Bonaire

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We are planning a trip to Bonaire in the fall. I have been quite disappointed in the Trip Advisor reviews of the resorts. Any suggestions where we should stay? We don't need the most luxurious resort on the island, but don't want a hole in the wall either. Any insight would be appreciated.

You'll need to provide some more information about your wants, needs, and desires in order to get any valuable information. Otherwise everyone will merely tell you to stay wherever it is they stayed.

PS - it's a good thing you don't need the most luxurious resort on the island... because there really isn't one. :D
 
I also suggest reading through the myriad threads here in the Bonaire forum that repeatedly ask and answer similar questions. For example:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/508160-two-weeks-bonaire-recommendations-where-stay.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bo...naire-advise-recommendations-appreciated.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/506174-how-divers-paradise-eden-beach.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/503600-sand-dollar.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/503005-anyone-been-bonaire.html

The trip report threads are also a great resource for firsthand experience at specific properties. For example:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/509881-trip-report-20june2015-27june2015.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/508021-bonaire-trip-report-may-2015-a.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bonaire/502768-march-2015-trip-report.html

I just scrolled through the first few pages of recent threads to get the examples above. With 2600+ threads here in the Bonaire forum there's no shortage of material to review.
 
Sounds like you should check out Den Laman/BDA. Bari Reef is a wonderful house reef!
 
Although some reviews are bad, bad--we continue to return to Habitat--somewhere around 25 trips! The rooms that mostly get panned are the ocean view rooms. The are or maybe were, very used and in need of remodeling. I am told this has now happened and they are in good shape. The newest, as mentioned by another poster are the Ocean Front Junior Suites. We were in one last year and they are great--incredible porch, king bed, sofa, microwave and a little fridge. We are going again next month and staying in the 2 br/2ba bungalow units. These have a full kitchen and we have stayed in them many times--but some of them are well worn.

We keep returning to Habitat due to the shore dive out front, especially to the right; Cliff. We also do not normally rent a vehicle, at least in recent years; and do some boat dives and dive the house reef 2-3 times a day. We tend to do 2 meals a day at home and go out for 1. The restaurant and pizza place at Habitat are good, the individual gear lockers are close, and air tanks are available 24/7 down on the dive dock and next to the gear lockers. Just fall in and go! We have a package this time that includes 12- 1 tank boat dives and nitrox. I have stayed several other places and been diving at the rest. I just like the dive out front at Habitat. Wherever you stay, if you think you might return; try several resort shore dives--maybe you will find someplace that feels like home! For those who prefer truck diving--do consider Buddy's as they have the drive thru tank pickup!
 
We've stayed at Den Laman since 2008 (4 visits) and are talking about returning next summer for 2 weeks. I recommend them highly. Great condos with full kitchens, regular maid service (every other day towels are replaced and full service once mid-week I think). All of the units (except 1) are on the second and third floors and a key card is required to access the stairs. Very secure, which is important to me. We always rent a 1-bedroom ocean front unit since we love the views and the huge lanai where we often dry our gear since the gear room doesn't have enough air flow to dry things over night. If you're looking at a studio, there's one ocean view studio that's really a small 1-bedroom, but it doesn't have an oven in the kitchen.

Bonaire Dive & Adventure is a full service PADI shop with 24 hour tank/dock access and free nitrox included.
 
Harbor Village IMO is the most upscale resort on Bonaire.
We prefer Buddy Dive because of the great house reef and dive shop.
As others have pointed out, no such thing as a luxury resort on Bon. Most divers seem to put up with average accommodation in exchange for good diving.
The benefit of a hotel over a condo is the included breakfast. At Buddy Dive, Divi, Habitat, we have very much enjoyed having a breakfast that we did not have to make ourselves in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean.

Habitat has some recently renovated Junior Suites that others have commented positively about. I have no personal experience.
 
Here is another vote for Buddy Dive. 14 trips so far to Bonaire and the last 8 we have stayed at BD. My group want to dive day in and day out. About the only thing that slows us down are the computers.
We have our dive sites planned even before we land on the island. Now the dive locations OFTEN change once we land but usually we come close to hitting the same number of dives planned. This is usually because of a great FREE breakfast that get the day started right and that wonderful drive thru air station.
Make sure you plan on some boat dives just to get Klein Bonaire in.
No matter where you stay just enjoy the moment on Bonaire!!!
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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