Blue Bonaire by Boutique Bonaire Unique Resorts

There are bigger rooms here, but I got the smallest one. There was nowhere to hang or store clothes, and hardly any room for bedroom things. The bed was small, with one very soft mattress. I fell out a couple of times, my back didn't like it, and I struggled to get a good night's rest. The pool is smaller than it looks in the photos, though still big enough. There aren't any stores nearby, so you'll need a car. Construction across the street meant lots of beeping from trucks reversing.

The concrete floors worked well for a diving island, where things can get wet and sandy, and the outdoor clothesline was handy for drying stuff. VIP Diving is two blocks away, and the place is close to dive sites and town. You'll want a truck here. Inside, the bed and linens were comfortable, there were plenty of towels, and everything was very clean. The decor is tasteful, with little touches like LED lighting behind the TV. At night, the ceiling lights make waves appear on the walls. The neighborhood is quiet, with a 4 star hotel across the road. A+, I'd definitely come back.

Everything was really nice, and I definitely recommend it. It would be even better with some lights around the pool and garden, maybe the kind of Christmas lights you see in trees.

The people here really made the stay for us. After I accidentally dropped a scuba tank head-side down on my foot on day two, a staff member noticed the injury and urged me to get it checked at a clinic or emergency room. She said she was a retired nurse and felt it needed professional attention. I gave her a hesitant “I'll consider it,” which she rightly took as a no. She then sent Fritz, the maintenance man, and his concern eventually persuaded me to go, much to my wife's relief. They checked on me several times afterward, which meant a lot. I became known as “the Foot Guy.” We spent the week diving and sightseeing, and this charming boutique hotel was a comfortable place to unwind and sleep. It isn't an all-inclusive luxury resort, which was exactly what we liked. The rooms were basic, but the beds, pillows, and linens were incredibly comfortable. Our kitchen was well equipped with a fridge, stove, oven, sink, Keurig machine, dishes, and silverware. We had a table and chairs outside, plus a semi-private area with lounge chairs because we'd booked a two-bedroom unit. There's a new bar area, with freezers behind it that have individual drawers assigned to each unit. The bar has a picnic table, and nearby are two pairs of lounge chairs, each pair sharing a small table for drinks or snacks. The pool is just steps away, and I used it on four evenings during our week. We'll definitely return to Bonaire, and this hotel will be our first choice. I also plan to make a video tour using some 360° images I took. Being back at work has slowed me down, but keep an eye out for it soon.