Caribbean Club Bonaire

Caribbean Club Resort is tranquil, lush refuge surrounded by cactus-filled desert. Walkways pass through the resort’s blossoming grounds that are full of pomegranate and almond trees, parrots, hummingbirds, and sunning iguanas. The three outdoor pools (one is next to the bar/restaurant while the others are down the hill a bit and have ocean views) have wood decks and plastic lounge chairs. The cathedral-ceilinged lobby has a mismatched industrial feel with photos of models in Carnival masks and Elizabethan attire on the walls, and a 12-seated boardroom table with red pendant lights hung overhead. Guests are mostly diving enthusiasts from the United States and Europe, but families with children also stay from time to time. 

For many guests, Caribbean Club Resort’s isolated location 15 minutes north of Kralendijk is a big plus. It’s the last resort on the island’s south coast and in Bonaire terms, a world apart from Kralendijk’s bustling bars, restaurants, shops, and restored historic buildings. Flamingo International Airport is a 20-minute drive and the best place to rent a car -- although Caribbean Club’s sister resort, Buddy Dive, also rents 4x4 trucks (a nine-minute drive from the hotel). For self caterers, there’s a small grocery store that's a 10-minute drive away and the nearest supermarket is a 15-minute drive. Restaurants are a 10-minute drive away and include Caribbean, Mediterranean, and international cuisines. Hikers will love Caribbean Club’s proximity to Washington-Slagbaai National Park, the islands epicenter for flamingo watching and hiking trails with ocean views. To see how Bonaireans live, Rincon, the island’s oldest city founded by the Spanish in the 1500s, is a 21-minute drive. Many Rincon visitors stop at the Cadushy Distillery for a free tour and tasting of their cactus liquors.   

Luxury isn’t a word we’d use to describe the 39 suites and standard rooms with kitchens and kitchenettes at Caribbean Club Resort. Some rooms are renovated, but overall guest rooms are dated and tired with rusted lamps and fixtures, worn out couches, and a mix of tube-style and flat-screen TVs with cable channels.

The Penthouse One-Bedroom has a king bed (that can be separated into two twin beds) with wicker furniture (nightstands, love seat, armchairs) and turquoise accents on the bed runner and pillows; and a flat-screen TV. The kitchen has a ceramic counter with a four-burner range, full-size refrigerator, coffeemaker, and electric tea kettle (some kitchens have toasters). Kitchens also have standard pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery although many reviewers noted that the dishes weren’t well cleaned and needed to be rewashed before using. Safes, air-conditioning, irons, and ironing boards are standard but Wi-Fi is only available at the restaurant and bar. All guest rooms have stand-up showers with tile walls and floors. The Penthouse’s two full baths are nice for a post-dive rinse but the rusted mirrors detract from their otherwise well-maintained appearance. Both bathrooms have stand up showers and include bar soap, shower gel, shampoo, and body lotion. Hairdryers are available from the front desk upon request.

All rooms have balconies or porches (with ocean or garden views) and drying racks and wicker furniture. For those that love outdoor space, the Cottage Deluxe Two-Bedroom has a huge ocean-view balcony, lounge chairs, and a wicker table with seating for six.

Caribbean Club Resort is all about diving. The full-service dive shop, Caribbean Club Divers, offers daily boat dives (in conjunction with Buddy Dive), diving certifications classes from Open Water PADI to Instructor, and equipment sales, rentals, and repairs. For those that aren't diving, there are three wood-decked pools (two full-size pools and one wading pool for children). One pool is located next to the restaurant. The other two (including the children’s pool) are a bit further down the hill and despite being surrounded by blossoming flowers, have ocean views.

The resort’s open-air restaurant, Caribbean Club Restaurant and Bar, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers daily happynhour drink specials, a barbecue buffet with live music on the weekend, and a cuisine-themed dinner on one weekday.

The hotel can arrange babysitters and standard spa services. Free Wi-Fi is available at the hotel, but the signal only reaches the restaurant and bar area.