Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort Review: What to Really Expect 

The Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort is located just north of Kralendijk, the capital of Bonaire. It’s only 10 minutes from the airport, so you can get your vacation started in no time!

The hotel’s central location made it easy to access all the top sites:

→    North: Washington Slagbaai National Park

→    East: Lac Bay

→    West: Klein Bonaire

→    South: Top snorkeling sites

A few years ago we stayed at Kas Flamingo with my in-laws on the southern end of the island and found it took quite a bit of time to get to the places we wanted.

A central location makes a big difference when selecting a hotel.

We always rent a small SUV (a must if you want to visit Washington Slagbaai National Park) with AB Car Rental. Great company!

They have a representative waiting for you when you land. A few minutes later you arrive at their headquarters with keys in hand ready to start your vacation.

The Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort’s location is not oceanfront, but Eden Beach is only a 15-minute walk or a 2-minute car ride. Eden Beach is one of Bonaire’s best beaches for all day lounging.

But honestly, you do not go to Bonaire for the beaches. That’s what Aruba is for. You vacation in Bonaire for the incredible snorkeling and diving!

After we pulled into the parking lot, we typed in our key code at the gate and entered into our little oasis for the week.

The grounds are meticulously maintained and look like a Bali oasis. We were lured inside by the soothing Balinese stone water features and beautiful pink tropical Bougainvillea flowers.

1. Bali tropical feel

2. Very private and intimate

3. Adult-centered 

There are five room types, each having their own unique character. All have air conditioning! 

We stayed in the Superior Cottage with Private Plunge Pool, which was located in the back of the property.

Super private! There were times we felt like we were the only guests there.

When we walked up to our cottage, we first encountered our terrace equipped with a hammock and a palapa with chairs.

Our large front porch had a dining table with four chairs, great for sipping on a morning coffee or a cocktail during happy hour.

We were also provided with a cooler for packing lunch on a beach day and a grill for cooking meals when we were too lazy to go out.

If you are a snorkeler or a diver, you’ll appreciate the clothesline on the side of the cottage. There’s a fan right above, which worked out great for quickly drying our snorkeling gear and rash guards.

The Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort personalized our experience in thoughtful ways.

Before we stuck the key in the lock to enter our cottage, we noticed a hand-painted heart hanging beside our door. Our names were written along with the Papiamento phrase Bon Bini, meaning welcome!

We later found out we could take the sign home with us as a keepsake.

The king size bed with an ornate Balinese medallion overhead anchored the room.

A small table with chairs was provided. This seating area came in handy for a few dinners we had at home because the mosquitoes on the island are brutal!

Once the sun sets, race inside or drench yourself in DEET. That’s just part of Caribbean life.

The resort does provide a mosquito zapper, which is seen on my nightstand to the right of the bed. I’m not going to lie. I had a lot of fun with this contraption, making sure any mosquito families knew the consequences if they got too close.

Fortunately, we kept encounters to a minimum by making sure doors and windows were shut tight at dusk.

I also really appreciated the ceiling fan and the gloriously cold air conditioning, both essential for a restful night’s sleep in the tropical heat.

The small kitchen had everything we needed:

• Nespresso machine. They provide several pods to get you started. Then you can pick up more at Van Den Tweel Supermarket or purchase more directly from the resort at $8 a box.
• Stovetop. Perfect for cooking up some breakfast sandwiches or pasta.
• Full-size fridge.
• All glasses, cookware, cutlery, etc. They even had Champagne glasses!

Alright, on to my FAVORITE part of our cottage … the private outdoor space out back.

The magnesium plunge pool is the reason you book this room type.

After snorkeling all day around the island, we spent every afternoon relaxing in our private pool with a cocktail in hand.

I had never soaked in a mineral pool before and now I’m hooked!

The water is so gentle on your skin. Chlorine sucks the water out of my skin and makes me itchy and dry. The magnesium pool felt very luxurious compared to a traditional chlorine pool. Very enjoyable and relaxing.

Nichole Pro Tip: We’ve started bringing our portable Bose speaker along on trips, and it’s been a great addition, especially for relaxing poolside. We always keep the volume low and remain mindful of other guests.

This speaker is actually one of my top travel gift recommendations for couples. It’s compact, reliable, and enhances the vibe wherever you go.

There are two lounge chairs by the pool, though they sit quite low to the ground.

If you’re in your twenties, it’s no big deal. But if you’re a bit older like us, getting up and down can be a bit of a challenge!

The outdoor space also includes two outdoor rain showers. Water is hot, and the pressure is solid. Some people may feel weird showering outdoors, but I am a huge fan as noted in my reviews of Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba and Reethi Faru in the Maldives.

Being outdoors is invigorating. It also came in handy to rinse off our snorkeling gear.

There are two large his and hers sinks with plenty of counter space. The toilet is outdoors, but don’t worry, it has a door for privacy.

The only difficult part about an outdoor bathroom is getting ready in the evening to go out to dinner if you are a lady.

Putting a little makeup on or drying your hair in tropical temperatures is tough. You also have to make sure you are ready before dusk, or the mosquitoes want to play. 

If you want an indoor bathroom plus the outdoor rain shower and a private saltwater jacuzzi, consider the Honeymoon Suite.

You can arrange to have breakfast on the property between 8:30 am – 10 am.

We love snorkeling and wanted to be in the water as soon as possible, so we elected to make breakfast in our cozy cottage to save time. 

We travel for culinary adventures and get excited when we find an incredible boutique hotel that is paired with an exceptional foodie experience.

Some of our favorite “foodie hotels” have been Casa Izeba in Mexico City and Blue Rock Inn in Virginia.

Not only does the Bamboo Boutique Bonaire Resort have amazing 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor, but they are also home to one of the best restaurants in ALL OF THE CARIBBEAN.

If you haven’t heard of CHEFS, now you have. It was rated the #3 best restaurant in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Journal.

Wait, what, Bonaire has one of the top restaurants?

Yep. Bonaire is fast becoming a culinary destination in the Caribbean for those in the know!

CHEFS offers one of the most intimate dining experiences we’ve ever encountered. This was attributed to the distinctive U-shaped seating arrangement and exceptional hospitality.

Chef Han, Mark, and his team take you on an exceptional culinary journey throughout their “surprise” 5-course menu + wine pairings. Do not miss this experience, and you must book months in advance.

Here’s my full CHEFS review.

The Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Hotel has a saltwater pool. Four comfy loungers with a palapa-like umbrella are provided for guest enjoyment. The periphery of the space is lined with lush vegetation and Balinese statues. 

If we didn’t have our personal plunge magnesium pool, we would have certainly taken advantage of this relaxing space.

If you need to work out those muscle knots after your outdoor adventures, the resort offers several massage types.

Enjoy a Swedish, Deep Tissue, or Lomi Lomi massage, which ranges in price from $95 – $145 depending on the duration.

Massages are incredibly therapeutic, and I usually take advantage of these services when I can.

But we were so busy snorkeling and seeing all the cool marine life, I ran out of time.

I wanted to mention three other services the resort provides, which make for an enjoyable stay. 

One is laundry service at a nominal cost.

When you are diving and snorkeling, your clothes get wet and smelly. It was really nice to be able to have freshly laundered clothes. Also great if you are planning for a longer stay!

Bonaire is known as the shore diving capital of the world!

To accommodate divers, Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort has partnered with VIP Diving to provide guests with 24/7 unlimited dive tanks on the property.

We are snorkelers and not divers. Otherwise, this service would have been a huge perk!

The third service is the hotel provides rinse tanks and gear storage.

If you are a diver or snorkeler, having a dedicated space to clean off your gear is invaluable.

The cost will depend on your room type and what time of the year you are staying. 

Room rates range from $225 – $329/night.

The meandering walkways, lush palm trees, brightly-colored tropical flowers, and Balinese stone sculptures give the Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort a very private vibe.

There are moments when you genuinely feel like the only guests, creating an intimate atmosphere that is ideal for a couples’ getaway!

If you are a foodie, need I say more?

LOVE this restaurant, and I won’t be surprised if it makes #1 on the Top 50 Restaurants in the Caribbean in the near future.

Not many restaurants have the killer trifecta: exceptional food, amazing ambiance, and warm guest-centered hospitality.

Book in advance. If they are full, guests at the Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort do get priority on the waitlist.

It is tough to get 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor.

The Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort is one of the few properties that has been able to achieve this distinction. It has been honored with the 2023 Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Award.

Amazing hospitality needs to be recognized, and I want to say Mick from the Bamboo Bonaire Team was incredible. Anytime I had a question, he always responded right away through WhatsApp. He was so helpful and kind and truly made our stay memorable.

Bonaire is dominated by vacation rentals and diving resorts, but here recently a few new boutique hotels are popping up.

When my husband and I were narrowing down our choices, there were two other strong boutique hotel contenders.

One was the Senses Boutique Hotel. The aesthetics are beautiful and modern, with some rooms offering sea views. It is located right in the capital, Kralendijk, which has pros and cons.

Being close to restaurants and activities such as the water taxi to Klein Bonaire is a plus. However, the downside is the potential for some disturbance from downtown noise based on its location.

The other boutique hotel we were contemplating was the brand new Belnem House Bonaire.

Their light-filled rooms are very tastefully decorated with contemporary touches and neutral wood accents. Penthouse rooms offer beautiful sea views. Next to Bachelor’s Beach. The only minor con I read was sometimes the rooms facing the street can be a little noisy.

We love Bonaire.

It combines our two favorite things we seek when we travel: outdoor adventure and incredible food. Where you stay matters.

If you love privacy in a tropical oasis, your private pool, exceptional staff, and access to one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, then Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort is your happy place.

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Questions about our stay at the Bamboo Bonaire Boutique Resort?

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