Driftwood Motel, Cedar Island

I have stayed at the Driftwood many times while hunting ducks in Cedar Island. In fact, I was there two weeks ago and will be returning for two nights next week. As a previous reviewer stated, it does not compare to the mega hotels on the strip in Vegas...... and I think anyone who expects that in a place as desolate and sparsely populated as Cedar Island is a fool!! I am always amazed at whiners on this planet. If you don't like a hotel or motel when you walk into the room, return the key and leave. No harm no foul. There are many chain hotels in Morehead City (about 40 minutes drive). Never stay with people or in a place that makes you unhappy.... The Driftwood fits the bill for all the fishermen and hunters who enjoy this coastal treasure. The folks there are extremely nice and will go out of their way to take care of you. The food in the restaurant is one of the highlights of my year! Be sure to check out their She Crab Soup... there is none better.... I travel all over the world and stay in some really nice five star hotels. I also sleep in tents on top of mountains in the middle of know where with no facilities. The driftwood is in the middle. It is well worn, and a throwback to days gone by. It takes the punishment of a cruel Atlantic Ocean year after year. If you are not flexible in your standards, stay away from the driftwood and most of the accommodations that in out of the way places........ The rest of us who enjoy them will appreciate your not being there!!!

Well for starters you people need to get off your high horses. You're probably a bunch of damn Yankees anyway. I think the Driftwood serves it purpose well and the people have always gone out of their way to make you feel welcome. The motel is in the heart of fishing country and my buddies and myself love to stay there. We are usually gone before sunrise to hit the water in our boats but we always make sure we are back before it gets too late. Mainly because the resturant there has excellent food and it has always been consistant everytime we have been. The motel might be far from new but as a beach property owner on Oak Island I would like to see anybody try and keep things nice and new from all the harsh elements. So if what you require is butt kissing and a chocolate on your pillow at night....well you just need to stay at home with mommy or vacation at the Hamptons with the rest of the people who have their heads up their ass!! Driftwood, you are 5 star to me!!

I must admit it's been about 3 1/2 years but my experience in August 2005 was not bad. After a long ferry ride from Ocracoke I stopped here for a quick nights rest. The Las Vegas Hilton it is not but a clean room with a shower............ Again, I've not been there since Auguust 2005 so things could have changed but I would stop again. I should have mentioned that for travelers heading toward Moorehead City, the trip from Cedar Island is quite long. I found their restaurant to be a welcomed bonus.

I'm not sure if the other reviewers had a particularly bad experience, or if the motel has since really cleaned up its act, but I can't say enough good things about the Driftwood Motel. Sure, it wasn't a luxury accommodation, but the room was very clean, the heat and a/c worked, the bathroom was clean (corrosion happens to the nicest fixtures in the salt air) and the amenities were more than I expected. We arrived in the off-season for a very reasonable $45 a night, to enjoy some quiet time, relaxing and hiking on the beach. Our innkeeper arrived quickly to check us in (check in anytime, there are instructions on the door and a phone with which to call the innkeeper). We received a great basket with juice, bagels, cream cheese, coffee packets for the in-room coffee machine, mini muffins and all the necessary condiments and utensils. There was even a microwave in the room. Because we were planning on spending a lot of time outdoors, we brought our own food - this is particularly helpful in the off-season, the motel restaurant is closed and there aren't too many options within 30 minutes. All in all, I'd recommend the Driftwood Motel for anyone looking for simple lodging in a quiet, beautiful piece of our coastline.

We decided to stay here after arriving on the ferry from Ocracoke Island. What a disappointment! The bathroom fixtures were green from corrosion, large dead flies were found in the Bathtub, the bathtub was stained, the carpet was musty and worn, the mini-blinds did not cover the window. We hung our beach towels over the windows! All this for $73.00. We should have drove 30minutes and stayed in Morehead City. The Ferry is the only thing that keeps this Motel open. Do yourself a favor, sleep in the car. It's much healthier!