Posts Tagged: nc wedding venues

We at Southern Bride & Groom magazine know The Umstead Hotel and Spa best for its elegant weddings and receptions. We’ve featured several Umstead wedding events over the last few years and you can view a stunning reception in our current edition! The award-winning Umstead is praised for so much more than exemplary events, including its acclaimed Herons restaurant, stellar spa facilities, impeccable service and luxurious guest accommodations. This month I discovered that great things are in the works at The Umstead when I was invited to a wonderful lunch and tour for a small group of area business professionals, hosted by founder and owner Ann Goodnight, General Manager John Beley, and marketing manager Darah Whyte.

Dara Blakeley Photography

We all informally discussed the direction of the Triangle business growth and learned much about the ecological vision of The Umstead Hotel and Spa. Manager, John Beley, is highly concerned and involved with employee workplace satisfaction, and was recognized when the hotel was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Triangle Business Journal in 2011. This assures their goal of an elevated guest experience in all aspects of service. The company mindset, the food, the additions and the renovations at The Umstead Hotel & Spa all reflect a renewed and dedicated purpose towards worker and guest happiness, along with conservation of the environment.

GOING GREEN with DINING

The Umstead Hotel and Spaas a whole is moving towards a state-of-the-art eco-friendly system – and I’ll elaborate on that below. But allow me a diversion so I can share our outstanding lunch. I know we are all foodies here in our Triangle area. Seriously, the diners at our lunch were taking pictures of their dishes as they were served before the first bite!

Dara Blakeley Photography

Herons, the (5-diamond AAA, Forbes Five Star, and a dozen more awards) restaurant located in The Umstead Hotel, is the perfect pick for an impressive occasion, but really should be experienced for any special lunch or dinner outing with friends. The restaurant was very busy on our Thursday lunch day in April, but never felt crowded. After enjoying a salad of lovely baby spring lettuces, hoop cheddar and pickled strawberries with white balsamic, some of Chef John Childer’s entrée choices included a Lobster Roll with hand-cut vinegar potato chips, a Hot Smoked Salmon with butter beans, sugar snap peas and arugula, and Grass Fed Beef Sirloin with roasted marble potatoes, crispy broccoli and bacon sauce. I enjoyed a succulent natural chicken breast over Carolina rice that was melt-in-your-mouth tender! For dessert, we chose between a lemony chocolate napoleon in puff pastry or an original Pavlova with strawberries and mascarpone over coconut angel food cake created by pastry chef Daniel Benjamen. With the yummmmm-murmerings of everyone at the table, it was tough not to ask for one of everything on the menu that day, but I vow to return to enjoy more selections.

FARM FRESH, LOCAL and HOMEMADE

We learned that The Umstead has it’s own mini-farm called Maggie’s Farm, named after its manager guru. This organic enterprise freshly supplies nearly all of Herons vegetables, fruits and herbs during the full growing seasons. Herons menu also serves natural and locally-sourced meats plus organic coffee from local purveyor, Larry’s Beans. Even the coffee grounds are being used within their mushroom farming project. Hooray for herb scones and melt in your mouth cornbread and rolls. All breads and pastries are homemade by chef Daniel. Herons is an impressive dining experience to share with your business group, associates, friends or special partner. I hope I didn’t leave anyone out.  Herons also hosts Uncorked Wine Dinners every last Thursday of the month to enjoy perfect wine and food pairings along with new taste experiences!

ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS with ENERGY CONSERVATION

The Umstead Hotel is on their final phase to complete the 150 guestrooms of their original plan when opened in 2007. Guestrooms have been redecorated in a soothing aqua shade and have luxurious new drapery, curtains, carpet, bedding and interactively built-in bedframes. The balconies allow guests to also enjoy the natural outdoor surroundings.

The guest rooms are incorporating an evolve system – a environmentally conscious controlled lighting and energy-savings installation that is personalized for guests. The Umstead Hotel as a whole is moving towards a state-of-the-art eco-friendly system for energy conservation.

Even the captivating artwork that is exhibited throughout the hotel, as well as in each beautiful guestroom, reflects this love of nature. The pieces are mainly by accomplished regional and national artists whose work evokes our area of the country, and reflects the hotel’s wooded North Carolina setting that borders the William B. Umstead State Park.

THE SPA – THERE’S MORE TO COME and ENJOY

My experiences at The Umstead Spa have always been memorable. It’s the ideal place to relax and bond with a friend, or enjoy with the “girls” to celebrate an occasion. I personally love the hot-tub time between massage treatments to unwind. The Spa is currently closed for expansion and design refurb, so stay tuned for the newly enlarged spa news and the slated re-opening in July. We hear (from top sources!) there will be a new coed “current” pool, in addition to the separate men’s and women’s sauna and whirlpool areas, plus  a sophisticated new nail salon with more pedicure chairs,  which I think may be the most comfortable spa chairs on the planet!

A WORD ABOUT THE WEDDINGS

To the brides who are looking for that perfect wedding weekend location, you’ll be happy to know that The Umstead  brides can enjoy the gorgeous wedding garden that overlooks the pine-surrounded lake for their ceremony, then choose between a smaller intimate banquet room or elegant larger ballroom, both with an extensive outdoor patio terrace to use for the wedding of her dreams. Brides will love the spa and its services, and may enjoy a bridal event such as a bridesmaids’ luncheon in the spa or by the pool. The guest rooms have been updated and the service is unsurpassed so this is a hotel that has it all.

We love the greening of The Umstead!

~ Donna Parks, Publisher, SB&G