Legacy Hotel at IMG Academy — Hotel in South Bradenton

Oh my! Did not expect such great service and staff that really cares about its guests! 3 amazing things happened during our stay. My son can't live without his Woody doll (Toy Story). JJ, who carts guests around, heard my son talk about how much he loved Woody and he could not find him. JJ waited patiently while my son and husband went back to the room to find Woody and no luck. When we returned to the hotel later in the afternoon, JJ said to my son "You Have A Friend In ME" . Ethan squealed when JJ told him he found Woody in the Cafe and left it at the front desk for him. Ethan was so over joyed and grateful as his parents. Without Woody, I would have probably driven to Disney to purchase another one since this particular Woody can only be purchased at Disney World. My son has to have Woody everywhere he goes! He even sneaks it to school in his backpack. Thanks so much JJ! Valet person, Tyler unloaded my vehicle and discovered I purchased items that needed to be heated. He brought my items to the room and took the food downstairs and personally heated our food. It was raining and I decided to park my car in the parking lot. Valet person, Bill walked to parking lot with an umbrella and escorted me to the covered valet area so I would not get wet. The staff personal are very professional, courteous, helpful, and just 5 star. The rooms are nice and comfortable. Loved the color scheme, decor, the large hot shower, the custom by Scent Air, the pillows are heavenly, and you will have more than enough bath linen! Only thing, I wish the hotel had executive suites so I could do work. But, I really needed to rest and just enjoy my family and that I did. One more thing...if you play golf. The golf club service at IMG golf...

Not the greatest experience. I went in to check rates for the 17th-22nd for a place to lay for my wife and I honeymoon. The two receptionist did not greet me at all to begin and they both were looking very busy as if I was not standing in front of them. Shortly after the awkwardness the lady receptionist gave me the information I needed. I then asked her could I use the restroom. The lady at the looked to the her male co-worker as if it was for his approval and she said sure it's towards the back and I headed off. WHILE USING THE RESTROOM a janitor walks in and begins to "small talk" with me. I wash my hands and leave the restroom. He mentions while were talking that the front desk told him that a guest in the restroom that they didn't recognize. Being the only African-American male everyone is watching me being "escorted" out of the hotel. I then went to the front counter to confront the desk associates that advised the janitor. I asked the male associate does he recognize me, he said yes. I then asked "so why would you send some one to the restroom to watch me if you said you recognized me?" The janitor told me that you guys said that you had a guest back there that you did not recognize. They were supposed to escort me to the bathroom. I then asked "why did you or anyone escort me going to the bathroom then. Why am I barraged with questions like "what are you here for?" "Are you here for the combine?" WHILE IM USING THE RESTROOM. I'm from Chicago, a really diverse city I've never truly experience discrimination until now. The male associate told me simply, that what they did was protocol. Marvelous facility though. I should’ve recorded this on my phone...

The hotel looks new and is relatively clean. If you have someone at IMG Academy this is the most convenient place to stay by far. The beds are very comfortable and the AC isn't too loud. The pool is nice and it seems like everyone is friendly around here.

My particular stay was not good though. I checked in late and went straight to bed. I got up to get a shower and found out there were no towels... The room was stocked with 6 hand towels only (it turns out that 4 hand towels is about the same as 1 normal towel). No rags, no floor towel, no real towels.

I planned to work in the room most of the day. Little did I know it was fire alarm test day. So the fire alarms were going off every few minutes. A call to the front desk (through the main number) said this would last for about 4 hours (9:30 to 1:30). There was no warning or notification about this when I booked or when I checked in.

Other minor quibbles: the shower had large metal grate leaning against the wall. Am I expected to assemble the shower? Maybe that's where the spider (also in the shower) came from. The front desk should have mentioned there was a wifi code stuck in my room key card holder (most travelers know it is usually written in there). There is no button on the room phone to the front desk, so when I had to call them I had to find the main hotel phone number and call from my mobile phone.

In summary, this is like a modern looking Courtyard Marriott. The property itself is nice (3 star) but the management of the property leaves a bit...