Bellafonte Luxury Oceanfront Hotel

Bellafonte feels more like a private apartment complex than a hotel, and that's part of its appeal for independent travelers who don't need much in the way of resort features. The lobby is near the parking lot and is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but once inside the hotel's grounds, everything is pleasant and quiet. The landscaping is manicured and includes tropical plants and blossoming flowers that lead to a walkway that passes from the parking area to the oceanfront "pool" and dock. The hotel seems empty during the day as guests are usually off diving, but in the evenings, it perks up a bit as guests congregate on the pool deck and on their private balconies to watch the great sunset views. Unlike some areas of the island, Bellafonte’s breezy waterfront keeps mosquitos away. Guests are mostly couples and divers from the United States, but families from around the world are not uncommon to see as well. 

Located on a dusty road that traces Bonaire’s south coast, Bellafonte is a five-minute drive to Flamingo International Airport, which is also the closest place to rent a car. Most guests will want to have one in order to explore the island. It's a 15-minute drive into central Kralendijk, the island’s hub for restaurants, shopping, and a pleasant place to explore its restored colonial buildings. Bonaire’s giant saltpans (evaporation ponds full of sea water that are then mined for the salt) are a 15-minute drive. Near the saltpans are historic shacks used by the slaves who once toiled in the open-air mines (go late in the day for great sunset views). Lac Bay is a shallow bay with world-class winds that draws windsurfers and kite boarders from throughout the globe and is a 25-minute drive from the property. However, the nearest beach -- Te Amo Beach -- is a two-minute walk from the hotel. For food, a few restaurants serving international cuisine are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, but most food options are in town and include sushi, Cuban, and Italian. The nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive from the hotel. 

Bellafonte’s 22 air-conditioned suites and Studios are each individually owned and the decor varies from one unit to the next. The one-bedroom Senior Suite that we visited has a rustic Caribbean style of blues, grays, and reclaimed wood furniture. Other Suites, like the Grand Suite that we saw, are a bit more plain and homey. All suites include full kitchens done to the property's specifications, with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Toasters, blenders, and coffee makers are standard (some have electric kettles) and if there’s an appliance missing, the hotel will do its best to source one. If dish washing isn’t on the vacation agenda, housekeeping wash dishes upon request. 

Living rooms feature large flat-screen TVs, couches, and love seats and abut the ocean view balconies, which have a rattan table and chairs. All apartments have either king or queen beds (the king beds can be separated into two twins beds) as well as safes, phones, and free Wi-Fi. The internet works well, as each unit has its own private network. For those staying more than one night, the hotel provides a free bottle of wine. Studios are the hotel’s smallest and cheapest rooms, and have flat-screen TVs, queen beds, and kitchenettes with coffeemakers, toasters, blenders, and a mini-fridge. They’re a great option -- especially since some can be connected with suites -- but lack ocean views. Rollaway beds are available for a fee. Bathrooms are modern and often have glass-walled showers with Greek-key pattered tile. Hairdryers, bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion are standard.

As most guests are drawn here by the opportunity for an independent seaside getaway, and features are perhaps predictably thin. The Bellafonte offers fewer amenities than other hotels at a similar price point, but the hotel does a great job with what it has. The tiny soaking pool overlooks the ocean and the hotel’s private dock, which has stairs leading into the sea. From the dock, it's a short swim to the house reef. Snorkeling equipment is available to borrow but a Bonaire National Marine Park tag is required (available at any island dive shop -- the nearest from Bellafonte is a one-minute drive, or 13-minute walk). The hotel has lockers to store diving equipment as well as freshwater tanks for rinsing gear. The hotel’s concierge can arrange just about anything guests would like to do on the island including tours, taxis, car rentals, windsurfing, kite boarding excursions, and grocery provisioning (for a fee). The latter is a great service since there isn’t an on-site restaurant. The hotel has a book library, free mosquito spray, and battery disposal. Laundry service is also available, for a fee. There's limited on-site parking, and once the lot is full guests must use the streets around the hotel. Free Wi-Fi works well in rooms, but can be spotty in common areas.