It is difficult to give a fully positive or fully negative answer on Beachwoods because it has been in transition for almost 3 years now (although it is getting closer to being a finished product). For one to understand why reviews of Beachwoods are all over the map, one really has to understand the history of this place. Originally this was Barrier Island Station - Kitty Hawk that had become rundown with a high delinquency rate, then it was purchased by Gold Key who started a multi-million dollar renovation, then Gold Key was purchased by DRI who took over the renovation mid-process and is now responsible for completing it. I also think visitor satisfaction will depend on what time you want to travel there (spring, summer, fall, etc) and what your family likes to do.
I'll give you my Pros and Cons. Other owners may agree or disagree.
We briefly owned a 4BR unit at Beachwoods. Loved the unit layout and the space. The 4th bedroom upstairs was great for kids. If going in the summer, the outdoor pool is easily one of the larger and better ones in OBX. The indoor water park is a great feature for kids, although depending on how old your teens are they may not find it as fun as a 9 year old. The resort is pretty expansive with a beautiful pond (stocked with fish for catch n release), lodge, outdoor seating areas, walking trails, etc. Volleyball and basketball courts on site as well. Shopping and dining locations are close and convenient to Beachwoods.
It is not beachfront, although you can take a semi-private road out to separate parking for Beachwoods guests and walk across the road to the beach. It isn't a great beach (or wasn't when we were there last), but we also arrived shortly after a major storm that caused a lot of beach erosion. I think most of the beachfront in OBX is so heavily impacted by storms and erosion it can frequently feel cramped and smaller depending on when one visits OBX...contrasted for example to Atlantic Beach farther south where the beachfront feels huge compared to the beachfront in OBX.
In general I think Beachwoods has the potential to be a Marriott level quality resort in OBX, and the largest and most unique OBX resort of all, although how good it can be will largely depend on whether DRI can deliver on the full potential. On the positive side, DRI said they will finally be addressing the almost non-functioning WiFi infrastructure at Beachwoods in 2017 as one of their major initiatives. DRI also said they were finally going to get the large, newly constructed outdoor grille area up and running after being 12-18 months behind schedule based on Gold Key's original timeline.
I personally don't have a problem in principle with DRI charging a daily amenity fee to non-owners. The problem I have with their fee is that it seems DRI is trying to have it both ways. They want to charge the fee, but can't provide WiFi (at least so far until they complete the WiFi upgrade) and didn't have the resort fully staffed or operational, so early visitors in 2016 paying the fee would find that the indoor water park, gym, etc was not open long enough. Also, DRI still doesn't provide visitors with daily housekeeping for that fee (like Marriott does) but at least the units at Beachwoods...especially the 4BR units have a Washer/Dryer inside the unit so it isn't as big a deal (as long as you don't mind washing your own towels or bedding).
In general I think Beachwoods will still be finalizing it's 3 year transition in 2017, with planned projects and upgrades still be worked on. It's still very nice right now, but it has the potential to be exceptional. If you have to be able to see the ocean or walk a short distance to the beach from the door of your unit, this may not be the place for you. Although, I am not a big fan of most of the other OBX timeshares because many are a little too "rustic" for our tastes. If we want to be on or near the beach in OBX we rent a house. If we wanted to stay at a resort we would choose Beachwoods.
*** The terrible WiFi pre-dates DRI's ownership. DRI inherited that problem from Gold Key. I still don't understand how or why Gold Key implemented a multi-million dollar renovation at Beachwoods that excluded upgrading and addressing WiFi. But a common flaw in the Gold Key management of their properties seemed to be that they did not prioritize WiFi infrastructure at any of their properties. The former Gold Key properties in Virginia Beach have some of the worst WiFi signals anywhere on the VB boardwalk. Fortunately DRI appears to be addressing the problem in VB as well at some of those properties.
