anyone who has been to the Bonaire in Cala Bona, a quick question please

[mckenzie]

Can you remember how much they charge for breakfast and dinner if you are on a self catering basis but wish to eat in the restaurant?

We're trying to work out whether to go half baord this time but cant remember the costs.

TIA

bump

again..

bump again again please

I don't know if this would be much help but thought of mentioning it.

I lived in Mallorca for quite a while and I have to say most locals were appaled at the food provided in all inclusive holidays (having said that many tourists are appaled at the sight of a paella covered with boiled leggy marine animals!). Unless you are paying peanuts for your trip, it works cheaper not to go for the all inclusive option, but you will have to venture out of the tourist area, which is worth it, the real Mallorca is much more beautiful than the spots that have been especially developed for tourists.

If you are not into heavy breakfasts, I would recommend to find a forn and have breakfast there, they have some lovely pastries. For lunch venture to a "bar" and have some p'amb oli, or some local food and don't forget that local restaurants are very family friendly so you can take the kids with you at night and they will love them!

thanks chandra. we ate out most nights when we were these in 2004 but did have breakfast there every morning. The food was really quite good (they dont offer an all inclusive package and it is Thomson's top super families hotel apparently so i guess it should be good huh?)

I'm just trying to work out if we eat there every day for breakfast and even just say 3 out of the 14 nights, might it be cost effective to pay for the half board. Especially as we wont have to pay a penny for DD who will be nearly 17 months old and who already eats quite a lot whereas when we eat out we'll obviously have to pay full prie for her meal.
Not trying to be stingy but just trying to work out the best value option. We've booked the holiday now self catering but we can change it to half baord at any time.

thanks again for your comments chandra.

Ahem... Thompson is not the company to choose when you can afford not to be stringy. Sorry, the entertainement for the kids is good but the rest is far from optimal, what Thompson rating does the hotel have?

oops sorrya, I just realised you are already familiar w/ the hotel.

I think I'm embarrased enough as to initiate a new thread in your behalf

here

thanks for all your help chandra and the other post. I'm actually trying to decide whether to go self catering or half board though. All inclusive isn't an option.

I just need the know the actual cost of paying the hotel daily for the breakfast and the dinner as opposed to paying Thomson up front for breakfast and dinner every day when we'll probably only eat dinner there a few times.

Hi, erm, I have been to a super family with Thompson, and most reviews I found online said to buy tickets and services from the Hotel Reception instead of the Thompson reps.

I'm trying to contact the hotel for you, I will post with what they say soon

There are some reviews here, don't know if they would say something about the food price
www.holidaywatchdog.com/378-Cala_Bona-Bonaire_Aparthotel-Holiday-Review.html

chandra, i used to live in mallorca too!!! when did u live there ( and where???!!)

Can't find the telephone, do you have it by any chance? (most details I have are from travel reviews or holiday providers so no phone!)

I did have the phone number, Thomson gave it to me, but I've lost it! Typical. I can get it again from teh travel agent but when i called I got no answer. I seem to remember from when we were there in 2004 that they close after the New Year for a few months so could be that's why no answer.
I've just sent a message via the Protur Hotels website as the Bonaire is part of that chain. They should be able to tell me huh?
I read some of those reviews Chandra (thanks again) but couldn't find any mention of the costs.

No luck with the phone yet, I'll ask DH when he arrives, don't remember how to go into the Spanish yellow pages.

Tiredemma, I was there in 1996-1998. I was living in Palma, near S'Excorxador. What about you?

Hotel company have replied already and I have the prices now. Cheaper to pay the hotel direct daily than to take Thomson half board package.