This is my 6th trip to Bonaire so I have some concept of what to expect. I have previously stayed at Buddy Dive, Plaza and Don's. The room was nice. It is a condo owned by an individual and rented out by Sand Dollar. Room was C3 and was in good condition. That's all the good there was. Paid for internet and wasn't able to use in room. Was told to go to Eddie's bar to use. I didn't pay for internet service to have to go to Eddie's bar to use it. The grounds are, in my opinion, severly run down and that is by Bonaire conditions run down.

When we went to the dive shop to get signed in we were made to give them an signed blank credit card invoice, "in case you break something". I would not go back to Sand Dollar again if for no other reason than this. I mean what are you going to do if you show up there to dive and this is a requirement, not dive? Maybe I should have said no but I didn't. But you should know this going in, I wish I had. The dive operation is just ok. The dive boats below just ok. The reef at Sand Dollar, Bari, is good. There were times at the dive operation that I was made to feel I was a bother. I got fussed at for getting tanks out of the shack for shore diving. When I asked how they wanted me to do it differently than the way I was they had no suggestions. I wasn't intentionally trying to be difficult if I need to do it a different way tell me. Nope, no suggestions just don't come in here getting tanks while no one is here. But it's the same place you get tanks at 3am at night if you want to go diving and no one is there right? Nothing at all like the dive operation at Plaza, Don's or particularly Buddy's where you feel catered to and the staff helpful.

My humble opinion there are better places in Bonaire to stay. Pick one of them. This one isn't it.

The Sand Dollar was a wonderful place. Our condo was beautiful, clean, up-to-date, very comfortable. The beds were very high quality. The staff was helpful and smiling. The dive staff was especially wonderful. I would joyfully stay there again.

We stayed at the Sand Dollar condos for 2 weeks in November. The resort caters to divers. If you don't dive then there is not much to do. The outside is a bit wore out and each condo unit is different. We were first put in D9 and immediately asked to be moved because the bed was super hard. We were happily moved to c11 a super nice remodeled one bedroom condo unit. The owners have done a great job it making the unit very nice.

There is a great gym right across the street if you like to work out. If you dive make sure you get a truck. The dive shop and staff was great. There are two resturanunts by the condos. Eddys was ok, that's where the pool is. Not luxurious my any means. The sunset grill is better food. Lots of good choices in town.

Bring lots of bug spray. November is the rainy season, so don't go then if you want a lot of sun.

This was our 4th time to Bonaire and our 1st time at Sand Dollar. We've always stayed at one of the large dive hotels before. While we never had any issues with the other hotel, we would stay at Sand Dollar again any day. Since Bonaire is a "dive till you drop" location, staying at sand Dollar was the perfect place to stay. You can go to the local supermarket and stock up on food so you can make your own meals and eat them on your own schedule. Nothing beats waking up, making your own coffee and enjoying it in the comfort of your own living room or lovely porch, where you can watch the gorgeous scenery. We put a bowl of water on the ledge of our porch and watched the birds take baths every day. We packed lunches every day and were able to eat them between dives. When we did night dives, we made our own dinner as well. There was no pressure to get cleaned up and ready to go to dinner before a restaurant closes.
The condo was also cleaner than the other hotel where we previously stayed. When Joyce was cleaning our condo, she surprised us with a towel animal on the bed each day. Our condo (B4) had a guest book where both previous guests and the owners wrote about their trips. Overall it is a wonderful place that really gives you that "home away from home" feel.

The dive shop was also fantastic. They are very well orgainzed, knowledgeable, helpful and courteous. We took 6 boat dives and the dive masters were excellent.
Each dive was at a relaxing pace and an hour long. They were also kind enough to give us directions of where to find a local frogfish & seahorse that had taken up residence at a few shore dive sites.