(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Religion is a major component of life at Nazareth House; people of all faiths are accepted. On the day of our visit, the daughter of one employee celebrated her quinceañera, a party to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. Fresh flowers were strewn throughout the very beautiful chapel. It's also very large—it can accommodate up to two hundred people! A twelve-piece mariachi band, dressed in traditional attire, played in the foyer as the young woman exited a limousine. We were told ceremonies like this are often hosted for staff members and their families.

Five lush acres, crisscrossed by walking paths, compose the gated campus. Mature trees and well-maintained plantings, some over fifty years old, line the front lawn. The landscaping along the grounds is gorgeous, with waist-level bushes pruned to perfection. A major freeway borders the residential neighborhood; noise is buffered by the facility's hilltop locale. Eleven retired priests live in a separate building on-site. There's also a convent and a skilled nursing facility. The assisted living building looks like a country club. Carpets cover some of the terrazzo floors. Carved wood furniture is tasteful and functional, and adorned with soft cushions. Silk flowers, artwork and religious icons accent the décor. Attached to the main kitchen, one of the two dining rooms has a spacious appearance, thanks to its high ceilings. Linen tablecloths are covered by glass. Residents enjoy the fine silverware and china. Meal options are always available, including vegetarian selections and fresh veggies from the salad bar.

Comfortable resident rooms overlook manicured lawns, walking paths and roses. We saw one room that had two entire walls of books! Personal touches like this help residents feel at home. Several activity rooms host trivia, movies, painting and exercising. Bingo is so popular it is played every day. Entertainers visit regularly and Mass is a daily occurrence. Alcoves in the halls have desks for reading and writing. A computer in one of these areas has access to the Internet.