Stay & Play
Harbour Village Beach Club
Barefoot Luxury in Bonaire
by Susan Campbell
I’ve been writing about Dutch Caribbean Bonaire for over 20 years. So, I was aware that Harbour Village Beach Club offered a distinct departure from other resorts on the island. Flanked by a bevy of bobbing boats in a protected harbor, it caters to visiting yachts and sailing vessels as it’s directly attached to the 64-slip marina. But until a recent stay there, I had no idea how much more it had to offer travelers of every ilk.
Though the attached lighthouse is independently run as a stand-alone dining spot, the hotel theme from the marina point of view remains very nautical. The waterfront entrance to the lobby is super seafarer friendly. In fact, those renting slips on the hotel dock, yet opt to sleep on their own vessels, still have access to the resort’s beach club amenities. (More on those later.) And the accommodations on the marine front wing are cosmopolitan and modern, offering guests a comfortable respite from living at sea for a spell. But if you approach this resort from the land-based entrance as we did, it’s a whole different world.
Just past the elite gated security entrance off the parking lot, you’ll find the vibe far more colonial than “beach clubby”. The beachfront selection of mustard yellow dwellings is a village ensconced in brilliant blooms and lush foliage with bubbling fountains popping up along cobblestone paths. We were blown away by the opulence of our two-bedroom beachfront Premium Suite. It exudes old world luxury at every turn. Overstuffed easy chairs, mahogany cabinets and antiques, marble bathrooms with deep soaking clawfoot tubs, four-poster beds… yet there were ample modern amenities too like rain showers, flat screen TVs, stunning art, Nespresso machines, stainless-steel dishwashers, and a well-equipped kitchen. It also has a small courtyard balcony, but I preferred the spacious seafront lanai with a double hammock and multiple outdoor living areas that led to their private beach. And what a beach! It’s a quarter mile of soft, alabaster sand cresting impossibly clear aqua waters, and I discovered snorkeling heaven on both ends. And I love the fact I can revisit those fishy friends from afar via their cool underwater reef cam. (See it here on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_728Dd7SlFU)
They also have their own watersports centre offering complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, and their dive operator Great Adventures Bonaire is a first class PADI affair as well. Other beach club amenities include two pools, and the one at their deluxe spa has a waterfall. On site dining day and night is to be had at La Balandra Restaurant & Bar that resembles an antique Spanish galleon. (Even if you’re not staying at the resort, have dinner there as the food and service is fabulous. Ask for a table by the underwater lights to watch huge fish feeding for additional entertainment.) They also have a few stand-alone grand villas available ideal for large families, or small groups on extended stays. And some are available for purchase. I could live here! So, if you’re seeking the ultimate in barefoot luxury on Bonaire, this is the place to be.
