While we don't have a Bunkhouse, we do have an island in ours. We like having it, but sometimes I wish I could just press it down into the floor and make it disappear when not in use. We don't have kids, but we have 3 dogs. I went with the model we have because it offered a lot of floor space for the dogs with the opposing slides. The thing I really love about our layout is that when the slides are closed, you can still access the pantry, fridge, bathroom and bedroom. The only issue is that both slides close up against the island, so the main part of the trailer is useless with both slides in. Typically though, if I need to get back there I'll just open one slide partially or all the way and I can get to what I need. We mainly store all our utensils and random small stuff in the island drawers, trash in the island cabinet and lots of stuff related to the kitchen and cleaning under the sink. We would have almost zero counter space if it weren't for having an island.
The only problem (at least for us) that I saw with the Bunkhouse models with an island is that the TV placement is usually very awkward compared to the angle of the dinette and other seats in the trailer. We don't always need a TV, but on a rainy day I like to be comfortable and not be wrenching my neck trying to relax and watch tv.
