The US Salamander Resort and Spa, owned by film producer Sheila Johnson, is fuelled by equestrian passion and business ambition, but has wellness at its heart
Tucked away in a quiet corner of America’s horse country, Salamander Resort & Spa near Middleburg, Virginia, has an illustrious history. In the early 60s, the small town was the beloved retreat of president John F Kennedy and his First Lady, who spent hours riding on the land where the property now stands.
So when Sheila C Johnson – co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and executive producer of recent Hollywood smash-hit The Butler – first moved to Middleburg in 1996, she became just one in a long list of powerful people to be drawn to the area. The entrepreneur bought Salamander Farms, a sprawling estate just outside the town, and transformed it into a family home-come-equestrian paradise.
Eighteen years later, Johnson uses the estate as a base of operations for her own personal passion: Salamander Hotels & Resorts.
Salamander is a chain of luxury properties of which the Middleburg property – unveiled in August 2013 – is the fourth to open.
Iconic retreat One of the only luxury resorts to open in the US last year, the project has been a long time in the works. It was in 2003 that a 340-acre (138-hectare) tract of land came up for sale just a few miles from Salamander Farms, and Johnson immediately knew what she had to do. “From the moment I stepped foot on this serene land over 10 years ago, I fell in love with it and envisioned creating an iconic retreat,” she said at the grand opening.
From the outset, the property was always going to incorporate a world-class equestrian facility. But unlike many resorts, where the ‘…and spa’ adjunct is exactly that, for Johnson it was the spa that was a driving force.
Bringing together a team of designers that included Thomas Pheasant, WATG and Blu Spas, Johnson’s vision was to integrate spa and wellness into the fabric of the resort.
American classic From a commercial perspective, the Salamander Resort & Spa couldn't be better positioned. In addition to being the country’s unofficial equestrian capital, Middleburg is also an hour’s drive from DC and 35 minutes from Dulles International Airport, making it accessible to foreign travellers.
The spa offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments and features wet areas, comprising whirlpools with waterfall features, steamrooms and experience showers. Separately, there’s a relaxation area and rasul, plus a fitness centre, sauna and an indoor swimming pool.
But in line with Johnson’s vision, the wellness offering extends far beyond the walls of the spa. At its heart is the equestrian centre, which alongside riding classes offers a range of wellness-orientated programmes, including The Equi-Spective Experience – which aims to help participants discover their authentic communication style by connecting with horses – and Yoga on Horseback. Next on the agenda is the opening of a treetop canopy walkway and an open-air treatment room, but Johnson also has bigger plans. These include a dedicated healthcare facility – scheduled to open towards the end of the year – delivered in partnership with a leading medical provider.
Nor does it end here. With two brand new Salamander resorts soon to be announced – one in Florida and one in North Carolina – Johnson’s wellness ambitions are only just beginning.
“As Salamander expands, our expertise in the spa industry will be a key part of the company’s growth strategy,” she says. “Never has it been more essential to marry health and wellness to a resort experience. We are perfectly positioned to help owners create that environment.”
This article was first published in Spa Business, Issue 2, 2014
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The US Salamander Resort and Spa, owned by film producer Sheila Johnson, is fuelled by equestrian passion and business ambition, but has wellness at its heart
Tucked away in a quiet corner of America’s horse country, Salamander Resort & Spa near Middleburg, Virginia, has an illustrious history. In the early 60s, the small town was the beloved retreat of president John F Kennedy and his First Lady, who spent hours riding on the land where the property now stands.
So when Sheila C Johnson – co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and executive producer of recent Hollywood smash-hit The Butler – first moved to Middleburg in 1996, she became just one in a long list of powerful people to be drawn to the area. The entrepreneur bought Salamander Farms, a sprawling estate just outside the town, and transformed it into a family home-come-equestrian paradise.
Eighteen years later, Johnson uses the estate as a base of operations for her own personal passion: Salamander Hotels & Resorts.
Salamander is a chain of luxury properties of which the Middleburg property – unveiled in August 2013 – is the fourth to open.
Iconic retreat One of the only luxury resorts to open in the US last year, the project has been a long time in the works. It was in 2003 that a 340-acre (138-hectare) tract of land came up for sale just a few miles from Salamander Farms, and Johnson immediately knew what she had to do. “From the moment I stepped foot on this serene land over 10 years ago, I fell in love with it and envisioned creating an iconic retreat,” she said at the grand opening.
From the outset, the property was always going to incorporate a world-class equestrian facility. But unlike many resorts, where the ‘…and spa’ adjunct is exactly that, for Johnson it was the spa that was a driving force.
Bringing together a team of designers that included Thomas Pheasant, WATG and Blu Spas, Johnson’s vision was to integrate spa and wellness into the fabric of the resort.
American classic From a commercial perspective, the Salamander Resort & Spa couldn't be better positioned. In addition to being the country’s unofficial equestrian capital, Middleburg is also an hour’s drive from DC and 35 minutes from Dulles International Airport, making it accessible to foreign travellers.
The spa offers a wide range of massage and beauty treatments and features wet areas, comprising whirlpools with waterfall features, steamrooms and experience showers. Separately, there’s a relaxation area and rasul, plus a fitness centre, sauna and an indoor swimming pool.
But in line with Johnson’s vision, the wellness offering extends far beyond the walls of the spa. At its heart is the equestrian centre, which alongside riding classes offers a range of wellness-orientated programmes, including The Equi-Spective Experience – which aims to help participants discover their authentic communication style by connecting with horses – and Yoga on Horseback. Next on the agenda is the opening of a treetop canopy walkway and an open-air treatment room, but Johnson also has bigger plans. These include a dedicated healthcare facility – scheduled to open towards the end of the year – delivered in partnership with a leading medical provider.
Nor does it end here. With two brand new Salamander resorts soon to be announced – one in Florida and one in North Carolina – Johnson’s wellness ambitions are only just beginning.
“As Salamander expands, our expertise in the spa industry will be a key part of the company’s growth strategy,” she says. “Never has it been more essential to marry health and wellness to a resort experience. We are perfectly positioned to help owners create that environment.”
This article was first published in Spa Business, Issue 2, 2014
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
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site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
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redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
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West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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