Besides the location, there is also exclusivity. And you notice this right from the moment you arrive: you reach a gate where someone already knows your name before you even step out. This means that, without name recognition, the friendly but strict yet fair gatekeeper will call a halt to you. Only hotel guests are granted access here. Private, then. But, suppose you are not staying at Harbour, and you think: never mind, that isn't (entirely) necessary. On lucky days You stand a chance to win a day pass (if occupancy permits; in principle, attention is allocated to hotel guests). And should you manage to get your hands on this coveted day pass, it means: loafing around at a luxurious level. All day long. You can also have lunch and dinner in the restaurant even if you are not a hotel guest. Just be sure to make a reservation, as that same gatekeeper meticulously keeps track of the guest list.

Once through that gate, you walk over the cobblestones through the beautifully maintained village. The green grounds are so well cared for and regularly watered that they remain remarkably lush, especially on an island that isn't exactly blessed with abundant rain. Scattered across the spacious grounds are the low, yellow-painted buildings with picturesque rooms and suites (read: suites where we could easily live full-time), all within walking distance of the beach. In the evening, it gets pitch black here and warm lights come on everywhere. A walk along the beach towards the boat restaurant La Balandra is truly magical and downright romantic at that time.

You dine here in the 'washed-up' boat on the beach, named La Balandra. From the outside, it looks like a dark, colonial ship; inside, it is light, warm, and surprisingly cozy. You step inside via a small staircase and immediately run into the round bar, the kind of place where you unknowingly end up lingering all evening.

At the bow of the boat, the tables are set up in a charming and private setting. And that is exactly the spot at La Balandra where you can also catch the most beautiful sunset on the island. Be sure to ask about the catch of the day and let your dinner choice complement that perfectly. For lunch, start with a crackling glass of white wine and a club sandwich that is truly damn good. And as soon as evening falls? Naturally, a cocktail is the perfect accompaniment. If you want to take a truly romantic approach, you can also opt for dinner on the beach. Light the torches, put your feet in the sand, and listen to the sea in the background.

We would almost forget that not only the resort, but Bonaire itself plays the leading role here. An island that feels as if it has never lost its tranquility. Friendly, manageable, and with an underwater world considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Thanks to the constant trade winds, it is pleasant here all year round, and it is precisely these winds that make the island popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. But it is equally a place to simply do nothing but read, eat, swim, and repeat.

And perhaps that is precisely the strength of Harbour Village Beach Club: it doesn't take you out of the island, but places you right in the middle of it.

Harbor Village Beach Club