Isla Bastimentos, Bastimentos hotel rooms at the Independent

"This property is a gem! We stayed a week in December and had an all around lovely stay. The bungalows were clean and so relaxing. Everyone on the staff was friendly and went out of their way to accommodate the guests. We went out several times on excursions with Alejandro and had A experiences. Don't bother booking water excursions in town. You can just book thru the resort. In December it was still raining most days, which made the water at the resort murky. However, Alejandro took us to clear locations for amazing snorkeling! We will definitely return. "

"The resort was amazing! Frendly and helpful staff! I recomend it!"

"This place is a dream. The room was amazing, the shuttle service around the property and the staff was perfect. The beach is gorgeous. We had a private pool that was cold and in the shade most of the time, so we spent more time in the beach club and the ocean. I would caution you that this resort is in the middle of nowhere. Bring cash for tips (no ATMs on the island), and definitely any medications you might need. I got a cold on the plane and there is no pharmacy anywhere nearby…the front desk managed to get me some lozenges about 10 hours after I asked, but no decongestant. There is a tiny store on the property but very little in it. The main town is $10 a person one way by water taxi, which makes getting decongestant very pricey. Also, there was only one restaurant open on the property. There are supposed to be four in the vicinity, but there were only two: the La Rosa beach club and Palmar (on the public beach). Fortunately both were very good, and we enjoyed eating the same excellent seared ahi night after night. When we left there was a discrepancy between the room charge and the hotels.com receipt, so they had to figure that out and it took some time, but they fixed it. The guy at the desk and all the staff really went above and beyond. "

"A Slice of Paradise – 5 Stars! Staying at this overwater villa was an absolute dream come true. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel like royalty. Their warmth, attentiveness, and genuine care were unparalleled—they truly went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. The villa itself was stunning, offering breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility that’s hard to put into words. Waking up to the sound of gentle waves and having the ocean right at our doorstep was pure magic. The attention to detail in the villa’s design and amenities made it feel like a luxurious haven. What truly set this experience apart, though, was the exceptional staff. Every request was met with enthusiasm and care. They surprised us with personalized touches that made us feel so special, from beautifully curated meals to thoughtful gestures that showed how much they cared about our comfort and happiness. If you’re looking for an unforgettable getaway, this is the place to be. A massive thank you to the team for their hospitality—you made our stay more memorable than we could have ever imagined. "

"This was a Fantastic experience!! We stayed in the private cabana over the water. Jordania was great! He took care of us the whole time we were there. The food was out of this world. The Chef was Cheppie and he made fantastic menus for each meal. My wife and I highly recommend this resort for a romantic getaway. "

"Incredible property. The reef was stunning and the staff thoughtful and kind. Everything was clean and comfortable and the food was delicious! "