Salamander Resort & Spa

The accommodations here are world class, and the prices reflect that. It is hard to find in the middle of the night, but the rooms are wonderful, and the food and drinks at the Gold Cup Wine Bar are also great – again prices are what you would expect from something named the Gold Cup Wine Bar. I had a wonderful time here, and would love to come again for a get away! Two more years until our next retreat!

The Salamander Resort & specifically Harriman’s Restaurant were an excellent experience for our family of 19, adults & children. We have life-​threatening food allergies in our family and not only did they accommodate their allergies & make us feel safe, but they also went above & beyond in making the food just as delicious & exciting as their brunch! We are so grateful for the wonderful staff there, especially Michael, Brian, & our servers. The brunch was beautifully presented & everything was flavored so deliciously! Thank you & we can’t wait to come back. Kim Family

This is a lovely resort within walking distance to the quaint historic town of Middleburg. The facilities and grounds are quite beautiful. A calm feeling of serenity just washed over me as I entered the building. I can see how a couple of nights spent here would be quite relaxing.
While we did not stay at the resort or eat in the more formal restaurant, Harrimans, we did stop for a drink and lunch in the Gold Cup Lounge. We decided to start with a drink of the day which was some kind of margarita with muddled blueberries. While I normally love a great margarita, this drink did not work for me. The taste was too tart for my tastes and even the addition of a bit of simple syrup did not help. My husband and I both could not finish. The bartender was nice enough to trade out our drinks to something more to our liking. For me, that was a Grey Goose Cosmo and for my husband a Bombay and Tonic. Again, I wasn’t completely pleased with my drink. This one was far too sweet. However, it was palatable enough for me not to return to the bar yet again with a complaint. I would recommend simple drinks or choosing something off their fairly extensive wine list.
The food was hit or miss for us as well. We started with the Crispy Sesame Cauliflower and the Milanese Risotto Fritters. The cauliflower was outstanding — a tasty and inventive dish which I highly recommend. I found the risotto fritters somewhat bland. We also each ordered a cup of the she crab soup — one of my favorites. The soup had plenty of crab, but I found it just a bit too rich and sweet for my tastes. For lunch, I chose the crab cake BLT while my husband chose the Salamander Burger. The crab cake was absolutely delicious with the addition of fried green tomato and pimiento cheese. My husband said the burger was nothing special — just average.
While full, our bartender tempted us with dessert. We could not resist the fresh homemade doughnuts. They were light, slightly crispy on the outside with a key lime powder sugar coating and a small piece of dark chocolate in each doughnut hole. These were heavenly!
The outdoor grounds are quite nice. There is plenty of seating, fire pits, croquet, a giant chess board and corn hole. I understand there is a 2 mile zip line on property as well. They do offer cooking classes in their cooking studio which I think would be quite a bit of fun. I am sure Harriman’s would provide quite a fine dining experience.
This visit, as I stated earlier, was somewhat hit or miss with both the food and drinks especially considering the prices. I would definitely like to come back for another visit to try something else.

Had a fantastic lunch at the Gold Cup Wine bar! The customer service was outstanding along with the food and drinks! We ordered the gnocchi, house salad, wings, and chocolate mason jar cake to eat! We ordered a glass of rose’ and the raspberry mule to drink!
The chicken wings were fantastic and a must try! Noting beats homemade pasta and the gnocchi did not disappoint. The goat added extra flavor! I’d go back for the raspberry mule alone! The flourless chocolate cake. It appears rich, stacked high in a mason jar but it’s actually really light! And it’s gluten free of that’s your thing! It was large enough for us to share and we cleaned the jar!
I enjoyed the Salamander! We didn’t stroll around the property too much but from what we experienced I’d definitely stay here one day! They also have a market in town called the Market Salamander! It’s great to grab a sandwich from there, head to a local winery, grab a bottle, and have a picnic with a great view!

This was a 10 star experience! Where do I begin with this comfortable, relaxing and fun resort. The way I describe the way this resort felt, is that it feels as though owner Sheila Johnson opened up her private estate, hired some staff, created some fun activities for us to enjoy and told us to make ourselves feel at home. :-)
I spent a long weekend there with some friends and from the moment I stepped on the grounds of The Salamander, my soul was at ease.
The staff who greeted me was just as excited to see me as I was them. I found my room which was carefully decorated for comfort, luxury and convenience. Every detail was considered in the room. Even down to the built in shelving in the shower (it’s the little things! Gotta have enough room for all of my products)
There’s an outdoor balcony off of every room so you are able to enjoy the serene outdoor space that the resort occupies. Birds are singing and just as excited to be there.
We took advantage of the zip lining excursion that’s on the property through Empower Adventures which was a spectacular event! This was our very first time zip lining, so naturally we were all nervous. But Jack (and I can’t recall his partner’s name who was equally as awesome — blame it on my nerves) made us feel at ease with the training, explanations and patience. They also both had great sense of humor that made our time swinging in the trees such a memorable and fun experience.
After our nervous turned exciting adventure on zip lining, we made the natural next step to the bar to get a tasty beverage to calm our nerves. Haha the bartenders were friendly and capable and made the drinks Fresh and delicious!
We then purchased a kit to make S’Mores in the fire pit on property. How cool is that?! This was such a fun experience & with Lindt chocolate for the s’mores, how could we go wrong?! This experience by the pit also allowed us to make friends and enjoy the other interesting guests there enjoying this little piece of paradise.
The next morning we ordered room service which was quickly delivered and they even created a lovely linen table set up for us to enjoy our in-​room dining experience. Classy!
We then used the complimentary car service to hop into town to grab a bite to eat. This was such a great feature considering that the tiny town just outside of the gates of the resort has some serious construction going on, so finding parking may have been a challenge. Luckily we didn’t have to deal with that.
That evening we enjoyed dinner at Harriman’s, the on property steakhouse. My review for that meal will be separate. But it was awesome.
The last moments of our luxuriating we happened to run into the brilliant and amazing woman who made this resort experience possible — the incomparable Sheila Johnson. She is a ray of sunshine and an absolute delight in person. I have always admired her and her business success as well as the class that she exhibits. It was apparent in every part of our experience at Salamander. Her quote on the complimentary bottles of water will live on forever in my memory BE BOLD. BE INSPIRED.
And so I will be!

There isn’t another spa like this close to the DC area. It’s peaceful and serene. The spa treatments are divine. The service was excellent and the whole property is well kept. I’d go again in a heartbeat.

Lovely resort in the virginia country! They have a little bit of everything for everyone. The spa being the highlight for sure! They have fire pits with chairs outside to roast marshmallows and board games inside with enjoy by the fire. The equestrian facilities are also a nice touch if you are a horse person. You can also easily walk into the very quaint town of middleburg for more delicious food at cute cafes. A great place to relax for the weekend!

My husband and I spent one night at this beautiful resort and did not want to leave! Just a short drive from the DC area, this peaceful, quiet countryside location is the perfect, quick escape from the stressful hustle and bustle of the city.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly, knowledgeable staff with a gift of truffles. Our deluxe room with fireplace and a balcony view of the lush green landscape was romantic and relaxing; adding a bottle of sparkling prosecco wine, chocolate-​covered strawberries and rose petal turndown service added to the luxurious ambience. The separate tub from shower gave the bathroom a spa-​like feel. From our room, we could see outdoor firepits where some couples appeared to be enjoying glasses of wine.
We ate dinner at the resort’s Harriman’s and thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails, swordfish and filet mignon. We then spent some cuddling by the fire in the library; perusing the books in the library truly nourished my book-​looking soul!
On our next visit, we hope to spend atleast two nights so we can enjoy the spa, golfing, equestrian activities and winery tours.

A little pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for. I purchased a $ 189 voucher from The Capitol Deal for a 50 min wrap and a 50 min massage. We were running late (it’s about a 1.5 hr drive from PG County, MD), but they were able to accommodate one of us by pushing our appointment back by a half hour. My friend’s masseuse was booked solid, however he was able to give her both services by shortening them slightly to fit into the slot.
The food was tasty, but pricey. I got the chicken sandwich with fries, tuna sushi roll, and a glass of wine, which totaled to $ 63! We were able to eat by the fire pit and they gave us blankets, so even though it was only 48 degrees outside, we were comfortable.
Gratuity is automatically added (at 20%) but the staff were very nice, so they deserved it.
The outdoor/​indoor jacuzzi was very relaxing. There’s so many relaxing places to go to in this resort spa that you should plan to stay the entire day!
The reason I only gave them 4 stars is because I believe they should offer additional complimentary beverages/​snacks. My fave spa (The Pearl Spa) offers a glass of champagne and a warm brownie after your services (yum!)
However, the fruit-​infused water was very refreshing!
I will definitely return and recommend this spa!

I brought an out of town guest to Salamander on Thursday March 17 to have lunch. Was I disappointed… even angry at the quality of the food and especially of the service.
We both shared an oyster stew, which was rich and tasty. Whether it had any oysters in the ingredients is questionable. The wine selection was good.
My food, however, was horrible.
The oyster Po Boy had too much spice… uneatable…there may have been three pieces of fried, breaded oysters in it but they certainly were not tasty. The sauce was too spicy… another reason to make the meal very poor. The roll seems like cheap Wonder Bread. My side salad had too much vinegar on it to eat.
I left almost completely uneaten food on both my plates. Not to create a fuss with my guest present, when the waitress came, I did not complain. When she asked how I like the food, I told her exactly what I am stating here
She didn’t say I am sorry or express any empathy. She just walked away and slapped me with a bill that totaled $ 125 including tax and tip.
My feelings about my lunch at Salamander will be reflected in both a Unilocal and a Trip Adviser reference.
Frankly, other than returning for as drink, I would never again come for food now would I recommend anyone eat at Salamander.

Love this place. The rooms are fantastic. The seating area is grand and inviting and the grounds are spectacular. The dining is the only thing really lacking. Otherwise it’s easily five stars.

I am a bit biased since my wedding was here, but Salamander as a hotel surpassed all of my expectations.
Beautiful: check. I wanted to steal everything in the main lobby (that looks like a living room).
Great location: check. Middleburg is out in the middle of nowhere, but is a great town to spend a weekend in.
Comfiest bed ever: check. Seriously. I could not have gotten a better night’s sleep.
The only negative of our stay is that room service consisting of one burger and a tray of cookies came up to $ 50 somehow, but at a resort of this caliber you know coming in that you’re going to be paying top dollar. We are so looking forward to coming back for anniversaries!

My boyfriend and I stayed here Veterans Day. The rooms were very specious, clean, and well kept. The GM Reggie is amazing and made our stay wonderful. I enjoyed the ambience and the gorgeous views.
Pros:
1. Close to DC (45minutes) but you feel like you are in your own world far from everything.
2. Bar and restaurant has incredible drinks and food.
3. The town of Middleburg is so lovely and just a short walk from the resort.
4. Rooms are beautiful.
5. Wonderful fire pit outside.
6. You can bring your own horse or ride one of theirs.
7. Dog friendly
8. Great spa
Cons.
1. Someone charged $ 300 to our room (but staff took it off when we checked out and discovered the charges).
2. Our vacation was over and we couldn’t stay forever.

I was surprised to find such a nice place located in the beautiful countryside of Virginia. The place is wonderful and I wish I still lived close by because I would make this one of my main options for grabbing a drink with some friends.
Very fancy so tell your boyfriend he can’t wear his favorite sweatpants and Redskins jersey.

Shelia Johnson knew what she was doing when she opened the Salamander Resort and Spa two years ago. With it being an hour’s drive from DC’s Capitol Hill, it’s the perfect weekend escape from the city. It’s in historic Middleburg, Virginia just behind the historic strip of the city with antique shops and great restaurants and a coffee shop.
The Salamander itself is an estate with several dining halls on the premise, a spa, fitness center, an indoor and outdoor pool, a library, a large lawn, and even a dining room.
The staff is on it and very friendly and really is there to make your stay worries free.
Each room is large with it’s own sitting area and balcony. The bathroom is huge with a modern shower, an old school tub, and a separate toilet room. One of the best features is the «turn down service» each night. The staff prepare your room for sleeping, turn on mood music, get your bed ready for you to easily slip into it, and leave a fresh water bottle and two famous butterscotch scones for you to enjoy when you wake up.
In terms of activities, the report offers state of the arc zip lining, cooking classes, biking, hiking, and even horse back riding.
I highly recommend the Salamander Resort and Spa and cannot wait to return!

What’s not to like. This property is very well done and the perfect scale. Not too small and not too large. This is a new property built recently by billionaire Sheila Johnson. I believe her daughters love of horses led to the equestrian theme and services available for riders. They welcome some pets and have a top notch spa. They also offer golf thru the Crieghton Farms private course nearby. Tough and challenging but fun golf course. The food and wine offerings are also top notch and special attention to locally sourced fresh foods and vineyards of middleburg.
The rooms are spacious and well appointed. It is on par with any St. Regis and Ritz or Four Seasons property.
The restaurant was fabulous. You have a range of meal options. Don’t skip the cauliflower appetizer. Trust me. It’s not what you think. It’s awesome.

Went for brunch last weekend (because that’s what us DC’ers do!). Was pleasantly surprised by the low price $ 39 for buffet and omelet station or $ 49 if you include unlimited mimosas with your brunch.
The ambiance and grounds were beautiful and I often caught glimpses of people riding horses in front of the restaurant.
If you are a vegetarian, your options are a bit limited. You have an omelet station, potatoes, breads and desserts, fruit and pancakes. If you are vegan, you may as well forgo the experience entirely.
All in all, it was a beautiful venue, the food was good (not amazing), and the service was spot on. Would I go again? Sure. Would I choose the Kennedy Center brunch first, though? Definitely.

We have a fabulous room with soaking tub. We are walking distance to downtown Middleburg. Our dinner in their formal dining room was five stars. Impeccable service and great staff. We are very happy and we will be back!
We spent a lovely afternoon at the main pool.

Lovely hidden gem. Had no idea where I was headed but pleasantly surprised. Quaint downtown area within walking distance, which was good because none of the staff at the resort could find a running trail map. The spa was great with all the amenities.
The service was wonderful and the staff was incredibly accommodating. Great fire pit area!
Went to the resort for a work meeting but definitely a place I will return with my family!

Yes, methinks not. This is a review for the tea.
My family makes a ritual of high tea once or twice per year, and for the past two teas we have given the Salamander a chance to prove itself. On both counts it has failed.
While the atmosphere is of course incredibly gorgeous, with huge colorful themed rooms, we were seated for tea in the lobby — people were constantly coming and going and it was kind of loud. The seats were also not true seats, which wouldn’t have been a big deal except that chairs with back would have been really nice for the elderly in our party.
The tea was in tea bags, which is tacky especially when you’re paying over $ 40 a head. They didn’t have hot water ready for us, and in fact took a really long time to ever serve us. When they did, the quantity of food was pretty good — tea is sort of a snack and not a meal, but there was really plenty here. That said, it was mostly sweet breads — as always, more savory would have been welcome.
Because the tea was in bags, I guess they could afford to keep bringing us hot water and more tea — so that was a HUGE plus to this tea. It didn’t really make up for the fact that we were basically drinking tazo tea though.
The tea experience here was subpar but fine, but the price really left a bad taste in my mouth. Over $ 40 a person, I really want to be wowed — interesting looseleaf teas, pots of tea on the table, interesting and varied tea hors d’oeuvres, you get the gist. If you are the kind of person who regularly throws around that kind of money on snacks, sure, go for it. Otherwise, take your patronage somewhere else. There are MANY better teas.