06/26/09

Jekyll and Hyde Establishment

by ArgentineTraveler

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.

• Pros: Very Nice Rooms
• Cons: Very Disturbed Staff and Ancillary Services

06/01/09

Never Again

by tcutbush

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.

• Pros: I won't list any
• Cons: Bad deal

08/29/08

Best Personal Trainer Ever

by hairfreak123

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.

• Pros: great trainer, awesome pool
• Cons: limited menu

This high-style hotel on the SAS campus raises the bar for quality accommodations.

by Contributor

In Short
Even the location is unconventional--few high-end hotels are situated on a corporate campus, but then again this gorgeous addition to the Cary scene sets its own rules, anyway. This is where business execs retreat after conferences, where travelers indulge themselves and where couples escape for romantic getaways. With 150 rooms, The Umstead is manageable in size but big in style; linens are top-quality, technology is state-of-the-art and the grounds include a lake and butterfly garden.