Hubby and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at Salamander Middleburg, a premier resort in Loudoun County, Virginia. I learned that Loudoun County is the wealthiest county in the United States, with its abundance of horse farms and wineries. It’s no wonder Sheila Crump Johnson chose this area to establish her real estate empire.
Back Story:
Sheila co-founded and launched the Black Entertainment Network (BET) on January 25, 1980, with her former husband, Robert L. Johnson. In 1999, she left BET to pursue her interests after the Johnsons sold their network to Viacom. Her thirty-three-year marriage ended in divorce in 2002;
Sheila’s love affair with Middleburg began when she drove her daughter Paige to her daily 4:15 p.m. riding sessions. As a child and a lover of the cartoon My Little Pony, Paige is now a world-class equestrian. Brett, Sheila’s second child, is a designer of men’s clothing.
Now, Salamander’s inception. The original zoning proposal for a 58-room inn received significant opposition. Over the years, objections and the recession stalled construction. Thanks to an agreement to revitalize the Middlesburg water supply and revamp the treatment facility. Middleburg, let’s not forget how the community benefits from lower utility bills and significant tax benefits from Salamander.
Sheila returned to the drawing board with more extensive plans for a true luxury equestrian-inspired resort with 168 rooms, a beautiful equestrian center featuring a 14,000-square-foot stable with 22 stalls, and a 23,000-square-foot spa and wellness center with 14 treatment rooms, which opened in August 2013.
Our Room:
Hubby gets an A+ for executing and planning our milestone anniversary. Again, Chef’s kiss to hubby for using the Concierge to make spa appointments and the Open Table app to secure significant dinner reservations before our arrival.
First, our room, the estate King Guest Room, is 545 square feet with a resort view overlooking the grounds, a sitting area, a stone balcony with outdoor seating, and a fireplace—a marble shower with multiple jets. Turn down service with a carton of boxed water and a signature baked treat every night. Delightful!
How about the bed?
I’m in love! How about the free-standing pedestal bathtub? My hubby didn’t understand the need for this photo. He said, “Who does this?” Me, your wife of 40 years.
First afternoon:
On-Site Visit by Local Middleburg Winery: Boxwood Estate Winery
Boxwood Winery’s owner, John Kent Cooke (1912-1997), you may remember business person and the former owner and president of the NFL Washington Redskins and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Next: Exceptional Evening Dining experiences:
First Night: Harriman’s Grill – a formal dining experience
Reservations in-house at Harriman’s (as in Pamela Harriman’s (1920-1997) husband, W. Averell Harriman (1891-1986), named after the last person who owned the land purchased by Sheila)
The in-house sommelier assisted my husband with his red wine choice; I usually get a light white wine or light cocktail.
Dinner entrees:
Alfresco dining for the Virginia Piedmont-inspired cuisine
Hubby and I shared the 30 oz Ribeye for two
Additions: Foie Gras, Baby Beets, and Brussels – all cooked to perfection, especially the Brussels with the added crispness
Olive Oil Honey Cake
Excellent service by Larbi and Greg. The food – superb
Day Two Morning:
We walked to downtown Middleburg, a charming, lovingly maintained 19th-century town with an unusually profound impact on our nation’s history. There was no McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Chick-fil-A in this town, and I don’t think there was a traffic light. Pictured above is Crème de la Crème with lovely home goods.
Two Evening: The Red Fox Inn & Tavern – another fine dining experience
We celebrated my birthday with dinner reservations at the historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern, the oldest building in the town, which is nearly 300 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building served as a hospital during the Civil War.
We enjoyed a four-course meal.
Amuse Bouche (palate cleanser)
Braised Quail Arancini
Mini Cheese Plate
Roasted Fig & Maitake Tartlet
Spiced Pear & Butternut Salad
Local Ribeyes
Nicolas Feuillatte (Champagne)
Nectarines & Cream Cake
Excellent service by Patrick B. and the superb food
Day Three: Spa Day
We enjoyed Massages and Facials in the 23,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, an award-winning facility for unwinding, relaxing, and renewing.
A few amenities worth mentioning:
♥ Compressed hand towels with a few drops of water to expand the towel to cleanse your hands when you enter the rooms for services
♠ Conscious Breathing, inhaling an essential oil
♦ Warm towel on your feet
♠ Warm neck warmer
♣ Warm Back warmer
Day Three Evening: Casual dining at The Bistro at Goodstone Inn
BBQ Chicken Sandwich – me
Chicken Piccata – hubby
Day Four Morning:
No horse riding for me. I admire the Salamander horses in their beautiful equestrian center, the guests riding them, and the few horses still in their stalls. Here’s Freya. She was not feeling well today.
This horse, perhaps, getting re-shoed by a farrier?
Day Four Evening: Our last fancy meal, a formal seven-course seasonally driven tasting dinner at The Conservatory at Goodstone Inn:
Amuse bouche (palate cleanser)
Ora King Salmon
Olive Oil Poached Tomatoes 👆🏾
Scallop
A5 Wagyu Carpaccio
Lamb
Duck
Red Grouper
Halibut
Complimentary dessert for our anniversary
Chef’s kiss for excellent presentations. Exceptional cuisine; thank you, Caitlin. Caitlin also provided a stool for my bag.
Day Five: Check out
The Ambiance of the Hotel
Warm and friendly staff
Equestrian-Inspired
Helpful and attentive Concierge Service, thank you Virginia
Artwork Throughout the Hotel
Prevalent fragrance at the resort: Dr. Vranies Firenze Room Diffuser (I had to purchase this fragrance for our home)
Salamander Middleburg Experiences Available:
⛳️ Off-site golfing
🗓 Summer Activities Calendar June – August (Children’s activities included)
🏍 Mountain Biking
🥾 Hiking
🪢 Zip Lining
🐎 Horseback riding
🏋🏾 Fitness Classes
🏊🏾♂️ Outdoor Pool with Private Cabanas (to rent)
🧑🏾🍳 Cooking Studio
🎱 Billiards Room
🏏 Pickle Ball
🎣 Fishing Pod (free rods provided)
Outside Lawn Games: Bocce ball, croquet, corn hole
For Quiet Time and Relaxation:
Spa Lounge
📚 The Library: Board games and a personally selected 2,000+ book collection
🎲 Relaxing outside for a game of life-sized Chess
Relax in the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit
Complimentary Services:
Boxed Water
🥾 Riding Boot Cleaning Service
🦎 Salamander Scavenger Hunt (prizes included)
💦 Afternoon Infused Water Station
🚙 Audi transportation (we valet parked our car and used the car service for off-site evening dinner reservations)
With classically trained violinist and pianist Sheila, who taught at the Sidwell School in D.C., I learned about her purchase of 340 acres of land in Middleburg, Virginia, ten years before Salamander opened. That’s when my fascination with Sheila began. On the last night of our stay at Salamander Middleburg, I had the opportunity to meet the incredible Sheila Crump Johnson. I relish Sheila’s vision for the third chapter of her life, visualizing and developing a luxury resort that welcomes everyone, especially people of color.
Shelia recently published “Walk Through the Fire,” her memoir of love, loss, and triumph. It’s worth noting that the name Salamander is an approved borrow from the code name for a WWII hero, but it’s also a nod to the mythical creature the Salamander that can walk through fire.
A few of the annual events to experience at Salamander Middleburg:
🎥 Middleburg Film Festival, October 17 – 20, 2024 (first held in 2013)
🧑🏾🍳 🍷 Food & WIne Fifth Annual Family Reunion presented by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, 2025 TBD
Salamander Middleburg gives the feel of a country estate with large open rooms full of comfy couches and chairs. If you are looking for a luxe vacation space, a girl’s getaway, a romantic weekend, a staycation, or a selfcare weekend, then you must experience Salamander Middleburg. Oh, by the way, the resort is kid and pet-friendly.
How about Salamander’s Forbes’ five-star destination for accommodations, spa, and dining? This recognition makes the resort one of only five in the United States and 13 worldwide to achieve these designations. The attention to exquisite detail is a true reflection of Sheila Johnson. Earlier this month, Michelin added Salamander Middleburg to the One Key designation, congratulations.
What a tremendous experience! Salamander Middleburg is an elegant luxe getaway to celebrate our milestone anniversary and my 69th birthday.
As always, thank you for visiting the Age of Grace.
