Best Hotels and Resorts in Vero Beach Florida

by Spencer Bailey

A closer look at the most luxurious stays on Florida's East Coast

Are you thinking about staying in Vero beach and you need a good hotel or resort to stay at? Well you're in luck because in today's blog I'm going to be going over plenty of options that you have when visiting Vero Beach. I'm going to be going over some iconic resorts that Vero beach has to offer as well as some more affordable options to fit everyone's budget.

Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel

Now onward to our first hotel that we are going to go over and that's the Kimpton Vero Beach hotel and spa,

Rated the 2023 best hotel in Vero beach by us news and world report, the kimpton Vero Beach hotel and spa is an iconic hotel on Florida’s beach side. Located on Ocean Drive and close to all the local amenities, it's in an ideal location to experience all that Vero beach has to offer.

Kimpton has an abundance of accommodations and room styes that range from a 1 bed 1 bath that’s 386 square feet, all the way up to a three-bedroom grand oceanfront suite that can host up to eight people and has 2016 square feet. Some of the oceanfront sweets include a kitchen, So if you're looking to do some cooking on vacation you have that option.

Kimpton also has handicap accessible rooms and is a pet friendly hotel so if you're looking to travel with a pet friend of yours Kimpton can accommodate that.

As far as amenities go, Kimpton does not disappoint. they offer a 24/7 fitness center, free continental breakfasts, a heated oceanfront pool, rentable beach cabanas, and they even supply a yoga mat and Nespresso machine in every room. For the children to cruise around with, they provide micro kickboard scooters and guests also have access to the game room, which features video game consoles, Legos, and board games. Lastly, they provide 2 beach chairs with an umbrella, towels, and a table, along with valet parking.

Kimpton has some beach activities you can partake in as well such as kayaking, paddle boarding, or boogie boarding. After a long day of activities, you can relax at kimptons on-site spa called the white orchid, go to social hour which is daily from 5:00 to 6:00 at the on-site bar called Heaton’s, or have dinner at cobalt which is kimptons beachfront restaurant.

Prices

Pricing for kimpton as well as all the hotels I’m going to go over in this blog, really depends on when you go. Vero Beach has a heavy snowbird population that comes down in the colder months for the beautiful weather here, so you can expect to pay more during the fall and winter months.

as you can see in August the cheapest room can range from 2 to $300 a night however if you're trying to book in December, you're probably more likely to pay 7 to $800 per night

Overall, Kimpton is a great choice if you want a luxury experience right in the heart of Vero beach and you’re not worried about a budget. It’s quieter than some hotels I’m going to go over, making it perfect for someone looking for relaxation and luxury.

It's beach front, loaded with a ton of amenities, and in a great location Making it one of the top hotels to stay at in Vero beach.

DRIFTWOOD

Now let’s talk about a fun and historic hotel that Vero beach has to offer, and that is the Driftwood Resort!

Driftwood Inn and Restaurant, built in 1935 by Waldo Sexton, is a cherished piece of Vero Beach's history. Originally a private beach house known as the "Breezeway," it quickly transformed into a small resort hotel operated by Mrs. Waldo Sexton. To accommodate guests, a restaurant called Waldo's Restaurant was added in 1947.

Over the years, the Driftwood complex expanded with additional buildings, including an office, fishing shacks turned guest rooms, and apartment buildings. Waldo Sexton's legacy as an entrepreneur and colorful personality lives on through the charm of Driftwood Inn and Restaurant.

Much like Kimpton, The driftwood resort is located on the beach on ocean dr and right next to all the local amenities that Vero has to offer

This resort really embodies the history and charm of Vero beach, this is truly old Florida at its best and It is even listed on the national registry of historic places. Walking around you'll see all these different kinds of rooms made from driftwood as well as tons of Knick knacks and oddities that waldo has collected over the years.

As far as accommodations, there are around 100 rooms and about 10 room styles. Their rooms represent old Florida and are not modern by any means so don’t be surprised if they look a bit dated. It's also worth noting that they have timeshare options as well as short stay options available. So, they can accommodate you whether you need to stay for a day a week or maybe even a few months.

When I called the front desk to get some more information I was greeted by a very friendly and enthusiastic representative named Charlie and he was excited to tell me all about the rich history driftwood has. He assured me that this is one of the best bang for your buck when you want to experience the true old Florida.

For pricing, During the summer months you can rent A room for as low as $200 per night and during the winter months you can look to pay more around 300 per night.

Now unlike Kimpton, driftwood does not have a laundry list of amenities. It doesn't have free breakfasts however that could be viewed as a good thing as you’ll need to go and experience the great breakfast selections that Vero beach has to offer such as lemon tree or one of my favorites, riococo cafe

If you are looking for a more cultural experience and to really discover Vero beaches’ rich culture and history I don't think there's a better place to stay at than driftwood. Driftwood is a place to stay if you really value culture and history over luxury, it one of the best historical hotels to stay in in Vero Beach throughout the years.

Costa d'Este

right next to driftwood resort lies our next hotel that we are going to cover and that is Costa de este beach resort and spa.

“Considered a top ten celebrity owned hotel in the world, Gloria and Emilio Estefan's Costa d'Este is located ocean side in Vero Beach with 94 deluxe guest rooms including four suites.

Dine indoors or out with amazing views of the Atlantic at The Wave Kitchen and Bar. Enjoy local ingredients and featured Cuban specialties straight from the Estefan family kitchen cookbook. Cool off in the pool or relax and unwind at the pool bar, break a sweat in the extensive fitness center or loosen up in the luxury spa. Meeting facilities are available for banquets and special events. Property is ADA accessible at all entrances and public spaces, and ADA compliant guest rooms are available,”

Fun fact This is where my sister had her wedding. She got married on the beach out front of costa de este and the reception and party was held at costa de este. Everything went exceptionally well, and it was very beautiful venue to have a wedding, birthday, or any other special event at.

Costa De Este is located oceanfront so it does have some amenities such as snorkeling and paddle boarding available. You can even paddle board or snorkel to one of the famous sites that Vero Beach has to offer the SS Breconshire, a ship from England that sunk on its voyage from New York to England. This ship ran into the reef in 1894 and slowly began filling with water, eventually sinking right out front of Costa De este.

Some amenities that Costa De Este offers include valet parking, a fully equipped fitness center, beachfront lounge chairs, beach cruiser bicycles, and poolside concierge services. It's worth noting that they are pet friendly as well.

The resort offers a range of accommodations, including guest rooms, suites, and oceanfront villas. The rooms are well-appointed with modern amenities and feature a coastal-inspired design. As far as pricing goes at Costa De Este, during the summer months you can get a room for as low as $200 per night and in season youre looking at paying around $350-$400 per night.

Overall Costa De Este offers a luxurious stay in Vero beach With all the amenities to go with it. I've gone there a few times for drinks with my family and we are always treated well. I know my sister loved it for her wedding and I believe she stayed there for her last anniversary, so it definitely gets our family stamp of approval.

Costa de este gives an upbeat vibe in luxurious setting. They have music playing around the pool and overall it feels more lively than the other high end hotel we went over, the kimpton hotel beach and spa. With its upbeat vibe, beach access and long list of amenities costa de este is a very fun hotel to stay or have an event here at in Vero beach.

Caribbean court boutique hotel

Next on our list is very fun and unique and that is the Caribbean court boutique hotel. The Caribbean Court boutique hotel in Vero Beach Florida, is a charming, lush and colorful establishment with a unique atmosphere. This upscale hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites with a Caribbean flair, providing a comfortable and unique experience for guests.

Much like the last hotels we covered, its located-on ocean Dr and While it not directly located on the beach, the hotel is conveniently situated across the street, allowing guests easy access to the beautiful beaches.

Caribbean court is one of the smaller resorts and there's only 18 rooms, so you get a more personable and intimate experience here. So, if you're not a fan of some of the bigger crowds, this may be the hotel you should consider.

On site is its renowned restaurant, Maison Martinique, which serves French and Mediterranean cuisine with a tropical twist. And if you're looking to have a little fun at night the Havana Nights Piano Bar offers live music and a delightful selection of drinks. With a lush courtyard and a refreshing pool, guests can relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings after a fresh meal, possibly with a cocktail or two.

Some of the complementary amenities include bicycles, beach chair,s and umbrellas. this is also a pet friendly establishment as well.

Breakfast baskets are delivered to your door each morning. The breakfast basket contains croissants jams and butter fresh fruit hard boiled eggs water and coffee. If you're looking for more out of breakfast, they do have an onsite establishment called the creperie that you can get a full breakfast and lunch at.

As for pricing, during the summer months you can snag a room for as low as $175 per night and for the winter months it's closer to $300 per night.

This is one of my favorite hotels in Vero Beach because of its uniqueness and price point. For that little bit extra than a normal hotel, you get the unique, lush, and colorful Caribbean flare while also being steps away from the beach, so this is also a top pick when visiting Vero beach.

Disney Resort

The last hotel I want to talk in depth about before I give you some rapid fire options, is the Disney hotel and resort here in Vero Beach.

This hotel offers a completely different experience than the previous hotels we've covered because of its location. The Disney resort in Vero Beach is located off floridas highway A1A in wabasso beach. This is a good 15 minute drive north from the other hotels that we have been covering. The Disney resort is in a non-populated area on the island giving you a very private and secluded feeling when you're staying there. This resort really is for the people who want to disconnect, get away from the hustle and bustle, and just relax on a sandy beach with the top notch service that Disney offers.

Much like driftwood this resort offers timeshare as well as short term stays, so a lot of the guests staying here are going to be apart of Disneys Vacation Club aka their timeshare club. When I went there to film I was surprised with how many people were there considering it is the middle of July, So this is a very popular Disney resort.

As for amenities there are so many and I will most likely miss a few, but Disney really rolls out the red carpet as far as there activities and amenities go.

For the kids of course Disney goes above and beyond to make sure they're accommodated for they have tons of events and activities that they can partake in including a decent sized water slide in the main pool, a game room, and mini golf for them as well. Beachside they have a bunch of activities such as volleyball, archery, tennis and basketball that you can participate in as awell. Another really cool thing Disney does is every other day they host campfires on the beach that you and your loved ones can come, sit by the campfire and roast marshmallows with their complimentary smores kit.

This Disney resort has an on site spa, as well as a fitness room. They also have an on site restaurant, bar, and quick market, so you don't have to go far for a nice cold beverage or a bite to eat.

Speaking of beverages if you enjoy having a nice cocktail they do offer mixology classes for $50 a person. I recently did a mixology class on my vacation in Mexico and it was really fun and we made a lot of neat drinks so I definitely recommend it.

Now if you're familiar with Disney resorts you know that they offer a very premium experience but often at a very premium price point. After talking with the cast member she told me that normally it's hard to find a room because almost all of the guests there are part of the vacation club and available rooms will first go to them. She said if you're persistent you can find rooms that become available and if you do you're going to look to pay as low as 250-300 per night during the spring and summer months and that shoots up to around 450 per night during the fall and winter months.

I did watch a few videos where they said there's not a a lot of character interactions and Disney's decorations we're toned down, So you get a different feeling compared to other Disney resorts.

This is obviously the go to place to go if you are a big Disney fan like my wife is, and it also makes for a great family friendly environment as well. They have tons of activities for the kids to keep them occupied, so if you can get A room, this is a great option for families or Disney enthusiasts.

Now if you want to visit Vero Beach and you want a regular hotel that's a bit cheaper don't worry because there's also hotels that can accommodate that.

There's hotels such as the Hampton inn, Best Western, and comfort suites where you can regularly get a room for around $100 a night. While having a nice fancy hotel to stay at is nice, it is not needed to discover and truly experience what Vero beach has to offer. Personally I hate staying at the hotel and I would much rather be out and about enjoying the town and exploring.

So to recap we have the kimpton hotel which I would recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing luxury experience right on the beach with a lot of amenities. We have the driftwood resort which is a great historical and funky hotel that truly represents old Florida and I would recommend people who values the history and culture of florida. Costa de este is a great hotel to stay at if you're looking for a luxury experience right on the beach with an upbeat latin vibe. Caribbean court is perfect for a romantic get away or someone who is looking for a smaller hotel that likes the cheaper price point but still wants to experience the unique and colorful style that Caribbean court has. And lastly the Disney resort which is perfect for families looking for activities and amenities for their kids and for Disney enthusiasts as well.

So those are the hotels and resorts that I would most recommend as a local here in Vero beach. Once you stay here you're gonna want to eventually move here, so please feel free to reach out to me

Im a realtor and, I would love to find you that perfect home here on florida's Treasure Coast. For now my friends that is all I have for you. I hope this blog was valuable to you, and I will see you on the next one, take care.

Spencer.Bailey507@gmail.com
507-951-2934