I've been to Bonaire 13 times and stayed in a lot of different places. I'm a diver and recently stayed at the Rochaline with a windsurfer friend. We had separate rooms and the hotel was perfect for us. We enjoyed breakfast downstairs at the City Cafe--a local hot spot--that offered espresso. Just in front of the cafe is the water. It's a beautiful spot from which I've watched many a Caribbean sunset. The rooms are small and the ones with an ocean view don't have much of one. On Friday and Saturday night the Cafe brings in bands and the music doesn't start until around 10 pm. But every night this is where a lot of the locals hang out--probably because of the happy hour.
But I loved the place because of its location. It's in the heart of the action in the city--don't misunderstand, this is no Cozumel. Kralendijk shuts down early. But it's a gorgeous harbor and the architecture and people are too. So I'll give it four stars, not because of the designer layout, or the expensive soaps it offers, or even the view. I give it four stars because it's the coolest location in the city.
- Rochaline Hotel Kralendijk
