The Driftwood Resort

Loved the relaxed feel here, and the beachfront location puts you right by everything on Ocean Drive. The hotel is clean and comfortable, with easy parking, a lively restaurant, and live music. Waldo Sexton decor gives the property a fun, unusual look. It’s historic and casual, so don’t expect anything fancy. Groups can get noisy at night, so earplugs might come in handy. Best to take it easy, you’re on vacation.

I was really impressed by this beautiful historic resort. I work at a 5 star resort in Palm Beach County, and sometimes those ultra exclusive places feel like a waste of money. This stay was so relaxing, and my room had everything I needed. The spotless kitchen and fridge were especially handy since I like making my own food sometimes. I’m already planning another weekend getaway at the Driftwood soon. Thanks!

The room had some lovely details that fit its history as a 1935 building. Waldo chose lots of unusual artifacts, including the stained glass window in our bathroom, which he had bought for his wife. We were lucky to get an oceanfront room. We could take in the views all day and watch the moon rise over the ocean at night. Waldo's, right next to the hotel, has always been our go-to when we lived there.

Being directly on the beach was the best part of our week at Driftwood Resort. Waldo’s Beachside Restaurant sits right on the sand, which was convenient, and the food was decent. We also liked the character of the old inn, with its artifacts, pleasant grounds, and friendly staff across the front desk, maintenance, and security. There are two clean pools, one beside Waldo’s that feels a bit like a fishbowl, and a more private one. The beach is great for walks, and there are plenty of places to eat nearby: Lemon Tree for breakfast, Riverside Café for lunch or dinner, El Sid for Mexican food, Ocean Grill for our favorite dinner, Scampi Grill on the mainland for Italian, Killwins for ice cream, and Grind and Grape for coffee. The shower stayed hot with decent pressure, and dish soap and hand soap were provided. Our room was a small, single-bed unit in the middle multi-story building, and it felt worn and very much in need of updates. The carpet was dirty enough to turn our feet black. The sliding bedroom doors were hard to move and needed cleaning and lubrication. There was a small TV, a DVD player in a swiveling box, and a rusted outlet beneath it. The window-style air conditioner was loud, the sleeper sofa was old, and the bed sat on an uncovered box spring that looked cheap. Closet space was limited, with only three hangers when we arrived. The iron needed descaling and the ironing board was dirty, so we were glad to have a clothes steamer. We had to buy extra toilet paper and bring bottled water and paper towels. The pool chairs need replacing, and the front office often runs out of beach towels, so we’d suggest bringing your own or buying some at Walmart. Beach chairs and umbrellas aren’t provided, though you can rent them on the beach. There’s no fitness center and very little to do on site. Based on our stay, this didn’t feel like a luxury resort, even if other rooms may be nicer. We got a great weekly price through RCI, and my wife, who’s from Vero Beach, had long wanted to stay at the Driftwood. We knew from locals and former guests to expect a tired room, so that part wasn’t a shock. The resort’s charm and oceanfront location made the trip worthwhile, and we had fun at the beach. Still, we’re not sure we’d return unless we could get a better room. We’ve heard some units have jacuzzis and are in much better shape than ours.