I just returned from a relaxing and incredible stay at the Villas of Grand Cypress with my husband and 11-month old daughter, and we are already looking forward to going back again.

The Villas of Grand Cypress are located on the 1500 acre Grand Cypress Resort located just outside of Disney property. The location is very appealing, with restaurants including Olive Garden, Tony Roma's, Shoney's, Joe's Crab Shack, Orlando Ale House (just to name a FEW) within a few miles of the resort. The resort itself is tucked away amongst 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus designed golf, an equestrian center, lakes, and beautiful landscaping. The resort is also a gated community requiring photo ID for entry.

I booked my trip through Priceline, on the "Hyatt last minute getaway" rate, and paid $109/night for a Club Executive suite. However, upon arrival, the incredibly friendly and helpful check in clerk informed me that all the Club Executive suites were under renovation and that were were being upgraded to a two bedroom, two story townhome. I certainly didn't complain! I asked for a crib and the clerk stated she would send one over. The lobby is small, but beautiful and refreshments are available, including sodas and bottled water. After check-in was complete, a bell-hop of sorts led us to our Villa and unloaded our van. He unlocked the door, showed us in, and then showed us around this incredibly gorgeous and huge villa.

The first floor consists of one bedroom, a bath with walk in shower and separate roman tub, a kitchen including: ceramic top stove, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, pots, pans, dishes, a laundry room with stackable washer and dryer, a dining room with large table and 6 chairs, and a SUNKEN living room with fireplace and wet bar. There are two separate patios on the first floor, one in the front, and one at the rear overlooking the golf course accessible through beautiful French doors. The second floor consists of a bedroom and bath identical to those on the first floor, but with different colors and theming. There is a television in the living room and one in each bedroom. The living and dining rooms have recessed lighting. The Villas also ensure you have firewood appropriately prepared for lighting the fireplace.

I was astonished by the sheer size of the villa. It was larger than some homes! It was certainly more space than needed for myself, husband, and 11-month old daughter, but it was nice to have. Just after we arrived in our villa, a hotel worker arrived with a portable crib, which he assembled and then made up with actual crib sheets, blanket, and bumper. I was very impressed with this crib, as most other hotel "cribs" are little more than a cage with a small pad in the bottom. This crib was actually fitted with a full crib mattress. My baby slept like a baby!

Each bedroom has two double beds, which were amazingly comfortable, and both rooms have ceiling fans. I felt like I was at home! The villa was incredibly clean and very well maintained.

I had read some reviews that complained about how "dated" the rooms are. Well, this is actually true, but hardly something to harp about. Yes, the wallpaper was about 20 years old, but so are the rooms, and as evidenced by my upgrade, the entire resort is under renovation, and according to Villas information, the renovations will be complete before Christmas. Our check in clerk, Tina, advised that all the rooms are receiving a massive overhaul and should be completed soon. So to anyone who is for some reason offended by older (but very clean) blue wallpaper with antique patterns, wait and book your trip until December! Personally, I would rather stay in an immaculately clean and well maintained "dated" hotel than some brand new hotel that is already run down and dirty because management doesn't know how to maintain a property.

The amenities provided by this resort are unmatched anywhere! There is a $15/day resort fee, which hardly pays for the available guest activities. Consider this, while on property, guests have access to bicycles, sailboats, paddleboats, and canoes, hydro-bikes and aqua cycles at no additional charge. That's right, you get to do all that stuff for FREE. Like I said, the $15/day resort fee more than covers all those amenities. Go stay at a Disney property and try renting any of those things for your entire family for less than $15, I don't think so.

Oh, and did I mention? Ok, all you golfers, take a deep breath. The hotel also has a 9 hole golf course that is COMPLIMENTARY for resort guests. My husband was cursing himself because he didn't think to bring his clubs. Guests can use the driving range, putting green, and the 9 hole course with no additional charge.

Guests of the Villas have access to two pools, (one has two waterslides) and more incredibly, to the pool at the Grand Cypress Hotel which you must see to believe. A shuttle runs 24 hours a day to anywhere you need to go on property, you just have to press a button on your phone, and the shuttle will come get you.

I did not utilize any dining options while on property, but room service is available 24 hours a day, and there are two restaurants on property, The Black Swan and The Club, and guests again have access to anything at the Grand Cypress Hotel and there are a myriad of restaurants available there as well.

Babysitting service is available for $60/day at the child care center for those who may need it, and in room babysitting is also available if needed.

I could just go on and on about the fabulous features and service of this hotel, but I just don't know where to stop. Essentially, this is an ideal place to bring a family: it is clean, quiet, spacious, and provides a location close to shopping, restaurants, and Disney. And while the color schemes and some of the furnishings are a bit outdated, I can only imagine how much more beautiful this place will be once the renovations are complete. We are already planning for a trip in December, and we can't wait to go back. We have stayed at many high-end hotels including the Peabody in Orlando, and the Villas of Grand Cypress is where we will vacation from now on.

Recommended: Yes