4 Visits with all the same issues - Avoid Buddy, they are going down hill
- Thread starter Munkee
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boat sju
Contributor
I didn't mean it that way. I really like staying up at CCB. We just rent trucks from AB.
wgw04024
Contributor
We have only used Island Car rental Bonaire. Always had great trucks with zero issues. You can walk across the street from the airport to them.
Kharon
Contributor
Didn't read the whole thread, but the title struck me - why go back 4 times if more than one was bad?
drrich2
Contributor
Took another look at this thread today trying to get a sense of what happened and why it's been interpreted so. A few thoughts:
1.) When someone new on their 1st or 2nd post on the forum launches a scathing attack slamming a largely reputable well-known service provider, it's apt to be met with skepticism. Trip Advisor reviews have a rep. for having some fake reviews by competitors to damage a business's standing. That said, people who feel 'burned' may reach out to new places to spread the word, and this review is long and detailed, not a cursory generic 'It sucks!' type review. I think it's legit.
2.) Of the 4 trips, one was claimed to be 'perfect' in the Trip Advisor review. Buddy Dive Resort has historically had a good rep.; some years back it seemed to be Bonaire's golden boy, before Dive Friends surged to its current popularity (judging from this forum, and they are good). I can see where someone might stick it out awhile despite bad experience, but at this point, I suggest going elsewhere next time. Some issues (e.g.: the tour bus driver and police) weren't directly related to Buddy Dive Resort.
Since the original poster mentioned some things without it being clear how important they were to him (eg.: no sand volleyball court, pool inundated with beer bottles and people drinking in the pool, 'horrible' tiki bar service and rude dive shop staff), I wonder just what his list of wants/needs are. If we knew, perhaps someone could produce a good recommendation for an alternative. Something like 'nice pool with good pool bar service and enforce no drinking in the pool' (if you can find such a thing) might narrow it way down.
I suspect the need to keep customers happy (ironic in context of this thread) may make resort staff reluctant to crack down on drinking in the pool and whatever the bottle situation was.
I don't have any strong opinions on Dutch or Bonairian manner; I've read in a place or two in the past perhaps it's a little different than mainstream America? Perhaps there's a cultural difference in manner not being navigated well that's mistaken as rudeness? Just speculating.
Richard.
1.) When someone new on their 1st or 2nd post on the forum launches a scathing attack slamming a largely reputable well-known service provider, it's apt to be met with skepticism. Trip Advisor reviews have a rep. for having some fake reviews by competitors to damage a business's standing. That said, people who feel 'burned' may reach out to new places to spread the word, and this review is long and detailed, not a cursory generic 'It sucks!' type review. I think it's legit.
2.) Of the 4 trips, one was claimed to be 'perfect' in the Trip Advisor review. Buddy Dive Resort has historically had a good rep.; some years back it seemed to be Bonaire's golden boy, before Dive Friends surged to its current popularity (judging from this forum, and they are good). I can see where someone might stick it out awhile despite bad experience, but at this point, I suggest going elsewhere next time. Some issues (e.g.: the tour bus driver and police) weren't directly related to Buddy Dive Resort.
Since the original poster mentioned some things without it being clear how important they were to him (eg.: no sand volleyball court, pool inundated with beer bottles and people drinking in the pool, 'horrible' tiki bar service and rude dive shop staff), I wonder just what his list of wants/needs are. If we knew, perhaps someone could produce a good recommendation for an alternative. Something like 'nice pool with good pool bar service and enforce no drinking in the pool' (if you can find such a thing) might narrow it way down.
I suspect the need to keep customers happy (ironic in context of this thread) may make resort staff reluctant to crack down on drinking in the pool and whatever the bottle situation was.
I don't have any strong opinions on Dutch or Bonairian manner; I've read in a place or two in the past perhaps it's a little different than mainstream America? Perhaps there's a cultural difference in manner not being navigated well that's mistaken as rudeness? Just speculating.
Richard.
driftwood
Contributor
Apologies, but I am not going to go through all six pages of responses on this thread.
Buddy's is comprised of two different properties. The first was Lion's Dive (?) and the second are the three story buildings which were the original Buddy Dive Resort. To further complicate matters, Lion"s dive also had a time share operation that Buddy Dive was required to honor.
We stayed on both sides of Buddy Dive and there was a sharp difference between the accommodations. This may explain the differences in reviews.
That being said, I will not stay at Buddy's unless I have a guaranteed reservation on the "Buddy" side of the resort.
Buddy's is comprised of two different properties. The first was Lion's Dive (?) and the second are the three story buildings which were the original Buddy Dive Resort. To further complicate matters, Lion"s dive also had a time share operation that Buddy Dive was required to honor.
We stayed on both sides of Buddy Dive and there was a sharp difference between the accommodations. This may explain the differences in reviews.
That being said, I will not stay at Buddy's unless I have a guaranteed reservation on the "Buddy" side of the resort.
I believe the report too.
If my first trip some place was perfect, I'd discount the second trip that wasn't and go the third time in hopes of recapturing the first trip experience. If the third trip wasn't perfect but not as bad as the second, there's a possibility that I'd give it a fourth try, especially if I love the diving there. 4 times would be my limit too and I'd be likely to do a report for y'all.
You don't have to agree with it, if you're satisfied with Buddies (or wherever) but if we members here at Scubaboard want to be able to keep our finger on the pulse, then it's in our own best interest to not chase off or denigrate those that bother to do up a report.
Other than that, I'd like to think that we're all savvy enough to be able to pick the wheat from the chaff, without burning down the silo.
If my first trip some place was perfect, I'd discount the second trip that wasn't and go the third time in hopes of recapturing the first trip experience. If the third trip wasn't perfect but not as bad as the second, there's a possibility that I'd give it a fourth try, especially if I love the diving there. 4 times would be my limit too and I'd be likely to do a report for y'all.
You don't have to agree with it, if you're satisfied with Buddies (or wherever) but if we members here at Scubaboard want to be able to keep our finger on the pulse, then it's in our own best interest to not chase off or denigrate those that bother to do up a report.
Other than that, I'd like to think that we're all savvy enough to be able to pick the wheat from the chaff, without burning down the silo.
Interesting. I much prefer the Lion's Dive side.
Looking at the resort from the ocean, which is the old Lion’s Dive and which is Buddy?
