13 Best Hotels in Bonaire

This lavish oasis of accommodations exudes barefoot luxury at its best, with well-equipped and chic modern suites, high-end villa options (some with their own plunge pools), and spacious penthouse suites all cresting a lovely little beach surrounded by a spectacular water feature of magnesium pools. Restaurants range from a fun and funky beach bar and BBQ to the world-class Brass Boer where you can dine seaside or inside. They also offer economical Jeep rentals.

One of the island's oldest complexes and original dive-focused hotels has kept up with the times by regularly refurbishing the grounds, rooms, facilities, and water circuits. Onsite dining options include the signature pureocean and purebeach restaurants, a pizzeria, and the lovely Chibi Chibi seafront restaurant, which is also open to the public for divine sunset dinners on the water. The property also has one of the island’s premier dive operations, the Divi Dive, which offers a unique PADI Reef Renewal Diver Distinctive Specialty Course to teach divers how to help rebuild the reefs. The snorkeling right off their beach bar is superb.

One of the island's first resorts has since been overtaken by the Van Der Valk organization, which has completely refreshed and renovated this sprawling, all-inclusive, family-friendly oasis. The rooms, marina-side and oceanfront, are bright and spacious and benefit from a gorgeous South Beach–style water feature that crests the private beach and reef. There are a wide range of amenities and water sports, including great snorkeling, dive instruction, a spa–wellness center, and a casino.

The cozy rooms and the personal touches of late owner–dive-instructor legend Bruce Bowker are why this resort consistently boasts the highest return-visitor ratio on the island (there is a minimum three-night stay). Most apartment-style units have kitchens, and all bedrooms are air-conditioned. Also on-site are two stand-alone house accommodations of three and four bedrooms, a cute stand-alone bungalow and a two-bedroom oceanfront apartment. As a PADI Five Star lodge. the emphasis here is on diving, diving, and more diving, but even novice divers can benefit from the small class sizes and the snorkeling is great, too.

This seriously scuba-focused full service resort has excellent dive facilities and instruction options, even for kids (over eight-years old). Choose from brightly furnished studios, or spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Underwater photography aficionados will appreciate the on-site camera shop and the resort's underwater photo courses. A wide selection of drive and dive packages are available with a minimum seven-night stay.

Bonaire's very first hotel catering to divers remains a favorite even four decades later with a PADI and SDI (Suba Diving International) Center offering more than 20 specialty courses; mesmerizing reef formations 90 feet from shore; and beautifully renovated accommodations that include oceanfront rooms and suites, luxurious three-bedroom villas, and a few cottages. Designed from the beginning to be the island's most eco-friendly resort, the property is a recipient of the Bonaire Blue Destination Certification, and ongoing renovations, room additions, and refreshes of the entire resort are being undertaken in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. 

This full-service resort minutes from downtown offers its own expansive white-sand beach, a large zero-entry pool, and the island's only lazy river ride that snakes its way around the entire property. There is an eclectic choice of studios, villas, and apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens or kitchenettes, and guests can rent city bikes with baskets to stock up at nearby supermarkets. Scuba Do, the resort's little dive operation, offers intro-to-dive courses right on Bari Reef, which is also a stellar snorkel spot. A new public park next door offers a great children's playground, too.

A sprawling collection of luxury villas and apartment rentals surrounds their own private pool and flanks one of the best snorkeling areas on the island across the street; in fact, you’ll rarely pass this little beach by the road without seeing a few dozen snorkel tops floating around the bay. Choose from small garden view apartments to deluxe three-bedroom and penthouse villas, some with their own plunge pools and all with ultra-modern amenities and spacious rooms that are ideal for families. There's a dive shop and reef right out front, and a car-rental agency.

Catering to the seasoned traveler seeking budget accommodations, Happy Holiday Homes are charming bungalows just minutes away from Kite Beach, windsurfing, and a plethora of southern Bonaire dive sites. Each unit offers Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, TV, and cooking facilities. There are rinse tanks for divers and a dive shop a few feet away. The on-site management will cater to all your needs.

A range of accommodations are available through Sun Rentals. Offerings include private ocean-view villas in luxurious areas like Sabadeco, furnished oceanfront apartments (with a pool) in town, or bungalows in Lagoenhill, an inland community. The Sun Oceanfront Apartments are a budget choice for families.

This casual, intimate, Caribbean-inspired, low-rise complex has two-bedroom condos with full kitchens, Wi-Fi, and modern conveniences, as well as an on-site pool, dive rinse tanks, and lush gardens. Across the street are a dive shop and private beach with easy access to the sea via steps. Windsurfing is minutes away. It's an ideal place to enjoy your own piece of paradise.