CARY, N.C.
A major renovation of The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s award-winning conference facilities added a new meeting room and elevated all elements of the 150-room hotel’s 10,000 square feet of event space.
The Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond property is located in North Carolina’s northeastern Piedmont region, just minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and a short drive from the Triangle.
Design decisions by Duda|Paine Architects and interior designer Mary Elizabeth Beal focused on subtly capturing light and harmonizing the mixed-use rooms with the hotel’s original woodland aesthetic.
Here is an overview of The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s upgrades:
Future-proof AV – The Umstead has completely replaced its AV system, including a new cabling infrastructure that will support whatever the next wave of technology brings. It has equipped all spaces with digital inputs and added large-scale 4K-capable 75-inch high-definition displays in the Boardroom, Cedar Room and 4K-capable 65-inch high-definition display in the new Arbor Room.
Meeting planners and presenters enjoy high-definition 16:9 video projection systems in the Ballroom, Salon and Sycamore rooms, and a new portable high-definition videoconferencing system maximizes connectivity. Additionally, integrated audio conferencing is now available in all meeting rooms.
New Arbor Room – The Arbor Room is a new high-tech gathering spot for up to seven people, ideal for business with teleconference capabilities. It complements in size and style The Umstead’s existing Oak Room, which seats five at a round table—an ideal choice for breakout sessions.
Design Updates – A complete refurbishment of carpet, draperies, and wall coverings creates a distinct but cohesive look for every space that complements the modern lines of The Umstead’s architecture and its unique design sensibility. Colors throughout are inspired by the hotel’s natural stone exterior, and each room enjoys a neutral earth tone, such as buttercream, truffle and olive gray.
Many new design details subtly affect light by capturing or reflecting it. Examples include a glazed metallic linen in the 1,600-square-foot Salon, and a small, sparkling thread in the wall coverings and silver leaf paper above the chandeliers of the Ballroom. In the latter, fabric valences at the windows were removed to bring in light and showcase the beauty of the hotel’s great outdoors.
The 600-square-foot Cedar Room received emphasis in The Umstead’s redesign, improving its versatility. Architectural enhancements include a new vestibule and glass door entry, plus built-in credenza.
Every section of The Umstead’s conference facilities is refreshed, including pre-function space and the 900-square-foot Sycamore room and executive Boardroom, which seats 16.
Outdoor Enhancements – Upgrades to the exterior terrace include a new linear gas fire pit made of dark walnut travertine, which creates a relaxing ambiance for guests as they overlook The Umstead’s private lake. Sixty new parking spaces at the hotel’s entrance ease arrival and departure for patrons.
Refreshed catering – Enhanced banquet and special event menus by Executive Chef Steven Greene herald North Carolina’s seasonal bounty. A new fall/winter menu is currently available, and the refreshed spring/summer menu will be revealed late March 2016.
The Umstead’s catering selection ranges from elegant buffets to engaging stations, creative meeting break bites and formal plated feasts. Locally-sourced products are at the heart of The Umstead catering program, and Chef Greene’s team draws heavily on produce harvested from the nearby sustainable Farm on SAS campus.
