Salamander Resort & Spa

Another great experience at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, VA. Specifically, the bar/eating establishment at the hotel. You've probably heard the frequently used phrase, "When you find something good, don't mess with it"! My wife and I frequent this establishment quite often, which makes me applaud their superb service and food. Kudos to the staff specifically: Monica, Azeaha, Samantha, Lorraine, Cayden, Illee-ana, and many more. It's their "heartfelt dedication to making every customer feel special. The food and drinks are impeccable. The ambiance is rich in tradition and, of course, warm, friendly, and comfortable. Put aside all of this, it eventually comes down to service and quality of the food. These special, talented individuals make your dining exceptional. Let's not forget the staff in the kitchen whose talent is truly 1st class. Mrs. Fischer and I are very grateful to everyone who always goes out of their way to make us feel special. Thank you, everyone :)

Always an amazing experience. This is my 4th year and it keeps getting better. the staff and all the amenities are perfection.

Superb facility and wonderful food. Rooms were clean with excellent furnishings. The restaurants were impressive. I would definitely stay there again.

My wife and I recently returned to Salamander for a one-night stay with our baby. We had stayed at the resort previously and had a wonderful experience, so we were looking forward to coming back. Unfortunately, this visit was much more of a mixed bag, and we left feeling that we'll probably explore other properties for future getaways. There were absolutely some highlights. Our arrival and check-in were smooth, and the front desk staff were friendly and welcoming. Throughout our stay, the staff acknowledged our family and the reason for our visit, which was a thoughtful touch. The bell staff were also extremely helpful getting all of our luggage, stroller, and baby gear to and from the room. We particularly enjoyed walking the grounds and visiting the equestrian center. The staff there were wonderful. While we were simply sitting and relaxing, a staff member unexpectedly brought my wife and me cold waters. It was a small gesture, but exactly the sort of thoughtful hospitality that stands out. Our room itself was nice and comfortable, although it was located at the far end of the property and didn't have much of a view. Considering we were traveling with an infant and quite a bit of baby equipment, a room closer to the elevators would have been appreciated. Food and beverage was where the experience became inconsistent. Dinner at Gold Cup Wine Bar was enjoyable and the service was excellent. We ordered several dishes to share, and our server thoughtfully had everything split for us. We were also seated somewhere that gave us plenty of room for the stroller and baby, and we never felt rushed. We enjoyed our cocktails as well. The food, however, felt more like good pub fare than the elevated dining experience we had hoped for at a luxury resort. We also ordered an in-room cheese presentation in advance. What arrived was a half-wheel of Brie topped with pomegranate seeds, accompanied by a smear of jam, a few stale crackers, Marcona almonds, and a sprig of rosemary. We were genuinely confused by the presentation and initially wondered whether the correct amenity had been delivered. Virginia, the concierge who had helped arrange our stay, was responsive and tried her best to resolve the issue. After I sent a photo, she involved the Food & Beverage team. Unfortunately, the resolution required more back-and-forth than it should have. The following day I was initially told that my email about the incorrect presentation was itself incorrect, and I had to explain again why what we received did not meet the expectations set by the amenity we had ordered. Ultimately, the issue was resolved. I also had the opportunity to meet Virginia in person, and I genuinely appreciated her assistance throughout our stay. Our in-room breakfast the next morning was otherwise very good, and we enjoyed having a large, leisurely breakfast. The peach French toast was disappointing, though—the two pieces of French toast each had only a single slice of peach. We also purchased a slice of cake to take with us and later noticed a $30 charge on our card without having been given a receipt. That leads to my biggest lingering concern after the stay: the accounting. At checkout, I was asked whether I wanted a printed or emailed final folio, and I chose email. I never received it. I have since contacted the resort twice requesting my final bill and still do not have it. Combined with not receiving receipts for some of our food-and-beverage purchases, that is concerning and not something I would expect from a resort at this level. The frustrating thing is that Salamander has some very good people working there. The front desk, bell staff, equestrian center staff, our Gold Cup server, and Virginia all contributed positively to our visit. It felt like the individual staff members were doing their best, while some of the systems and execution around them weren't operating at the same level. Our previous stay felt polished and luxurious. This one didn't. We actually paid considerably less this time because of a fall special, but unfortunately the experience felt like it too. A luxury resort should still deliver a luxury experience regardless of the rate a guest happens to book. We came simply hoping for a quiet overnight getaway as a family, and there were certainly enjoyable moments. I just wish this visit had lived up to our first one. At this point, we don't plan to return, and given our experience, I can't currently recommend Salamander.

This property is a gem!! We had such a nice relaxing weekend with fun and relaxation. Definitely try the Zipline and if you can have a massage do not miss out. The Spa is gorgeous and the staff is amazing. The town is cute and lots to do in walking distance