The Legacy Golf Resort050

We have the sneaking suspicion that The Legacy Golf Resort's design team was made up of mothers, because the attention to detail in the resort's supremely family-friendly suites made us feel right at home.

Situated on 280 acres of lush tropical landscaping and the manicured greens of an 18-hole championship golf course, the resort exudes the casual, easy-living ambiance of the Southwest. This is no hoity-toity establishment, as evidenced by the number of playful kids on the property during a recent visit, but a welcoming retreat for families and golf enthusiasts, alike.

During our stay, we arrived (admittedly early) to find that our room was not yet ready - a potential disappointment that was immediately mitigated by the front desk staff's cheerful offer to store our luggage while we relaxed at the pool. Ahhh - let the vacation begin!

The pool area was sparkling clean and offered incredible views of the scenic South Mountain foothills. There are no towering slides or waterfalls to dazzle the youngsters, and diving is not allowed, but our 12-year-old didn't seem to mind. Two whirlpools are available, including one for adults only, as well as a children's wading pool and food and beverage service at the poolside cabana. A daily schedule of supervised kids' activities is offered here and throughout the property.

Further exploration of the grounds and facilities revealed loads of recreational options, including a complimentary health and fitness center, two lighted tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, shuffleboard, a children's playground, and a shaded picnic area complete with tables and barbecue grills, offered to resort guests on a first come, first served basis. An abundance of hiking and jogging trails are located nearby and offer stunning mountain views.

The golf course, designed by renowned architect Gary Panks, is said to be challenging but friendly. The area's history is evident along the fairways, where original grain silos and the Sierra Vista house still stand. The house, built in 1915 as part of the original ranch of Dwight B. Heard (Heard Museum, anyone?), is rumored to have been visited on occasion by Theodore Roosevelt and Pancho Villa.

Our one-bedroom condo was colorful, clean, and well worth the wait. The Legacy's Spanish Mission-style interiors feature imported Mexican tile, solid oak cabinets, and rich jewel tones. The condo's fully furnished living room included a double-size sofa sleeper for the kids and an entertainment center with a television, DVD/VCR player, and CD stereo center with dual cassette and receiver. Heating and air conditioning controls were easy to locate and operate.

The kitchen offered every convenience, including a full-size refrigerator (complete with ice maker), an island with a dual sink and two bar stools, a dishwasher, stovetop oven, microwave, coffee maker (with coffee), dishes, utensils, and a washer and dryer - the perfect solution for limited travel wardrobes and drippy bathing suits. The dining room does double-duty as a workstation and a place to enjoy a family meal, with seating for six. High-speed Internet service is available for about $10 a day (a computer is available in the lobby for those quick email checks).

The attractive bedroom boasted a king-size bed, entertainment armoire, ample storage space, and a comfy armchair. The closet included a full-length mirror, an iron and ironing board, and a safe for valuables.

The divided bathroom was a pure delight, sporting dual entry doors, separate vanities for the bedroom and guest areas, two hair dryers, a roomy shower stall, and a special treat for mom - a huge whirlpool tub! Everything was freshly scrubbed, well lighted, and fully stocked with towels and basic grooming essentials.

A private furnished balcony was the perfect spot to relax with our morning coffee and enjoy lovely views of the golf course and South Mountain.

Half of the resort's 328 guest suites are studio suites, which offer similar amenities on a smaller scale and are well suited to couples traveling with younger children. Suites and one-bedroom condos are paired side-by-side, which provides the perfect arrangement for larger families who require more space for sleeping and/or entertaining. The accommodations are situated in multiple groups of four buildings, with each quad surrounding a communal grassy courtyard. The set-up works really well for family reunions and other large group functions.

The Legacy is conveniently located near shopping and restaurants. On-site dining is also offered at the Trail's End Bar & Grill, which offers American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our evening dining experience was a mixed bag, though not for a lack of trying on the part of the restaurant's lone waitress during a late night dinner rush. The grilled rib eye steak was juicy and flavorful, and the braised short ribs were fork-tender. Dinner entree prices range from $14-$29; kids' menus are available. Our meal ended on a high note with spunky carrot cake and creamy cheesecake with berries and caramel sauce.

Families can reserve a suite by phone or through the website, which regularly offers special rates and package deals.