A month and a half after signing an agreement to purchase the former Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., Salamander Hotels & Resorts and Henderson Park, a London-based global private equity real estate manager, have sealed the deal and officially launched the Salamander Washington D.C., marking the brand’s debut in the capital after operating in Middleburg, Va., since 2013.
“Over a year ago, we were engaged by an investor group who was in negotiations with Mandarin about acquiring the D.C. property,” Salamander Hotels & Resorts President Prem Devadas said. “Ultimately, that group did not move forward with the acquisition but gave us permission to speak to other investors about the opportunity. We specifically reached out to Henderson Park, with whom we already had a relationship, and introduced them to the project.” The Salamander team, Devadas added, had been looking for an “opportunity” in D.C. that would reflect the brand’s style, and the former Mandarin Oriental fit the bill thanks to its indoor and outdoor spaces.
“Our investment into this hotel is driven by a recognition of both its distinguished reputation as an established luxury property in the U.S. capital as well as the significant long-term potential that we believe it offers,” Nick Weber, founding partner of Henderson Park, said in a statement. “Washington D.C. holds enduring appeal thanks to its vibrant blend of culture, art and history alongside the seat of federal government and many international organizations, making a hospitality investment particularly compelling and aligning with our global strategy. Through partnering with Salamander, a premium luxury hospitality brand, we will reposition this elegant property and further enhance its allure for business and leisure guests alike.”
New Look
Under its new ownership and Salamander’s management, the 373-room hotel will undergo a renovation while remaining open for business. “Part of our training program is to bring team members from our Home Office and other Salamander properties to orient and support,” Devadas said. “We have already assembled a special hotel leadership group that includes management from Mandarin Oriental, Salamander and other D.C. luxury properties.''
Key factors of the planned renovation will include upgrades to the hotel’s suites, the remodeling and reopening of the club lounge, reconcepting and redesign of the restaurant and grand lobby lounge and activation of the hotel’s outdoor spaces.
Every guestroom will get new, regionally inspired artwork, including photographs taken by Salamander founder Sheila Johnson. The club lounge, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, will be renovated and reopened as the Monument Club.
The hotel’s restaurant (currently open only for breakfast) will be revitalized, and the hotel is working with a chef to reposition the restaurant with a projected springtime opening. A patisserie will also be added on the main level for grab-and-go items. The spa will become a Salamander Spa and will undergo an expansion to include more treatment rooms and a street-level entrance.
Other projects include an upgrade of the hotel’s rotunda lobby and the reprogramming and renaming of the lobby bar. The hotel will also activate its Grand Lawn with programming for leisure and corporate groups.
Complete details of the hotel’s improvement program will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks.
“Salamander Washington D.C. is already a grand luxury hotel and we intend to introduce the warm and inviting feeling that guests enjoy at other Salamander properties,” Johnson said in a statement. “Together with Henderson Park, we will create a gathering place for the community in a relaxing and refined setting. We are also delighted to welcome the hotel’s employees into the Salamander family and introduce our unique style of service to this exceptional property.”
The Salamander team plans to develop “synergies” between the two properties, including special "Town and Country" packages. Other properties in the Salamander portfolio are in Charleston, S.C.; Aspen, Colo.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; Jamaica; and Anguilla.