The Umstead Hotel and Spa

What the classifiers highlight

On twelve wooded acres around a private three-acre lake in Cary, minutes from Raleigh-Durham airport, the 150 rooms run in soothing blue and taupe with recessed doors for privacy. Forbes rates the hotel and its restaurant Herons both Five Stars, the kitchen pairing local, seasonal plates with a wine list beyond 2,500 bottles chosen by the sommelier.