Salamander Resort & Spa, the much-anticipated luxury resort opening August 29, 2013 in the storied village of Middleburg, VA, has launched a new “Canter & Decant” meeting package – the most unique equestrian and wine group package in America.

Set on 340 acres amid Virginia’s famed horse country and lush vineyards, yet only a 30-minute drive from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport and an hour from the nation’s capital, the 168-room resort is the only luxury destination resort in the United States scheduled to open in 2013. A decade in development, the resort is owned by Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts.

The customizable package highlights two of the several intriguing aspects of the resort, which has appeared on numerous “hot lists” already. Planners can choose from one of three daytime equestrian activities and three evening wine-based functions, while pricing will vary based on the group’s size, event choices and resort seasonality.

Equestrian Activities:

• Trail Riding – starting at Salamander’s equestrian center, saddle up and ride along the miles of picturesque trails on the resort’s property and surrounding countryside
• Equestrian Show – the resort’s team of accomplished equestrians will put on a demonstration of riding and eventing skills
• A Grand Day Out – visit one of the many area horse shows, events, races or polo matches in grand style

Wine-oriented Functions:

• Interactive Wine Dinner – learn, cook and sip at the resort’s state-of-the-art Cooking Studio and depart with a commemorative DVD of the experience
• Virginia Vintner Gathering –Virginia’s winemakers will pour their finest vintages at a progressive event in Salamander’s Gold Cup Wine Bar and on the resort’s Grand Lawn
• Private Winery Dinner – enjoy an exclusive gathering at one of the numerous area wineries catered by the resort’s talented chefs. Venues include wine caves and stunning terraces with mountain views.

In addition to its media recognition, Salamander Resort & Spa received glowing praise from meeting planners, who have already been booking groups at the resort as far out as 2015.

“It is clear that Sheila Johnson and her entire team are working tirelessly to create a luxury property surrounded by the warmth of a community,” says Natalie Gallo, director of Global Marketing and Branding at the New York Stock Exchange Euronext. “I could see the thought put into every detail – ranging from the placement of the concierge desk to the overhead monitors in the culinary studio. The resort is the perfect backdrop for a picturesque region offering exciting activities, numerous wineries, and an historic downtown where people say “hello” when you pass them on the street. I’m so excited to host our program at Salamander Resort & Spa this fall and know our guests will have a memorable, five star experience.”

Loudoun County, where the resort is located, has more horses than any other county in Virginia. Olympic riders live and train in the area, while Kentucky Derby winners were born and groomed locally. There are endless ways to experience Virginia’s Horse Country – from attending steeplechase races headlined by the Virginia Gold Cup to world-class show jumping events like the Upperville Horse Show. The resort includes a full-service equestrian center and an array of programming, while the property’s 22-stall stable and riding ring offers equine enthusiasts the opportunity to bring their horses along on vacation.


Salamander Resort & Spa is positioned at the center of Northern Virginia’s emerging wine country – commonly known as D.C.’s Wine Country, and there are over 50 wineries located within a 60-minute drive. The closest vineyard is only two minutes away from the resort’s front doors, and the area’s topography and award-winning varietals have prompted favorable comparisons with California’s noted wine regions. The resort will arrange private tours to vineyards and provide country picnic baskets filled with fresh, farm-to-table cuisine.

Designed to blend into its natural environment and replicate the architectural traditions of Virginia’s countryside, Salamander Resort & Spa also features luxurious rooms and suites inspired by renowned designer Thomas Pheasant, a 23,000-sq. ft. lavish spa, Virginia Piedmont-inspired dining overseen by award-winning Chef Todd Gray, a technologically advanced cooking studio, wine bar and culinary garden, and a Jack Nicklaus golf experience at nearby Creighton Farms Estates. Registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the resort also features 12,000 sq. ft. of conference and event facilities, including a 5,000-sq. ft. grand ballroom and a restored 100-year-old Stallion Barn.

For more information, visit www.salamanderresort.com, e-mail sales@salamanderresort.com or call (866) 938-7370. For group sales, call (540) 687-3716.

About Salamander Hotels & Resorts:
Salamander Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned and operated company based in Middleburg, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded by entrepreneur Sheila C. Johnson in 2005, the company has a portfolio that features a collection of three stellar golf resorts including the recently renovated Innisbrook Resort near Tampa, Reunion Resort in Orlando and the oceanfront Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast; and the eagerly anticipated Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, a 340-acre equestrian-inspired, luxury resort located near Washington, D.C. opening in August 2013. For additional information, call (540) 687-3710 or visit www.salamanderhotels.com.