Vacation Rentals by Owner

This is the place to be!

Guest: George s.
Date of Stay: 01/07/12 Review Submitted: 01/26/12

This is the place to be! My wife and I stayed at Villa Crownridge for week. We had with us our two sons: we are all scuba divers and Bonaire looked like the right place! In front of the villa there is one of the most perfect spots for scuba diving. Villa Crownridge was a fantastic surprise: pictures on Internet sometimes look better than reality. Villa Crownridge was even better! The whole house is wonderful, very well equipped with everything you need, the location is simply spectacular and Inge and Reinout has been very helpful and always available to help. We have spent unforgettable week. Thank you Benno!

Owner response:Hello George, Thank you for your booking next year already. We keep in touch! Benno

Recommended for:

Relaxte vakantie aan zee

Guest: Peter & Conny (Veghel, Nederland)
Date of Stay: 11/04/10 Review Submitted: 11/15/10

Wij zijn in deze fantastische villa geweest vanaf 4 november 2010 tot en met 11 november 2010. De villa is van alle luxe en gemakken voorzien. Het ligt direct aan zee. Snorkelen in je achtertuin. Bonaire is een schitterend maar rustig eiland. De natuur is prachtig. We zullen zeker nog een keer terugkomen.

Owner response:Bedankt voor jullie reactie. We zien julllie graag terug. Benno

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

5 Star Luxury Paradise

Guest: Alanbx (NY, US)
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/10

5 Star Luxury Paradise We have now stayed here 2 times with friends and family and I just cant wait to go back again. The Villa is well equipped and has everything you need for a perfect holiday. the pool and outside areas are fantastic. all 3 double bedrooms have air conditioning. the property was very clean and well maintained. The owners and their representative locally were very friendly and helpful. There are brilliant snorkel places and restaurants to visit. in particular you must visit the Rum Runners restaurant. Alan. NY

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

IT WAS TOO BEAUTIFUL AND OUR TIME TOO SHORT!!

Guest: Ronald&C (NY, US)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/14/10

It was too beautiful and our time too short! We just returned from our 25th wedding anniversary trip to Bonaire and Villa Crownridge. The villa is ocean front and is very clean and well maintained. We had two couples and used the bedrooms overlooking the pool, but the villa in general and all three bedrooms are well appointed. The area and the villa are gated. Great views, especially . Pool, veranda and deck area are very private. Veranda sitting and lounging are the best Sunset. One step and your are on the beach (private stairs) Two minutes drive to Kralendijk. Check out restaurant It’s Rains Fishes. We loved to stay in Villa Crown Ridge and recommend it highly! Regards, R & C

Owner response:Thanks for staying in our villa! See you next year. Regards, Benno

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

DON'T MISS THIS ONE!

Guest: Billjks (Houston, US)
Date of Stay: 04/03/10 Review Submitted: 04/21/10

My husband and I had the most amazing family vacation at Villa Crown ridge. The house is perfectly designed with the highest comfort you can have. Private deck, gorgeous ocean view with a glorious morning sunrise. It's a wonderful family setup for families with little ones. The location is unbeatable with crazy views of Caribbean Sea and beautiful Island Klein Bonaire views off to the left. Definitely don't miss a day trip over to Klein Bonaire! Nicely and newly decorated, with a designers eye to detail, includes all the high tech amenities, so easy for large family entertaining. My husband and I had one of the most scrumptiously romantic weeks ever! Walk down your private steps to your own beach. Also just a short by to a great restaurant, Rum Runners for Caribbean Lobster or the Spaghetti Bolognaise is a definite must have with a little Rum Punch for dinner. Then it's a nice stroll back to the villa for an after dinner drinks in the gorgeous pool with the warm breezes and the sound of the ocean, so romantic! Staying at Villa Crown Ridge is definitely like taking a page from Life of the Rich and Famous, Thanks for letting us stay in your wonderful Villa! You see us next again!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Paradise vacation!

Guest: Joyce and larry (Utah, US)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/09/10

Paradise vacation! My husband and I recently stayed at Villa Crownridge with two other couples. I can't even begin to express our pleasure with the house, the view, and all the comforts of home. We spent a wonderful week there relaxing, laying on the deck, enjoying the pool, and all without any bothers! We couldn't have asked for a better place to spend our vacation. Don't forget to snorkel it’s FANTASTIC. We definitely come back. Thank you so much to let us stay in your Villa. J. Utah

Owner response:Hello Joyce and Larry It was our pleasure to meet you and we thank you for your reservation for next year. We keep in touch! Benno and Suzanne

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Great house / poor maintenance

Guest: AnnerD (Las Vegas / Nevada / US)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/11/10

The location of the house & the furnishings are great. The view & easy access to Andrea can’t be beat. There were however numerous problems, most of which could easily have been avoided with proper maintenance. 1) No one met us at the airport – not a problem in itself, but I was not able to make contact with the property manager due to a continually busy phone until 2pm. 2) Both TVs & the internet connection were non-functional. We were told by the property mgr. “Why would we want to watch TV on vacation”? No action was taken to remedy this problem during the 2 weeks we were there. 3) There was no toilet paper in the house. Having to run out to the store immediately was annoying. 4) The lights in the 2nd bathroom didn’t work, or more specifically had no light bulbs & again nothing was done to remedy this problem. 5) The sliding screen doors are a mess – the screens are useless, due to being torn & pulled lose from the frames. I also think 1 or more of the doors has been installed upside-down &/or backwards. 6) The chlorine level in the pool was very high. We didn’t use the pool during our visit. On the last day I observed the Property Mgr. dumping more chlorine in without bothering to test the water. 7) Unkempt landscaping. Lots of dead leaves – months worth. All the other homes in Crown Ridge have reasonably well tended courtyards. 8) The light switch in the hall outside the 2nd bathroom sticks in the “on” position. 9) The ceiling fan in the living room is extremely noisy, to the point we stopped using it the 2nd week. 10) During the 2nd week, the air conditioner in the master bedroom stopped working efficiently. It did work but didn’t produce the same (enough) cool air.

Owner response:Dear Ann, Thank you so much for your feedback. This helps us to improve our service. I have taken immediately action to solve this maintenance issues for ones and for all. I am sure all the maintenance issues belong to the past now. Of course the great view, location and all rest remains the same. I hope to welcome you again! Best regards, Benno

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Bonaire Dive Vacation

Guest: Capt Gary (Florida Kays)
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 02/12/10

We just got back from 2 weeks of diving in Bonaire and staying in Villa Crown Ridge 12. The house was better than the pictures and being able to walk off our deck, down a few stairs and go diving was the icing on the cake. There were 2 couples and each had their own bedroom and bathroom. We used the center bedroom for dive gear storage, suitcase storage, etc. so each had plenty of room in each bedroom closet for the clothes we took and honestly didn't need. There is a washer and dryer so don't over pack. The kitchen is a dream, the house is great, the pool is great. We are already planning a trip for next year. Just make sure you pack shampoo and soap as these are not provided. 5 stars

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Dreamy week At Crown Ridge

Guest: Baguette (Eden, Utah USA)
Date of Stay: 12/19/09 Review Submitted: 02/19/10

My family and I stayed at Crown Ridge the week before Christmas. When we walked in the door, I knew we had made the right choice of lodging. The fully equipped kitchen was up-to-date modern, with nice china and glassware. Comfy couch, RV, and table and chairs. The bedrooms were lovely, with simple handsome furniture, clean white high-quality sheets and bedding and towels were a real bonus. The master bedroom and bath suite were elegant, with double doors leading to a private patio area. The pool was a nice place to rinse off after swimming in the sea. The lounge chairs were sturdy with mats for comfort. The periwinkle blue stairs led to the beach with easy shore access to wonderful snorkeling and scuba diving. We were in the water 2-3 times per day and watched the sun set and the stars come up. It was the best vacation ever and we love Bonaire and will definitely return--and Crown Ridge.

Owner response:Your welcome! We hope to see you again next time. Benno

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fantastic Family Vacation

Guest: August visit (NJ)
Date of Stay: 08/09/09 Review Submitted: 09/03/09

Staying at this villa completes the Bonaire experience, and offers guests a Tropical Island Paradise! On our first morning we were greeted by humming birds flitting, and an iguana soaking in the sun on the terrace, outside the beautiful master bedroom window. The villa is luxurious! Rob, the property manager, met us at the airport (at 4:30am!) and took us to the villa, which made our arrival to the island completely stress free. We came with our kids, 15 and 12 years old, for their first real scuba experience after their certification (in a quarry w/12” visibility)…the only problem is that we may have set the bar way too high - the diving was phenomenal!! Every dive site was more exciting than the next. (We chose Capt. Don’s and found their operation to be wonderful to work with.) The villa is exquisite! It will be impossible to find another vacation spot that will compare! This villa with its amenities, refreshing pool, incredible view, and beach access is simply amazing. The villa is clean, comfortable, and so well-appointed; every detail, to make a guest content, has been included. And, the sunsets are breathtaking!!! Benno, Thank you so much for giving our family the opportunity to enjoy your little piece of paradise. Best Regards, Janet

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

This is the place!

Guest: Christine (Albuquerque, NM)
Date of Stay: 06/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/26/09

We stayed at Benno's home for a full two weeks, and could have stayed longer. This is the place to stay in Bonaire. The house had everything you could possible need, and is set on the best possible place on Bonaire. It is close to grocery stores and dive shops, but has the privacy of living in your own home rather than a hotel. We have stayed in numerous rental houses/villas all over the Bahamas and the Carribean, and this was our favorite. We have two children, seven and eleven. The house and beach were perfect for them and they loved the pool. The beach was perfect for snorkeling. We saw so many fish and corals, and the variety was exceptional!. My 11 year old and husband were able to get open-water certified and then were able to scuba right from the front door. People are friendly and helpful in Bonaire. We would not hestitate to return for another vacation on Bonaire and would definitely return to this same home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Look no further!

Guest: Karen J (Brooklyn, New York)
Date of Stay: 04/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

If you are looking for the perfect house by the ocean, this is it. We decided to take a last minute vacation and searched all over the web. We cut it down to 3 homes and we are SO pleased we chose this one. If you love diving or snorkelling, you will love Bonaire. But more than that, if you love going to stay somewhere that has all the amenities of home but in a perfect setting, this is your place. Our experience was great. What a joy to arrive somewhere and find it nicer than the photos suggest. It was immaculate and is equipped with everything you could possibly need. The house is beautifully furnished and has the most comfortable beds. Fresh crisp linens, clean towels by the dozen, everything brand new. And the best part about this house - its location. It has incredible views of the ocean - you are literally steps away. The pool is lovely and the deck is the perfect place to enjoy your evening, sipping a cocktail while the sun goes down. It is very private and quiet. Unlike the previous poster, we never had much of a problem with mosquitoes - there was a lovely ocean breeze most evenings that seemed to keep them away. Aside from diving/snorkelling, if you have kids, there are a few other fun things to do. - take the 3hr horseback ride from the Riding Academy at Kunuku Warahama to the Ocean. You can swim with the horses in the ocean (they are actually swimming not wading). Amazing. Even my 5yr old did it and loved it. Call Marion, the owner, to schedule but if you do want to do it, book well in advance. - visit the Donkey Sanctuary. They have more than 400 rescued donkeys there. Lots of fun for the kids. - visit Rum Runners for cocktails overlooking the ocean. They do the adult version for mom and dad and the kids "virgin" cocktails too. - Sunset Bar and Grill. The fish is great and there is a little sand beach directly in front of the restaurant where the kids can splash in the ocean before and after lunch/dinner. - Visit the Butterfly farm. The kids put mango juice on their fingers and the butterflies came and landed on their hands. They loved it. We would recommend this house without reservation. We'd like to thank Benno and Suzanne for renting it out and allowing us to enjoy their lovely home. And thanks too to Rob for being such a friendly and helpful property manager - not to mention, for being so cheerful despite our 4:30am arrival! We hope to be back sometime next year. Thanks again - Karen, David, Chloe and Keira, NYC.

Owner response:THANKS!! Karen

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

A taste of Paradise

Guest: Laurence & Giorgio (Montreal, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/04/09 Review Submitted: 04/14/09

It was our first experience renting a private villa and we couldn't dream of a better vacation. The photos you see here are but a little taste of what awaits you at Crown Ridge 12 (Benno, you should include a photo of the master bedroom and its view!). The Villa is beautiful, perfectly set up with all you can think of, and ideally located in front of one of the best dive sites of Bonaire, 5mn away from two major dive shops (we recommend Captain Don's Habitat; don't miss the excellent all-you-can-eat BBQ at their Rum Runners restaurant on Monday nights, where you will also meet dive legend Captain Don in person), 10mn away from Kralendijk. Not that we went out much, we were far too happy to stay at the villa and enjoy the magnificent setting and views. The sunset is particularly stunning, and seems to be playing every night just for you. Last tips to fully enjoy this fantastic place: rent a car (a pick-up with tank rack is a must for divers) and arm yourself with all the anti-mosquito weapons you can find. They are very present as soon as the sun sets and have a knack for sneaking into the house behind you despite all the very well-conceived door and window nets. Benno and Suzanne, thank you for letting us enjoy your maginificent villa - we will definitely come back. Groetjes!

Owner response:Dear Laurence and Giorgio, Thanks for your review. Soon we will include more photos of the villa especially one of master bedroom with it's spectacular view of the Caribbean sea wen you wake up. See you next year! Kind regards Benno & Suzanne

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/08/09

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at Villa Crown Ridge. This home is sited on property that may be the most beautiful on the entire island. The villa itself is amazing, and every comfort is provided. I was most impressed with the decor, elegant but calm, with neutral shades that let the sky and sea and flowers steal the show. It is clear that a lot of time and effort went into the selection of furnishings throughout as well as every detail in the well-equipped kitchen. There are many excellent restaurants on Bonaire, but our best dinners were cooked on the grill and enjoyed under the stars beside the pool with the gentle surf providing music in the night. For truly upscale accommodations on an extraordinary island, I can't imagine any place more perfect.

Owner response:Thank you for comment and we hope to welcome you and your family in villa Crown Ridge next year.

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Perfect for cool vacation

Guest: Jean Francois (New York (but I am French))
Date of Stay: 03/31/09 Review Submitted: 04/12/09

It was our first time in Bonaire and we really enjoyed this lovely tiny island, where you feel really safe, people are very kind and everything is so easy. It's trully the divers' paradise, but just snorkeling is already fantastic, better than everything you would imagine. And Villa Crown Ridge 12 is ideally located right on the beach, with fantastic sunsets,... a trully ideal vacation place. Crown Ridge is actually a newly developped area (all villas are the same, except the color), 5mn from the city, but very calm (there was no neighbours when we were there). The villa is very well decorated (everything is brand new), and when you will arrive it is just like the pictures you have seen; I would say even better. Looking at the sea with the pool and the few chairs in front of you is terrific. The villa is large enough for 6 (3 large rooms, 2 bathroom, and a nice living room and kitchen), especially as you will spend most of the time outside on the terrace. We have rented many houses in the carribean and we would definitely recommend this one. If you like diving, or simply snorkeling, go there without any hesitation. Be aware that the beach is rocky though; if you want some sandy beach go to the south (20mn drive) where you will find a great lagoon. Also Rob, will welcome you nicely and help you as needed. Enjoy.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.

For that great Home Away feeling!

Guest: Dale and Joan (Cleveland Ohio)
Date of Stay: 03/22/09 Review Submitted: 05/06/09

Villa Crowne Ridge is all new with large open rooms, it is beautifully decorated and well-equipped – we immediately felt at home. It had all of the comforts of home that one might need: well stocked cupboards and drawers full of all the pots, pans, plates and utensils one could ever need, plenty of towels, fresh linens, each room had it’s own (very quiet) a/c which kept everyone comfortable, a decent sized well maintained pool, cable TV, internet access and nice laundry facilities – that is once you figure out how to use them (hint – bone up on your Dutch). The reef of the divesite Andrea I is part of your backyard; even youngsters can snorkel and see all kinds of sea creatures while you relax and watch from the patio. We took the opportunity of being in a divers paradise to get our children their open water dive certifications – the people at Wannadive are wonderful. When you are not taking advantage of the well appointed kitchen and eating at the very large table poolside, there are numerous local restaurants to explore. Worthy of note: Bobbejan's BBQ, Patagonia, and the Rose Inn located a short drive away in Rincon for a taste of the local fare (one of the few places you will find iguana on the menu). For the adventurous types a trip to Washington Slaagbi Park is a must; plan on all day. Benno, the owner, was a pleasure to deal with and was available seemingly 24/7 to answer any questions via email or by phone. Rob, the property manager was nice enough to meet us at the airport for our 4:30 AM arrival and then again at 5:00AM for our early AM departure. Much thanks to both! To summarize: For that home away from home feeling; Villa Crowne Ridge is THE place to stay on Bonaire.

Owner response:Thanks for the review, We are working on a English manual for the laundry facilities. We love to welcome you next year! Benno & Suzanne

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

This is definitely the place to stay...

Guest: Happy to have been there (Charleston, SC)
Date of Stay: 03/14/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

Our family (two adults and 3 children...ages 17, 14 & 11) stayed in villa in March 2009. It was absolutely fabulous. You can snorkle or dive ( at site ANDREA I) right in front of house and have shore access. The villa is brand new, impeccably clean and the floor plan is wide-open and perfect. The villa would actually work well for three couples as well because of the floor plan. The only issue we had was that the appliances (all new and top of the line) are dutch and it was challenging to figure how to work them! If you have another family that wants to join you, the neighbors also rent out their villa. Truly a wonderful place to stay and I would definitely recommend it. The sunsets from the deck are awesome. We will be back...Carolina

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.