Development on the island is very visible these days. Many new projects are to come.
Courtyard Marriott
Courtyard Marriott Bonaire will be the first major brand hotel on the island, opening its doors in December, 2016. With 140 rooms, the hotel is located close to the airport and will be a business hotel.
Together with the island government, Courtyard Marriott Bonaire is promoting local employment, introducing their product and employment possibilities in a well-organized manner to potential local staff.
Resort Bonaire – Euro Parcs
Another big project is Euro Parcs Resort Bonaire. Opening its doors in September, 2017, it will offer luxury apartments and exclusive penthouses.
With the arrival of new projects on the island, the existing hotels and resorts are busy upgrading their own product too.
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort and Casino started their renovation projects in 2015 and will be finished at the end of this year, 2016. Their rooms, pathways, shops, restaurants and the bar are all being renovated.
Van der Valk – Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire
Since July, 2016, Plaza Resort has had a new director and general manager, Marcel Brekelmans, a man with many years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Marcel has taken on projects worldwide, from Europe to Africa. 20 years ago, he was working in the Caribbean on our neighboring island, Curacao, and is well acquainted with our area. Marcel came to our island to manage the Van der Valk Plaza Beach Resort Bonaire renovation and new construction projects that will be starting very soon.
Phase 1
New Building
The work will be in three phases. The first phase includes construction of a new reception building housing a new casino, shops, a second new restaurant, a new bar and a new swimming pool.
During the construction phase, the entrance to the beach will be closed due to the construction work. The reception building will be relocated to that area of the Resort.
Contrary to rumors recently in the media, Plaza will not close their beach and their facilities to the public. Only because of the construction, the second entrance will be shut down, but you're welcome to use the beach and the facilities by entering thru the main entrance.
Any construction project goes hand in hand with some inconvenience. This will also be the case at Plaza, who are trying to keep this to a minimum. Plaza will offer a smaller swimming pool to their guests while building the new big swimming pool.
Plaza Villa Island
At the same time, new construction on the Villa Island, located opposite the airport, will take place.
Sustainability
A sustainability project as well will be completed.
Plaza strives to provide their guests with an enjoyable vacation without affecting the beautiful and precious nature of Bonaire and has, therefore, invested in sustainability.
The resort has taken a number of measures for environmental conservation
Water consumption
Plaza tries to make their guests and employees aware of their water consumption by reusing plastic and using the high quality tap water.
Solar energy
Plaza makes use of an alternative source of energy, solar energy. Two old tennis courts at the resort were replaced with a solar energy field composed of 5,500 panels. In Plaza’s opinion, this will provide energy for the entire resort.
Phase 2
In the second phase, complete renovation of the existing hotel rooms will take place.
Phase 3
The third phase will depend on the economic development of the island and will be a completely new part of the hotel providing new rooms for additional future guests.
On Bonaire, Marcel has already made his reputation as a fast acting manager. Even though he is aware that some decisions he has to make are not making him the most favorite person right now, he hopes people will recognize in the long term that he has helped build a stable and healthy work environment for his employees and stability for their families.
