Set on 340 acres amid Virginia's famed horse country and lush vineyards, yet only a 30-minute drive from Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport and an hour from the nation's capital, the 168-room resort is already 65 percent complete. With a stated goal of achieving the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings, Salamander Resort & Spa is the only luxury resort in the United States scheduled to open in 2013.

"I am delighted to finalize this opening timeline," said Resort Owner Sheila C. Johnson, who is also CEO and founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the hotel company overseeing the design, development and management of the resort. "This property has been my passion ever since I set foot on it nearly a decade ago. It is unmatched in ease of access and equestrian heritage, and it promises to be the finest new destination to open on the East Coast in many years."

Johnson announced the schedule alongside Middleburg Mayor Betsy Allen Davis as they formally dedicated the town's new water and wastewater treatment plants. Using state-of-the-art technology and costing $11 million, the facilities were built by Salamander and recently began serving the town's residents and businesses.

"Today's ceremony is a significant milestone in the resort's development, and represents Salamander's dedication to serving the community as well as its future guests," said Mayor Davis. "As a town, we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to our beautiful area."

Designed to blend into its natural environment and replicate the architectural traditions of Virginia's countryside, Salamander Resort & Spa features luxurious rooms and suites inspired by renowned designer Thomas Pheasant, a 23,000-square-foot lavish spa and unique "treehouse" treatment rooms, a full-service equestrian center with a 22-stall stable and practice ring, Virginia Piedmont-inspired dining overseen by James Beard-nominated Chef Todd Gray, a dedicated cooking studio, wine bar and culinary garden. Salamander guests will enjoy a Jack Nicklaus golf experience at nearby Creighton Farms Estates, while the resort is positioned at the center of Virginia's emerging wine country - with over 20 wineries located within a 30-minute drive.

The resort features 12,000 square feet of conference and event facilities, including a 5,000-square-foot grand ballroom and a restored 100-year-old Stallion Barn. Already registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the Salamander Resort & Spa sales team is now accepting group bookings.

Johnson founded Salamander Hotels & Resorts in 2005, and brought on respected hospitality executive Prem Devadas as the company's president. She also has ownership in three professional sports teams: the NBA's Washington Wizards, the WNBA's Washington Mystics and the NHL's Washington Capitals. She is also well known as the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET).

Rates during peak season at Salamander Resort & Spa range from $425 to $575 per night for a deluxe 540-square-foot guest room, depending on views and unique features such as working fireplaces. Suite pricing ranges from $775 to $3,500 per night. Special group rates and packages for individual travelers are also available. For more information about the resort, visit www.salamanderhotels.com, e-mail info@salamanderresort.com or call 866-938-7370. For group sales, call 1-540-687-3710.

About Salamander Hotels & ResortsSalamander Hotels & Resorts is a privately owned and operated company based in Middleburg, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded by entrepreneur Sheila C. Johnson in 2005, the company has a portfolio that features the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida, a collection of three stellar golf resorts including the recently renovated Innisbrook Resort near Tampa, Reunion Resort in Orlando and the oceanfront Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast; Grand Resorts at Cap Cana, a collection of luxurious properties in the Dominican Republic including the oceanfront Sanctuary Cap Cana and the new marina-inspired Fishing Lodge Cap Cana; the Forbes Five-Star- and AAA Five Diamond-rated Woodlands Inn near Charleston, SC; and the eagerly anticipated Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, a 340-acre equestrian-themed, ultra-luxury resort located near Washington, D.C. opening in August 2013. For additional information, call (540) 687-3710 or visit www.salamanderhotels.com.