Spa Review: The Umstead Spa at The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Located in Cary, North Carolina, The Umstead Hotel and Spa is named after William B. Umstead, the former state senator and governor.
*Disclaimer: Our writer visited The Umstead Spa prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we have included updated cleaning/safety protocols and information from the property to help you plan a safe visit.
Wherever you’re coming from, a visit to the South is an invitation to slow down. The Umstead Hotel and Spa takes that to the next level in the most luxurious and relaxing way. Here, harried travelers can brake and take a break in the oasis of wellness and tranquility. Every corner of the 16,000-square-foot spa offers a new opportunity to replenish and de-stress.
The Umstead Spa is a haven of wellness and tranquility consistently acclaimed among the best spas in the Raleigh area.
Here’s what you’ll love about The Umstead Spa:
The Umstead Spa features eight organic treatments, adding to the resort’s sustainability focus.
The Umstead Spa was renovated and expanded in 2016, yet still feels brand new four years later.
There are three dedicated couples’ treatment rooms, where duos can savor specialty services on the menu, and each one also includes a private soaking tub for two.
Countless lounges and relaxation areas with plush chairs, blankets, and gorgeous views of the woodlands outside.
The Umstead Spa celebrates nature with a serene wellness experience distinctive to its North Carolina woodland setting.
Surrounded by whispering Carolina pines in the woodland setting, there’s no sign of the outside world anywhere in sight. That’s only the beginning of the serene spa experience. The Umstead gets its name from William B. Umstead, the former state senator and governor. The nearby William B. Umstead State Park shares a namesake, and inspires the spa’s interior and treatments on the menu.
Guests can relax before and after their treatments next to a roaring fireplace in the private relaxation lounge.
The relaxing setting hits on all senses from the moment I stepped into the spa. There is a subtle fragrance in the air throughout, a gurgle of water, I can feel the plush carpet beneath my slippered feet, and rays of sun beaming through picture windows. (Notably missing is the buzz of a phone, electronic devices are strictly prohibited anywhere in the Spa.)
My personal spa concierge greeted me at the front desk and guided me through the women’s locker room and amenities around the spa. The expansive spa does indeed need a tour guide, as there are so many spots you won’t want to miss.
From organic botanical treatments to a signature product line, the spa draws inspiration from the region’s flora.
As guests enter the spa, all senses are engaged—a hint of organic fragrance, the tranquil sound of water, and a flood of natural light from expansive windows overlooking native landscaping.
I picked a comfortable chair and settled in before my therapist picked me up and escorted me to the treatment room. Each treatment room is decorated with warm, natural tones. The coffered ceilings and drapes frame yet more windows that reveal a peek at the woodlands outside.
The semi-secluded swimming pool is located by the entrance to The Umstead’s expansive spa.
Renowned skin care lines such as De La Terre and Valmont are featured in multiple treatments. I booked the Organic Facial, which is indeed a 100% organic experience. The facial uses De La Terre products, customized to each skin type. No matter what products are used from the line, they are completely synthetic-free, gluten-free, vegan, and organic. The result is a nurturing and holistic facial experience unlike any I’ve experienced before. My therapist began with a thorough but gentle cleanse. She proceeded through multiple masks based on my skin concerns and facial massage, and concluded with a moisturizing finale.
Elegant treatment rooms feature a warm, natural palette with coffered ceilings and drapes that open to reveal the beauty of the surroundings.
While the facial was lovely, I was even more impressed with the snug rooms filled with comfy chairs, blankets, and more just begging guests to plop down and linger much longer than planned. I happily succumbed to the magnetic power of one room with plush chairs all pointed toward a roaring fireplace.
Not long ago, the entire spa underwent a renovation. It spans two floors and 16,000 square feet. The new design features river rock, granite, bamboo, and glass throughout, as well as pieces from local artists and updated textiles. There are healthy snacks, including fruits and nuts, and a variety of tasty herbal teas in multiple lounges, co-ed and dedicated men’s and women’s areas.
Beverages offered at the spa include herbal teas and infused water.
An assortment of healthy snacks are also available for guests to enjoy in the lounge.
We enjoyed fresh granola and fruit cup during our visit.
If you can tear yourself away from the cozy spa interior, take a walk around the three-acre lake right out back. There is a restored stream, turtle nesting areas, butterfly garden, and fountains that circulate the water for optimal plant and animal health. A few hours in the spa and wandering the resort grounds and you, too, will reach your own optimal health.
The spa and property feature indoor and outdoor spaces where guests can relax and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Parking: There is ample parking in the resort lot and complimentary valet parking is also available.
Pricing: Facials and massages start at $150 and go up from there.
Tucked into 12 acres of serene woodlands overlooking a private three-acre lake, The Umstead offers the perfect setting for a relaxing walk and quiet contemplation.
Hours: The spa is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Daily)
Phone: 919-447-4170
Address: 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary, NC 27513
Safety Updates and Protocols: Upon reopening in the middle of June 2020, the spa has shortened operating hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and limits the number of treatments available each day. This allows guests and staff to maximize social distancing and proper sanitization of treatment rooms between appointments. All employees will wear masks and some will wear gloves, as well as wash their hands for at least 20 seconds per CDC recommendations at the beginning and end of each treatment. The spa will continue to provide clean and sanitized linens, towels, robes, and sandals for each service.
Guests can forego communal spaces upon request. Plus, there is additional flexibility in the cancellation policy for anyone feeling ill. Please note hours of operation are subject to change and contingent upon state reopening regulations, so click here for the latest updates and safety measures.
For more information and to book your next spa visit, head to The Umstead’s website and follow the hotel on Instagram: @theumstead
[Photos by Jennifer Nied]
Jennifer Nied is a freelance writer who resides in New York City with her husband and her dog Poppy. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, she has spent the last decade writing and editing for print and digital publications. She loves adventuring around the world on her snowboard and her running shoes. Follow her on Instagram: @jennifer_nied