The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Jan 15, 2025

Even though both of my stays at the Umstead Hotel have been short (wedding anniversary and birthday celebration), I truly appreciate how enthusiastic and pleasant everyone is on the hotel grounds, from the valet parking, to the concierge desk, the housekeeping staff, the Heron's Restaurant hosts and servers. Wish I could name everyone by name, but they are ALL appreciated. The ambiance throughout the hotel is INCREDIBLE. Rooms are impeccable. I highly appreciate the fact that smoking is not allowed. Have not experienced the spa yet, but next time I will. As a business owner, I can tell that the staff members as treated well and it shows in their everyday attitudes when they show up to work. Way to go Umstead. Keep doing what y'all doing.

Jan 15, 2025

Wonderful work event! The food was fantastic, the service was exceptional, and we had a phenomenal time. The parking was convenient and well lit with a wonderful set of walkways. We particularly enjoyed the fire pit.

Jan 05, 2025

Beautiful hotel highly recommend to stay here for everyone simple yet beautiful and gorgeous.

Jan 05, 2025

I just spent the weekend with my parents. There really are no words to describe this experience. I’ve stayed many places in many different hotels. This is hands down the best experience I have ever had. The hotel itself is the picture of elegance and beauty, down to every tiny detail. It is a sensory marvel. Every meal is the finest dining whether you’re in your room or in the restaurants. Last, but definitely not least, the staff is remarkable. What a kind, warm, and caring group. This is a level of guest service you won’t get anywhere else. They have truly elevated the experience of the guest to an unparalleled level. I cannot thank everyone enough. I had the time of my life. Thank you Umstead Hotel and Spa. 🙏🙂‍↕️

Jan 05, 2025

I've been here a few times. Lovely place. I didn't eat at the restaurant.

Jan 05, 2025

In what was supposed to be a romantic relaxing couples massage, I had to ask the provider at least 5 times to please press harder. It was annoying to my time and my husbands…as he had to keep listening to my repeated requests. Additionally, I left my favorite bathing suit there on the bench in the ladies locker room and even with repeated asks and an offer to come look for it myself to return the suit, they claimed it was not in their possession. The whole visit left a bad taste in my mouth.

Jan 05, 2025

I’ve never stayed here but we love the restaurant and the spa! I was gifted a spa day and it was fantastic! I got a excellent massage. I went early to use their relaxing facilities- sauna, whirlpool, cold showers, steam room and heated pool. There are relaxation areas complete with cold towels, cold cucumbers for tired eyes and a delightful cup of herbal tea. I have to add that there’s a cozy lounge upstairs with blankets and a fireplace and specially made snacks to enjoy while you wait for your massage. Excellent massage! I felt relaxed and refreshed. I highly recommend this place. I’d love to stay at the hotel someday! All of the staff were amazing and the space is clean and well kept. Treat yourself! Bring a friend!

Jan 05, 2025

Luxurious yet intimate, my wife and I greatly appreciated the hospitality and accommodations. Room service was excellent, the room was comfortable and quiet. The grounds were beautiful, and we were surprised how easy it was to park and walk to the lobby.

Jan 05, 2025

So we went for the Tea with Santa. To be fair, I have been there for dinner in Herons and it was good. But this wasn’t Herons. Santa was great but of course he would be. But the event was not worth the $100+ per person by a long long shot. It starts with the space. There wasn’t plenty of it but when we asked weeks ago about adding a person (granny) to the table they said there wasn’t room. There was plenty of space. We were on a four top, the table next to us had eight with and there was plenty of space. Are you telling me they didn’t have another large table in the whole space. Honestly I was happy not to waste more money on what we got. Firstly the tea wasn’t tea. There wasn’t a cup of tea in the room nor coffee. The food was a joke. Slightly different adult v kid menus, works. But not what was offered. Four snacks of food and four sweets. The little sandwiches were either stale or soggy. The spreads for the miniature scone were rubbish. I don’t know what the “Devonshire cream” was but it wasn’t Devonshire cream I’ve ever had in the UK. It was like salty whipped butter. Not once did anyone come and ask how everything was. And it took three mentions of stale sandwiches for anyone to say anything other than sorry. If you did take them up on wine or champagne when asked, of course that was an additional cost. Really? At 100+ per person (kid or adult) we got the snacks and a cup of hot chocolate. Wtf Santa. Get better elves. These suck

Jan 05, 2025

The absolute best spa and best massage we have ever had in our lives! What a wonderful place and experience with wonderful people. We didn't stay the night, we only used the spa and restaurant but, it was all superb! The burger was delicious and cooked to perfection and juicy. I cannot stress enough how perfect the massage was. Other places have you lay flat on your back when you flip over but they pushed a button to angle it AND put a warm wash cloth under my neck, it was extremely comfortable and the pressure was perfect. The fact you can spend the day there made it so special and I've never been so relaxed. Worth every single penny!

Jan 05, 2025

This regards the restaurant at the Umsted in Cary, NC. A friend and I had Saturday brunch there and it was certainly disappointing. The staff is very pleasant and helpful, however, our food was far from good. I had avocado toast, which was heavily laden with a not good cheese and not at all worth eating. My friend had a cheese omelet, which was cold when served and I believe, reheated and still not right. Very disappointing since it was my birthday brunch and not at all good.

Jan 05, 2025

Top notch across the board. The finest hotel experience in Cary. Possesses an enviable vibe and is very welcoming. Always enjoy our time here.

Jan 05, 2025

Very nice hotel & staff. Beautiful inside

Jan 05, 2025

We had a work party here. The venue was nice but it was difficult to find parking.

Jan 05, 2025

Went to "Tea with Santa". The positives - staff is super professional and friendly. Santa was FANTASTIC!! Santa was the 'real' deal... he played the part to the hilt! Was so gentle with diverse age range of participants - from 18 mth old to 7....he made sure each felt special and told the most wonderful stories about the North Pole. The kids were mesmerized. Photos were well orchestrated and 'tea' offerings were 'old school' Plaza Hotel NYC special. Room for improvement - the event was held in a small business conference room on the property. In fact, it was the very last conference room at the end of a very long corridor. There was absolutely no indication of the event - no signage... nothing to 'tease up' the kids anticipation. There was a snowfall projecting on a wall in the event room and a nicely decorated tree - but that was it. So much more could have done to make the venue look magical. The room could have been over the top decorated with very little effort. The lobby area just outside the meeting room could also have been 'dressed' for the event. Frankly, a Marriott hotel conference room is the best description for the venue. Not to Umstead standard, or the price per person paid. I truly hope Umstead steps up and puts a bit more effort into the venue. The time with Santa was absolutely magical... just too bad that Umstead let Santa down with the bleak/sterile appearance of the room. Will be back next year as the smiles from the kiddos were priceless. Hope Umstead makes a bit more investment for the kids. Totally 'get' Umstead's sparce elegance... but kiddos look for magic!

Jan 05, 2025

We went to the Umstead to stay overnight celebrating our anniversary. The staff at the Hotel and at Heron’s made everything special. Our room was terrific as was our meal. They made us feel special and treated every guest with dignity and courtesy. We highly recommend and worth the price. You will leave feeling wonderful!

Dec 05, 2024

A hidden gem. The Umstead exceeded all expectations with its luxurious accommodations and impeccable service.

Dec 05, 2024

Attended a wedding reception and was pleasantly accommodated

Dec 05, 2024

Didn't stay at the hotel, but service for dinner and the food were fantastic for a work function.

Dec 05, 2024

If you’re on the fence, just book it! We had a wonderful honeymoon here and the local area. From the moment you check in to check out, all the staff are friendly, welcoming and accommodating. Rooms are very clean and the turn down service is superb. The Spa and Herons are a must, but book ahead! I had a big ask of concierge and they pulled it off perfectly! Especially Josh, he partnered with everyone needed to ensure we had an amazing swan turn down and a surprise picnic basket breakfast - with flowers, food, surprise and card to boot. I don’t think I can give enough credit to the staff, thank you for all that you do! We are looking forward to our next stay, it can’t come soon enough!

Dec 05, 2024

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is a hidden gem in Cary, North Carolina. The hotel itself is impeccably clean, exuding a sense of tranquility and sophistication. But what truly sets it apart is the unparalleled comfort of the beds. They are, without a doubt, the most comfortable beds I've ever slept on, ensuring a restful and rejuvenating night's sleep. The hotel's location is equally impressive, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Nestled amidst lush greenery, it provides a peaceful ambiance perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. While the hotel excels in these areas, there's one aspect that could be improved: the front desk service. While the staff is generally polite and efficient, a bit more warmth and friendliness would elevate the overall guest experience. A smile and a proactive approach to addressing guest needs would go a long way in creating a more welcoming and memorable stay. Overall, the Umstead Hotel and Spa is a fantastic choice for those seeking a luxurious and relaxing getaway. With its impeccable cleanliness, heavenly beds, and serene location, it offers an unforgettable experience. A small improvement in front desk service would solidify its position as a truly exceptional destination.

Dec 05, 2024

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is truly impressive, with its immaculate cleanliness and one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. The location is also ideal, making it convenient for exploring the area. However, the one area where I think there’s room for improvement is with the front desk staff. While the service was efficient, I’d love to see the front desk team be a bit friendlier, with more smiles and a warmer, more customer-centered approach. This small change would really elevate the overall experience and make guests feel even more welcomed.

Dec 05, 2024

We spent an evening at the Umstead for our 18th Anniversary. The room was very nice and we enjoyed the balcony and view. The only thing we did not like about the room is that my husband gets up earlier than I and usually spends his time in a business center (there was none), but when he went to silently leave our room and not wake me, all the lights came on! Seems they have some kind of smart lighting that we were not able to deactivate. I woke in a panic. We also had reservations at the Heron for dinner and again for Sunday brunch. The dinner was all around delightful and the service top notch. I wasn't as pleased with my roast beef as I could have been, which was my main course. You can choose either 3 or 4 courses. The meat was not as tender as I like. I was also not that pleased with my cheese omelet for brunch. It seemed to be like a pre-made omelet you can get at less quality hotels. My husbands main courses were very nice and his eggs and steak were wonderful. We enjoyed a lovely walk around the lake. There was a lot of highway noise, but other than that it was very pleasant. We will visit there again. All in all it was a very nice weekend.

Dec 05, 2024

Wonderful hotel and spa retreat. Service was exceptional. The hotel upgraded my room and sent wine and truffles for a birthday celebration.

Nov 05, 2024

I was excited when I first discovered the Umstead. I began by staying frequently as an individual guest, purchasing bath and body products from their gift shop and frequenting the spa. From there, I decided to plan a business conference at the venue complete with meeting rooms and hotel rooms this summer. As someone who stays often at five star hotels and resorts across Hilton and Marriott, I have certain expectations around safety that was a dismal failure for Umstead management. While guests in our party were at the pool, one guest was attacked by another guest we did not know who had had too much to drink. Security was present but did nothing in response. The Umstead manager on duty apologized for their lack of action but beyond that the hotel’s response post event was quite lackluster and not taken as seriously as it should have been. When I travel (especially for work) I do not expect to have to both attend to my duties as a CEO and mitigate experiences with violence with minimal intervention from hotel management. We were given a slight discount on a five figure investment and the other guests who engaged in the behavior were asked to leave. I do not blame the hotel for the atrocious behavior of other guests but they are responsible for the actions of their security who should have been trained to be responsive to such an event. In addition, there were other issues related to security that concerned me including a guest of ours observing a front desk attendant sleeping in the middle of the night and another noticing a man who did not work at the hotel behind the valet booth. This was later confirmed by another member of staff who noted that the man was not employed by the hotel. I have not decided yet if I will ever return. I do hope that hotel management will make a further investment in refining and improving their security protocols as we didn’t pay as much as we did to experience this level of security risk.

Nov 05, 2024

Lovely high-end hotel. We stayed one night in a room with a balcony. Best shower ever! TV had Chromecast capabilities which I’ve never seen in a hotel room. Had late dinner at the bar and grill. Food was great. Prices? You get what you pay for.

Nov 05, 2024

This hotel has everything for everyone. The rooms are modern and spacious. There are wonderful gifts for the dogs. The food was immaculate. The shower was a bit complicated due to all the knobs turn down. Service was a welcome ending to the day. The staff were all gracious and kind, you’re gonna want to come back and get a second helping of what they have to offer and don’t forget to get a reservation at the spa and get every single treatment you can as the staff in there are the quintessential of elegance.

Nov 05, 2024

I have been trying to call the Umstead Spa for two months to get reservations for my wife and I. We live 45 minutes away and wanted to do a spa day followed by dinner at Harons…good luck. Was first told we don’t schedule that far out - then told we are calling to late - then I was told they don’t offer reservations for non hotel guest regardless on the weekends. Seems a little over the top seeing some of these reviews on here. Will happily take our patronage to Charlotte or Wilmington.

Nov 05, 2024

Not a great first impression. Booked my stay at the hotel. Called twice about making a spa appointment since the online reservation system does not allow for scheduling on Sundays. The young ladies answering the phone were not helpful or polite at all. Both spoke very condescendingly, asked me to repeat my name several times to confirm that I actually had a hotel reservation. If this is the way customers are treated, I am definitely going to reconsider staying there, especially given that this is the most expensive hotel in the area. From the other reviews I have read, sounds as if this customer service issue needs to be fixed.