Camelot Beckons
Camelot Beckons
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA
SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA
Front Courtyard
One of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 10 Best Resorts in the South offers ‘one brief shining moment’ of vacation respite. By Lisa Sands Traveling through scenic rolling hills, past parallel rows of vineyards and lush farmland, visitors to the historic village of Middleburg, Virginia, are quickly removed from the present day to a more relaxed pace and seemingly idyllic way of life. Properly attired gentlemen nod slightly from atop their thoroughbreds. Ladies sip cappuccino at sidewalk cafés, shopping bags at their feet. This is Middleburg’s downtown district, lined with brick pathways, shade trees, inviting shops and structures from the Revolutionary War era, such as the Red Fox Inn, which was established in 1728 and is now the oldest continually operating tavern in the U.S. Once occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, Middleburg was later a weekend retreat for President and Mrs. Kennedy during their Camelot days in Washington, D.C. Today’s Middleburg retains its authentic charm and appeal for travelers looking for a little piece of their own Camelot, and Salamander Resort & Spa is Middleburg’s version of that storied kingdom. Opened in 2013, Salamander was the vision of Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and the first black American female billionaire. The entrance to 14 14 AAA AAATraveler Traveler• •September/October September/October2015 2015
Salamander is tucked away off Washington Street (Route 50) down a winding road, and a guest’s first view of the resort’s 340 acres evokes the image of a palatial Virginia country estate. You’ll see horses grazing in the fields, of course, but you may be struck more so by the number of guests walking the grounds with their dogs. (Salamander is dog-friendly and offers amenities, events and programs specifically for four-legged guests.) Upon entering the lobby, guests will find their eyes drawn to the floor-to-ceiling views of wide expanses of grass and rolling hills at the back of the property. The main room is tastefully decorated in shades of colonial blue and pale gold, with two immense fireplaces and plush seating. To the right is the Gold Cup Wine Bar, featuring high-backed leather seating and staffed by bartenders with extensive knowledge of the best local Virginia wines. Adjacent to the bar is the Billiards Room, with areas for small-group interaction and sports-watching on three oversized screens. To the left is Sundlun Library, home to some 2,500 titles, a dark wood-paneled retreat with built-in window seats where you can snuggle in and read. AAA.com/Traveler
Salamander Resort's living room
The Salamander Spa's outdoor pool
Downtown Middleburg
On a beautiful day, you’ll be drawn outside to partake in one of many active choices. The 22-stall barn offers an equestrian program that allows you to explore miles of trails on horseback. The Grand Lawn features croquet, bocce and an oversized chess set, or just make yourself comfortable in an Adirondack chair near the continually roaring fire. Go zip lining through a forest canopy with five different lines on a course that spans more than 20 acres. Explore the resort and neighboring village on your own with an all-terrain bike. Take a dip in your choice of the three expansive pools (including one indoors if the weather’s not perfect). If you’re a golfer, enjoy privileges at the nearby Club at Creighton Farms, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course recognized as one of the best on the Eastern Seaboard. These are just a few of the more popular options; the list goes on and includes falconry, paintball, animal tracking, clay shooting, whitewater rafting and more. After all this activity, you’ll be ready for some downtime. The 23,000-square-foot Salamander Spa and Wellness Center offers treatments and educational workshops in a peaceful environment that includes a secluded courtyard with a relaxation pool and private cabanas. You’ll have worked up an appetite by this point. Featuring locally sourced ingredients (some of which come from the resort’s two-acre chef’s garden), Harriman’s Grill offers Piedmont-style fare and sweeping views of the countryside. The restaurant hosts special wine dinners and weekly Sunday brunch. For something more hands-on, ask about the Cooking Studio, which opens directly into the kitchen. You can participate in themed classes or just watch and learn as the meal is prepared by the chef. After a full day of activity and eating, your luxurious guest room awaits. Salamander has almost 170 rooms, all of which include spacious sitting areas, dining tables for two, executive-sized desks, oversized pedestal tubs, and balconies or terraces overlooking the resort. Many of the rooms, decorated in soft grays, blues and taupe, also feature gas fireplaces to add to the ambiance. If you’re looking for a very special place for your own brief shining moment of relaxation and rejuvenation, visit Salamander Resort & Spa.
With advance reservations, AAA members get 10 percent off the best available rate on select dates. See your AAA travel agent for more information. Spa suite AAA Travel • 866.222.1357
AAA AAA Traveler Traveler •• September/October September/October 2015 2015 15 15
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA
SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA
Front Courtyard
One of Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 10 Best Resorts in the South offers ‘one brief shining moment’ of vacation respite. By Lisa Sands Traveling through scenic rolling hills, past parallel rows of vineyards and lush farmland, visitors to the historic village of Middleburg, Virginia, are quickly removed from the present day to a more relaxed pace and seemingly idyllic way of life. Properly attired gentlemen nod slightly from atop their thoroughbreds. Ladies sip cappuccino at sidewalk cafés, shopping bags at their feet. This is Middleburg’s downtown district, lined with brick pathways, shade trees, inviting shops and structures from the Revolutionary War era, such as the Red Fox Inn, which was established in 1728 and is now the oldest continually operating tavern in the U.S. Once occupied by Union troops during the Civil War, Middleburg was later a weekend retreat for President and Mrs. Kennedy during their Camelot days in Washington, D.C. Today’s Middleburg retains its authentic charm and appeal for travelers looking for a little piece of their own Camelot, and Salamander Resort & Spa is Middleburg’s version of that storied kingdom. Opened in 2013, Salamander was the vision of Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and the first black American female billionaire. The entrance to 14 14 AAA AAATraveler Traveler• •September/October September/October2015 2015
Salamander is tucked away off Washington Street (Route 50) down a winding road, and a guest’s first view of the resort’s 340 acres evokes the image of a palatial Virginia country estate. You’ll see horses grazing in the fields, of course, but you may be struck more so by the number of guests walking the grounds with their dogs. (Salamander is dog-friendly and offers amenities, events and programs specifically for four-legged guests.) Upon entering the lobby, guests will find their eyes drawn to the floor-to-ceiling views of wide expanses of grass and rolling hills at the back of the property. The main room is tastefully decorated in shades of colonial blue and pale gold, with two immense fireplaces and plush seating. To the right is the Gold Cup Wine Bar, featuring high-backed leather seating and staffed by bartenders with extensive knowledge of the best local Virginia wines. Adjacent to the bar is the Billiards Room, with areas for small-group interaction and sports-watching on three oversized screens. To the left is Sundlun Library, home to some 2,500 titles, a dark wood-paneled retreat with built-in window seats where you can snuggle in and read. AAA.com/Traveler
Salamander Resort's living room
The Salamander Spa's outdoor pool
Downtown Middleburg
On a beautiful day, you’ll be drawn outside to partake in one of many active choices. The 22-stall barn offers an equestrian program that allows you to explore miles of trails on horseback. The Grand Lawn features croquet, bocce and an oversized chess set, or just make yourself comfortable in an Adirondack chair near the continually roaring fire. Go zip lining through a forest canopy with five different lines on a course that spans more than 20 acres. Explore the resort and neighboring village on your own with an all-terrain bike. Take a dip in your choice of the three expansive pools (including one indoors if the weather’s not perfect). If you’re a golfer, enjoy privileges at the nearby Club at Creighton Farms, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course recognized as one of the best on the Eastern Seaboard. These are just a few of the more popular options; the list goes on and includes falconry, paintball, animal tracking, clay shooting, whitewater rafting and more. After all this activity, you’ll be ready for some downtime. The 23,000-square-foot Salamander Spa and Wellness Center offers treatments and educational workshops in a peaceful environment that includes a secluded courtyard with a relaxation pool and private cabanas. You’ll have worked up an appetite by this point. Featuring locally sourced ingredients (some of which come from the resort’s two-acre chef’s garden), Harriman’s Grill offers Piedmont-style fare and sweeping views of the countryside. The restaurant hosts special wine dinners and weekly Sunday brunch. For something more hands-on, ask about the Cooking Studio, which opens directly into the kitchen. You can participate in themed classes or just watch and learn as the meal is prepared by the chef. After a full day of activity and eating, your luxurious guest room awaits. Salamander has almost 170 rooms, all of which include spacious sitting areas, dining tables for two, executive-sized desks, oversized pedestal tubs, and balconies or terraces overlooking the resort. Many of the rooms, decorated in soft grays, blues and taupe, also feature gas fireplaces to add to the ambiance. If you’re looking for a very special place for your own brief shining moment of relaxation and rejuvenation, visit Salamander Resort & Spa.
With advance reservations, AAA members get 10 percent off the best available rate on select dates. See your AAA travel agent for more information. Spa suite AAA Travel • 866.222.1357
AAA AAA Traveler Traveler •• September/October September/October 2015 2015 15 15
