The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Serious Steaks!

by gordonilla about Ruth's Chris Steak House

This was once again suggested by the excellent concierge service of The Umstead hotel - as it was near by, I used the free shuttle service. I was unsure what to expect, and in fact was blown away by the srevice and the food. It does seem as if the Cary area has some wonderful restaurants and eateries. I had a well done regular fillet (12oz) no butter. I also had a steakhouse salad. I did not have a dessert but it did seem as if they were all large and they looked wonderfully enjoyable.

Take a box when they offer it to you! For the desserts at least.

They also had a good coffee available.

New World Cuisine

by gordonilla about ãn

The restaurant was suggested by the hotel - in fact it is another local business owned by the Goodknights who also own The Umstead and of course SAS. It was a very pleasant experience and I have to say that the portions were large and reasonably priced.

I was seated at 20.30 and it was fairly busy in the main dining areas, private dining and the bar area. Try the Bengal Rolls and then be adventurous with the menu.

William B. Umstead State Park

by Astrobuck

This is a state park located on US-70 between Raleigh and Durham. You would think that the hustle and bustle of Raleigh, Durham, and Reaearch Triangle Park there was no such thing as peace and quiet. Not true if you come to this place. Even though it's in the city limits, it's actually away from the downtown centers.

I used to ride my bike on the gravel trails here, and I also did some hiking here as well. This is a good place to go if you really need a break from all the demands of city life and work.

This is a really nice park, and I highly reccommend it.

Cary Township, Wake County

by gordonilla

"Staying at The Umstead Hotel and Spa"

This year (2009) I have visited and stayed in Cary three times - one week in May, one week in June and then two weeks in July. I have to say that although it is good to stay in a degree of luxury, 4 weeks in a 5 star hotel is, and would be for everybody, a little oppressive.

I should say though, this does not in any way detract from the service and quality of the people and facilities of the Umstead. I have to say that the staff in all areas were excellent and if you are honest, open and communicative with them - they will respond in the same way. It made my stay much more pleasant and enjoyable.

I only had one visit to the spa, and actually had my first ever body massage. It only cost $105 - I am unsure if this is good or bad, but it certainly seemed to work. The only thing I will say is, that as I had never had a full body massage before, I was unsure how I should feel. The masseur, Christopher, was excellent and it was a new and pleasant experience. After it, I was asked how I felt. Sadly I said, I did not know how I was supposed to feel. About two days later, it kicked in and I felt wonderfully relaxed and agile.

They have a good spa area, and the pool and sauna are an excellent combination after your massage treatment.

"A few miles down the road...or is it highway?"

Although it was only a mile of so down the road from the Umstead, it was a little difficult to reach on foot. However, the hotel shuttle service was available to take guests down to the Arboretum at Weston.

This was the location of several good restaurants, gym facilities, realtor and some waht luxurious apartments.

My visit was on a Sunday afternoon and I had an enjoyable visit to Moe's Southwestern Grill and Maggie Moos. I think I also had a coffee in the Starbucks located there also.

I did in fact walk back to the hotel, it was a warm day with the temperature in the high 90s. All in all it was a pleasant afternoon.

"The State Park and the hotel grounds"

I only had a few brief strolls around the hotel grounds and the lake. I can say though that the grounds link into the William B. Umstead State Park. They are pleasant and full of exactly what you would think to find in such a location. The lake had turtles, fish and goodness knows what else.