Restoring the legacy of Jamaican artist Michael Lester BBQ Luminaries share the secrets to fine grilling
SALAMANDER Keeping Score
Pro tips for playing at PGA National, Innisbrook and Half Moon
With an ongoing commitment to an impeccable lifestyle, our owners enjoy abundant amenities as well as concierge services, an array of activities, and premier access to golf, tennis, and local wineries. Here, residents are surrounded by five-star adventure and luxury at every turn. The Resort You Love is Now the Home You
Nestled in the heart of horse and wine country, Residences at Salamander offers a collection of 49 homesites within the 340-acre Forbes Five-Star rated Salamander Middleburg. Residents can select a thoughtfully curated home plan, craft a bespoke custom residence, or move right in to a completed home. Each option provides a seamless process and unparalleled living experience in our branded residential community.
CULTURES OF THE WORLD
Award-winning photographer Mark Downey’s work stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and connect humanity.
Yunnan Province, China “Traversing a mountain ridge in China, the sky opened up for a brief moment. I worked quickly to capture this image,” says photographer Mark Downey.
SALAMANDER
CONTENTS / FEATURES
44 KEEPING SCORE
Salamander pros share tips on how to play some of the Collection’s finest holes.
BY TERENCE LOOSE
38. BBQ LUMINARIES
Four smoking hot chefs share the secrets to fine grilling at The Family Reunion, one of the nation’s top culinary events.
BY RENEE SKLAREW
20. WEIGHTY ART
The stunning bas-relief artwork that greets guests at Salamander Washington DC’s front desk is the creation of renowned plaster artist Michael Glickman.
BY TERENCE LOOSE
68. DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE
Steps across an exclusive walkway from Salamander Washington DC is The Wharf, a now nationally renowned, vibrant and transformed historic waterfront neighborhood with dining, entertainment and water activities.
BY RENEE SKLAREW
74. A RESTORED LEGACY
Half Moon continues to invest in and bolster the works of artist Michael Lester.
BY JILLIAN DARA
12. WELCOME LETTER
14. CAPTURING THE MOMENT
Aspen Meadows Resort offers a year-round intimate retreat for embracing mindful moments amid Aspen’s breathtaking mountain vistas.
16. BRAND AMBASSADOR: CUPCAKE Salamander Middleburg brand ambassador Cupcake, the resort’s famous miniature horse, was born to be in hospitality.
24. EAT & DRINK: AGAVE ON THE RISE Mixologists across Salamander Collection are pushing palettes beyond tequila — and even into agave spirits that have no alcohol at all.
30. CHARITY: AN ORNAMENTAL EXPERIENCE
An annual ornament exchange among friends and creatives brings magic to Salamander Middleburg.
34. FASHION: HATS OFF Marsh & Magnolia, a custom specialty hat shop, offers a personalized hatmaking experience at Hotel Bennett.
82. EXPERIENCE: INFLUENCED
We asked some of Salamander Collection’s most influential guests about their favorite parts of each property.
90. ROOM WITH A VIEW: SALMANDER WASHINGTON DC Capitol views from the Presidential Suite
FOUNDER’S LETTER
Welcome to the latest issue of SALAMANDER.
In the past 12 months, much has happened within our Salamander Collection. We have completed a magnificent renovation of Salamander Washington DC, which included the addition of a dual-level Salamander Spa and the opening of the highly acclaimed restaurant Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi. We also opened a beautiful new restaurant at Aspen Meadows called West End Social and transformed our renowned Packard’s Steakhouse at Innisbrook. Hotel Bennett in Charleston was named among the world’s top 20 hotels by Conde Nast Traveler, while Salamander Middleburg retained its triple Forbes Five-Star rating placing it among rarefied company. At Half Moon, an exquisite new villa experience is on the horizon, and in January 2025 we were honored to welcome the iconic PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens into the Salamander Family.
These accomplishments are the reflection of our entire team. Every day, I am thankful for the dedication of our service professionals who represent our diverse style of hospitality through our core values of honesty, authenticity, respect and passion.
From stunning spreads of travel photography to tips on how to play some of our Collection’s finest golf course holes, I hope you enjoy the wide range of stories in this issue of our magazine, and that you further enjoy your visit to one of our locations.
Welcome home,
Sheila Johnson Founder and CEO Salamander Collection
DREW
XERON
SALAMANDER
EDITORIAL
EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
Steve Zepezauer
steve@firebrandmediainc.com
EDITOR
Justine Amodeo
justine@firebrandmediainc.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Sharon Stello
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Sue G. Collins, Jillian Dara, Jessica Farthing, Terence Loose, Geoff Nudelman, Renee Sklarew, Ashley Ward
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Matt Dandy, Mark Downey, Eric Stein, Clay Williams
DESIGN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
SALES
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Carrie Robles
carrie@firebrandmediainc.com 305-431-5409
LOCAL SALES
Maureen Kappler
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tina Leydecker
DIGITAL MEDIA
CONTENT WRANGLER
Kim Zepezauer
Printed by The Foundry
SALAMANDE R ® COLLECTION
CORPORATE
FOUNDER & CEO
Sheila Johnson
PRESIDENT
Prem Devadas CMO
Tracey Slavonia
VP OF COMMUNICATIONS
Matt Owen
Published by Firebrand Media A division of Times Media Group
CORPORATE
PUBLISHER
Steve T. Strickbine
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Nadine Johnson
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Nick Oliveri
DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING
Steve Zepezauer
GROUP EDITOR
Justine Amodeo
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tina Leydecker
©2025 By FIREBRAND MEDIA LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Salamander | The Magazine. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of the magazine or Salamander Collection.
SUMMIT SERENITY
Seamlessly blending into its natural surroundings, Aspen Meadows Resort offers a year-round intimate retreat for embracing mindful moments amid Aspen’s breathtaking mountain vistas.
COURTESY OF
Cupcake and Head Driving Trainer Terri Tokarczyk share a sweet moment after a drive.
a big
PERSONALITY
Salamander Middleburg brand ambassador Cupcake, a 13-year-old miniature horse, was born to be in hospitality.
By JESSICA FARTHING
Cupcake, the brand ambassador for Salamander Middleburg, might be a miniature horse, but her personality is larger than life. The 13-year-old horse has been stealing hearts and teaching horsemanship to guests at the Five-Star, Five Diamond resort and spa for almost eight years. She has a great life, frolicking with her best friend Stella in the pasture, posing with guests for selfies at scheduled meet and greets and starring in photo booths at weddings. Hotel staff widely recognize her personality as one in a million.
“Cupcake was made for a life in hospitality. She is engaging and entertaining but also gentle and kind. She’s amazing,” says Ashley Farrell, Salamander Middleburg’s Equestrian Director who is in charge of Cupcake’s busy schedule.
Cupcake came to Salamander Middleburg from Upperville, the next town over. Farrell wasn’t sure what she’d get from the adorable mini horse.
“The thing about mini horses is that they can be wonderful, and they can also be a little bit fresh,” she says.
Cupcake arrived and was the perfect fit. Known to be smart and willing to take on new adventures, guests find her pulling her tiny carriage across the Grand Lawn, attending cocktail hour or even riding in the elevator. Nothing phases the tiny horse, but the equestrian staff keep a careful watch on what’s best for Cupcake.
“Even though she is small, she is still a horse, “ Farrell says. “Just like our full sized horses we watch her body language carefully to make sure she is happy doing her job. Everyone needs work-life balance and we respect that.”
As far as her life, Cupcake enjoys being the mini version of Stella, a 22-year-old Arab-cross mare colored with the same swirls of white and brown as the mini. Visitors often ask if they’re mother and child, but they are just great friends. They spend their days sharing the pasture, but also being stalled in the barn next to each other. The stable is open every day for visitors, resort guests or not. Along with the rest of Salamander’s herd, Cupcake and Stella sometimes introduce people to horses for the first time.
“The thing about mini horses is that they can be wonderful, and they can also be a little bit fresh.”
It’s always a cute meeting. Cupcake has many accessories, including bows and little pink boots that go over her hooves. They are specially made for horses who don’t wear horse shoes, giving her a little extra traction as she walks around the beautiful hardwood floors of the hotel.
Her hair is always braided, with a special bow for every occasion, especially the holidays. She also has a coverlet with her name that drapes over her back and she usually matches the event colors for whatever she attends.
Farrell is proud of the work that Cupcake does with guests around the resort.
“We’re so fortunate that we can introduce horses to people and give them a better understanding of how smart and sensitive they are,” says Farrell. “Horses are kind, soft and gentle and we get to reciprocate that. Cupcake spreads her spirit of the horse around the entire resort.”
The stable is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for people to walk through and check out the horses, getting a few horsemanship tips and tricks while meeting these majestic animals.
If you’d like to see Cupcake in action, she has her own program for kids: The Cupcake Express. Children can learn how to groom her, put on her harness and then go for a carriage ride around the property. She’s also present to meet guests as they check in on Friday and Saturday, posing for a picture with her in the hotel’s Living Room from 4-4:30 p.m.
The mini certainly takes all things in stride at this exceptional horse-friendly resort.
PROFILE / MICHAEL GLICKMAN
Weighty Art
THE STUNNING BAS-RELIEF ARTWORK THAT GREETS GUESTS AT SALAMANDER WASHINGTON DC’S FRONT DESK IS THE CREATION OF RENOWNED PLASTER ARTIST MICHAEL GLICKMAN, FOUNDER AND ART DIRECTOR OF ART SPACE NYC.
By TERENCE LOOSE
When checking into Salamander Washington DC, which has just completed a stunning transformation, you will be forgiven for being distracted — pleasantly — by the 18-foot-wide by seven-foot-tall bas-relief plaster installation that backs the reception area. Elegant and artful, the piece, modestly named DC Composition and weighing a not-so-modest 840 pounds, is the creation of renowned plaster artist Michael Glickman, founder and art director of Art Space NYC. Glickman, who grew up in Ukraine, went to art school in the USSR and immigrated to the US as a political refugee in 1989, has a background as layered as the art he creates for upscale hotels around the world. We asked him about his journey and about the challenges in creating the Salamander DC reception piece.
SALAMANDER MAGAZINE: Although you studied art at the venerable Academy of Design in St. Petersburg, being an artist was not your first career.
MICHAEL GLICKMAN: No. I have a master’s degree in both aviation engineering and art and design, so I went from an aviation engineer in my first life to a car racer in my second life to an artist and designer in my third life. I’ve had many roles in my life, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them.
SM: What did your path to success in America look like?
MG: When I emigrated from the USSR I spoke no English, so I had to work as a car mechanic in the Bronx for $3.50 per hour. Then, I got a position as an artist’s assistant. In both those jobs I never spoke — I was the silent mechanic, the silent assistant. But I worked hard and stayed focused on creating a better life. Later, I became an artist, founder of Art Space NYC, art director, husband, father, and everything in between.
SM: What was the inspiration for the style of the Salamander DC piece?
MG: When we received the request for the proposal to design the artwork, it was clear to me from the beginning that it should be in an art deco style. That’s because, in my opinion, the city is the
capital of art deco, filled with magnificent monuments of that era.
SM: Is creating art for a client’s vision different from expressing your own?
MG: Yes, the challenges are very different. For this piece, for example, we received a wish list from the ownership team. They wanted the bas-relief to reflect the monuments on the national mall, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Memorial. Additionally, the owners wanted horses to reflect Salamander Founder and CEO Sheila Johnson’s integral role in building the new equestrian facility on the National Mall. Lastly, since cherry blossoms are a very prevalent theme in DC, they thought those would soften the piece.
SM: That’s very specific, and diverse. What was your initial reaction?
MG: I said, “What? Really? How is this going to be possible?” But then I pulled myself together and started making sketches. And to be honest, initially it didn’t go very well.
SM: What changed?
MG: I decided not to draw every single item from the list, but rather let my hand lead me in energetic, powerful pencil drawing. As I was told by my art teacher, when you draw, you need to be ready to put your head in the guillotine for every single line you make. So, it became not so much about the list of monuments, but rather about a balanced composition, dominances, light and dark, sharp graphics and “the wind in the sky.” The final sketch was completed in a thirtyminute session that reflects me as an artist first and the list from the client second. But that is why clients come to me, or any artist — for their personal expression of the client’s vision.
SM: Can you speak about some of the challenges and how you overcame them?
MG: First, from a technical point of view, the reception wall is curved, so every panel, each of which we created in the New York studio, had to come together like a puzzle on a curved substrate once installed. To ensure it was seamless, I
relied on my education in aviation design. I came up with the idea of building a temporary curved platform in my studio on which to assemble all six panels during the initial clay model fabrication, and later the plaster cast. My foreman measured the wall’s radius and dimensions on site and we built the curved platform accordingly. And because it is an operational hotel, there was no way the artwork could be done on site because it takes about three months to produce. Thanks to our studio construction approach, we spent only one week on site and avoided a major
Artist Michael Glickman
MATT
DANDY
disruption of business. And during that week, we interacted with guests who were curious about the artwork.
SM: Can you give me a rundown of the steps and time involved in this piece?
MG: It took three months of work in our studio in Chelsea, NYC. After our sketch was approved, it was enlarged to actual size and printed on vinyl and placed on large working tables over six plywood sheets, which imitate actual panels. Then we started sculpting on that with clay. The curved bedding platform had been built, so
next we placed the six plywood sheets with clay bas-relief on the platform to make a curved relief. The last thing we did were the horses. With these, we had some issues.
SM: How so?
MG: Horses are difficult to sculpt. Galloping horses even more so. In fact, they were sculpted at least three times. Nothing worked. Then I remembered the best horses were sculpted by the ancient Greeks. They became our inspiration for the two horses on the left. As the next step, the pink mold was cast from clay
panels and, eventually, we cast the plaster, reinforced with metal frames for stability.
SM: In your opinion, what makes wall plasters unique or impressive for commercial (or any) spaces?
MG: Mostly, it’s about the balanced composition and advantage of 3D objects in angled lighting. The art changes with the different lighting of day and night, magnetizes your attention, and remains in your memory long after you view it. In short, it makes the whole space incredibly special and memorable.
Agave on the Rise
MIXOLOGISTS ACROSS SALAMANDER COLLECTION ARE PUSHING PALETTES BEYOND TEQUILA – AND EVEN INTO AGAVE SPIRITS THAT HAVE NO ALCOHOL AT ALL.
By GEOFF NUDELMAN
According to Fortune Business Insights, agave interest in North America is growing, and growing fast. By 2030, the market is expected to exceed $18 billion, and that’s in large part to growth across all agave spirits – not just tequila. Consumers are expanding their agave palettes and that’s inspiring mixologists to take a deeper look at how they use spirits like mezcal, raicilla and sotol.
“I love to work with agave spirits, such as tequila and mezcal, because there’s such a range of delicious flavors, from fruit and peppers to spice and smoke,” says renowned mixologist Derek Brown, who was part of the team that created the bar menu at the acclaimed Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi. It is Brown’s first project with Salamander, and the restaurant is the newest flagship concept at Salamander Washington DC.
Dōgon (pronounced “Doh-gon,”) is also Brown’s first project collaborating with Chef Onwuachi. The pair were connected when Brown was working at (the now-closed) Columbia Room in Washington, DC, and thus began a relationship connecting high-level mixology with the distinctive flavor profiles of West Africa.
“Chef has really high standards,” Brown says. “We had to work hard to make sure the cocktails were also excellent (to match the food).”
Agave-focused drinks are on the rise across all of Salamander’s properties. Bartenders are expanding the potential of the plant by integrating a wider range of flavors to let the full expression of agave bloom.
One of the signature drinks at Dōgon features a non-alcoholic agave spirit paired with lime, passion fruit and Chef Onwuachi’s own take on a Piri-Piri spice, creating a drink that’s slightly tropical, yet not overpowering.
“We wanted the cocktails to sing with the food,” Brown says.
Drink programs throughout the Salamander Collection complement the food, such as the “Smoking Banana” at Packard’s at Innisbrook, which is as satisfying as it is inventive. The cocktail incorporates mezcal with banana purée and lime agave juice that builds to a balance of sugar and smoke. The drink is served over ice in a shorter glass to really let the gorgeous amber color of the mix shine.
Agave is also becoming more of a post-dinner option, as bar programs opt to use a medium-aged tequila as the base for a decadent drink. At Camellias at Hotel Bennett, the “Midnight Salsa” combines chili and coffee flavors for the ideal digestif, or even pairing with dessert.
Brown notes that story of traditional agave production is an important one that shouldn’t get lost through the growth of the category. He points to the production of raicilla – a centuries-old, funkier spirit –as a prime example of the heritage of the plant.
“Some of the families have been making agave spirits for centuries. The way you drink them is with food and in delicious cocktails,” he says. “Everything is about savoring these incredible spirits and not taking them for granted.”
Especially as the availability of higher-end whiskies wanes, there’s more of an opportunity for the story and products within agave to take center stage. It’s inspiring bartenders across the country to look at how tequila, mezcal, raicilla and the non-alcoholic alternatives can become a new focal point of wellregarded bar programs.
“There are hundreds of varieties of the agave plant, too,” Brown says, “and no two taste the exact same.”
INGREDIENTS:
CAMELLIAS AT HOTEL BENNETT Midnight Salsa
Reposado Tequila, Chile
Liqueur, Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Dark Chocolate
INGREDIENTS: Almave Blue Agave, Lime, Passion Fruit, Piri-Piri, Papaya, Edible Flowers
DŌGON AT SALAMANDER DC Griot’s Serenade
PACKARD’S AT INNISBROOK Smoking Banana
INGREDIENTS:
Mezcal, Banana Puree, Lime Agave Juice, Garnish with cinnamon sugar rim and dried banana chips.
INGREDIENTS:
HALF MOON
Daisy Watermelon Paloma
Tequila, Triple Sec, Watermelon, Jalapeno, Saline, Lime Juice
ASPEN MEADOWS. Spicy Paloma
INGREDIENTS:
House-infused Jalapeno Tequila, grapefruit and lime juices, grapefruit soda. Garnish the rim with tajin and a grapefruit twist.
An EXPERIENCE ORNAMENTAL
Event designer Lauryn Prattes (left) and photographer Abby Jiu (right) at Salamander Middleburg’s Ornament Exchange.
An annual ornament exchange among friends and creatives brings magic to Salamander Middleburg
By SUE G. COLLINS
Over a decade ago, two dear friends, photographer Abby Jiu and event designer Lauryn Prattes, dreamed of a grand plan to celebrate the holidays with a flourish, inviting other powerhouse creatives and colleagues in the wedding industry to join them for a festive afternoon of camaraderie and an ornament exchange to mark the season.
It’s now become an annual event at Salamander Middleburg, infused with their unique blend of glamour, imagination and polish, where guests are invited to come with a tree ornament that speaks to them, exchanging it for another that calls their name. The ornaments are left under a beautifully decorated tree and guests mingle, basking in the spirit of the day.
This past year, Salamander Middleburg again set the stage for enchantment on December 5. “I would say most of the ornaments were more playful and whimsical,” says Prattes. “Last year I gave a beautiful bird ornament from Anthropologie. I personally collect bird ornaments, so I thought it would be nice to give one to someone else. The ornament I received was a little cake on a cake stand. Charming!”
The Ornament Exchange is no ordinary holiday event. Past gatherings have featured Christmas carolers greeting guests, “a rush of snow as guests walked into our Après Ski event, and even an outdoor holiday pajama party in 2020 to ensure safety during the pandemic,” says Prattes, whose professional hallmarks are flawless service, and meticulous attention to detail to create an ambiance of effortless luxury for the events she designs. “This year, we were thrilled to present a 16-piece orchestra led by Jordan Khan from Dallas with many more fun surprises.”
Initially hosted in Jiu’s living room for 20 local wedding industry professionals, the Ornament Exchange has blossomed into a prominent national event in the wedding industry. Jiu is a fine art wedding photographer, her art strongly influenced by high fashion, interior design, and international travel. She’s had the honor of photographing weddings throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Europe since she launched her company in 2009.
Jiu and Prattes’ deep-rooted friendship and professional synergy have propelled the event’s success. Each year, the event not only embraces the festive spirit, but also complements the fairytale setting at Salamander Middeburg. Nestled within the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country outside Washington, DC, the gracious hospitality and historic charm of the resort sprawls across 340 breathtaking acres, a fitting backdrop for the annual exchange.
In 2024, the theme was inspired by the surge in surrealism within the fashion industry. “Within the wedding industry, fashion is really taking front stage,” explains Prattes. “You are seeing more risks and expression through fashion and Abby and I both embrace this in our work.”
Jiu has been named a top wedding photographer by Martha Stewart Weddings, and her couples’ days have been featured in People, Brides, The Knot, Over the Moon, Washingtonian Weddings, and Inside Weddings.
One charity benefiting from the event is Playtime Project, which aims to cultivate resilience in children experiencing family housing insecurity by providing and expanding access to transformative play experiences. And, the friends also forged a partnership with VOW for Girls, a growing global movement that partners with brands, individuals and the wedding industry to end the international child marriage crisis.
The Ornament Exchange has become a pinnacle for Jiu and Prattes, who personally greeted each and every guest. “Looking ahead, we aspire to further cultivate community spirit, celebrate the festive season in grand style, and support charitable endeavors,” says Jiu.
Marsh & Magnolia owners (left to right)
Erin Engebritson, Kristin Smoak and Adele Cisco sporting their custom hats.
HATS OFF
Marsh & Magnolia, a custom specialty hat shop, offers a personalized hat-making experience at Hotel Bennett
By JUSTINE AMODEO
Charleston locals Erin Engebritson, Adele Cisco, and Kristin Smoak — three best friends with a shared love for fashion and creativity — dreamed up Marsh & Magnolia as a way to bring a unique, hands-on hat customization experience to the Holy City.
Their aim: To create a fun and memorable environment that provides both visitors and locals alike with “an immersive and memorable hat shopping experience, where individuals can unleash their creativity, have fun and walk away with a hat that truly reflects their style,” the founders say.
Recently opened on the street level of Hotel Bennett facing King Street, Marsh & Magnolia allows guests to work one-on-one with a skilled hat stylist to create a felt or straw hat that is uniquely their own. The privatelabel hats bring an array of styles, colors and specialty drops to coincide with Lowcountry events year-round, such as the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, “a huge event in the Lowcountry that aligns so well with our brand,” says Engebritson.
“With the majority of the events taking place downtown, many of which are right next to us in Marion Square, it’s the perfect weekend for a specialty drop,” says Smoak.
The shop offers two styles of felt hats, handmade in the USA by a fourth generation family hat maker who has been crafting the highest quality hats since 1921. “The Luxe, our 7x beaver fur felt hat, is our most popular hat and is available in seven different core colors — Whiskey, Onyx, Gunmetal, Oyster Gray, Linen, Driftwood, and Goldenhour,” says Engebritson.
Marsh & Magnolia’s expert team of stylists guide guests through the entire hat design process, ensuring a truly oneof-a-kind creation. Guests start by selecting a style from an array of women’s, men’s and children’s hats and begin the custom hand-shaping and fitting process. The possibilities for personalization are limitless, with a vast selection of design details available, including hat bands, ribbons, pins, stitching, charms, feathers, and brands.
There’s truly something for everyone — men, women, and children, Cisco says. “The Luxe line features customizable open crown designs, allowing us to tailor every detail, from brim length and shape to crown style, creating a hat that perfectly reflects each customer’s unique taste. Our stylists collaborate with customers to personalize and accessorize their hats, offering options that range from bold statement pieces to
Hotel Bennett Boutique
Complementing the Marsh & Magnolia experience, the newly opened Hotel Bennett Boutique showcases exclusive collections from renowned designers like Holderness & Bourne, Varley, Emerson Fry and acclaimed local brands like Brackish.
Shoppers can also find a selection of designer sunglasses, while jewelry pieces have been handpicked to reflect the elegance of the Holy City including selections by Rachel Reid and Eden Presley. The Boutique also offers a variety of gifts and home decor such as candles, hand-painted ornaments, branded cups and glassware, and more.
timeless, understated classics. The goal is to provide a collection of hats and accessories that lets people express themselves — whether they’re feeling bold, playful, or effortlessly classic.”
The space features coastal, modern decor, a custom hat bar with a shaping and fitting station and retail area with locally sourced products and accessories. Inspired by the Lowcountry lifestyle, guests can expect upbeat music, complimentary local beverages and a fun atmosphere that is “made for every kind of good time.”
Marsh & Magnolia offers an experience for everyone including birthday parties, company events, bridal parties, mommy-andme-outings, team bonding and girlfriend getaways.
The founders say Hotel Bennett felt like the perfect match because “it embodies everything we wanted for Marsh & Magnolia — refined, yet approachable. Located in the heart of Charleston, it’s a space where locals and visitors come to celebrate Southern charm with a modern twist, which aligns perfectly with our our brand,” Cisco continues. “Plus, there’s a sense of occasion at Hotel Bennett. Whether you’re stopping by for a rooftop cocktail or a weekend getaway, it’s a place where people come to feel special — and what better way to enhance that feeling than with a beautifully crafted hat?”
RICHARD
BELL
BBQ LUMINARIES
FOUR SMOKING HOT CHEFS SHARE THE SECRETS TO FINE GRILLING.
By RENEE SKLAREW
PHOTOS By CLAY WILLIAMS
Rodney Scott, Bryan Furman, Rasheed Philips and Kevin Bludso are some of the biggest names in barbeque. Salamander Magazine had the opportunity to spend time with each of them during the 2024 Family Reunion, a four-day culinary festival that celebrates Black and Caribbean food cultures and is held at Salamander Middleburg.
CULINARY
Rodney Scott
“I’m seeing chefs from different cultural backgrounds and different parts of the U.S. who are creating their own BBQ styles - I’m inspired by what these other cultures do.”
Rodney Scott started smoking meat on his family’s hog and tobacco farm when he was just 11 years old. Now, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in BBQ.
Growing up in Hemingway, South Carolina, the Scotts had a BBQ stop, where he worked for 25 years before opening his own restaurant in 2017. One year later, Scott won Best Chef Southeast by the James Beard Foundation, only the second pitmaster to win this prestigious culinary award.
The chef has been smoking hot ever since, with an expansive empire that includes Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Charleston, Trussville, Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta. A subsequent stream of awards led to an episode on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table” and becoming a celebrity judge on Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl.”
Despite his meteoric career rise and hordes of accolades, Scott remains disarmingly modest and approachable. The night before a cookout, he and his team start smoking the entire hog — head, tail, nose and feet — 12 hours before they serve it.
As the curl of burned hickory wood wafts into the air from a smoker the size of a small car, Scott raises the lid to peek at the upturned snout. “Judging and traveling to food events fits my mission to tell stories, share ideas, and learn new ideas,” Scott explains. “By talking to other chefs, I do just as much learning as I do teaching.”
While BBQ is best known as a southern American tradition, meeting other chefs has changed his perspective about the future of BBQ. “I’m seeing chefs from different cultural backgrounds and different parts of the U.S. who are creating their own BBQ styles — Egyptian, Ethiopian, Puerto Rican and indigenous styles - and I’m inspired by what these other cultures do.”
A devoted music lover, his newest collaboration is Chief’s, a performance venue and broadcast studio founded with musician Eric Church. Chief’s rooftop bar overlooks Nashville’s iconic Broadway, where Scott opened his Hell of a Cue restaurant, a play on Church’s song “Hell of a View.” The renovated warehouse has stained glass windows with images of Michael Jackson, Prince and Willie Nelson.
As diners tear into his buttery pork mopped with cracked pepper and lemony vinegar, Scott watches with a smile. But he takes a very serious approach to cooking: “Perfection is the only thing we’re chasing when we get ready to serve.”
BBryan Furman
THE PURIST KEEPS IT SIMPLE
“I like to keep it simple, and BBQ the old-fashioned way, cooking with wood, making my sauce.”
ryan Furman hovers beside a behemoth of a smoker, tending his stack of pork ribs. He pauses to squeeze the meat and add logs to the fire. “I like to keep it simple, and BBQ the oldfashioned way, cooking with wood, making my sauce,” Furman says. “Wine gets better with age. I want my BBQ to taste better every time.”
At age 38, Furman’s devotion to heritage cooking hurled him into the spotlight when he was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs in 2019, the first pitmaster to earn the title.
It’s no accident that Furman found his way to BBQ. Growing up in Camden, South Carolina, his grandparents had a pig farm, and his father taught him to make ribs and chicken. His mother, Almeta Benjamin, enlisted him in the kitchen to cook collard greens and banana pudding.
After ruling out becoming a veterinarian, Furman began welding, acquiring expertise in thermodynamics and fire control. His knowledge translates well to controlling the pit. “When you cook the whole hog, you want it to all come out the same. If a piece dries out, you’ll be able to taste it,” Furman explains.
The pitmaster teaches at Harvard University and Schoolinary, an online course taught by master chefs. “I have the patience for training, I have the patience for people. It could be my retirement plan, to travel overseas and teach more university classes.”
He may have an exit plan, but Furman doesn’t rush things. Once he mastered flow and oxygen to perfect barbequing beef,
chicken and ribs, he created his signature peach mustard sauce. He locally-sources everything possible for his new take-out spot called Bryan Furman BBQ in Marietta, Georgia.
While fellow, high profile pitmasters are judging TV competitions, Bryan prefers being on the road. He often takes his mom along to make satiny beans flavored with his brisket. Furman says his focus is on the BBQ, “Because that’s what I like to do. That’s my passion.”
In 2024, Furman celebrated four years at Salamander’s Family Reunion.
Though the pitmaster is a self-proclaimed foodie, camaraderie is why he prioritizes being there. “I met Kwame {Onwuachi} when I won Best Chef at a Food Festival. He called me in 2021, ‘Hey, I’m putting on this event, can you come? I said anything I can do for you, bro.”
CULINARY
Rasheed Philips
THE MANNERLY PITMASTER
“I was born in Jamaica and have no American cooking styles to abide by. My grandfather never put sauce on anything.”
elements.” These techniques and flavors have made him a standout at cooking competitions. Philips got his start smoking BBQ at pop-ups and food festivals where he explored a diverse lineup of smoked meats and sides, including a 27-day-aged pastrami. The BBQ community noticed, and he was invited to Netflix’s “BBQ Showdown.” Philips was runner up, but his genteel manners won over everyone, especially judge Kevin Bludso, who Philips affectionately calls “Pops.” Bludso remains a mentor and close friend.
On the show, Philips earned the nickname “Gentleman Smoker” for his big-hearted spirit. “I’m one of the first people to ever stop what I’m doing to help others cook,” says Philips. “If the only way for me to get ahead is to step over you, then I’ll find a longer way to go.”
The craft of cooking over flames has roots in the south, with its longstanding traditions ingrained in its craftsmen. Rasheed Philips rejects the confines of these BBQ traditions.
Chefs traditionally mix ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar to make BBQ sauce, but Philips approaches it differently. “I was born in Jamaica and have no American cooking styles to abide by. My grandfather never put sauce on anything,” explains the pitmaster.
When Philips’ family moved to the States, his grandmother and mother continued to make his favorite Jamaican dishes, and you can taste their influence in his cooking, “I can do maduros, mofongo or sweet plantains as a base, because I know those
Always a trailblazer, Philips collaborates with Georgia-based Pontoon Brewing to brew his namesake beer, Tall, Dark & Smokey. The pitmaster helped fine-tune the porter-style beer for months, even creating the artwork on the can, a graphic of Philips holding an axe.
Philips towers over many in the business, and not just because he stands 6’6” and weighs 260 pounds. The pitmaster openly expresses gratitude at every turn, enthusiastically greeting his fans. Philips says he’s genuinely curious about their story and wonders how they connected with his. How has fame changed him? “I think it made more people realize they could do it,” he answers. “Yes, you can, and that’s my point. Allow me to be the example, not the exception.”
Hollywood execs didn’t need to look far to find their next superstar chef. It was 2008 — on the cusp of the foodie movement — when pitmaster Kevin Bludso opened his first BBQ joint in Compton, California. Not long after, reviews brought in hordes of devotees, and Bludso began expanding his empire. Today, there are four Bludso BBQ locations in LA, including at Proud Bird, a food hall overlooking an LAX runway.
“Never down your own food culture. We don’t need to criticize the soul food that’s had us living to one-hundred and something years old.”
Kevin Bludso
Bludso grew up in Compton, playing football in college, and spinning records as a DJ, but developed pitmaster skills early in life. When he was eight, his parents sent him to spend summers in Texas with “Granny,” Willie Mae. She operated a BBQ stand, where she taught Bludso to cook brisket and collard greens. When he considered starting his own food business, Willie Mae’s advice was to focus on creating his own BBQ style.
Bludso’s BBQ menu does just that, with some of Granny’s recipes thrown in. You’ll find ribs, pulled pork, chicken and brisket that are slow smoked in pecan, oak and apple wood. The sweet and spicy sauces are Texas-style. He can go fancy too, like “pullsoff-the-bone” oxtail smoked at Salamander Middleburg’s Family Reunion.
Bludso is a judge on Netflix’s “BBQ Showdown,” and competitors Rasheed Philips and Delilah Winder say he mentors and encourages every contestant on the show. The pitmaster brings his California swagger, yet, in his humble way, Bludso is quick to
GODFATHER OF GRILLING
credit others, “I couldn’t do other things if I didn’t have a good team. It frees me up to be out there.”
The pitmaster’s personal journey has inspired many fans, even the Dallas Cowboys, who order Bludso’s BBQ when they play in LA. In Bludso’s “BBQ Cookbook; A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul,” the pitmaster weaves compelling family stories among dozens of mouthwatering recipes, earning him the 2023 James Beard award for best cookbook.
At the Family Reunion, Bludso encouraged fellow chefs and home cooks to support and preserve their heritage: “Never down your own food culture. We don’t need to criticize the soul food that’s had us living to one-hundred and something years old.”
Keeping Score
WE SHARE PRO TIPS ON HOW TO PLAY SOME OF OUR RESORTS’ MOST STUNNING GOLF HOLES.
By TERENCE LOOSE
A day spent on the golf course is about the fresh air, beautiful scenery, and making memories with friends and family. It’s about exercise and fun and experiencing new places. And, of course, it’s about the score.
Avoiding the rough, staying out of the water, and posting a low number does make the post-round recap much more enjoyable. So we asked Salamander Collection golf professionals for their advice on how to play key holes on some of their most beautiful courses.
They include holes on four courses at Innisbrook Resort, a favorite stop for PGA TOUR players, the luxurious Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, a property that has played host to a Ryder Cup, major championships and the PGA TOUR.
Palm Beach Garden’s PGA National Resort is home to courses from visionary players and architects, including
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio and Andy Staples.
Pictured are the closing holes on The Champion Course, host of the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic.
CHAMPION COURSE 18
The premier Champion 18, Par 5 dogleg-left “has a generous fairway off the tee,” says Randy Raimondi Jr., head golf professional at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. “With severe narrowing for the lay-up shot,” he adds. Players should know the approach to the green “has bailout left off the green, but is made difficult with water right and bunkers left.“
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “Beware the right pin as that portion of the green only has a sliver of green to work with,” says Raimondi, Jr.
MATCH COURSE 17
Match 17 is a bit tighter than it looks, according to Raimondi, Jr., with out of bounds bordering each side. “I would keep the driver in the bag to ensure you hit the fairway and split the ‘twins’ hazard, sand bunker on the left and grassy hollows to the right,” he says.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: This two-tiered green runs from front to back and can be quick, “so be sure to stay below the flag and not go long, as two challenging bunkers surround the back of the green. This is a hole to be happy with a 4 and move on,” he says.
ISLAND COURSE 3
The key to surviving this dogleg right is keeping the ball down the right side and avoiding the trees to the left, said Andrew Corry, director of golf at Innisbrook in Tampa Bay, Florida. So, if you can hit a slight fade, you’re golden. From there, on your approach, you want to avoid the bunkers to the left and right, and the back of the green, which is very large and undulating. “So, if you’re going to miss the green, miss it front middle,” says Corry. “If you go long, it slopes back to front and will leave you with a tough up and down.”
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “You want to avoid the left side of this hole, because of the trees that come into play on your approach shot. And for the average golfer, they’re probably not going to be able to hit it high enough to get over the trees to make the green,” says Corry.
ISLAND COURSE 7
This double dogleg par five is, in Corry’s opinion, the most challenging hole at Innisbrook. Why? “You’ve got a very challenging tee shot with trees on the left and the right, and if you hit it too far, you hit it into the lake,” says Corry. But that’s not what makes this hole so tough, he says. “What usually makes a par five challenging is the tee shot. What makes this more challenging is not only do you have a challenging tee shot, but you have a challenging second shot.” The trees continue down the left, with water down the right, and since it’s a par five, if you get in trouble, here, you can post a huge number.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Missing the fairway on the tee shot. Lose it right and you’re in the water, but lose it left and fail to cover the corner, and you’re in the trees without a clear second shot. And you’re still a mile away from the green.
NORTH COURSE
There’s nothing like an island green to increase both the beauty of a hole and the heart rate of the golfer playing it. That said, this short par four is not as challenging as it looks. Yes, there is a lot of water, all down the right side of the fairway and surrounding the green. “So your goal here is to get the tee shot in the fairway, probably with a hybrid,” says Corry. That way you have a better chance of avoiding intimidation by the island green on your approach. “Because,” he says, “the green is actually very big, with a bailout area.”
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Missing the fairway off the tee and allowing all the water and the island green to get in your head. And if you do get in trouble, remember, you have a big green and a bailout area between the palm and the bunker. So miss short on the approach if anything. The last thing you want is a bunker shot with water behind the green; that’s a recipe for two, or more, bunker shots.
SOUTH COURSE 1
Corry likes this hole because it’s not too challenging, which provides for a nice introduction to Innisbrook’s most player-friendly course, the 6,620yard, par 71 South Course. “You’ve got some trees down the right side, but it’s not too challenging to get off the tee here,” he says. He also says that if you’re not confident with your driver, go with a three-wood, hybrid or even a long iron. “You can still leave yourself with a 120- to 150-yard approach shot in,” he says. This is key, because the challenging aspect of this hole is the approach shot into a dome green protected by bunkers.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “The worst thing you can do is hit your approach shot into that front left bunker, because now you’ve got a very challenging long bunker shot trying to hold this green,” Corry says.
PAR 4 | WHITE TEE YARDAGE: 300 | HANDICAP: 11
BILL HORNSTEIN
Copperhead, the PGA TOUR’s 7th toughest course, is infamous for its three finishing holes, appropriately named The Snake Pit thanks to their individual names: Moccasin, Rattler, and Copperhead. But Corry says he actually believes holes two, three and four are just as challenging. For starters, this dogleg right has water all down the right side, not good for the faders and slicers. This hole is not overly long, so Corry suggests leaving the driver in the bag on the tee. Hit a hybrid or a three-wood and stay dry and in the fairway. “You are leaving yourself with a slightly longer shot into the green, but you’re giving yourself a chance,” he says.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: For the average golfer, it’s about modesty. Do not get too ambitious off the tee and avoid the water on the right off the tee and the water and the bunkers on the approach shot. In other words, placement, more than length, is everything here.
COPPERHEAD COURSE 3
HALF MOON 2
This hole has a prevailing headwind, along with a slightly uphill fairway, so it can be easy to get deceived and under club, says Kevyn Cunningham, director of golf at Half Moon Golf Course in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica. It’s also a narrow fairway landing area, so Cunningham says you’ll want to make sure you have confidence in your club selection. “A good drive will leave you with a medium-to-short iron to a green with a gully in the front of it,” he says. So, just as on the drive, make sure of your club selection on your approach shot. “The front quarter of the green is a false front, so you’ve got to make sure you reach the top of the green.”
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “What you want to try to avoid is under-clubbing on the second shot into the green because of the gully,” says Cunningham. That starts off on the tee, because the palm trees lining the fairway are more trouble than they appear. “The palm trees are a little deceiving,” he says, “because they don’t look like you’re going to get blocked and then you get in them and you have no angles into the green.”
HALF MOON 8
Success on this slightly downhill dogleg right par five begins — and possibly ends — with a key decision on the tee. “The decision has to be made on the tee whether you can hit it far enough to get over the green-side bunker,” Cunningham says. Carry the bunker, roughly 200 to 235 yards out, depending on the placement of the tees in the tee box and the side of the bunker you carry, and you leave yourself a chance to go for the front of the green on your second shot. “If you don’t have that type of distance, then you have to play left of the bunker and play it as a par five,” says Cunningham.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Two things. The first is landing in that expertly placed fairway bunker off the tee. That will make this hole very long. The second is going long on your final approach shot into the green. “You leave yourself with an uphill pitch and there’s not a lot of room behind the green,” says Cunningham.
HALF MOON 7
This short par three usually has a cross wind pushing your shots right to left, which can add a challenge. Add to that the narrow entrance to the green, and you should not let the 17 handicap lower your guard. Cunningham suggests listening to your caddy for club selection — by hole seven, they know how you play, and they are experts here. Then, make sure you hit your yardage on the club. “If you’re short, you bring that narrow area into play, and if you’re long, it’s very difficult to chip back onto the green,” says Cunningham.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “The thing you’ve really got to avoid is short-siding yourself around the green, because wherever the flag is, if you short-side yourself, the chip is always going to be difficult,” says Cunningham. So, if the flag is to the right, don’t miss right. If it’s to the left, don’t miss left. Easy, right?
FRONT NINE HALF MOON
Just as every hole has a strategy, so does the course, especially the front nine. “Remember the first four holes are into the wind here, so I try to start off conservatively and find the rhythm of the round,” says Cunningham. “See what the round is giving you, how your body feels, how your swing feels.” He suggests aiming for the big parts of the greens, at least until you round the corner and get the wind at your back. “Then you can start to attack a little bit.” Most importantly, listen to your caddy. All this is important, he says, because you want to build your confidence for coming home on the back nine. “You’ve got the final five holes and they are brutal if you’re struggling because you’ve got that strong one- to two club wind,” he says. If you lack confidence here, it could mean a big number.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Putting up a huge number on the front nine. Don’t get too aggressive on the front nine. If you go into the back nine with a big score and no confidence, it’ll be a long day. Of course, since you’re in Jamaica, a long day outside on the golf course isn’t necessarily the worst thing.
PROFILE
/ MARK DOWNEY
CULTURES WORLD
OF THE
In the realm of global storytelling, where images speak louder than words, California-based photographer Mark Downey’s work stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and connect humanity.
With a lens that has captured the quiet dignity of a morning prayer on the Ganges, the resilient spirit of the Badjao sea gypsies, and the vibrant pulse of Cambodian elections, Downey crafts visual narratives that invite viewers into a world both familiar and foreign. His photographs are more than mere documentation; they are an exploration of the human experience, revealing the threads of commonality that bind us all.
Downey’s work, often featured in the pages of “National Geographic” and other esteemed publications, is distinguished by its deep sense of empathy and cultural reverence. Whether navigating the spiritual fervor of the Kumbh Mela or the serene isolation of Myanmar’s monasteries, Downey’s images are imbued with a rare sensitivity, capturing moments of profound connection between the viewer and the subject.
Recently named 2025’s Travel Photographer of the Year by Society of American Travel Writers, Downey consistently wins awards nearly every year, including five in 2024. His work is an invitation to journey beyond the surface of well-trodden paths, to experience the world with fresh eyes, and to engage with the profound beauty and diversity that define our shared global culture. His former and ongoing contributions, including the UNICEF “Children of the World” project, reflect a commitment to using his art not just to document, but to inspire and effect change, leaving a lasting impact on both his audience and the communities he portrays.
Mark Downey on location
Ganges River, India
At 5 AM on the Ganges river, I told my boat driver to be very still … I did not want to disturb this deep spiritual moment as a woman tightly held the remains of her brother in the urn. To date, it has been published on the covers of 17 magazines and two books.
The gentoo penguin torpedos through the waters of Antarctica. I only had a few seconds to capture him at this head on angle before he changed directions.
Antartica
Northern Thailand
I approached this Hmong girl in Thailand very gently… bridging the distance slowly while carefully reading her nonverbal responses. As she granted permission, I came closer and closer — with the resulting photograph made just 18 inches from her face.
To
Philippine Sea
show the playfulness of Whale Sharks in the Philippine Sea I asked Professional Dive Master Rena Sugiyama to swim with these gentle giants.
Shinjuku, Japan While looking for a photo that conveyed a sense of place in the Golden Gai back alleys, a historic district in Shinjuku, Japan, I found this scene and remained careful not to disturb the moment. Here a Tokyo subculture arose after World War II. Today there are over 280 bars in these narrow alleys.
Northern Thailand
In the Akha Tribe village in Northern Thailand, I found this woman to have a captivating presence. Despite only having five minutes with her, I feel I was able to make an image that captured her dignity.
Ganges River, India
The Khumbhmela, a Hindu festival in India which happens every 12 years, is the largest gathering of humanity on the planet. I did not know the Dalai Lama, there to promote unity amongst the world’s religions, would be there. Ten years earlier, I had a startling reaction to his presence. I felt his energy radiate across the terrain of people and for a moment it froze me. Flash forward 10 years where I found a small gathering of about 300 people. I was about 20 people back from the center when he abruptly stopped talking , walked through the crowd and blessed me. The blessing and energy he directed has been impossible to explain — a visceral mix of love and compassion. With an exchange of laughter, we became best friends in an instant. For the next 24 hours, I traveled alongside him and onto the next event of about 5,000 people. In the center was a group of about 500 monks. I was standing on the outer edge as he spoke. Then he pointed my way, acknowledging me as his new friend.
Inlay Lake, Myanmar
Often called the floating islands of Inlay Lake, many of theses islands are literally floating. Earlier, I had a conversation with a villager outside of his home. As we talked, I noticed he kept moving. As I wondered why, I noticed I had sunk two feet into the island! On a floating island you need to keep moving! I knew the mornings would be magical so I started an hour before dawn to make sure I was present as the village came to life.
Ganges River, India
This shot at dawn on the Ganges river has run in “National Geographic” continuously for over 10 years. While Looking to convey a sense of place on my first trip to India, this image is the closest I managed.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
I conceived of an image in my mind’s eye with several converging elements but the resulting image exceeded my expectations.
Down by the
Riverside
Steps across an exclusive walkway from Salamander
Washington DC is The Wharf, a now nationally renowned, vibrant and transformed historic waterfront neighborhood with dining, entertainment and water activities.
By RENEE SKLAREW
The city of Washington DC awaited with great anticipation the unveiling of The Wharf in June of 2017. What had been abandoned warehouses became a streetscape of sleek high-rise buildings and plazas spanning the historic Washington Channel. The Wharf’s most notable asset was Wharf Street, a riverside promenade providing much hoped for public access to entertainment, dining and water activities. A waterfront culture center was born.
Since then, The Wharf has continued to evolve, with a series of recent retail openings and new food options offering a wide range of cuisines for those exploring the capital city.
Washington DC’s Maritime History Washington wasn’t always a city of politicians. Centuries before they arrived, the Piscataway and other tribal nations fished and hunted beside the marshy coves of the Potomac River. The first documentation of its untouched beauty comes from British Captain John Smith who navigated up “the Patawomek” from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1608.
The Wharf Neighborhood at Sunset
After the European settlers landed decades later, they established plantations along the Potomac River. One local landowner was particularly enamored with the area and thought it would make an excellent capital city.
In 1791, President George Washington was given the role of selecting a site for the Federal City and planted the American flag into the swampy landscape we now call the District of Columbia. Scientist and mathematician Benjamin Banneker, the inspiration for Dōgon, the restaurant in Salamander Washington DC, was appointed by President Washington as a surveyor on a six-man team which helped design the blueprints for the District, making him the first Black presidential appointee in the United States.
By the late 1880s, the two-mile Washington Channel was dredged to harbor ships traveling up the Potomac.
The Wharf served as a military base during the Civil War and was later home to emancipated African Americans and recently arrived immigrants. Many made their livelihoods at the Municipal Fish Market, the longest continuously operating open-air fish market in the country. Constructed in 1805, The Wharf developers preserved this beloved market, where you can still find the freshest seafood in the city.
The Wharf is Washington DC’s Waterfront Entertainment Hub Hoffman-Madison Waterfront, the master developers of The Wharf, worked with local leaders to envision spaces where the city could access the city’s underutilized waterfront. They added four modern piers designed for activity and interaction.
Monty Hoffman, founder and chairman of Hoffman & Associates, explains, “The water is magic, it brings out the best in everybody.”
The Wharf was immediately embraced by the community, drawing people of all ages to eat, shop, and partake in yearround events. The Wharf kicks off winter with an over-water ice rink and Holiday Boat Parade. When spring arrives, the city gathers for Bloomaroo, a festival celebrating DC’s iconic cherry blossoms. In the fall, you’ll see folks dressed in
COURTESY OF THE WHARF, WASHINGTON, DC
Lederhosen for Oktoberfest or spooky costumes for Dia de los Muertos. Once the Splash Fountain at 7th Street Park opens, you can’t tear the kids away. Music is a vital part of The Wharf, with indoor music venues showcasing a variety of artists year-round. The Anthem is DC’s cutting-edge concert hall where you can see legendary musicians in an intimate setting. Grammy winner Billie Eilish, country icon Willie Nelson and hometown rocker Dave Grohl are a few who have performed there. Nestled in the brick alleyway is Pearl Street Warehouse, a smaller, more relaxed
Up on the Roof
Looking for a vibe with a view? Try a DC craft beer at Cantina Bambina, the old school bar above The Wharf Water Taxi dock. Speaking of local beverages, grab a stool on the rooftop patio at Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company to sample tropical cocktails infused with Thrasher’s white rum. La Vie elevates the fine dining experience on its elegant rooftop terrace. Share a pitcher of sangria perched on Mi Vida’s balcony hacienda. Sip a prosecco on the rooftop of Officina and watch as watermen deliver the area’s prized blue crabs. All offer panoramic views of the sun setting over the Potomac. The Wharf is a tableau of families snuggling together on the giant swing, couples walking their dogs, teens at Camp Wharf toasting s’mores, and a joyful bride and groom posing for photos by the water. It’s just another day at The Wharf, and everyone is welcome.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WHARF, WASHINGTON, DC
venue featuring tribute bands, jazz, soul and bluegrass. Look for musicians, and comedians at Union Stage Tap Room and Kirwan’s Irish Pub.
Get On the Water
What’s a waterfront village without boats?
The Wharf Marina has always been home to seafarers who traveled the Potomac River in vintage yachts, sailboats and fishing charters. The Wharf has expanded its fleet of public boats, so now anyone can climb aboard and see the sights. If you want to navigate the waters on your own, rent a kayak or paddle
board at Wharf Boathouse and pilot to East Potomac Park with its hundreds of cherry trees and public golf course. Prefer an experienced captain? Choose a sightseeing cruise or the regional water taxi to Maryland, Georgetown and Virginia. Favorite day trips are to George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, and Historic Alexandria Virginia, where America’s Founding Fathers were known to sip a grog or two. Whether you prefer private dining on the yacht Cru Classé, or a dance party onboard the glass-enclosed Odyssey, viewing DC’s monuments from the water is unforgettable.
Let’s Eat and Drink
Washington DC is known for its global cuisine, and at The Wharf you can taste recipes from around the world. Celebrate the dishes of coastal Spain at Del Mar, where James Beard award-winning Chef Fabio Trabocchi serves his acclaimed seafood paella. Colada Shop’s Cuban and Kaliwa’s Filipino/Korean are zesty flavors to explore. The owners of Rappahannock Oyster Bar helped restore the Chesapeake Bay oyster population, and you can sample from their oyster beds.
A Restored Legacy
Half Moon continues to invest in and bolster the works of artist Michael Lester.
By JILLIAN DARA
In the mid-1960s, Half Moon Resort commissioned artist Michael Lester to paint a series of intricate murals for its dining room and lobby. The watercolors and oils on hardboard went on to exist as a symbol of the resort and a nod to Lester’s legacy as he called Jamaica home for nearly two decades — celebrating the island, its people and its natural beauty as his main subjects.
Making Montego Bay Home Polish-born as Michał Antoni Leszczyński, Lester became the artist’s alias as he emigrated to Montego Bay by way of the UK and its Royal Navy in 1953. Arriving as Jamaica’s north coast was identified as a tourist hotspot, Lester opened a gallery run by his wife Peggy, where he sold and lived off the income of his creative passion. During this time, some of his largest works were commissioned and shipped across the globe; as most prolific artists, his work grew quickly and his collection dispersed widely.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Bath Towel with Pumpkin, ca. 1960s, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 19061972, Polish, Girl with Pumpkin, 1965, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
A Collection Under One Roof
Years later, in 2022, the owners of Half Moon purchased a significant portion of Lester’s estate. Having sorted through nearly 600 works as part of the newly acquired collection, including ephemera, publications, personal notes and diaries, Art Collections Manager Martin Kret says his earliest works on paper are most impressive as they “show his draftsmanship skill and keen observations of the world around him.”
Two of these paper drafts — Untitled (SS Poznań, Bow View), and Untitled (SS Poznań, Stern View) — depict Lester’s Naval Cargo Ship when it was blown off course by a storm just after the D-Day invasion. “He took whatever suitable piece of paper he had on hand to create these pieces,” Kret shares, noting these were done on the back of 1937 sea-charts that were made in Nazi Germany. “This not only helps date the work, as it is undated, but adds a layer of mystery to a story worth telling.”
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 19061972, Polish, Three Men and Limes, ca. 1950s-1960s, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Pickaxe, 1965, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Untitled (SS Poznań, Bow View), ca. 1944, graphite on vintage sea chart, private collection, Chevy Chase, Maryland, © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Untitled (SS Poznań, Stern View), ca. 1944, graphite on vintage sea chart, private collection, Chevy Chase, Maryland, © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Half Moon Resort Bird’s Eye View, 1960, watercolor on paper, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Original by Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Jonkanoo (alternate spelling “Junkanoo”), ca. 1965, destroyed in fire. Reproduction (current version) by Janice Rankin, artist, Jamaican, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
The Accession Process
Having spent the past 12 years at museums across Washington DC, Kret was brought onboard to accession — a method of record keeping to collate, numerate and track new incoming pieces — and digitize the collection. When first purchased, the records stated that there were 32 paintings and 300 works on paper. “The collection currently contains around 550 works on paper, plus 39 paintings on canvas or hardboard… and it is likely to grow further,” advises Kret on the biggest undertaking of his career. “This collection is everything he had; that’s what makes it so culturally rich,” says Kret, and that’s why the accession process is so important.
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 19061972, Polish, Policeman, Parrot, and Limes, 1958, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Lester’s Bar
When Half Moon opened its new Eclipse hotel experience, the bar was named Lester’s Bar for Michael Lester. This chic space offers expertly crafted cocktails, a large selection of Caribbean rums and premium brands, and live entertainment. The bar showcases Janice Rankin’s reproduction of Junkanoo, shown directly behind the bar.
Having spent more than two years sorting through these works, Kret stresses the significance of Lester’s earliest works on paper like the Untitled duo: “they often form the basis for his larger works done in oil and are pretty much unknown to the public.”
Now, as a result of Kret and Half Moon, aesthetes will be able to view more artwork, including some they never knew existed, by the talented Lester. But first they need to be tended to — some of these artworks are over 80 years old and have been stored in humid conditions so are worse for wear. Therefore, when Kret enters them into the digital database he’s determined the pieces in the
worst condition, which the restoration team will prioritize.
Restoring the Art
The first piece that was restored is Garden Shadows. According to Kret, it had severe damage to the canvas, was distorted by the frame and stretcher, showed paint loss and cracks throughout. He hired art conservator Scott Brouard to restore the painting’s deteriorated state, including the removal of the frame and stretcher to line the canvas with an aluminum panel and hot wax infusion method. Once that was accomplished, Brouard filled the holes, in-painted where needed, and cleaned the
surface to achieve a more original appearance. “Paintings are never stable, they are always in some state of deterioration, but there are treatments and restoration methods that can help extend the life and physical appearance of any artwork,” explains Kret. The process of restoration may take years, and may be ever-growing, however, Kret acknowledges that connoisseurs now have the largest collection of Lester’s work at their fingertips. “That is why digitizing the collection is an important part of my role… to hopefully preserve this collection in digital form for decades to come with the purpose of exposing Lester’s legacy to the wider public.”
Michael Lester (Michał Leszczyński), 1906-1972, Polish, Montego Bay, Yacht Club, 1955, oil on hardboard, Half Moon Collection, Montego Bay, Jamaica © Garlandstone Arts, LLC.
Experiences
INFLUENCED
We asked what inspires some of Salamander Collection's most influential guests about the company's hotels and resorts.
HOTEL BENNETT / CHARLESTON,
SOUTH CAROLINA
KATHERINE TUTTLE
@kotuttle
What did you find inspiring about Hotel Bennett and the overall destination?
Charleston is the quintessential southern town. There is so much history, architectural and natural beauty — and of course, incredible food. I was most drawn to Charleston for the photogenic streets. Every corner of the town is photogenic. Hotel Bennett is in a prime location for walking to all the best spots in Charleston.
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Hotel Bennett?
This one is so hard to answer because there are so many beautiful photo spots at Hotel Bennett. However, I will say that the light in the morning and at golden hour in the evening on the rooftop at Fiat Lux is absolutely sublime with the gorgeous views of the Charleston skyline in the background.
What are your must-do recommendations at the hotel?
Dining at Fiat Lux and Camellias are truly unique experiences that Hotel Bennett has to offer. If I had to pick two favorites those are it. However, the rooftop pool and eating on the patio at Gabrielle under the nighttime lights while people watching are also delights.
INNISBROOK RESORT / TAMPA
BAY, FLORIDA
LAUREN WEST ROBERTS
@laurenwestroberts
What did you find inspiring about Innisbrook and the overall destination?
I love the location because it is in my hometown of Palm Harbor and is a place where I have made many memories from when I was younger to my adult life. I remember going to birthday parties at Loch Ness Pool in elementary school, attending my high school luncheon in one of the ballrooms, and going to the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship as an adult with my family and friends. Innisbrook is extremely family-friendly and a place that is perfect for all ages.
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Innisbrook?
The Loch Ness Pool, Salamander Spa and Packard's Steakhouse are such beautiful settings for photography.
What are your must-do recommendations at the resort?
Book a facial at Salamander Spa and enjoy the spa amenities — I promise you won't regret it. Head to The Loch Ness pool for some refreshing cocktails in the sun. Wrap up your day with a wonderful dinner and glass of vino inside or outside at Packard's Steakhouse, Innisbrook's best kept secret!
ASPEN MEADOWS / ASPEN, CO
JADE SHARRER
@coloradomountaintowns
What did you find inspiring about Aspen Meadows and the overall destination?
Aspen Meadows is absolutely beautiful and unlike any hotel I have stayed. The suites are spacious, modern, and have the best views from their window. The location is close to downtown but still feels secluded. They have a lot of great amenities, and the dining experience was phenomenal.
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Aspen Meadows?
Of course, the hot tub overlooking the mountains, but also there are many backdrops with mountains outdoors, within your room or even the restaurant. There are many opportunities for an "instagrammable" photo.
What are your must-do recommendations at the resort?
Definitely eat there — all meals were great but really enjoyed breakfast as it was so peaceful looking at the mountains during the day out their large windows. I also loved that the snowshoe rentals were included, the hot tub, as well as The Bayer Center and Art Walk outdoor installations, all on-site.
SALAMANDER MIDDLEBURG /
VIRGINIA
SCOTT KRUITBOSCH AND NOELLA BARONE
Scott & Noella Photography @scottkruitbosch
@noellabarone
What did you find inspiring about Salamander Middleburg and the overall destination?
Traveling to Salamander Middleburg is like taking a step out of time as you breathe in history and hospitality separated from the rest of the world. The elevated southern and country vibes have a classic aesthetic we always love to capture, and you’re in a place where you can’t miss creating a superb photo. More than anything it is so relaxing and joyous which is something we strive to experience and impart.
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Salamander Middleburg?
You’ll be stunned by the living room and library when you first check-in, and the best part about these magnificent
spaces is that you can take an incredible photo in them no matter the weather or time of year. All of the horses bring endless possibilities for cute photos in the equestrian center or outside in their paddocks. The patios and balconies are great spots, too, making for elegant photos thanks to the country estate design of the buildings.
What are your must-do recommendations at the resort?
This is horse and wine country, and you should embrace that! Start with an al fresco breakfast at Harrimans followed by a visit to the equestrian center to see the horses and go horseback riding. After lunch and a drink at Gold Cup, head over to the spa for a soothing massage or a wellness treatment capped off with time in the spa pool at a private cabana before dinner and dessert at Harrimans.
HALF MOON /
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA
ALENA MASHTALYAR @MASHTA_FAM
What did you find inspiring about Half Moon and the overall destination?
This was my first time in Jamaica and as soon as I stepped into Half Moon, I was instantly inspired by how beautiful it was! Every little detail was beautiful, and the sound of the ocean just added to the vibe. I can't wait to be back one day!
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Half Moon?
I loved the design of North Pointe and we took a lot of photos around it! Also, by the hammocks on the beach, resort lobby, day beds at the pool, Fern Tree Spa and right outside of the Ital Cafè.
What are your must-do recommendations at the resort?
My must-do recommendation would definitely be Fern Tree, a Salamander Spa. I received the best massage of my life there! I also recommend renting a golf cart or just checking out their complimentary bikes and exploring the resort in the evenings. Don't forget to enjoy fresh coconuts, so refreshing!
SALAMANDER WASHINGTON DC / WASHINGTON, DC
JACK HOLLINGSWORTH @jackhollingsworth | iphonejack.pro
What did you find inspiring about Salamander DC and the overall destination?
As a travel and traveling photographer, Salamander DC is my home-away fromhome. I love the staff, the architecture, the food and drink, the luxurious lobby, the suites, the lounge and all the little details that reflect modern tastes and style. And, best of all, it is situated within walking distances (or short bike rides) from many of Washington’s great historical monuments.
Where is the best place(s) to take an “instagrammable” photo at Salamander DC?
The open courtyard and gardens, during Cherry Blossom season (last week of March through first week of April) is picturesque and dreamy beyond belief. The building facade (front), during the Blue-hour, is pretty nice too. And the open and cozy courtyard provides the perfect spot for natural light food and drink snaps for Instagram and TikTok.
What are your must-do recommendations at the hotel?
As a travel photographer, no visit to Salamander DC is complete without (1) a casual, short walk to the adjacent and renovated Wharf area at sunset and (2) a bike ride to the Tidal Basin area to photograph the monuments.
PGA NATIONAL RESORT / PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL
HANNAH BLATT
@hannahblatt
What did you find inspiring about PGA National Resort and the overall destination?
PGA National Resort is a perfect blend of luxury, sport and relaxation! It’s a great destination for athletes and travelers looking to relax. It has world-class facilities, including the stunning golf courses, pickleball and tennis courts, spas and a vibrant atmosphere make it truly special.
Where is the best place(s) to take a Instagrammable photo?
The golf courses at sunrise, the poolside cabanas, and the chic lobby and terrace with its elegant design!
What are your must-do recommendations?
Play a round of golf or pickleball or tennis, unwind at the spa, and enjoy a cocktail by the pool and sunset on the terrace. The dining options are also topnotch, some of the best food I’ve had in Palm Beach Gardens - don’t miss out on a great meal!
ROOM WITH A VIEW
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
SALAMANDER WASHINGTON DC
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT DANDY
Stunningly and recently enhanced by noted interior designer Thomas Pheasant, the Presidential Suite at Salamander Washington DC features expansive sunset views of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin, Potomac River, The Wharf and Pentagon City and beyond. The surrounding and poignant Monumental Core of Washington DC served as the primary source of design inspiration for the renovation of the 3,520-square-foot suite, which features custom furniture pieces that interpret crisp lines and silhouettes in carefully proportioned forms, thoughtful details, and a palette of natural materials and fabric selections.
