We own at Disney Vero Beach (among other DVCs), and have been to the Driftwood a few times for lunch & drinks. I have never been inside a unit. I believe someone here does own there, perhaps BruceCZ (or something like that).
The resort appears very rustic, and I believe it's built from true driftwood.
The area is great for R&R, but almost ZERO nightlife. The town rolls up the sidewalks at 5 o'clock. There is a couple nice restaurants in the area, and one bar that I know of.
The beach is not wide, especially at high tide. The water can also be quite rough.
Kennedy Space Center would make a good day trip. There's also the McLarty Museum about 15 minutes up the road. It's a very interesting story about the 1715 Plate Fleet. You will see several people treasure hunting on the beach.
You are correct we used to own 4 winter and summer units. 3 were ocean front units and 2 were in buildings that have been listed on the National Historical Register and the 2 overs were Ocean front units in the front south corner. The other unit had a nice ocean and pool view.
You can image while you are at the Driftwood having Bogart coming through the resorts doors back in the 1940's because of the decor in the older buildings.
These units are not plush cookie cutter type units. The resorts stlye is a bit quirky and a bit funky. The indoor and outdoor restrurant overlooking the ocean has IMHO good food at moderate prices.
We sold all 4 about 2 years ago because the LA Baseball Dodgers were not be doing their spring traning in Vero Beach in the near future. That was going to impact the rentals we did. So we have no vested interest or agenda in regards to the Driftwood.
There is a mix of differant unit types of units at the resort. The units we owned had stained glass and other non typical art, etc. Go to the resorts website and you may understand why we fell in love with unit 230D and paid $5,000 for it and resold it for the same amount. We made a few dollars off of the 3 other units and now own 6 units in the Keys.
But even after we sold our units we have spent 3 winter weeks at the Driftwood in the the past two years on exchanges. We can trade into Disney at Vero Beach but perfer the Driftwood.
This is not a Knock on the Very nice units at the Disney but we love the sound of the waves at the Dirftwood and know witch units are about 30 or so from the water at the Driftwood. Almost all of the Disney units are lot farther walk to the water down some hills.
When exchanging for Ocean front units at the Driftwood look for a Firday check in for a one bedroom that sleeps 4 or 6. You can get the unit numbers form the Driftwoods website before contacting RCI. I have used both RCI Points and weeks to trade into the Driftwood.
We live on a Wisconsin lake and love the water so our resort in Puerto Vallarta multiable units are all ocean front as we love the sould of the ocean waves.
So we really like the Dritfwood and will return again but realize that this type of resort is not for everyone. We will be sending our dauther and son-inlaw down there in winter in 2009. We sent they in late Jan 2007 to the Royals in 2007 and to our Ocean Front Gold Crown Lindo Mar for week 8 in 2008. I think they will enjoy the Driftwood as much as the other 2 resorts.
The front office is great to deal with as a owner or a exchanger.
Review the Driftwood website if you are thinking about exchanging into it or buying. If thinking about buying I strongly suggest that you either rent or exchange into the resort first.
With the Dodgers leaving it will be IMHO very hard to get double the maintenance fees as a rental price.
But we bought the 230D uniti after seeing it on the resorts website and after reading the Tug reveiws. You will IMHO either fall in love with it or not like it because it is very differant.
We would not bought the units that were not at least Ocean view (1) and Ocean front(30). But if you want a "Howard Johnson type resort this is not it. But their is a Howard Johnson with in a blocks walk of the Driftwood.
I would not buy a studieo unit at this resort for several reasons. One reason is very few have ocean views and they are harder to rent out.
The beach is about a good 100 or more so yards wide and boders a public beach that does have lifeguards. The water can be wavey but I enjoy going into those 1 to 3 foot waves but am carefull in regards to any fairly strong undertow.
Feel free to call me with any questions between 8 AM to 8 PM CST if you feel I can be of any help.
Bruce
I loved all the information presented here on the "rustic" Driftwood Inn--I thank everyone for their input into this discussion. I look forward to visiting there next Christmas.