David Mars is Salamander Resort’s New General Manager

David Mars is Salamander Resort’s New General Manager

By Linda Roberts

“We have an incredible team of people here who are working with a great company that has wonderful values,” said David Mars, who, this past January, was named general manager of Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg.

David Mars, Salamander Resort’s New General Manager

With many years experience within the field of luxury hospitality, Mars was previously with Salamander’s sister resort, The Henderson, in Destin, Florida. Long-time Middleburg resident Sheila Johnson owns the Middleburg property and its parent company, Salamander Hotels & Resorts.

Prior to joining Salamander, Mars, a graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, spent over eight years with Montage Hotels & Resorts, including serving as general manager at Spanish Peaks in Big Sky, Montana. His experience also includes corporate management with luxury resorts in Utah, California and Las Vegas.

John Speers, vice president of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, referring to Mars and his new position, said in a statement, “I have had the pleasure of working with David since 2018 and his leadership and embrace of Salamander’s core values has led to extraordinary success.”

“You learn how important it is to work for a company that has the same values you have,” said Mars, adding that it can be voiced simply as “taking care of people.”

One of Loudoun County’s larger employers, Salamander has a staff of 350 and Mars couldn’t have been more complimentary toward the people he works with.

“We hire the best of the best,” said Mars, who believes Salamander’s staff is one of the resort’s greatest assets. “You must never take this for granted,” he said, adding that “when you have a quality team, its members tell others, leading to possible employment for additional talented employees.”

On 340 acres, with 200 of that acreage in scenic easement, Salamander is a Forbes Five Star property featuring 168 rooms, a hunt country-themed interior design, renowned dining, and a popular equestrian center. Its lavish spa is one of only 30 in the U.S. that has also been recognized with a Forbes Five Star ranking.

Mars said there are a number of exciting plans in the future for the resort, including development of 49 high-quality residences on the property. Construction has already started on some of the luxury dwellings and he anticipates completion and delivery of the first 10 homes in early 2023.

Among the summer plans for the resort is the second “Family Reunion,” a gathering that will take the food and wine experience to a new level while celebrating diversity in the hospitality and culinary communities. Also, the resort will serve as a United States meeting point for a warm-up race for the prestigious 1,000-Mile Miglia race event in Italy.

Mars, his wife, Nicole, and their two children, Maddie and Christopher, have relocated to the area and he’s definitely bullish on his new home, and the resort he now runs.

“As a luxury company,” he said, “you have to ensure that you never lose sight of your culture.”