Sand Dollar Condos

[Maine Diver]

We are arriving on the early Continetal flight. I can't decide if I book the night so we are sure to get into the condo or take our chances. Any thoughts and past experiences would be greatly appreciated. This will be our first trip to Bonaire, dates are 2/27/10 arrival through 3/7/10. Can't wait!

 

[piikki]

How much does it cost you to get it guaranteed? I've been in the same position twice with Den Laman and did not want to pay ~$150 to make sure I got couple of extra hours in the room that I might get anyway. Once I got in, once I didn't.

It was a bit painful when it did not happen but we went for a ride, grabbed some items from the supermarket (that closes early on Sunday anyway), ate breakfast and then sat through the orientation. We were able to get our bags off our case which was the important thing.

I am so whacked out the first day anyway that compared to the time we had a chance to take a nap it was not much of a difference. The first day is pretty much wasted, and the dives are a bit of a drag until I sleep through the first night.

If I had longer than a week stay I would not worry about it at all. You have time to recover and won't worry about lost dives the first day so much. If I had kids or very cranky or fragile travelers in my party I probably would dish out the money and make sure. It's also worth asking Sand Dollar. Sometimes they can tell you whether it's pretty sure you'd have the room anyway.

Prepare to be pretty knackered unless you are able to sleep on planes. It's a bit of a miserable flight time but it will get better after a night's sleep. (I try to nap during the travel day at home before departing).

 

[jd950]

Keep in mind your apartment might not be availale until really late in the morning, in my limited experience at the Sand Dollar. If it was an hour or two I wouldn't care so much, but if don't pay for the extra night and the apt isn't available until 11:00 or noon, it is a drag.

Anymore, I really can't seem to sleep much on a plane, so it is worth it to me on a short trip. Losing an entire day is just too frustrating if you only have a week. If I slept better on the plane, I wouldn't worry about it too much and would save the money.

 

[piikki]

Keep in mind your apartment might not be availale until really late in the morning, in my limited experience at the Sand Dollar. If it was an hour or two I wouldn't care so much, but if don't pay for the extra night and the apt isn't available until 11:00 or noon, it is a drag.

It's worth finding out what time it is 'promised'. Usually check-out is morning, check-in could be 2/3 pm in worst case. They can say we 'try' as early as possible. I don't remember what time it is for Sand Dollar.

 

[Maine Diver]

It's $230 for the night. We have send a couple of emails to Sand dollar asking if the condo is booked the night before. I suspect they are waiting until it gets closer to answer. I am able to sleep on the plane, but let's face it, it's not the same as sleeping in a bed.

 

[DeputyDan]

I doubt they answer you because the probably don't know.
This it a total coin flip on your part. The previous occupants have to leave and housekeeping has to clean up before you can move in. If the occupants are not out till 11:00 am - they you know where that leaves you. If the room was open the night before then you can most likely check in early.

 

[piikki]

I doubt they answer you because the probably don't know.
This it a total coin flip on your part. The previous occupants have to leave and housekeeping has to clean up before you can move in. If the occupants are not out till 11:00 am - they you know where that leaves you. If the room was open the night before then you can most likely check in early.

Flip it is. I doubt they'll promise either. $230 is a good chunk for couple of hours. I hate that they can't make a morning deal for Red Eye people. Den Laman for example was totally disorganized, they could not re-arrange the cleaning so that the rooms for which people were waiting would have been cleaned first. (We had only three groups waiting for rooms, rest of the emptying rooms had people arriving on later flights that day).

We were told originally our room would be free the night before, so we might get lucky but not to hold our breath because the free rooms would sometimes be given to airline personnel because some resorts have a deal with them. We did not buy-in, and we were the last ones whose room was cleaned. We did our first dive before it and it was certainly bit of a pain.

 

[Maine Diver]

Sand dollar says they clean the early Continental arrival rooms first. We shall see. I guess we can always crash on a beach chair.

 

[DiverVince]

Maine Diver..Real simple.. I think the answer depends upon your age. If your in your 20's or 30's hey you can take the strain; no problem.. However later in life (ie 50's) it may very well be worth to pay the extra $$ to check in at 06:00. The red eye is MUCH tougher than many folks imagine.

 

[DeputyDan]

To say that they are disorganized is a bit of an understatement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!