Just back from first stay at VB

[Margie J]

I was looking for a relaxing vacation and this was it! The weather was a bit overcast most of the week but the warmth sure beat the 40-50 degree temps up North.

I had a studio in Villa 12, very much like OKW so it felt like "home". The first night I wondered what the noise was outside and it was the crashing waves of the ocean. It is much more soothing than the sound of highway traffic I have where I live.

Having the beach so close is great. Not having to pack the car up and drive each time (like at HH) was convenient. Although I could easily head back to the Villa for lunch I did have a meal out on the beach one afternoon.

The activities were just right .... no theme parks or craziness here. I spent one day at the beach and then took a cruise on the Sebastian River, visited McKee Gardens, the Manatee Center in Ft. Pierce, Hale Groves and kayaked the Indian River area. During the kayaking trip we saw many dolphins up close. One night I took in a baseball game. The Vero Beach Dodgers beat the Tampa Yankees by a score of 6 to 0!

I had some wonderful meals also. Two nice buffets are held at Sonya's. Captain Hiram's was a relaxing treat, great Crab Cakes too. The last night I had a special meal at the Ocean Grill with a beautiful view of the sea. Everything there was excellent (blue crab soup, fried oysters, salad with dill dressing and pecan pie).

VB will be on my list of Resorts to visit again.

 

[floridafam]

Glad to hear you had a great trip.

Did you have the seafood buffet at Sonya's? Yum!

Any other details you would like to share about your room? Was it in good condition.

We added on 4 nights at VB to our trip in October. Can't wait.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mitcam]

Thanks for the info. We are just in the middle of our DVC purchase and it amazes me how many people are from the Boston area.

I am curious to know a little bit more about Hilton Head. We are considering 5-6 nights this summer and I thought it had a beach however by your post it implies it is a drive away?

How far of a drive and is it worth the drive?

We will have a car as we are planning to drive down but don't want to always have to get in the car!

Thanks,
Carolyn

 

[dznyacct]

Can you please tell me how much the kayaking was? Thanks!

 

[Margie J]

Did you have the seafood buffet at Sonya's? Yum!

Any other details you would like to share about your room? Was it in good condition.

Yes, I tried both the seafood buffet and the Sunday brunch. The seafood buffet was right after my kayak trip so I was hungry and tried almost everything there.

The room I had was 1217. It is located on the first floor and behind mangrove trees. The location was nice since it was close to the main inn and near the laundry room. The only problem I had was with the toilet, which overflowed the morning I left. Rooms 1227 and 1237 would have a great ocean view.

I am curious to know a little bit more about Hilton Head. We are considering 5-6 nights this summer and I thought it had a beach however by your post it implies it is a drive away?

How far of a drive and is it worth the drive?

I LOVED HH and wanted to go there on this trip but the Resort was booked solid. The Resort is small and relaxing, located right on a marsh area. I had a studio room there two years ago. They had nice activities such as a dolphin watch boat trip, kayaking, campfire sing along and shrimp boil (all you could eat shrimp, corn, salads, hot dogs, etc. plus beer). You could rent bikes and that is a wonderful way to get around the island. The island itself is terrific also and there are many sights to see, excellent tennis and golf and nice places to eat.

DVC has a beach house across the road, past the Palmetto Dunes Tennis and Golf Center. Everyone gets a car pass to enter the Palmetto Resort area. The beach house has parking, a pool, game room, snack area and beach access. You can get there by car, bike or walking (maybe 3/4 mile). I drove over since it was easier than lugging all my beach gear that far. Plus, the road you cross is rather busy. The beach is beautiful, clean and not overly crowded since that area is for local Resort guests only.

At VB you literally stroll through the Resort right to the beach or pool area and many rooms have ocean views. If you are looking for a beach getaway, VB is tops.

Can you please tell me how much the kayaking was? Thanks!

The Kayak trip through DVC was $40 for Members and $45 for Guests. It was from 1 to 5pm. You could also rent kayaks from the Resort for $15(M)/$20(G) each 1/2 hour or book a trip through a local kayak tour agency.

 

[Luv2Dream]

Margie, Glad you had a nice trip. We'll have to try VB sometime. It's the only one left on our list! Thanks for the report.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by Margie J
VB will be on my list of Resorts to visit again.

Glad you enjoyed your stay at VB.

 

[PamOKW]

visited McKee Gardens

I've thought about doing this in the future. What was your opinion? How far is it from the resort?

 

[JimC]

Just got back from a week at VB ourselves. We must have been VB neighbors (room 1220). Agree that it is a great place to unwind. Although I would prefer next time to fly in/out of an airport other than Miami (only one I could get the frequent flyer reservations).

Too bad VB never caught on with the membership. I suspect the original plans contemplated a much larger resort. If you walk the property you can see where there might have been opportunity for expansion. I suspect that the investment under and across the street must also have been in anticipation of considerable expansion.

We had a dedicated two bedroom. Very comfortable. Our two daughters liked their private patio. I like the layout (very similar to OKW). The entire property is nicely laid out. They were 90% full and yet you never really felt crowded.

We relaxed at the pool and played miniature golf most of the time. Took one day trip to Epcot to see Flower and Garden Festival. Caught two and one-half shows of The Grass Roots with Rob Grill. It is an easy two hour drive each way.

Captain Hiram's was great. Prices much more reasonable than the resort for comparable quality food. However, the deserts at the resort are far better!

Great CMs, particularly Brenda and Harlan at front desk!! Very nice security guards at entrance. We saw a great deal of them (at least 4 times each day!)

We will certainly return!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Thanks, Margie, and Jim, for the reports. We only stayed there for 3 days, and really want to go back. The ocean was just beautiful, and the pool is terrific!

Glad you all had a good time.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanx for the report!
I am glad you enjoyed Vero Beach.....

 

[mbhoxsie]

Glad to see everyone is having such a great time at VB! I can't wait to go back "home" there is six months..

We relaxed at the pool and played miniature golf most of the time. Took one day trip to Epcot to see Flower and Garden Festival. Caught two and one-half shows of The Grass Roots with Rob Grill. It is an easy two hour drive each way.

We did the same thing last December.. For the most part of our trip we lounged by the pool, getting massages and the such... But took a one day trip to the MK to let my DS1 have a chance to see the characters. The drive wasn't too bad, and we had a great time... Though if we were going to spend more than day at a park, I'd probabily end up just splitting my vacation up with a few days at BWV or VWL...

Thanx for the trip report!

 

[DVC4US]

Thanks for the reports Margie & Jim. We just recently added 3 days at VB onto the end of our WDW trip. This will be the first time we have tried VB and we are looking forward to the relaxation after 10 days at WDW. It is great to have your reports because I have been trying to find information on VB so we would know what to expect. It sounds like we will have a great time. Only 4 more days till we head out for 2 days at Destin, FL, 10 days at WDW and 3 days at VB. I better get packing.
LeiLani

 

[madcoco]

Glad you enjoyed your stay. Thanks for sharing.

I've thought about doing this in the future. What was your opinion? How far is it from the resort?

McKee Botanical Garden
PamOKW I have never measured it, but a conservative estimate is 15 miles by the time you head over mainland side and head south on US1. Imho it is worth a trip if you like the natural side of FL and have the time. In the "old" VB days it was a very popular destination. It was closed for a number of years and most of the land was developed. However, they did save a portion of it and it is now thriving.
Other great spots for "nature" visits (besides the local VB Resort grounds) are the Archie Carr and Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuges.

Archie Carr

Pelican Island