Canadian World Traveller

65
Delfins is Delightful
Bonaire’s New Barefoot Luxury Escape
by Sue Campbell
The little Dutch Caribbean island of
Bonaire has long been known as a
diver’s paradise, so historically, most
resorts were built to be no-nonsense, casual
diver-focused stays. But now there’s a more
elevated choice. The new Delfins Beach Resort
has managed to capture all the best things
that Bonaire has to offer and wrapped it up in
a delightful upscale package for those seeking
a side of luxury along with their underwater
enjoyment. And though they do have a
top-notch dive shop and operator on site, you
need not be an underwater enthusiast to thoroughly
enjoy this property. There’s plenty of
topside pleasures as well.
Sprawling along some of the most stunning
aqua waters you’ll ever see, seriously- the
bright turquoise out front looks like Mother
Nature has been playing with photo filtersthis
resort offers something for everyone.
From chic, compact studios and sleek oneand-two-bedroom
apartments style rooms
replete with kitchenettes, to stunning luxury
villas that can sleep 6 or 8 people, they cater
to all kinds of travellers. Romantics, families,
solo guests, even corporate groups will all
find ideal accommodations there. And of
course, divers will too, as there is fabulous
shore diving right off their beach! No boat
required. They have also partnered with the
islands’ premier kite-surfing school for those
wishing to learn that exhilarating sport right
on site.
For those who like to luxuriate in a pool environment,
their wonderful water circuit snakes
around deluxe cabana beds and a pool bar,
and there is also a stand-alone children’s
pool. For sun worshippers, the brilliant white
sandy strip out front provides plenty of hammocks,
day beds, and lounges, and there’s
also great snorkeling right off their pier. And
you might spot some wild dolphins passing by
as they often do at this location; in fact, that
was the inspiration behind the resort’s name.
(“Delfins” is Dutch for Dolphins.)
For light bites, there’s a funky food truck, and
a casual surfside bar/restaurant emporium
that has some surprisingly trendy items like a
flight of ceviche along with standard lunch
fare like burgers. But the piece de resistance
for dining there is their signature seaside
enclave called The Brass Boer.
Foodies in the know have been descending
upon this spot as it’s owned by Michelin Star
winning Dutch Chef Jonnie Boer and his wife
Thérèse- long time fans and frequent visitors
to Bonaire. They are the co-owners of De
Librij- touted as the very best restaurant in the
Netherlands. This culinary powerhouse duo
brought inspirations from their home restaurant
and incorporated authentic local island
flavors to offer up an incredibly unique gourmet
experience. The menu is all about highly
creative shareables, and the excellent wine list
was personally curated by Thérèse herself.
But one of the best things about this entire
resort complex is that no matter how upscale
the offerings, the vibe is never overly formal.
Delfins embraces the true spirit of Bonaire
which has always been known as a lovely
laid-back island that extends a warm and
sunny welcome to all.
www.delfinsbeachresort.com
Canadian World Traveller Fall 2019