Escape to Paradise: Divi Flamingo's Bonaire Bliss Awaits!
Bonaire Bliss or Bust? A Dive into Divi Flamingo and My Own Personal Paradise Found (and Almost Lost!)
Alright, folks, let’s talk Bonaire. Specifically, let's talk Escape to Paradise: Divi Flamingo's Bonaire Bliss Awaits! because, well, that’s the deal, right? I'm not gonna lie, the name sets a HIGH bar. Paradise? Bliss? These are BIG promises. So, did it deliver? Short answer: mostly. Long answer? Buckle up, Buttercup, because we're going ALL IN.
First, the basics. Accessibility: This is HUGE for a lot of folks (and it matters even more as you age like…me). Divi Flamingo mostly gets a thumbs up. Wheelchair accessible, check. Elevator, check. The general layout seemed pretty navigable, although I'd still recommend calling ahead and grilling them about specific room accessibility if that is super important. They also list Facilities for disabled guests, which is promising, but always verify! Access around the main areas seemed good, with ramps where needed. Points for thinking about it, Divi!
Now, let’s get into the gooey center of this experience. The stuff that REALLY makes or breaks a vacation…
Rest & Relaxation: Chasing that "Ahhhh!"
Okay, listen. I needed a serious chill session. Adulting had been…intense. So, I dove headfirst into the Spa. They list a Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, and Sauna, and a Steamroom. Now, I'm not usually a "spa person." I'm more of a "spilled coffee on my new shirt while simultaneously answering emails" kinda gal. But, I'm telling you, the Divi Flamingo spa was…a moment.
I opted for the full monty – body scrub, wrap, massage…the works. The REAL highlight? This tiny, almost hidden Foot bath. Honestly, I think I could have stayed there forever. They bring you a tiny cup of tea. The lights are dim. And your feet? Soothed. I’m not even kidding, I'm pretty sure I almost fell asleep in there. It was pure, unadulterated… bliss.
My only gripe? The sauna wasn't working the day I went! Major bummer. But even without the sauna, the experience was top-notch. Worth it.
Other ways to relax: Swimming pool [outdoor] – Check! And not just any pool. A pool with a view of the ocean! I spent an embarrassing amount of time just floating and staring at the horizon. They also offer a Gym/fitness, which I, um, looked at. (Let's just say my idea of fitness usually involves walking to the bar for another cocktail.)
Food, Glorious Food (and Booze!)
Ah, the fuel for paradise. Divi Flamingo's got options! Restaurants, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Coffee shop, the list goes on. Breakfast [buffet] was the standard fare, but fresh and tasty. A la carte in restaurant – always a winner for trying something new. There also look to be Alternative meal arrangement and Vegetarian restaurant. I did not see any Asian cuisine in restaurant and I didn't even know what that meant.
The Happy hour at the Poolside bar was practically a religious experience. I mean, watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand after a long day of… well, relaxing… is pretty darn close to heaven. Bottle of water? Always appreciated. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yup. Desserts in restaurant? Absolutely! They list a Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant, but those items aren't really my thing, you see.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the Room service [24-hour]. Sometimes, you just want to eat junk food in your bathrobe and watch terrible movies. Totally acceptable behavior on vacation.
Important Note: They do pay attention to cleanliness – the room was very clean. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Daily disinfection in common areas – all good things!
The Room: Your Personal Sanctuary (Mostly)
Okay, my room itself was pretty great. Air conditioning (a must!), Free Wi-Fi, Daily housekeeping, a Refrigerator, and a Coffee/tea maker. Essential. My room had a Window that opens so I could get some fresh air when I wanted. I also have an Additional toilet in the room. It's a godsend when you're sharing a room with a significant other (or, y'know, recovering from a particularly enthusiastic happy hour).
The bed was comfortable, the Linens were fresh, and the Bathrobes were divine. I absolutely loved the Bathrobes. I’m a sucker for a good robe.
Here’s the real tea: The room was a little…dated. I’m not talking dingy, just…not exactly modern. But let's be real, I wasn't there to inspect the grout. I was there to relax. And, honestly, it was perfectly functional. The Additional toilet made up for any potential dated-ness.
For the Nitty Gritty: Safety, Services & Everything Else
They seem to take safety seriously. CCTV in common areas, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms – all the good stuff. First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call – always comforting to know. They have a Business center, which, let's be honest, I didn't even look at. This is a VACATION.
They offer a few Services and conveniences that are important to know about. Currency exchange, Concierge, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Car park [free of charge], and Elevator. They even are listed as offering Facilities for disabled guests again.
Internet Access - the listing says free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and I'm happy to say that the Internet access – wireless was pretty reliable. And important for the constant uploading of photos of your food…
Things to Do (Besides Doing Nothing):
Bonaire is famous for diving. Divi Flamingo is a dive resort. This is their bread and butter! I'm not a diver, but I saw a lot of happy, gear-toting folks! Things to do: Well, other than the Spa and the pool, there isn't much from the list.
Other Fun Stuff: Diving, snorkeling, windsurfing (Bonaire is famous for it!). Explore. Relax. Repeat.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Life Isn't Perfect):
- The Beach: Okay, I really wanted a beautiful beach. The beach at Divi Flamingo is…okay. Not the postcard-perfect, white-sand-and-turquoise-water type you might be dreaming of. It's rocky, so water shoes are a MUST.
- The Noise: The hotel is near the airport. Sometimes, you'd catch some airplane noise.
- The "Little Things": One day, my room key stopped working. Annoying, but easily fixed. (And easily forgotten after a few more poolside cocktails!)
So, Paradise? Bliss? The Verdict:
Did Divi Flamingo live up to the hype? Mostly. It's not a flawless paradise, but it's pretty darn close. It's a comfortable, relaxing resort with a killer spa, a great pool, and a location that makes exploring Bonaire easy. The imperfections are minor compared to the overall experience.
Would I go back? Absolutely!
The Offer: Bonaire Bliss Awaits! Escape to Paradise with Divi Flamingo!
Ready to ditch the daily grind and soak up some sunshine?
Here's why you need to book NOW:
- Dive into Bliss: Indulge in our luxurious spa with the best foot bath EVER!
- Unwind & Recharge: Relax by the pool with a view, get a massage, or just soak up the sun.
- Unforgettable Dining: Savor delicious meals at our restaurants and enjoy happy hour drinks at our bar.
- Immerse Yourself in Nature: Explore Bonaire's world-famous diving spots!
- Unbeatable Value: Experience Bonaire Bliss at a price that won't break the bank!
For a limited time, book your stay at Divi Flamingo and RECEIVE:
- A complimentary welcome cocktail!
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- Flexible Cancellation Policy
Don't wait! Escape to Paradise. Your Bonaire Bliss awaits!
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P.S. Bonaire's sunsets are legendary. Trust me, they’re worth it.
Cincinnati Airport's BEST-KEPT Secret: This Courtyard Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're going to Bonaire, and it's going to be gloriously, beautifully… me.
Itinerary: Bonaire, Baby! (And Maybe a Teeny Bit of Saba/Statia… or Not)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh My God, It's Turquoise!"
- Morning (Let's Face It, Probably Afternoon After Travel Delays): Arrive at Flamingo International Airport (BON). Expect to be utterly floored by the color of the water from the plane window. Seriously, it's like someone spilled a vat of liquid sapphires. Customs went smoother than I expected, which immediately set me up for a false sense of security.
- Afternoon: Taxi to Divi Flamingo Beach Resort. Check-in. Pray the room is decent. (It was fine! Okay, the sheets weren’t luxury but they weren't sandpaper, so win.) This is always a gamble, isn't it? You see the pictures online, all pristine and perfect, and then you get a room that's been clearly loved (and maybe slightly neglected).
- A Moment of Panic (Followed by Glorious Relief): Okay, full disclosure: I had a brief meltdown at the pool. I’d forgotten my favorite sun hat. And, I swear, there was a bird that watched me. (I'm probably projecting, but still…) Then I got a mojito. Problem solved! Instant Bonaire bliss.
- Evening: Dinner at the resort's oceanfront restaurant. Tried the local catch of the day. I think. Honestly, between the rum punch and the general "I'm officially on vacation" buzz, the details are a little hazy. I do remember feeling incredibly happy. And taking about a million pictures of the sunset. You can't blame me, it was ridiculous.
Day 2: Snorkeling & the Eternal Struggle of "What Time is It?"
- Morning: SNORKELING! This is what I came for. The Divi Flamingo has its own reef right off the beach. It's like swimming in an aquarium, except you're in the aquarium. Saw more fish than I could name, a grumpy-looking sea turtle, and almost choked on my snorkel from sheer wonder. My mask fogged up, but it was the best kind of blurry anyway.
- Mid-Morning: Realization that time is essentially meaningless. I started questioning whether I should actually keep track of time at all. I mean, seriously, does it matter? (The answer, I’m guessing, is “yes” for things like dinner reservations and airport shuttles. Damn.)
- Afternoon: Walked along the shoreline, attempting to photograph everything. Failed miserably, but enjoyed trying. Got sand in my camera. (Sigh.) Spent a ridiculous amount of time watching the windsurfers. They make it look so effortless. I, on the other hand, would probably end up a tangled mess of sail and board. Admired their skill while sipping another drink. Not a bad trade-off.
- Evening: Tried to learn the local dance – or tried to remember the steps. Laughed far more than I actually danced. Ended up chatting with a couple from Germany who had THE most amazing accents. More cocktails were consumed. My attempts at speaking German were hilariously bad. Good times.
Day 3: The Great Bonaire Road Trip (and Maybe a Little Dive, OMG)
- Morning: Rented a pickup truck. (Because, Bonaire!) This immediately made me feel like an intrepid explorer. Even though I was mostly just driving to the grocery store for snacks.
- Mid-Morning: Driving to the "North" side: Drive the coastal road - Take in the views - Do a little snorkeling. Stop at various dive sites. I might be tempted to try scuba diving, I'm still debating this, because I'm, frankly, a little chicken. The scenery is breathtaking. (I also may have temporarily lost the ability to count, because the water is so stunning. Can you even imagine the colours).
- Afternoon: Lunch somewhere on the coast. Ate something that was probably fish… washed it down with something cold and refreshing. Explored the little towns. Took approximately a million photos of flamingos. (They're just SO pink!) Got a little lost, but hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
- Evening: Back to the resort. Another stunning sunset. A much-needed shower. And then the hardest decision of the whole trip: what restaurant to choose for dinner. Ended up at… (I'll tell you later, I need to savor this decision.)
Day 4: Exploring the Unexplored (or Attempting To)
- Morning: Back to the water - Perhaps a kayak tour?
- Mid-Morning: Tried to meditate on the beach. Failed miserably. (Too many distractions: the waves, the sun, the urge to go swimming again.) Spent longer watching the water.
- Afternoon: This is the day where I was supposed to (maybe) take a day trip to Saba or Statia. Did I? (This is where things get messy, sorry about that) Actually, I'd heard some questionable things. There was a potential ferry issue and, when it comes down to it, it just did not appeal. The weather, the logistics and the lure of sun and sand was far too strong.
- Late Afternoon: Stuck to the plan: More beach time. Even more snorkeling, and I saw even more fish. Actually, I was pretty sure I saw the same sea turtle again, which made me feel like we were old friends. Decided to make the most of the time.
- Evening: Dinner - possibly at the resort again. Maybe I'll be brave and venture out. It’s the end of the trip now and it's making me a little sad. I promise not to get too maudlin.
Day 5: Departure & "Will I Ever Leave?"
- Morning: One last glorious sunrise. A final breakfast overlooking the ocean. Packing. (The worst part!) Buying souvenirs. (Mostly for myself, let's be honest.)
- Mid-Morning: Taxi to the airport. The final look at that turquoise water. Sob.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Already planning my return. I'm going to miss this. The sea. The sun. The total sense of (mostly) not getting it ALL right, but it being absolutely perfect anyway.
Postscript:
My tan is uneven. My camera still has sand in it. I probably ate too much. I am utterly, completely, and wonderfully happy. Bonaire, you absolute gem. I will be back. Promise.
Escape to Warman: Days Inn & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Divi Flamingo's Bonaire Bliss Awaits! (Or Does It?) - My Messy, Honest FAQ
Okay, so, Bonaire… Divi Flamingo… Is it REALLY paradise? Like, Instagram-worthy paradise?
Paradise, you say? Alright, let's be real. It *is* gorgeous. The water? Turquoise. Like, jaw-dropping turquoise. You'll spend the first day just gawking at it. The Divi Flamingo? Well… it's got potential. It *can* be Instagrammable, sure. But here's the *honest* truth – paradise ain't always perfect. My room overlooked the ocean, which was a *massive* win. The only problem? First night, I swear I heard a rogue parrot trying to break into my balcony at 3 AM. Seriously, the screeching! Then, the air conditioning – well, let's just say it had a mind of its own. So, yes, visually stunning. Completely zen? Not always. Still, I'm a sucker for a good view, so mostly, yes on the paradise front.
Diving & Snorkeling – Is it truly 'world-class' like everyone says? I'm a bit, well, apprehensive...
World-class? Honey, it's more like out-of-this-world. I'm not even a particularly *good* diver, okay? I'm the one who fogs her mask constantly and forgets how to equalize. But Bonaire? Even *I* could have a blast. We're talking easy entry, calm waters, and just… *reeeeefs* everywhere. They’re just... *there*. I went snorkeling first (baby steps, you know?). Seeing the fish, those vibrant colors – it was like swimming in a freaking aquarium. I saw a sea turtle, which, I swear, almost made me cry. The Dive shop offered a refresher course and made me feel less stupid. I was still panicking every time I put my face underwater, but… then, the sea turtle. (Okay, back to the turtles). They're magical. So, apprehension is totally normal. But you *will* be amazed. Just… maybe practice equalizing before you go. Seriously.
What’s the food situation at Divi Flamingo & Bonaire in general? I'm a picky eater. Be honest.
Ah, the food. Okay, buckle up, picky eaters. The Divi's restaurants... they're a mixed bag. The buffet? Hit or miss. Sometimes the food was fantastic (that fresh fish!). other times, well, it wasn't precisely the best. I might have had a rogue shrimp that I'm pretty sure was from another time-space. The a la carte options were generally better – especially the seafood, as expected. But here's the real truth: Bonaire itself has some fantastic restaurants off-property. Go explore! Karel's Beach Bar? Classic. Very Touristy, but what are you expecting? It's fun for a drink at sunset, if you're that kind of person. We tried one restaurant that advertised lobster - but it honestly tasted like a rubber tire. Avoid. Research, people! Do your research! And pack some snacks, just in case. I was caught with a snack-less room one night and ended up paying 25 dollars for a single bag of chips. Never Again
Okay, but like… the *service*? I hate bad service.
Service... Now, this is where it gets interesting. I wouldn't say it's *bad*, but it's... Bonaire time, you know? Things move at a slower pace. Don't expect lightning-fast anything. The staff are genuinely lovely, they're mostly super friendly and helpful – which is great. But sometimes, things take a while. Remember that time with the missing towels? I wanted to shower at noon and had to wait an hour and a half for a towel - meanwhile, I'm sitting on the balcony, smelling like the ocean *and* feeling increasingly more gross as my body continues to sweat in the sun! I did ask for a replacement towel several times! It was a minor crisis, I grant you. But it was one of those things that made me feel... well, a little bit like I was on island time myself and I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing. Embrace the chill, people! You're on vacation! ...After you get that darned towel.
What about the rooms at Divi Flamingo? Are they… nice? And how’s the Wi-Fi?
The rooms... they're adequate. They're clean, which is the most important thing. The decor is a *little* dated, think "tropical grandma's house." I didn't mind, it had character! But they could use a refresh. The view is the real selling point. Seriously, if you get an oceanfront room, you're winning. Get one! I'm not kidding! But here's a warning: Wi-Fi? Don't expect miracles. It was… spotty. I mean, it worked. Sometimes. Mostly, it was strong enough to check emails. Forget about streaming movies. Try and unplug, I guess. I failed pretty bad. After all, even in paradise, someone has to post their Instagram stories. Especially when you get to see a turtle. And then I can get super petty and make my friends jealous and share the photos of me with the turtle!
What's there to *do* besides diving and snorkeling? Because I’m not a dive-all-day kind of person.
Okay, so, diving and snorkeling are the *stars*. But there's plenty to keep you occupied. Windsurfing is huge, apparently. I tried that. It was an epic fail. I looked like a beached whale. There's also kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding. You can rent a car and explore the island. We did that. We found some hidden beaches (worth it!). And the salt pans? Absolutely breathtaking. Seriously. Take a sunset tour of the salt pans. You'll get great pics! Visit the donkey sanctuary (adorable!). Bonaire is a really chill place, so don’t expect night clubs or a whole lot of excitement. Try a Jeep tour. You'll bounce around on potholed roads, see wild donkeys, and get a true feel for the island.
Is it family-friendly? I might bring the kids...
Yeah, it's pretty family-friendly. There are kids hanging out at the pool. The dive shop caters to beginners. I saw families snorkeling. The atmosphere is very relaxed; no one’s going to bat an eyelid if your kids run around the pool. The ocean is relatively gentle, which is great. However, if you have tiny kids, you may need to keep an eye on them while they swim and be prepped to answer a lot of questions about turtles.
