The Umstead Spa is beautiful. Great amenities and layout--reminds me a lot of Four Seasons in San Francisco. Other than a customer service snafu (which was rectified) our experience was fabulous! Snafu: My husband and I booked a couples massage 7pm on a Saturday night (date night). Our treatments were wonderful. Great work by both of our massage therapists. We both felt incredibly rushed to get out of the massage room (which was a bit stressful), so we did and headed to use the spa amenities. There was no water (mmm you kind of need that post massage) and nothing (sauna) was turned on. It turns out that the spa closed at 8pm (right at the time our massage ended) yet no one told us! Not at the time of reservation, not at the time of checkin and not at the time of treatment, In fact, the massage therapists even suggested we go into the steam room post massage. Weird. Suffice it t say we feel like we missed on a big part of the spa experience. We were given two spa passes to use the amenities at a later date. 4 months later and we still haven't used them--hard to justify paying for a baby sitter! Ha! read more

My fiancé got me a spa day getaway at The Umstead as a Christmas gift because I had been briefly with a friend years ago and I wanted a bigger experience than before. All I can say is WOW! I've been to plenty 5 star hotels and spas in the past but none has come close to a Umstead experience. They treat you like royalty or celebrities. The customer service is awesome. They even did right by me because I was inconvenienced (my early appt was rescheduled to a later time) and made my time there even more blissful. I will be back again and again and again! Hopefully for my birthday in a few months with some friends read more

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I absolutely love this spa! I'm so lucky to live in Cary. I booked a body treatment and facial on a Thursday. I accidentally locked myself out of the house and had to cancel the facial. They were very understanding and didn't charge me for the missed appointment. I thought that was very nice as website clearly states if you have to cancel within a certain time you will be charged. I continued on with my body treatment that day. I spent probably 3-4 hours at the spa including my treatment. The women's spa area is open and airy. The showers are glorious. You can see tree tops while you shower. The steam room uses the most refreshing eucalyptus I've ever experienced. The mixed gender pool is amazing when the weather is cool as it is heated. The treatment rooms are large and with views of the natural surroundings without being exposed. You can choose to relax in the mixed gender lounge upstairs or the one within the women's spa area. Both have very comfortable seating, snacks and fireplaces. Everyone on staff is very attentive while still providing privacy. This spa is wonderful. I highly recommend spending an afternoon here. read more

How does this place stay in business?? I called to schedule a prenatal massage for this weekend or next weekend. I was told that this weekend was booked, okay fine, but that I couldn't book an appointment for next weekend until after 10am next Thursday. Um, what? They hold all spa reservations for hotel guests ONLY until Thursday! You can't book weekend appointments in advance here! Who do these people think they are? I moved here from DC and have booked hundreds of spa appointments at hotels and I've never heard of a policy like this. Guess they only want the "locals" to come in on weekdays. Too bad I got a gift card that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to use. So much for a prenatal massage before my baby comes! If we didn't like dining at Herons so much I'd probably never go back here. read more

Quality personality excellence elegance class service exclusivity opulence call ways to describe the Umstead hotel and spa. I know a number of individuals who work and have worked here. They are committed to employees who make their guests their number one priority. I attend events here frequently and would not hesitate to hold an event here location and budget would afford. In the hospitality industry their approach is singular and second to none. read more

I have to agree with Amanda's review that the spa itself is good, but the policy related to supporting local patrons is terrible. Call to book a Friday appointment and you get told you cannot unless you are staying at the hotel. The word is that you should just lie and say you'll be staying there but I am not going to do that. The locker rooms are also nice. My therapist was good. I tried to rebook an appointment for 2 months out and got the same "if you live in town, we won't allow you to book on Fridays or the weekends." If they are that busy, they should add therapists or do something. When the economy slows and they don't have the hotel full, they will wish they had treated local patrons well. So its a good spa, but be prepared for some pain if you live locally. For Umstead, open up even a handful of appointments on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for locals and you will have less upset patrons. read more

Distasteful to add an automatic 20% tip. I would rather pay 20% higher pricing and have tipping remain discretionary. Not classy.

I had one of the best experiences over two days here I have ever had at any spa...I was in town passing through and tried to call to get a massage for the next day but couldn't because it was basically zero notice, so I completely understood but they were able to get me in the following day...I've read previous reviews where people were upset because they had flown in and couldn't get a service but with how busy it is, if a spa treatment is what you want then I would definitely call as soon as you can to book the treatment you want. My massage was wonderful and my pedicure as well, the sauna area and steam room are fantastic and they have nice waiting areas that are also very relaxing...after how wonderful it was I would definitely come back to Raleigh just to stay for a long spa weekend, would definitely recommend read more

Review of Spa only: They have a silly booking policy that is helpful to be aware of. In short, if you do not stay on site, do not plan on getting any reservations for the spa. I called months in advance and was told of the policy to reserve spots for guests of the hotel (which, one one hand almost makes sense in terms of exclusivity, but from a business standpoint is absurd). I was told to call back the week of to make a spa reservation, of which there were none. It makes no sense from a business standpoint to run at such low capacity. Compare spa prices to national 5 star spas (Ritz etc.) and they're up there. That a business would refuse $500 for services means they need to increase capacity or efficiency. read more

I visited the Spa 3 days in a row. 11/09/12 Today, I had the gemstone facial in the spa today administered by Meiko. It was arelaxing experience with an adjustable heated bed and soothing music. The facial was okay. It was pretty much an application and removal of several products, waters & misting sprays. It aslo included a facial massage with two stone wands (black in color). This was nothing exciting though. By the time I entered the steam room all the products of the facial had run from my face. Meiko was friendly and courteous & advised me of every product she was applying to my face at any given moment. I had difficulty understanding anything she was saying to me, because her primary language is that of Asian descent. I was relieved when my husbands facial ended at the same time and we met in the hall where I could listen to his tech tell us where to go. All in all, this facial was okay, but I would definitel choose a European facial over the gemstone. My husband had the gentlemans facial and he enjoyed the steam, cleanse,extraction and product application. He said the mens lounge attendant was very polite. The steam room is great! I believe it releases eucalyptus and iced facial cloths are available too. There are several relaxation rooms and lounges available and the scenery, especially in the Fall is beautiful. There are light snacks, tea, and fruit infused water to enjoy. The showers are very "zen" with floor to ceiling windows partially frosted to allow natural sunlight in while enjoying the occasional bird chirping in the trees just outside, all in luxurious privacy. Tomorrow, I have the Mommy To Be massage. Sunday, I have a classic manicure, classic pedicure & the Cherry Blossom massage. I will post on those later. 11/10/12: I had the "Mommy-to-be" massage today with Krystal. I arrived early to enjoy the womans lounge and relax prior. Krystal was friendly and welcoming at first. When I entered the room she told me to lay on the table and let her know how the temperature and music were. The maternity pillows took up the entire bed and I had no clue how to lay on or around them. I told her I've never seen them before and I don't know how to use them. She said this as her first time using them and the "maternity lady" brings them. She proceeded to lay on my massage table and demonstrate how she thinks I am to lay with the pillows saying "I think your arm goes here and your shoulder goes here", etc... I informed her that I was still very confused and I was. I couldn't see how this huge pillow in the middle of the table would allow any room for my tummy with a baby inside without compacting him to the size of a can of tuna. So, she left the room, I tried laying on the table on my side with this huge pillow and I nearly fell off the table. When she entered, she asked if I was comfortable. Heck no! I requested a standard pillow while she removed the awkward one. She grabbed the standard from a closet and gave it to me without a pillow case. Yuk! I waited for the pillow case, it never came. I ended up discarding the pillow halfway through the massage. I was even considering discarding the massage entirely. Everything went downhill from there. She knew my legs were hurting from the extra weight I carry due to the pregnancy as I had informed her at the beginnning of the massage. She also knew the pressure I wanted - medium to deep tissue. She merely proceeded to apply oil and hardly gave a decent enough rub to get the blood flowing. She never even touched my shoulders or neck and she started at my right calf and foot which is a big No No for sanitary purposes in the massage world. She had no technique I left frustrated and offended that the Spa gave me someone so inexperienced, uncaring and thoughtless. I have a pedicure and the Cherry Blossom massage today. I hope this person knows what they are doing! P.S. We tried to let the spa manager know about the experience, but he didn't care to return our call until after we spoke with another manager in a different department. This was also the case beforer we even arrived at the hotel. i called the spa a couple days in advance to book some services, they never returned my call and still haven't. The Fitness Center: My husband loved the wuality of the machines. He enjoyed working out in the spacious area and enjoyed an apple partially through his routine. The cardio Machines have individual t.v. monitors with dvd players read more

I think I'm about ready to give up on this place. I have tried 4 or 5 times in the last 9 months to book concurrent treatments for me and my mother without success. Every time I call, they have no availability for 80 minute treatments even with over a week notice for a weekday. I don't know if they are understaffed or what. I just know that when I've gone by myself, the place is pretty empty so I'm not sure why it is always so hard to get. As for the massage therapists- they have been hit or miss. Some are very skilled, others seem to have little training or knowledge. Not what you want when paying $200+ for an 80 minute massage. read more

I am shocked to see other people had bad experiences because my experience here last week was SUPERB! My mother was in from out of town so my bf suggested we go here for a ladies day. We both had facials which were amazing. Our technicians advised us to stay out of the steam room and pools for at least 30 mins prior having the facials done so the products applied wouldn't run off. (I would have assumed longer, not sure why the lady below is complaining about her products running off... seems like common knowledge.) I like the fact that they auto-tip their technicians 20%. The website is very clear about this policy, so anyone who is complaining about this just didn't take the time to read the website. The facility is beautiful and clean. There are lots and lots of people working there, all eager to serve and help! (that is probably my only complaint, I felt overly attended too.. made me a little self conscious.) But this business is aiming to please, so I get it. I would defiantly recommend this spa to anyone new. it's unfortunate that the ladies below had such bad experiences. The spa is extremely serene, comfortable, relaxing and simply perfect. The staff is knowledgable, kind and attentive. Don't know what else you could ask for! Def a 5 star spa! read more

I have been here a total of 3 times for massages. It is clearly stated in their policies that the 20% surcharge is included so not sure why anyone should be surprised. I love the ambiance of the entire spa; the staff is exceptional there as in the hotel. Two times I have had a hot stone massage and I wanted to kidnap my masseuse and take him home. Last month I had a regular massage; again a lot of questions asked before I even got on table to ensure what my trouble spots were and during the massage to ensure that I was comfortable with the pressure that was being applied Another great experience At least reserve a half a day for yourself to enjoy the whirlpool, the grounds and the bar restaurant. Both the coed lounge and the women's lounge are extra comfy. The coed heated pool was not working the time I visited so I will have to check that out next time..thinking June also to use the outdoor pool! read more

This spa was one of the worst spa experiences I have ever had. Beyond terrible customer service, especially for the price. Staff were rude and unaccommodating: read more

Received a Full Spa day and night stay for Christmas. This place is Amazing! We started with a Swedish massage, then a facial, and then manicure and pedicure and the whole experience was very peaceful and relaxing. The lake view rooms are to die for! This hotel and spa does not disappoint!! read more

Pros: The enviornment is relaxing, charming even, and the facilities are very clean. The staff were, overall, very pleasant and helpful. It's nice that they have co-ed spaces and spaces that are not co-ed. Cons: Gosh, where to start. When I called to get an appointment, they had no manicure appointments left and no decent times for a pedicure (10am or 7pm were the only two left) - and I called several weeks in advance! (I understood why when I arrived as there were only 2-3 manicurists working that Saturday morning!) I requested a service which they described as being 'therapeutic' and promised would relax and renew my muscles. I was really excited for the foot massage, but my manicurist just sort of rubbed lotion on my feet and calves. I was SO disappointed because the massage is what I really love about a pedicure. Now, the worst 'con' of all and, to me, totally unacceptable (especially for a 5 star hotel spa). One of my toenails chipped before I even left the spa that afternoon. Ok, it happens I thought, but when I asked the reception area staff about it, I was told that I could go grab the polish and paint over the chip myself!! I couldn't believe it - a $100 pedicure that's less than a few hours old chips and I'm told I have to repair it myself. Really? So, I did fix it myself and I decided in that moment that I would (1) make sure to write a review and share my experience with others and (2) never voluntarily visit this spa again. Regarding the products they used for my pedicure... The polish colors were fine but the selection was small and there was nothing especially beautiful or fun or elegant. The polish only stayed on my toes for 2 weeks and I can typically count on toenail polish lasting at least 1-2 months. The 'fragrances' they used in the foot soak were not really very fragrant at all. They didn't smell bad - they just didn't smell especially good. My advice would be to try a different spa for the full spa experience or to go to a regular nail salon to get a decent manicure or pedicure! read more

I have been to many spas and have had many massages. Two of the massage therapists that I had at the Umstead Spa seemed to have had no training whatsoever. They just touched me with some pressure but without any ability. In a five star hotel and at a high price, I expect an experienced knowledgeable therapist.i spoke to a supervisor and she said that my therapist was only good for relaxation massages and not deep tissue ones. I found this explanation unsatisfactory. In fact , the spa only has 4 stars unlike The Hotel which has 5. read more

This is my go to spa in the Cary area. Absolutely fantastic service every time I've been here and the actual facility is stunning. I have very sensitive skin which they cater to but is pricey so just be aware of that and the automatic 20% gratuity that is added, having said that, I've never had a service that was done here that deserved anything less! Also, for local residents it's kind of annoying because they won't let you book for the weekend until the Thursday before hand just as an FYI! read more

I am very disappointed in my treatments that I received today. They each did not last the full amount of time that I paid for. The facial room was very cold and I could not relax. I will not be back. read more

I loved this spa! I am a spa junkie so I have very high standards and the Umstead is one of the best. I recently stayed at this hotel for three nights, I visited for a wedding. The hotel is spectacular as is their spa which is free for hotel guests. We were met by the attendant who offered us a hibiscus drink before our tour. We were given slippers for use in the facility. Great steam room, very hot and nice scent. There's a sauna as well which I did not visit during my stay. Good size locker room. Only two showers but very clean with nice products. The best is the hot tub areas = one indoors and one outside (co-ed). In the indoors area they had tea, flavored water, almonds, dried blueberries, and yogurt covered fruit. The outdoor hot tub is beautiful, with a small waterfall and so quiet. There's also a co-ed lounge area on the second floor which is spacious and gorgeous. The decor is southwest with lot of light everywhere. It was not crowded at all even though the attendant said all treatment appointments were booked. This is a special place. I will not forget it. WOW :) read more

Had a great experience here - I had a facial and my husband had a deep tissue massage. I booked the acne facial and my tech wasn't sure it was appropriate for me so we discussed my options. Very professional and no sales tactics. The arm and hand massage with it almost reduced me to a puddle. My husband said his masseuse was excellent and really knew what she was doing. We enjoyed the co-Ed lounge area - the beautiful room, calming music and waterfall, lovely beverages and healthy snacks. After our services I took a long luxurious shower in the large sunny shower stalls and slathered my self with all the great smelling products. Agree with other reviews that for those prices, a 20% tip is a bit presumptuous, but we knew ahead of time. read more

The best spa experience ever! Great facility, location, professional staff, outstanding services and prices are competitive. I feel like a princess at the Umstead and cannot wait until my next visit! read more

The overall experience was amazing, it was my first time there. My friend and I went to the spa for the day for her birthday. We each got the serenity pedicure. For the $100 price, I was expecting it to last longer than the 5 days it actually lasted before the polish started to chip. I'm let down by that. I am weary about getting that service again but may try something else in the future, that will last longer. read more

I decided to celebrate my birthday at the spa per the recommendation of one of my friends. I'm so glad I took the advice! I felt like a queen the entire time I was there. I was welcomed with a "happy birthday" and then the concierge took me on a tour. I had an aromatherapy massage and Jeff did an amazing job. Afterwards, we got in the pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and sat in the relaxation areas. I highly recommend disconnecting from your phone and spending time investing in self care. I plan to return in a few months. read more

Worst experience ever! Staff is rude and unresponsive. I was charged for drinks during my "Luxury pedicure" after I was told that beverages were complimentary. When I spoke to the staff and informed them of the mistake, they refused to remove the charge my bill. This $205 luxury mani/pedi was not nearly as good as the $50 service I receive at my normal salon. There is no restaurant or cafe in the Spa area, so after arriving and spending time in the sauna and jacuzzi we had to get dressed again, go upstairs to the main hotel restaurant and then go back to the spa, back into our robes for our treatments. Such a huge inconvenience and waste of time!! Every other high end spa I have been to has offered food service as a part of the spa experience. My girlfriends and I do a spa trip every year and there are so many better places in North Carolina than this one. Try The Spa at The Grove Park Inn or The Spa at Pinehurst instead!! read more

I am an avid spa/massage consumer. I took my mother and myself for treatments as a Christmas gift. Honestly, I was rather disappointed. The spa has a reputation to be similar to the Grove Park Inn but it is no where in scale or comparison, except in price. Actually, this spa may be more expensive. I had a massage and my mother had a massage and pedicure, for a total of $400+. My disappointments are as follows: 1. My mother had also ordered a French manicure. Once she was done, she waited for drying as appropriate yet by the time we left, the French tips were chipping horribly. There was no time to fix her nails so the manager took it off our bill (still over $400). 2. I was unaware of the 20% service fee added to each service. Of course I would have tipped on my own. I prefer to be notified in advance of these types of additional expenses. 3. My mother had Krystal as a massage therapist and had a similar experience as the woman below...no pressure, not attentive to clients request. Simply rubbing the back and avoiding the neck. 4. Overall, the spa is pretty but it was NOT worth the price. I expected a Grove Park experience for the price with a meal. I wish I had just gone to Massage Envy and a corner nail salon. read more

In response to the manager- you knew what Pavel was doing to customers at least in November 2015, because I complained to the manager. Instead of taking action at that time, he was allowed to work on female customers and at least two other women (one a teenager) were sexually assaulted by him. I complained to the manager in November 2015 and wrote a Yelp review (at the time, there were only a few other Yelp reviews about the spa so there is now way it was overlooked). However, nothing was done. To add insult to injury, the manager had the nerve to tell me you were still charging me the mandatory 20% tip. You're not sorry for my experience. You still haven't even offered me a refund. If I owned a business, someone complained about being inappropriately touched by my employee, I ignored them, and then the employee went on to sexually assault at least two women and plead guilty to assault, I would at least offer the women a refund. It's disgusting that you made me pay for it. read more

GREAT HOTEL AND STAFF BUT POOR SPA RESERVATION SYSTEM IN PLACE. On hold for the second time today, Thanksgiving Day, for 45 minutes. I was told I had to wait until the Thursday before to schedule a spa treatment for Friday. I was told to call at 10a, which I did. I was actually driving over there to do it in person, thought maybe it would be quicker. I love the hotel, the accommodations and the spa but to schedule a spa appointment is impossible if you are not a guest at the hotel. The reservation center is so poorly staffed. Its Thanksgiving, I have a lot going on...I was told by the reservation agent she was the only one there and had been on the phone since 9a constantly. If this happens every year - even on Thanksgiving Thursday how long does it take to realize you need more people staffing the phones. This was a birthday present that failed because of a poor system in place. Now holding 51 minutes! I am a local guest to the restaurant, the bar often and stay occasionally as a getaway and use the spa...this was a very disappointing experience. They just answered after 56 minutes and to no surprise nothing is going to work! read more

Wendy gave me the best pedicure ever (and an excellent manicure)! My feet are ticklish but I didn't feel a thing (even though she did a great job working off all my dead skin). The facilities are great-- nicely appointed and the steam room, sauna, hot tub, current pool and showers are top-notch. I even kept the post-spa feeling after driving with the maniacs on I-40. Worth every penny! read more