The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Doesn't Recommend

carolina star

Joined 3 years ago

Rude and more like a 3 star. Sure it is new, modern and clean on the inside (a little motel-ish looking from the outside), but the poor management trumps all the decent elements it had going for it. We have dined there several times and too often conduct business dinners there, however based on the "hit or miss" nature of the management we are having to reconsider. A wonderful staff member will try to assist, then a manger will waltz in and act too good for everyone there. And it went completely downhill when stopping in on what seemed slow (I was the only one at the front desk period) about a hosting a wedding there recently they were plain rude and seemed inconvenienced. No date was settled, we were perfectly nice and as far as I know I smelled fine :) Even the wedding manager, Ms. Wheeler, didn't respond via emails until we reached back out ..... inquiring about 250+ guests at the price they charge a person you would think someone there would take a hint. More $ from the hosts, more money from the weekend guests, more walk-thrus, more exposure, therefore more spillover $, etc. I would expected that treatment and cold shoulder at the Holiday Inn. I wish the restaurant was a separate establishment.

Anyway, it really is a shame; Cary needs this place in theory, but it needs to actually live up to the 5-star rating Forbes gave it before it even opened its doors! Awful.

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alyssa55

Joined 2 years ago

Great Hotel BUT.... It's a great hotel but if any of you are looking to save some $$ then book it at referer.us/8/GoodHotelDeals They usually have some pretty good deals on there!

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NE Cary

Joined 4 years ago

Gorgeous and first class. Beautiful building and grounds. used the spa which could not have been nicer. We loved it, but it is not a place to worry about the price....definitely adds up. This is a world class hotel in Cary.

Doesn't Recommend

goosecreeksjb

Joined 4 years ago

Customer Service Lacking - DO NOT PURCHASE GIFT CARD. My husband purchased a gift card for me to use for our anniversary. When I went to use it they said the card was not valid. When I spoke to accounting they said - Sorry, can't find any information on that card or of you. We can't help you. No matter what I said he just kept repeating this statement. He had no interest in helping me. The card was for $150 and they were willing to do nothing! I had to spend an afternoon looking for the credit card purchase (it had been 2.5 years) to prove that we did indeed spend the money to purchase the card. If this card had been purchased by anyone other than my husband there would have been no way to prove the purchase and they would have received $150 for offering no service other than being incompetent. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Doesn't Recommend

ArgentineTraveler

Joined 4 years ago

Jekyll and Hyde Establishment. My English is not perfect so please bear mind. I have stayed in this Umstead Hotel two times before and again this May of this year. I stay here on business and my rooms are beautiful. But I do not rent a auto so I take Taxi to meetings and dinners. On two times, the concierge is a young man who appears that maybe is takes medications too much and does not now his job?

I ask for Taxi soon for a meeting and more than 20 minutes goes and no Taxi. When Taxi comes, is a old van driving by a foreign black man, who has his wife with a baby in the front seat. I was very not comfortable and sometimes scared and two times he must stop for directions on his phone. On my trip before, my trip to meeting was on the Hotel car and the price was very,very high. I must report that the Hotel is sometime like scary book or movie and I will not stay anymore.

Doesn't Recommend

tcutbush

Joined 5 years ago

Never Again. Let me start off by saying that this facility is top notch as far as the rooms. However, as bad as I hated to do this, customers need to know. I was very hesistant to write this, but after this past weekend, it is a must. My husband and I have stayed there several times, and deemed it as one of our favorite places. We only live about 10 minutes from The Umstead. We have referred multiple clients, friends and family to The Umstead. I would venture to say we have pushed over $100,000+ in referrals to them. However, on New Years Eve, it was disaster. From what we learned, there was a management change to happen Jan. 1, 2009 and it was old managements way of getting back at their superiors as they were and new management coming in. For those of you who were there, you know what I'm talking about. We met with new management and were told that they would like to comp us with a weekend stay and spa package to make up for our horrible stay, food and service. We waited several months to give management time to settle in. My husband wanted to take me this weekend for a "getaway" and contacted management. He was simply offered a "free dinner." Needless to say, I will no longer refer clients to this facility and as of next week, I have over 10 clients coming in from the UK and South Carolina who I will send to The Grandover. I would rather drive to meet the clients than to give any more business to The Umstead. Sorry guys, you were given your chance. If this is the way you treat customers, Grandover will work nicely for me.

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coondoggie

Joined 5 years ago

Wonderful Spa Experience. I went to the Umstead Hotel & Spa for the first time over the weekend and had a 50 minute massage which was great. The staff was 100% professional and made you feel like you were at a 5-star hotel. The spa itself was very nice and had all the bells and whistles that I had hoped for. I will absolutely be a repeat customer!!

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hairfreak123

Joined 5 years ago

Best Personal Trainer Ever. I stayed at the Umstead a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. It was one of the nicest hotels I had ever seen, much less stayed in. I booked a personal training session, just as a little something to do, but it turned out to be a great learning opportunity. The trainer, Suzanne, showed me exercises I could do at home, after I left the hotel. So far, in just one month, I have lost 10 pounds. I would recommend the hotel and trainer to everyone I know.

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vtinsley

Joined 6 years ago

Finally . . . a destination spa in the Triangle. I thought The Umstead Spa was FABULOUS. Everything was understated luxury--from the electronic key-coded lockers, sumptuous robes, marble tile, to the tea and fruit service in the relaxation room. I had a massage with Corwen who knew exactly what to do with the knots in my neck and shoulders as well as relive some TMJ pain. The massage room was well-appointed with a nice selection of music and aromatherapy. I met a woman in the relaxation room who was had come down from Manhattan. It turns out she was a retired schoolteacher who now wrote travel books about resort spas (now my new career goal). As she was having her spa lunch, I asked what she thought, and her comments were very favorable. I wholeheartedly agree. I also had drinks in the bar area with my husband later. The wine flight was a great deal!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Luxury hotel spa provides massages, facials and aromatherapy baths. Use of the fitness studio, sauna, steam room and heated pool available.