We had intended to review the Bonaire on our return last spring but never got around to it. We took a last minute half board deal last year when I was 4 months pregnant. We had checked out reviews before we went but the reality FAR outweighed our expectations. The accomodation isn't spectacular or luxurious but certainly clean, comfortable and everything you could want from apartments. The food was great most days, always plenty of choice, fresh, and hot. A couple of days we weren't too fussed on the hot choices but there were always salads available and fruit, desserts and cheese......and not a bad wine list :-)

The staff at the Bonaire and Thomson are all extremely polite, friendly, helpful and attentive.
The resort was quiet with plenty of shops and family friendly bars and we would have felt limited on daytime activities in resort if we hadn't hired a car (see tip below) and covered 1200 miles around this beautiful island in our 2 week stay :-) The hotel staff and Thomson team were all happy to offer useful and interesting advice on places to visit around the island.

I think the best proof of our opinion of this hotel is the fact that we have just booked 2 weeks at the end of March (again half board) for our 1st holiday as a family :-) We have never been to the same place twice before.

We stayed with our 8 month old in late September/early October and found it to be so much better than we thought. We stayed all inclusive and found the staff really friendly and helpful, and there was a great choice of food for the three of us. The apartments were much nicer than we expected, and our son had plenty of room to explore.
The pools were fantastic for us all, our son loved the baby pool (a paddling pool) and toddler pool, with all the slides! The main pool was perfect for adults, and there were always free sun beds and parasols at both pools.
Most days we walked into Cala Bona, which is about 5 minutes from the hotel and has a good choice of bars and places to eat. Cala Millor was about a 30 minute walk along the seafront and had a better choice of bars, restaurants and shops. You can get sunbeds on the beaches, but there is a charge for them, and for parasols, so we didn't bother.
We will definitely be booking to go back to Bonaire!

I stayed with my family (partner and son aged 17months). All Inclusive. End of Sept 2011 to Oct 2011
The hotel was one of the better looking drop off hotels and does not disappoint once inside.
We did do some research as it was our first holiday as a family and I did not want to have to think, just enjoy.
Fortunately our research paid off and there was nothing we needed or missed. If you do miss something there was a supermarket in easy walking distance, selling everything. Nappies, Swim Nappies and milk were the main worry but need not have been. There was a “swap box” in the hotel which had people left overs before they departed Fantastic idea. We left toys and nappies behind for others to use, as we had taken a few swim nappies so it’s only fair.

Thompson Staff are great. We used the kids club once just as a lead up to our son going to nursery back home and they were brilliant. Entertainment staff certainly deserve their awards they have been winning over the past few years. The kids love it!!!
Protur Staff were fantastic. The pool side bar staff, the staff in the buffet and the staff on reception were extremely helpful and some were actually English but obviously spoke Spanish.

During the day the kids pool was our choice. The water depth is no more than 2 foot which rose to the edges so our son was fine in and out of the pool on his own with our attention (of course).
Pirate ship, water cannons, large fish spraying water with sides and a bucket which fills up and tips into the pool, kept our son entertained. Convenient poolside bar doing drinks and snacks was useful although I did prefer the buffet for food at lunch and dinner in the dining room.

Evening’s were again good. Entertainment was great on some nights and generally good on others but to be honest we strolled every evening with our son down a promenade (to get too sleep) which is literally 200yds from the hotel. Restaurants, bars and shops were all along the front, which was split by a square (Cala Bona Hotel sq.). Street entertainment and child friendly bars were littered along the front, so broke the All Inclusive 3same same” that can occur.

Rooms were suffice, clean and with a terrace. We stayed in block 3 (nice and quiet). Fridge (most important) sink, hob, kettle nothing omitted really. Dining table, couch and TV with English kids programs. We stayed end of Sept beginning of Oct and found we did need the aircon at times but it was not that cooling, not a real problem just something to note. I didn’t hear anyone else having any issues with the aircon, so maybe it was just us.

At meal times there was always a kids buffet which had food at a temperature kids could eat straight away which was a simple thing to do but really a great idea., Adult meals were OK, however on some nights the grill were fresh foods was cooked for you was nice change to the buffet tray pasta and meats.

One thing which did concern us on arrival was a local helicopter pad... the arrivals never passed over the hotel but could be seen easily. However during the holiday it never woke our son nor have any other diversions so ... nothing to worry about.

I can’t stress how good the Protur staff are with the kids and patient with then when they are asking for food and drink, or sitting down for lunch and dinner. It is all too easy for them to over look the kids and ignore them a little. Our son was entertained by the staff all over the hotel, and we felt so pleased they took time out of their busy day to do that. This made our holiday a lot less demanding so could relax a little.
I would say the same for the Thompson staff, they always had time to say hello and a smile all day everyday. They seem to be in work all day milling around the hotel, which is useful if you have a question too.

I would recommend this to a family of any size, but for a couple’s holiday you may find it a little overwhelming with the kids spin on a lot of thing going on.

I stayed at the Bonaire at the begining of October with my daughter and her son, along with her friend and husband and thiere little boy. I have been in the holiday trade all my life and CANNOT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOuGH OF THIS HOTEL. Staff excellent. Food very varied, and also plenty of healthy options. Cleanliness at a very high standard. Would certainly go back. The pirate ship is a great hit with all the children. over all an excellent holiday