
If you have 5 take the 3 bedrm and have the single person in the smaller of the bedrooms .