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| The older section is to the right. The three-story building on the left is also part of the inn. This picture was taken in 2010. Sadly, they are replacing the wooden railing on the left-hand building with something that is more weatherproof. |
In my last post, I wrote about the sea turtles who nest in Vero Beach, Florida. Today, I thought I'd talk about where we usually nest when we are there. The Driftwood Inn is our favorite spot to stay on Vero's Orchid Island. Right on the beach, the original section of the Driftwood was built by an eccentric businessman named Waldo Sexton in the 1930s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a wonderful, quirky spot with bells, ironwork, salvage, and other odds and ends everywhere you look. We first stayed at the Driftwood in 1995, so it feels a little like home to us.
Our favorite "room" is the Gatehouse, a free-standing structure with a private deck perched above the roof.
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| The Gatehouse |
We have also stayed in some of the Cottages, which Driftwood lore says were fishing shacks that Sexton moved to the property initially for use as retail shops, later converted to guest rooms.
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| The Cottages, which run along the north edge of the property, seen from the deck of the Gatehouse. |
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| Looking into Waldo's early in the morning. |
The inn also boasts a very popular restaurant, Waldo's, named for founder Waldo Sexton. On Friday and Saturday nights, it is almost impossible to find a parking place in front of the original building because both tourists and locals pack Waldo's -- inside, on the porch, and on the deck overlooking the ocean. I have so many great memories of delicious meals at Waldo's. My husband has long been a fan of their Cajun fish sandwiches while I alternate between chicken quesadillas and a fabulous hamburger with potato wedge fries. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!
Like any place on the beach, the Driftwood is not inexpensive, but the location and the charm keep us coming back.
Do you have a favorite hotel that calls you back time after time?
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| Waldo's back entrance with guest rooms above. |
