Imagine stepping out of your bedroom and being exactly three steps away from a crystal-clear, magnesium infinity pool that looks like it blends right into the Caribbean Sea. I recently found a hidden gem of a waterfront villa on the stunning, untouched island of Bonaire, and to say I was blown away is a massive understatement. If you are looking for the ultimate tropical escape where wild turtles swim right past your deck, you are going to want to see this place…
Location and How to Get There
The collection of Eco Beach Villas, run by Bonaire Eco Rentals, is located on the largely unheard of but stunning island of Bonaire in the Southern Caribbean. It makes up one of the three ABC islands, with Aruba and Curacao making up the other two islands. The island is frequented by the big three American carriers: Delta, United, and American Airlines, which make the short flight down from the States. However, there are not flights every day back to the USA, so just bear that in mind when planning your trip, especially if it is not a standard 7 or 14 night trip.
You can also, like I did, fly down on one carrier and back on another. Or, as there are multiple flights a day to Curacao and Aruba, fly to one of those islands and then back to the States, as they are frequented by more daily flights than Bonaire. If you are coming from Europe, KLM, TUI, and Corendon fly from Amsterdam a few times a week, it is a Dutch island after all! If you are island hopping, as mentioned, there are multiple daily flights from Curacao and Aruba, and there are also connections to the Dominican Republic and Sint Maarten. Flights are also now available to Colombia and Canada.
The villa is just a short 10 minute drive from the airport, and if you are staying for more than a couple of days, I highly recommend renting a car. There is no public transportation on the island and taxis can add up fast. Driving is fairly easy on the island, they drive on the right, and with the exception of a few roundabouts there are not many notable driving challenges. Your main worry will be donkeys in the road! We rented from 123 Car Rentals, a local company that had been recommended to me a few weeks prior. While they are not directly at the airport, they are just a 3 minute drive away and picked us up in no time after a quick WhatsApp message to the staff once we landed.
Check-in Process
I had been in contact with Analy, part of the team that runs the villas, in the weeks leading up to my visit. Once she learned of our flight arrival time, she met us at the villa to welcome us to the island and give us a tour of the space itself. She went through how things worked, told us where we could easily snorkel, and shared some much-appreciated advice on how best to experience the island from a local’s perspective.
We were gifted a wonderful welcome bottle of prosecco, which we wasted no time in opening upon our arrival! There were also a few drinks and snacks in the fridge to get us started before we set out to the supermarket. I was given Analy’s WhatsApp number should I need her or have any questions during our stay, and I felt happy knowing that if I needed anything, she was just a short message away.
The Villa
I was absolutely blown away when I first stepped into the villa. Eco Beach House 2 is a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom villa located right on the waterfront of the western coast of Bonaire. It is all open plan, and the main kitchen and living area is modern, sleek, and opens out onto one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen from a rental. The famous turquoise blue waters that Bonaire is known for are just steps away from the villa’s covered deck. It honestly didn’t look real; the photos definitely do not do it justice!
The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you’d need if you fancied self-catering and cooking your own meals. However, with the exceptional variety of different cuisines on the island, I found myself with a constant stream of restaurant recommendations in the area that I just had to try! Even so, one morning we did choose to make our own breakfast so we could enjoy it poolside, and that felt like such a treat! There is an oven, induction hob, Nespresso pod machines (and a whole selection of different intensity pods to try), kettle, dishwasher, and full-sized refrigerator and freezer, along with all the necessary pots, pans, and cooking utensils you’d need. There’s a large island in the middle of the kitchen with six bar stools scattered around. The tap water is safe to drink on the island, which was a welcome surprise! There is a modern, C-shaped sofa in the main living room with a Smart TV featuring all the apps, should you wish to tear yourself away from staring at the waves (a harder feat than it sounds).
Outside on the deck, the true star attraction is a beautiful magnesium infinity pool. It was a lot deeper than I thought, which was a welcome finding given that a lot of pools you see at villas end up being a plunge pool or less. I spent many a morning in the pool staring out at the waves and watching the wildlife. There’s a ton of birds that frequent the area, and most actually stop at the pool for a quick drink! The waters directly out in front of the villa are also notorious for turtle viewing, and they are best seen first thing in the morning before the scuba diving boats come by.
There are steps down from the villa which take you to the coral shore, and if you walk over to the left to the yellow pole, this indicates the best area to wade in and snorkel from shore. I recommend wearing water shoes as some of the coral can be a bit rough on your feet. There are tons of vibrant tropical fish and corals just feet from the shore directly in front of the villa, so it’s no wonder it is frequented daily by divers! Also on the deck are a number of different loungers, both in the sun and under the canopy should it rain or if you want a bit of shade. There is also a six-person dining table, perfect for al fresco meals with the sound of waves in the background.
The master bedroom has two sets of sliding doors that open out onto the deck and nearby pool, meaning you can literally go from bed to pool in about three steps! There are screens on the doors, so should you wish to fall asleep to the lull of the sea, it’s a very real possibility. Even with the glass doors shut, you can still hear the soothing sounds of the crashing waves; it was definitely an upgrade to the white noise machine I listen to at home! All three of the bedrooms have air conditioning units and large closets, which was a huge plus for me given I packed 678 outfits for a mere 6-night trip! Two of the bedrooms have large double beds, and the third bedroom has two twin beds that can be pushed together or left separate depending on the company you bring. The ensuite bathrooms are all open plan, with no doors but a separate toilet and shower off the main sink and vanity. Again, these are very modern with rain head showers and mirrors adorned with shells constructed by a local artisan, of which there are a few other unique pieces scattered around the villa.
The second bedroom is in the middle of the house, and while it only has one set of windows, it is the room which remained coolest throughout our stay, especially with the shutters closed. The third bedroom is on the corner and has windows to the side and front canopy of the villa. There is also a half bathroom off the main living room, in between the first and second bedrooms.
I do have to mention here that, while keeping with the gentle ecological footprint, the villas have been constructed using reclaimed, FSC-certified hardwood from Brazil. These materials are then customised by a local group of builders and carpenters on the island before being integrated into the homes.
Facilities
The stunning infinity pool is definitely my favourite aspect of the villa, and I honestly could have spent all day here. The magnesium pool, while also better for the environment, makes your skin feel silky soft and doesn’t have that harsh chemical smell that most chlorine pools have.
Activities
As mentioned, some of the best snorkeling on the island is mere steps from the villa. I would definitely recommend bringing some water shoes to walk down to the launching point, as well as a snorkel and mask so you can watch the beautiful fish and keep a lookout for turtles.
There is a little welcome book in the villa with a list of recommended activities during your stay, including catamaran trips, diving expeditions, hiking, and more. Analy and her family are a wealth of knowledge for everything Bonaire-related, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need some ideas while you’re on the island.
Communication
I had been in contact with the family that owns the villa in the weeks preceding my visit, and they were so incredibly helpful and kind while I was planning my trip. Analy met us at the villa during check-in, was so welcoming and friendly, and made us feel right at home despite us only just arriving on the island.
Closing Remarks
Eco Beach House 2 is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places I have ever stayed at. The infinity pool overlooking those stunning blue waters and the deck overhanging the beach quickly became my happy place, and I really struggled to tear myself away and pack to leave on our last day.
Analy and her family were so incredibly welcoming and warm, and I really appreciated the personalised treatment and attention to detail that one only gets from supporting small local businesses. With a number of other villas in their collection, and more in the pipeline, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again. It would make the perfect place for family, friends, or couples traveling together, and with two other villas adjacent to the one we stayed at on the coastline, you could bring the whole clan!
Ready to book Eco Beach House 2? Click here!
You can find out more about my stay on my “Bonaire” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.
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