Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2007 - (Page 44) THE UMSTEAD’S Presidential Suite (right) is the best choice for highend clients. The spa’s indoor lounges (below) are filled with fireplaces. the resort’s suites are also spacious and elegant. We were some of the very first guests at the new 8,000square-foot Heavenly Spa, which held a soft opening in April. Its intimate size makes for a comfortable, cozy feeling immediately after walking through the facility's elegant glass doors, upon which you’re met with the scent of white tea aromatherapy and served signature blueberry and white tea water from one of the very friendly staff members. A rushing “water wall” also graces the spa lobby. Spa Director Amy WilsonMoghina (amy. moghina@westin. com; 843-681-1062) hinted to us that her goal was to evoke a true sense of place at the spa, and we think she succeeded: Southern hospitality shone through in all our interactions with the staff, and we found local ingredients like indigo all over the treatment menu. We also loved the idea of symbolically leaving our troubles in the “burden basket” before entering any of the nine treatments rooms (plus one couple’s room). There’s also a fullservice salon and separate men’s and women’s lounges, each with a steam room, sauna and whirlpool. Dining choices at the resort range from an old-fashioned (in both offerings and price) ice cream stand by the pool to the elegant Barony Grill (we recommend the sea scallops), but for an off-site treat, visit the nearby Old Fort Pub (www. oldfortpub.com). The service is impeccable, and be sure to catch the sunset from the restaurant’s charming widow’s walk. Note: For clients who want fitness on their trip, there are two outdoor pools, cycling and jogging trails (a great way to see the grounds), and three 18-hole, PGA championship golf courses. Within only four months of operation, The Umstead Hotel and Spa (www.theumstead.com) has been named North Carolina's only member of The Leading Spas of the World. The 14,000-squarefoot spa has 10 treatment rooms, both wet and dry lounges and our favorite, the outdoor relaxation garden. Tell your best clients to opt for a customized 50-minute massage, which incorporates local products like chamomile and cucumber and is the most popular treatment. The Umstead uses its own product line; Spa Director Judy Stell (judy.stell@theumstead. com; 919-447-4160) can help answer questions. Our favorite aspect about the gorgeous lakeside property (which has hosted Billy Joel, Christina Aguilera and Newt Gingrich) is the fine art collections in the private gallery and scattered throughout the hotel. A tour of the art is in itself worth a visit to The Umstead; suggest that guests start with the extraordinary glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly in the lobby. The Presidential Suite alone also contains a dozen priceless works; this suite has an expansive balcony, adjoining bedrooms and a private kitchen and dining room, where Phil Evans, executive chef of the resort's famed Heron’s restaurant, can prepare private southerninfused dinners for your VIPs (tell them to ask for his goat’s milk ricotta agnolotti). Chief Concierge Martine Brouillete (martine.brouillete@ theumstead.com) can arrange this or can book the private room at Heron's, which seats 14. Tip: Guests should ask one of the restaurant's expert sommeliers to help them sort through the 800 wines listed on the menu. For clients who want to hit the shops, the hotel can arrange rides to Raleigh (15 minutes away) or Chapel Hill (25 minutes away); both have tons of great stores. Have a client who’s planning his nuptials? The Umstead’s dedicated wedding coordinator, Amy Magrini (amy.magrini@ theumstead.com; 919-447-4132), can plan a dream ceremony on the outdoor lawn. 44 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | August 2007 http://www.oldfortpub.com http://www.oldfortpub.com http://www.theumstead.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.