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Tucked away within the woodlands of Cary, North Carolina, simply minutes from our residence close to Raleigh, is a five-star escape that feels a world away from the noise of on a regular basis life.
The Umstead Lodge and Spa isn’t loud about its luxurious. It doesn’t boast sweeping views of the ocean or glittering city towers, or supply state-of-the-art every part.
As an alternative, it’s a modest luxurious, that quietly lures you in with a serenity that pulls you out of the trendy world, and right into a serene woodland setting that beckons you to change off and chill out.
We have been thrilled of the prospect to lastly escape from our chaotic life to retreat into the Umstead’s subtle serenity for an in a single day keep, leaving the children to fend for themselves. (Welcome to our new part of journey sans teenage children, who now not need to be round us anyway!)
About Umstead Lodge and Spa
The Umstead Lodge and Spa is situated in Cary, only a brief 15-minute drive away from downtown Raleigh, 10-minutes from the Analysis Triangle Park in Durham and RDU Worldwide Airport.
Regardless of being near all of the hustle and bustle and main sights in Raleigh, it’s extremely peaceable, with 12 acres of lakefront panorama and breathtaking views of the Umstead State Park forest.
It has 150 luxurious suites and visitor rooms, and has been acknowledged by AAA as a 5-Diamond property and by Condé Nast Traveler because the third-best lodge within the U.S.
It was even picked up by Forbes Journey Information, who gave the lodge, it’s restaurant, and spa a 5-Star award, the highest-achievable rating from Forbes.
In reality, it’s the one lodge in North Carolina to have earned a Forbes 5 star ranking, and one of many solely motels on this planet to earn triple 5 star standing.
A spot the place luxurious whispers, not shouts
We’ve stayed in lots of luxurious motels across the globe, however The Umstead affords one thing we not often discover: a slow-blooming wow.
There’s no flashy entrance or opulent chandelier second. As an alternative the Umstead Lodge & Spa instantly lets what they stand for: the fantastic thing about artwork and supporting native.
Within the foyer lounge stands an inventive floral set up that modifications weekly, thoughtfully designed by the native Watered Backyard Florist.
We have been greeted by a shocking association that felt like a dwelling sculpture — gentle hues, elegant curves, and an inviting pure botanical fragrances that instinctively drew me in to breathe all of it in.
It was the proper first impression: a quiet celebration of magnificence, nature, and native artistry.
These small, considerate touches continued all through our keep —getting walked to the elevator upon verify in, a morning amuse-bouche juice shot, an intricate tart to start out your dinner, candies in your pillow at turndown — creating an environment of quiet and chic indulgence.
The Umstead is a spot the place the main points matter. Its mid-century trendy structure, with clear traces and gentle pure accents, creates a visible concord that invitations you to decelerate and savor your environment.
It’s uncommon for me to fall in love with the structure of a lodge, however The Umstead utterly captivated me.
There’s a timeless class to its design that feels each grounded and elevated — elegant with out being flashy, and undeniably subtle.
It provides one other layer to the lodge’s general attract and leaves you quietly planning your return earlier than you’ve even left.
What we cherished about our keep at Umstead Lodge and Spa
After we arrived for our long-dreamed-of keep at Umstead Lodge and Spa, the skies have been ominous and rain was falling in sheets.
However as any seasoned traveler is aware of, magic usually occurs whenever you embrace what nature delivers.
We took the climate as an indication to lean into the stimulating spa — the place scorching tubs, saunas, steam rooms, and soft-lit lounges labored their magic.
However as we began the verify in course of, the clouds started to half, and we shouted, “maintain that sauna for tomorrow!” We should seize the day lazing across the pool.
1. The Umstead Pool
Soaking within the surprising sunshine by the pool, surrounded by bushes and stillness, felt like a present from the universe.
It’s laborious to completely seize what made me fall head over heels for The Umstead’s pool, however I’ll attempt.
There’s a quiet magic to it—a way of stillness and restoration that comes from being surrounded by towering bushes, as if nature is gently holding house in your leisure.
Sitting there felt like being perched in an expensive treehouse, suspended between the sky and the forest ground.
And in case your funds permits, a non-public cabana might simply flip that peaceable pause right into a next-level indulgence.
It’s uncommon for us to spend hours lounging poolside, however that’s precisely what we did.
The water was completely heated, and the setting was so serene, we merely couldn’t peel ourselves away. And if you need even hotter waters, there’s small scorching tub within the pool space so that you can take pleasure in!
Attentive servers introduced crisp salads, complimentary refreshing watermelon slices, and handcrafted cocktails proper to our lounge chairs, elevating the expertise with out interrupting the calm.
We returned to our favourite poolside spot the subsequent morning, absorbing each final sunbeam till early afternoon storms rolled in—proper on cue for our subsequent chapter of relaxation: the spa. Good timing, as soon as once more.
2. The Umstead Spa: A True 5-Star Expertise
The Umstead Spa has a protracted listing of top-notch spa companies and indulgent spa remedies, offering choices for all seasons and climate!
Strictly phone-free (and refreshingly so), it’s a modern-day model of historic Roman baths.
Lounge chairs, infused water, cucumber snacks, and silence—candy silence—are all a part of the expertise.
You’ll be able to select to socialize within the co-ed areas or retreat to the women-only sanctuary, the place I had my uncommon, valuable “me time.”
Subsequent time, we’re reserving massages. This time, it was sufficient to easily be, popping out and in of whirlpools, steam rooms and saunas. You can even get facials and manicures, they usually have complimentary yoga lessons on weekends.
Sadly, because of the rain, I couldn’t spend time within the peaceable meditation courtyard. #nexttime
So in the event you do plan on a 5 star Umstead spa expertise enable sufficient time to benefit from the spa facilities earlier than and after.
3. Our Umstead Room
The Umstead Lodge and Spa has 150 spacious visitor rooms, however whenever you select your room sort, make sure to get one with a balcony.
The balcony was small, nevertheless it rapidly turned our favourite spot in our room. It gave us a panoramic view that completely captured the essence of the resort: the serene swimming pool nestled among the many bushes, the immaculately landscaped backyard, the elegant out of doors terrace the place friends dined al fresco, and the tranquil lake with its light fountain.
The lodge affords a spread of lodging in all sizes and shapes, however in the event you’re treating your self to a keep at a five-star property like this, don’t skimp out and never e book a room with a balcony.
There’s one thing extremely particular about having your personal non-public perch to witness the quiet great thing about the grounds, particularly with a glass of wine at sundown or a morning espresso in hand.
4. Eating at Herons: Artwork, Delicacies, and Quiet Sophistication
Dinner at Herons is like attending a superb artwork efficiency — it’s elegant, immersive, and unforgettable.
Each dish is a celebration of the season, with a menu crafted by James Beard semifinalist (2019) James Greene, utilizing regionally sourced substances and offered with considerate storytelling.
Even the lamb, wealthy and tender, was sourced from a North Carolina farm — not midway internationally.
A word so as to add and love, most of the greens and herbs are sourced from the motels very personal farm, situated only a mile away! This is the reason the Heron has such beautiful meals, you gained’t discover brisker!
I’ve by no means skilled something fairly prefer it, and now I totally perceive why so many locals select Herons to have fun their most particular events.
From the second you’re seated, the magic begins — not simply with the programs you order, however with the extra touches: delicate amuse-bouches, palate-cleansing interludes, and petit fours and house-made macarons to shut out the expertise.
It’s beneficiant and swish, and each chew is memorable.
Our four-course tasting become a procession of spring-inspired wonders: oysters from Harkers Island, a wealthy fennel soup with Dungeness crab, buttery sea scallops, Maine lobster, completely cooked lamb with a shock slice of lamb stomach (like elevated bacon), and wagyu beef that melted on the tongue.
Dessert was an art work of its personal—a decadent chocolate ganache and a fantastically deconstructed panna cotta showcasing recent strawberry.
Even the sauces have been a efficiency: poured table-side with flourish and defined in full, so you might savor every ingredient with understanding and appreciation.
Our servers supplied excessive ranges fo service — they have been educated, attentive, and genuinely passionate concerning the world-class delicacies.
The sommelier delighted in sharing his love for Australian wines (a sentiment we proudly share) and paired our meal with a shocking bottle of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. You’re sure to discover a bottle of your favourite because the wine listing reads like a e book, that includes wines from each nook of the globe.
The class extends past the meals. The eating room has a full-view kitchen, plush furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling home windows.
However don’t let the indulgence finish with dinner. Within the morning, return to Herons’ terrace for a leisurely breakfast bathed in sunshine and backyard views.
My French-style omelet with chorizo, sugar snap peas, and native cheese was a savory delight.
Craig’s avocado toast—topped with English peas, radish, goat cheese, and pistachios—was a masterpiece of texture and freshness.
And as soon as once more, the service was spot on: attentive, heat, and quietly distinctive, the sort of native hospitality that makes you’re feeling utterly comfy.
5. The Foyer Lounge
The Umstead additionally has a bar and lounge for lunch, snacks, espresso, cocktails and afternoon tea. It usually has reside leisure within the evenings.
The one factor we didn’t like concerning the Umstead (and we did attempt to discover issues for you), have been their lattes and cappuccinos we ordered within the lounge.
They have been overpriced and never excellent. Long run readers is not going to be shocked as we’re Australian espresso snobs. Their black espresso and Nespresso within the rooms, nevertheless, have been good!
6. Permits for reconnecting with nature—and one another
Over our two day keep, we totally embraced what The Umstead does finest: slowing you down so you may reconnect. Not simply along with your accomplice, however with your self.
We sipped a glass of Margaret River’s Vasse Felix Cabernet on our balcony because the moon rose above the treetops.
Within the morning, it was an Nespresso and birdsong. We watched squirrels dance throughout branches and the fountain shimmer within the non-public lake beneath.
It’s a sanctuary of stillness—and it’s all by design.
The Umstead Lodge and Spa gently guides you alongside a tranquil path woven with artwork, nature, and wellness.
Nestled beneath towering Carolina pines, the property overlooks a serene three-acre lake adorned with fountains that mirror the light rhythm of the encompassing panorama.
And for individuals who want to lengthen their reference to nature, the lodge sits proper subsequent to the famend Umstead State Park—one in all North Carolina’s high out of doors escapes, providing miles of wooded trails for mountain climbing, biking, and quiet reflection.
It’s a seamless transition from curated luxurious to untouched wilderness, do you have to really feel known as to discover past the lodge’s peaceable boundaries.
The trail meandered by way of a captivating butterfly backyard—although the butterflies will need to have been on trip that day.
We handed on a extra vigorous out of doors journey and as an alternative opted for a peaceable wander alongside the lodge’s quarter-mile lake path. And truthfully? It was much more pleasant than I anticipated.
Nonetheless, we have been handled to gnarly, storybook-like bushes, vibrant spring blooms in each path, and a small wood boardwalk that led us to a hidden fountain not seen from the primary lodge grounds. We have been delighted to see our Australian native pink bottlebrush brightening up the forest!
Umstead’s nature path felt like a bit secret oasis tucked away only for us.
A mild stroll suited our in a single day wellness break completely—however not everybody was taking it sluggish.
I watched one visitor run lap after lap across the path early within the morning, clearly energized by the recent air and scenic environment.
If jogging or strolling isn’t fairly your fashion, don’t fear. The lodge additionally has a well-equipped health middle with every part you might want to transfer, stretch, and sweat.
Or, make the most of the complimentary bike leases and discover the expansive trails of close by Umstead State Park.
Whether or not you’re craving a heart-pumping exercise or a leisurely cruise by way of the woods, The Umstead affords wellness in your phrases.
Last Ideas
We’ve stayed in world-class resorts throughout six continents—however The Umstead Lodge and Spa reminded us that true luxurious journey isn’t about extravagance. It’s about intentionality. Stillness. A deep breath. A glass of wine beneath the celebrities.
And most of all, it’s about how a spot makes you’re feeling.
Throughout our keep, I felt a deep reconnection to nature, to presence, and to gratitude—one thing I didn’t understand I had been lacking.
In a world that strikes too quick, The Umstead gave me permission to decelerate and simply be.
I do know that when life inevitably turns into hectic once more, and I really feel myself unraveling on the edges, I don’t must e book a long-haul flight or plan an advanced escape.
I simply must drive ten minutes down the highway to this haven of peace, the place my soul can exhale and discover its method again to middle.
Our keep and dinner was hosted The Umstead Lodge, nevertheless we obtained no financial compensation associated to this weblog publish and all opinions are my very own!
