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Kick off your fall getaway with these Black-owned resorts and hotels
Ramona Watson
September 27, 2023
Whether you are looking for a tucked-away spa or a place with prime oceanfront real estate, the world of black-owned hotels and resorts in the States has a lot of diverse options to offer.
Check out these Black-owned stays known for their hospitality services.
Located on the famous stretch of beachfront property known as “Millionaire's Row”, Hilton Cabana Miami Beach was founded in June of 2014 by the co-founder of BET, Richard L. Johnson. This black-owned hotel and resort offers a variety of perks including direct access to the beach, two outdoor pools, an on-site French-inspired restaurant and bar, valet parking, and a 24-hour fitness center, among other amenities and services. Its close proximity to a wide selection of good eats and entertainment venues makes it an ideal stop for those looking to explore Miami Beach day and nightlife.
Check out their website for additional information on bookings and services here.
For those less interested in the nightlife and more drawn to quiet luxury and beautiful outdoor scenery, The Salamander Resort & Spa could be an excellent alternative. It was opened in 2013 by the other half of the husband and wife duo who founded BET, Sheila Johnson. “I love staying in the finest hotels. I love luxury,” she told Hotel Management in a 2022 interview.
It is located in Middleburg, VA on 340 acres of greenery and offers a wealth of on-site activities including fishing, falconry, river floats, guided hikes, archery, tennis, and ziplining. There is also an equestrian center, setting it apart from the average resort–not to mention a luxury spa and fitness center. In addition to having all this, there is an array of nearby wineries and vineyards, as it is situated in the middle of Virginia’s Wine Country.
For those less interested in the nightlife and more drawn to quiet luxury and beautiful outdoor scenery, The Salamander Resort & Spa could be an excellent alternative. It was opened in 2013 by the other half of the husband and wife duo who founded BET, Sheila Johnson. “I love staying in the finest hotels. I love luxury,” she told Hotel Management in a 2022 interview.
The Salamander in Middleburg is the first of a series of resorts and hotels Mrs. Johnson would open around the country. You can learn more about them here.
Smaller but just as luxurious, we have The Ivy Hotel located smack in the middle of the historic Mount Vernon area, in Maryland.
Renovated by Howard graduates Eddie & Sylvia Brown and up-and-running by 2014, the 19th-century mansion has eighteen Victorian-style guest rooms and suites and is home to one of Baltimore’s acclaimed bistros, Magdalena. They claim that when they opened the Ivy Hotel and Magdalena, they “sought to make it a ‘Jewel’ for Baltimore” and nearly 9 years later, it remains highly rated–committed to diversity, hospitality, and overall excellence. Whether you want a unique culinary experience, luxury spa treatment, private car service, afternoon tea service, or the simple pleasure of reading a book from their library in their private courtyard, The Ivy has you covered. Aside from this, once you walk outside you will find yourself downtown and within walking distance of many local boutiques, theaters, galleries, and halls.
You can find details about their location and services online here.
In 1988, Rhonda and Erik Albert purchased an 1870 Victorian home in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, turning it into the long-standing community and family-oriented establishment that it is today. While The Oak Bluffs Inn is a bit more intimate than your typical hotel or resort atmosphere, many black elites and public figures have historically enjoyed their stay here, including the likes of Spike Lee, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, and writer and educator Bell Hooks.
You can learn more about the Inn on their website.
The Akwaaba Mansion in Stuyvesant Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn is an 1850s mansion-turned-B&B that was opened in 1995 by husband and wife, Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood, who developed a passion for innkeeping after staying at their first bed and breakfast in the early ’90s. This became one of a series of Inns acquired by the couple since then.
The Brooklyn Mansion in particular is an Italianate villa that was carefully restored, featuring intricate architectural details, with decor that is described as being “a blend of antiques and Afrocentric elegance.” Each of the four suites has its own individual flare, and guests have access to a private garden, sun porch, and shaded courtyard among other curated areas for guests.
For more information, visit their site here.
Joanne Wilmore bought this four-story residence in 2007 following a long-term search for the perfect bed and breakfast location, making it the only B&B in historic downtown York. She fashioned the name after her grandmother, Grace, and the image on its quaint entryway sign features a photo of her great-grandmother, Ethel, creating a sort of domestic ambiance.
Its five guest suites have been meticulously decorated, featuring French, Asian, and African Diaspora themes and showing clear vision and expertise when it comes to interior design. Amenities include a private deck, a secluded garden, and a Southern-influenced three-course breakfast. Most reviews dote on the establishment’s phenomenal food service and cozy atmosphere.
The promise of off-street parking is also a huge plus being in a downtown area with a surplus of things to do including art galleries, museums, a market, parks, and an old-fashioned arcade. It is also minutes from Gettysburg and Lancaster’s theater district.
Visit their website to find out more about their pricing, services, and amenities.
