Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino

Divi Resort and Casino feels like an oceanfront tropical village -- albeit one that gives arriving guests a free rum-punch cocktail. At core, this is a simple outpost from the Divi brand, with a humble style that feels pleasant enough for a seaside vacation. Its textured cement buildings are painted mustard yellow and spread throughout the resort’s lush, oceanfront grounds full of palm trees, manicured lawns, blooming flowers, and brick pathways. The open-air lobby is often abuzz with guests sitting in rattan chairs and couches with comfy baby-blue pillows awaiting pickups for island excursions. It also has an activity desk for scheduling tours. Without its own beach, guests are usually away diving or can be found soaking up rays at the hotel’s two chlorine-free pools with their many lounge chairs and cabanas. The hotel’s smaller pool -- located across from the time-share units -- also has thatched cabanas. The vibe throughout the resort is lively, but relaxing. While the hotel sees mostly couples, some families do pass throughout as well. To get away from the kids, the oceanfront Pure Sundeck is an adult-only deck next to the pool with cabanas and wicker lounge chairs. Expect to run into plenty of guests who return year after year. 

Divi Flamingo Resort & Casino is located in a residential area of single story homes set between the airport and Kralendijk. From the resort, it’s a five-minute drive to Flamingo International Airport and a five-minute walk to central Kralendijk, the island’s commercial hub that’s full of restaurants, shops, and restored colonial buildings. Otherwise, a rental car will come in handy for exploring the island. Divi has an onsite car rental office and a big plus is that cars can be returned at the airport. The nearest sandy beach (Te Amo Beach) is a seven-minute drive and if you’re there at the right time, giant 747s pass overhead as they land at the airport. Lac Bay, a shallow bay on the island’s north shore that’s a hub for windsurfing and kiteboarding, is a 30-minute drive. The island’s oldest city, Rincon, dates back to the first Spanish explorers -- it's a 25-minute drive -- and while you’re there, get a taste of the island’s signature cactus liqueur (you’ll see their colorful, elongated pyramid shaped bottles in bars and restaurants throughout the island). Cadushy Distillery offers free tours and is a 30-minute drive from Divi Resort.

While renovations are scheduled through 2017, the rooms that we saw were pleasant, though not exactly exciting. Some have yet to be overhauled and look less up-to-date than what we saw during our visit. The walls are all white save for one painted in mustard yellow (which matches bedding), and landscape paintings of Bonaire are hung on the walls. Furniture is Caribbean-modern, with queen beds with wood headboards, desks, and nightstands with wicker panels. Flat-screen TVs with cable channels, mini-fridges, iHome iPod docks, air-conditioning, irons, ironing boards, and coffeemakers with Starbucks coffee are all standard. Wi-Fi is also free.

Bathrooms are modern and tasteful in updated units as well, including glass-door walk-in showers with rain showerheads, illuminated beauty mirrors, hair driers, and Green Natural products. All cleaning products used at Divi are certified green. Studios -- which are also available as time share units -- have two queen beds and a pull-out queen sleeper sofa. They also include kitchenettes that are a bit cramped, but fully usable and stocked with full-size refrigerators, convection ovens, gas ranges, coffeemakers, cookware, dishes, and flatware. Balconies or patios are furnished and some offer sea views; many are screened in, though the screens aren't always in the best shape.

Divi Resort is designed for guests to spend their days days in the water -- either diving or relaxing at the pools. While there's a sandy area next to the water, there is no proper beach. The hotel's two pools are both chlorine-free and use a magnesium filtration system. The main pool has an underwater stereo system (you can hear music while swimming), a ramp for wheelchairs, and a fountain. The second pool -- located near the resort’s timeshare units -- is smaller and has a connected soaking pool. Both are surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas. Near the main pool is the Pure Sundeck, an adult-only deck overlooking the ocean with cabanas and wicker lounge chairs.

Divi’s restaurants and bars have ocean views, and include Pure Ocean Restaurant, a buffet serving breakfast and dinner. There's also Chibi Chibi Restaurant -- a sit down spot with international cuisine open for lunch and dinner. Pier Ocean Beach Bar is a rustic space with happy hour specials and serves bar food. Room service is also available.

The resort’s full-service dive shop offers daily dive trips, PADI Diver Certification courses, free gear lockers, and a retail store selling dive equipment. Divi’s 24-hour glass-walled fitness center has flat-screen TVs, Cybex fitness machines, free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, and dumbbells. It overlooks an outdoor recreation area with a full-size chess board, bocce ball court, and shuffleboard court. The resort also hosts sunset yoga classes on select nights and an independently-owned spa provides services like couples massages and spa days.

For families with children, the Divi Pirate Crew organizes treasure hunts, movie nights, and sandcastle building contests. The hotel can also arrange babysitters for a parent’s night out. Divi has three meeting rooms -- the largest can fit up to 100 people and has ocean views. The hotel’s concierge arranges island tours and taxis, and a car rental office is on-site. The resort also has a casino, an ATM, and offers laundry service and free Wi-Fi. Parking is free, but there's a limited amount of space.