For a truly transportive holiday experience, look no further than Salamander Middleburg in Virginia's historic horse country. Under the visionary guidance of Founder and CEO Sheila Johnson, the resort transforms into a magnificent, warm, and personal celebration of the season. It’s more than just a luxury destination; it’s an elegant, inclusive country home, steeped in tradition and genuine joy.
The distinctive atmosphere at Salamander is no accident; it is carefully curated to reflect Johnson’s own personal history and values. The most successful integration, according to Johnson, is the emphasis on family gatherings.
"Family gatherings were a big part of my childhood, and we have always emphasized the importance of this at Salamander Middleburg through our programming and spaces," she shares. "Our warm, intimate atmosphere has become a hallmark of the resort during the holidays, and I love to see families come together to celebrate."
This warm, inviting sensibility is most evident in the resort’s central gathering space. Johnson insists that this area is never referred to as a "lobby," but rather the resort’s living room, a name that immediately establishes a sense of domestic comfort and familiarity.
"What I cherish most is the overall transformation of the resort’s living room during the holiday season," Johnson explains. She views this space as truly reflective of her own living room on a larger scale. The entire area is designed to evoke the comfortable elegance of a family home, featuring majestic décor, two roaring fireplaces, and a stunning central Christmas tree. This massive, beautifully decorated space becomes the founder's signature decoration; not a single item, but the overall effect that instantly wraps guests in a blanket of holiday cheer and magic upon arrival. This dedication to creating a sense of home is critical to the resort’s success. It moves the experience beyond transactional luxury into the realm of shared memory-making, fulfilling the deepest desire of holiday travel: to find comfort, connection, and joy.
While the lavish amenities are part of the draw, Director of Sales & Marketing Doug Camp notes that the most authentic and memorable holiday moments at Salamander are the ones that are truly priceless and cannot be packaged or sold. That "unsellable" moment is the resort’s connection to the local community's signature event: the Middleburg Hunt Parade. This long-standing tradition, a spectacular sight featuring riders on horseback, foxhounds, and antique carriages, is truly a highlight of the season. "One of the most authentic and priceless holiday experiences is the iconic Middleburg Hunt Parade," says Camp. "Many describe it as feeling like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie."
The resort ensures that this experience is accessible to all guests. After they attend the parade in the historic town of Middleburg, guests are invited back to the Salamander Grand Lawn, where the festivities continue. Here, they are treated to live music, gather around holiday-themed barbecues and wine tastings, and warm up next to cozy fire pits. This seamless blend of the resort’s luxurious amenities with a century-old town tradition creates memories imbued with the genuine, historic spirit of the area.
Of all the holiday seasons, Johnson identifies one recurring, candid moment that captures the deepest sense of Christmas joy for her personally: the tree lighting ceremony. "Without a doubt, our tree lighting ceremony is incredibly important to me. It’s truly magical and is a true community event," she says. The simple, sincere joy of watching children’s faces light up as the thousands of lights flicker on, followed by the sound of Christmas Caroling, is an irreplaceable moment that roots the resort firmly in the spirit of the season. It is a moment of collective awe and pure, unplanned happiness.
Even after the crowds have dispersed, the quiet ambiance is cherished by the staff who create it. Camp’s personal favorite quiet spot to take a breath and appreciate the magic is the Grand Lawn, where he can view the spectacular night sky and soak in the crisp country atmosphere, appreciating the glow of the resort’s creation against the backdrop of the serene Virginia landscape.
Beyond providing an exceptional holiday stay, Salamander Middleburg carries the unique significance of being an award-winning, Black-owned luxury property. During the holidays, a time focused on family, heritage, and legacy, this distinction takes on added importance.
Johnson views the resort’s year-round commitment to fostering an inclusive and inspiring environment as central to its mission. That welcoming, joyful, and diverse atmosphere is maintained and celebrated during the festive season.
"By emphasizing a welcoming, joyful atmosphere grounded in our core values, we hope to demonstrate that diversity enriches our shared experience," Johnson states. The goal is to inspire the next generation. Not only of travelers but also of hospitality leaders, to recognize that excellence and luxury can, and should, be built upon a foundation of inclusion. The very existence of Salamander Middleburg as a world-class institution led by a Black woman serves as a powerful, festive beacon of achievement and opportunity.
In every detail from the roar of the living room fire to the joyful singing during the tree lighting, and from the welcoming of the community hunt parade to the silent twinkle of the lights on the Grand Lawn; Salamander Middleburg is a place where holiday elegance is fused with genuine heart. It's a holiday haven built on the enduring foundation of family, tradition, and a deep commitment to hospitality that truly makes every guest feel like they have come home for Christmas.
Family gatherings were a big part of my childhood, and we have always emphasized the importance of this at Salamander Middleburg. Our warm, intimate atmosphere has become a hallmark of the resort during the holidays, and I love to see families come together to celebrate.