The Umstead Hotel and Spa

About The Hotel

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is one of North Carolina’s most luxurious properties, set on a secluded 170-acre estate in the Weston/SAS corridor near William B. Umstead State Park. This AAA Five-Diamond resort features a full-service spa with signature treatments, a private lake, a zero-edge pool, and an acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, Herons. The resort is designed for special occasions, spa retreats and romantic weekends—think anniversary celebrations, honeymoons and executive retreats. Rooms are spacious and refined, with lake or garden views, high-end bedding and modern technology. The resort’s focus is on wellness, exceptional service and quiet luxury rather than in-room jacuzzis; the spa and pool are the main draws. It’s best for travelers willing to splurge on a five-star escape.

What Guests Are Saying

“We had the most wonderful experience at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Raleigh, NC is where we hosted our wedding and stayed with our family and friends. It truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we began planning, the team was incredibly organized, responsive, and genuinely invested in making our vision come to life. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but they created such a calm and seamless experience that allowed us to actually enjoy the process. What made this stay so special was having everything in one place. Being able to celebrate our ceremony, reception, and also have our loved ones stay on-site created such a warm, connected atmosphere throughout the entire weekend. It made the experience feel intimate and effortless for everyone involved. The hotel itself was beautiful, clean, and welcoming. The rooms were comfortable, and our guests had nothing but positive things to say about their stay. The spaces used for our wedding — from cocktail hour to the ballroom, were thoughtfully set up and truly brought everything together. Most importantly, we were able to be fully present on our wedding day. Everything flowed smoothly, and we felt completely supported by the team from beginning to end. We are so grateful we chose The Umstead Hotel and Spa for such an important moment in our lives. It was more than just a stay, it was a full experience that we will always remember. Highly recommend for both special events and overnight stays. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures at this time to post since our wedding has only been seven days ago.” — MenaClark, 5 stars

“Right off the highway sits this oasis and retreat. Not the size of a huge hotel but better appointed than a boutique, we were first time visitors for Valentine’s Day and my wife’s birthday which is on Valentine’s Day. Stayed for 3 nights in the Presidential Suite and it was a sweet stay. Prior to coming, the concierge was incredibly helpful in setting up some in room amenities provided by the hotel and they helped us source some outside vendors. Room was awesome as was the service…except for the lack of movies via the television. The problem was met by a generous solution by the hotel as they gave us a refund for part of our stay as they said that we were staying in the best accommodations and deserved their best level of service. No argument! Just customer service at the highest level. Had an enjoyable time at the spa as well. Did not frequent the hotel restaurant, Herons, as the menu was not palatable to us. We did experience the scrumptious breakfast each morning via in room dining. The overall experience was a Four Seasons vibe with Southern hospitality in terms of service. We have already planned to come back for our wedding anniversary.” — Randell C., 5 stars

“I didn’t know what to expect from this resort tucked right next to I-40 but what an amazing place. We chose it because we wanted something nice and also close to Lenovo center for a hockey game, which is about a 10 minute uber down 40. It is a beautiful resort with outstanding facilities and amenities but what really set it apart was the service. Everyone from the receptionist, to the turn down service, to the wait staff at the restaurant, to the valet guys, went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed and they were also genuinely nice. I’ve stayed at some high end resorts where there’s a pretentiousness from the staff but definitely not here. Everybody was so warm and friendly and made my stay one I will remember.” — john83pioneer, 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• AAA Five-Diamond rating and renowned service
• Full-service spa with expert therapists
• Serene setting on a private lake with nature access
• Acclaimed farm-to-table dining at Herons
• Perfect for special occasions and romantic escapes

Cons:

• The most expensive option in the Cary area
• Outside downtown; requires a car for most activities
• Spa suites and special-occasion weekends book far in advance

The Location

100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513 — In the Weston/SAS corridor, 15 minutes from RTP, near William B. Umstead State Park You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.