13 Black-owned hotels to book for your next vacation

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the immeasurable impact that African Americans have had upon the history and culture not just of the U.S. but across the globe. It’s a time to celebrate, learn and consciously support underrepresented groups, like Black-owned businesses in the tourism sector.

Whether you’re looking for one of the best Black-owned restaurants in the U.S. or the best Black-owned hotels here and abroad, you’re in the right place.

Related: 10 destinations where you can learn about Black history in America

What is Black History Month?

Since 1976, the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans have been celebrated each February under the official presidential designation of Black History Month. In Canada, the observance is also held in February, while it is marked in the U.K. and Ireland in October.

The event dates to 1925, when Carter G. Woodson, the “father of Black history,” launched Negro History Week to be held to coincide with the birth dates of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Each year, Black History Month features a distinct theme. For 2024, “African Americans and the Arts” will celebrate the impact of African Americans on cultural forms ranging from theater, performing arts and literature to architecture, fashion and film. Events and celebrations provide everyone with the opportunity to not only share in but to comprehend the great impact of Black heritage and culture on modern society.

This month, support diversity in the hospitality and tourism industries by opting to stay at a Black-owned hotel. The hotels on this list include private homes that have been transformed into boutique hotels, award-winning luxury properties and distinctive resorts with unique histories.

From New York to Guadeloupe and everywhere in between, here are 14 Black-owned hotels you can visit in the U.S. and beyond.

Akwaaba Mansion

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

AKWAABA MANSION/MATHEW LOVETTE/FACEBOOK

Best for: Travelers looking to stay at a small bed and breakfast in New York City.

Why stay here: Akwaaba Mansion’s convenient Brooklyn location allows travelers to stay close to the energy of Manhattan but still escape to a quieter place to rest their head during a visit to New York.

Best way to book: The only way to reserve a stay at Akwaaba Mansion is to book direct through their website or by phone.

Akwaaba Mansion, in Brooklyn, New York, and about a 15-minute drive to lower Manhattan, is in an Italianate former mansion originally built in the 1860s. There are actually three Akwaaba Mansions, including this one. The other two are Akwaaba Philadelphia and The Mansion at Noble Lane in Pennsylvania’s Poconos.

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This particular bed and breakfast features just four guest suites, each with a unique theme and decor. Visitors can relax in the guest library, game room and secluded garden with a glassed-in sun porch. As for that breakfast, Akwaaba Mansion serves hearty Southern fare, and guests can also enjoy afternoon tea.

Each suite is equipped with a king-size bed, dresser and seating area, plus a spacious private bathroom. Akwaaba has custom bathroom toiletries made by local artisans that are also available for sale at the on-site shop. Rooms can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and one child.

Rates at Akwaaba Mansion, Brooklyn, New York, start at $225 per night for double occupancy.

The Ivy Hotel

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

THE IVY HOTEL/IVY

Best for: Visitors to Baltimore looking for luxury accommodation options with views of Mount Vernon.

Why stay here: Guests at The Ivy Hotel can look forward to beautifully decorated and modern rooms, an in-house spa and restaurant,inclusive amenities such as cocktails at the Mansion bar and more.

Best way to book: Book through our partner Skylark to enjoy elite-like benefits and on-property credits; or reserve through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.

The Ivy Hotel is a mansion turned boutique hotel in Mount Vernon, in the heart of Baltimore. There is a spa on the property where guests can indulge in services like an Ayurvedic facial massage or lemon verbena body treatment.

The hotel’s only dining outlet, Magdalena, combines European culinary traditions with Maryland soul. Dishes include pepper-crusted venison loin, dry-aged duck and seared Maine scallops.

Each of The Ivy Hotel’s rooms and suites is uniquely decorated and features a fireplace, heated bathroom floors and plenty of natural light. Canopy beds are draped with delicately patterned fabrics, and walls are painted in bright, yet calming colors.

Rates at The Ivy Hotel start at $614 per night for double occupancy.

The Oak Bluffs Inn

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA

THE OAK BLUFFS INN/FACEBOOK

Best for: Families who love an East Coast beach adventure.

Why stay here: The Oak Bluffs Inn is conveniently located within walking distance to the beach, shops and dining with charming rooms in a historical structure.

Best way to book: Book direct for the best rates and information.

The Oak Bluffs Inn in Martha’s Vineyard has been owned and operated by Rhonda and Erik Albert for over 20 years. The Inn has just 10 rooms, each uniquely decorated with elegant white Frette linens, colorful throw pillows and wall art for a truly beachy feel. Architect Mark Hutker renovated the inn to resemble a lighthouse before the Alberts purchased the former private mansion in 1998.

Room rates include continental breakfast (offered from May through October), along with complimentary snacks and beverages. Other high-end touches include Aveda bath products and the use of cozy fire pits.

The Inn is within walking distance of the beach, shops and restaurants, though guests can also take advantage of bike pumps and racks if they want to get around on two wheels to such local favorites as Fishbones and The Lookout.

Rates at the Oak Bluff Inn start at $235 per night.

Salamander Resort & Spa

Middleburg, Virginia, USA

SALAMANDER RESORT & SPA/FACEBOOK

Best for: A staycation near Washington, D.C., or a visit to the nearby state capital of Richmond.

Why stay here: Salamander Resort & Spa has a large equestrian facility, plenty of outdoor activities for all levels of adventure and a stellar dining experience.

Best way to book: Book through our partner Skylark to enjoy elite-like benefits and on-property credits; or reserve through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts for value-added benefits like upgrades and late checkout based on availability, plus on-property statement credits.

Salamander Resort & Spa is in Middleburg, Virginia, just a one-hour drive from Washington, D.C. Of the 340 acres that the property rests on, 25 acres are dedicated to equestrian activities such as horseback riding and a 14,000-square-foot stable.

The resort also has a spa where guests can enjoy treatments like sound therapies and couple massages. There are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy on the property, such as zip lining and nature hikes, along with a dining program that includes a multi-experience cooking studio. Harriman’s Virginia Piedmont Grill is the main restaurant, where diners can savor locally sourced dishes like Atlantic halibut and Hudson Valley foie gras.

Related: 12 international destinations to learn about Black history

Each of the 168 rooms and suites at Salamander Resort & Spa comes with an outdoor patio or balcony and soft amenities like terrycloth bathrobes. The decor pays homage to the seasons and equestrian life with warm colors and hints of blue and green, along with fun touches like stirrup motifs on the linens. Salamander Resort & Spa is also pet-friendly and offers ADA rooms.

Rates at Salamander Resort & Spa start at $615 per night.

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens

Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA

CLEVEDALE HISTORIC INN AND GARDENS/FACEBOOK

Best for: Travelers who want a charming South Carolina bed-and-breakfast experience.

Why stay here: Spartanburg is a short drive from Greenvile, South Carolina, and an hour-and-a-half from Charlotte, North Carolina, making it a convenient get away from either city.

Best way to book: Book directly with the hotel for exclusive access to their digital guest companion.

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens bed and breakfast is less than 30 minutes from Greenville, South Carolina. It was originally built and owned by a descendant of President Grover Cleveland and was once a 440-acre farm. Current owners Pontheolla and Paul Abernathy purchased and renovated the property in 2012.

It has since welcomed guests to its four distinctive accommodations, like a vintage 1947 train caboose in the property’s verdant garden. It’s also a popular wedding venue, so you might spot a bride getting ready in the elegant Westmoreland Bridal Suite. Room rates include a full Southern breakfast, so come hungry.

For guests looking to venture off the property, activities and attractions nearby include the Spartanburg County Regional Museum of History and Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve for nature walks. Guests who book direct receive access to the inn’s digital guest companion, which includes additional recommended itineraries and local restaurants to experience during their stay.

Rates at Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens start at $185 per night for double occupancy and require a two-night minimum stay.

Urban Cowboy

East Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

URBAN COWBOY/FACEBOOK

Best for: Visitors to Music City who want a quiet place to rest their head while still enjoying Nashville’s style and vibe.

Why stay here: Urban Cowboy is a great place for adults travelers who enjoy craft cocktails, boutique hotels and making new friends.

Best way to book: Book directly through the hotel’s own website.

In East Nashville, Urban Cowboy is a boutique hotel housed in a historic Victorian mansion exclusively for guests ages 21 and older. The hotel is thoughtfully designed with chevron-patterned floors and wall paneling in the public spaces and rooms. Decor choices draw the eye to various focal points and exude an obvious country rockstar theme. Urban Cowboy is a unique redoubt that attracts a laid-back clientele ready to kick back with some delicious cocktails and good music.

Each of the eight suites in the former Victorian mansion that comprises the main part of the property comes with Instagram-worthy features like clawfoot tubs (the one in the Tower Suite is even made of beaten copper), high, gabled ceilings and vibrant decor. Room styles range from over-the-top Victorian to a driftwood-chic-meets-heyday-Burt Reynolds in the Captain Suite.

Out back, Public House Bar & Restaurant serves colorful craft cocktails and piping-hot woodfired pizzas by the folks from Roberta’s, so expect to settle in and make new friends over a hospitable Southern supper.

Room rates at Urban Cowboy Nashville start at $189 per night for double occupancy.

Hilton Cabana Miami Beach

Mid-Beach, Miami, Florida, USA

HILTON CABANA MIAMI BEACH/HILTON

Best for: Travelers to Miami Beach who don’t want to be right in the hustle and bustle of South Beach.

Why stay here: Hilton Cabana Miami Beach is close to the Miami Convention Center, the Art Deco Historic District and plenty of shops and restaurants, making it perfect for exploring the city.

Best way to book: Book directly on the Hilton website to take advantage of offers, loyalty perks and to redeem Hilton Honors points.

Hilton Cabana Miami Beach is on a stretch of the aptly called “Millionaires Row” that runs along Collins Avenue. It’s just north of the famed and high-energy area of South Beach. The hotel has a private beach, as well as two oceanfront pools with plenty of poolside cabanas.

In addition to room service, enjoy fresh seafood and Caribbean dishes at Allison Restaurant. Also, Allison Bar overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and offers classic cocktails with prime views. Beach and pool service is also available, serving seafood, salads, sandwiches and cocktails.

The hotel offers connecting rooms, making it a great option for family travelers visiting Miami. Guest rooms feature ceiling fans, seating areas and desks, with some also having a balcony or ocean view. Soothing shades of yellow, blue or orange bring pops of color to otherwise simply-decorated rooms and suites.

Rates at Hilton Cabana Miami Beach start at $234 or 68,000 points per night.

La Maison in Midtown

Midtown, Houston, Texas, USA

LA MAISON IN MIDTOWN/FACEBOOK

Best for: Visitors to Houston who want to be in the center of the city, but in a more intimate setting than a chain hotel.

Why stay here: La Maison Midtown is in a great location for travelers who want to explore all that Houston has to offer.

Best way to book: Book directly on the hotel’s website for the best rates.

La Maison in Midtown is a bed and breakfast in Houston near the city’s thriving Theater District. The inn offers the option of either a full Southern or continental breakfast. There are restaurants nearby for guests who want to venture out for other meals. Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, which serves El Salvadorian cuisine, and Chinese restaurant Wanna Bao, are both within walking distance.

The hotel was built in 2010 and contains just seven luxury, contemporary-style guest rooms decorated in elegant jewel tones with dark wooden furnishings. Some feature impressive pieces like four-poster beds, while others have balconies for enjoying the fresh air. Private spa-style bathrooms with plush bathrobes, premium bedding and access to conference rooms for business meetings are other amenities.

Rates at La Maison in Midtown start at $140 per night.

Nopsi Hotel

Central Business District, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

NOSPI HOTEL/FACEBOOK

Best for: Visitors to New Orleans that prefer to stay outside of the French Quarter, but still be close enough to walk to the center of the action.

Why stay here: The Nopsi Hotel is a historic hideaway with modern rooms, delicious dining options and a convenient location near the French Quarter and the Arts District.

Best way to book: Book directly to take advantage of special offers such as a fourth night free or complimentary valet parking.

The Nopsi Hotel was originally built in the 1920s and is the former headquarters of the New Orleans Public Service Incorporated. As such, it’s listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The hotel is in the Warehouse District, just outside of the French Quarter, so it’s convenient for first-time visitor fun, as well as for seeing the city’s other neighborhoods.

Public Service, the hotel’s main restaurant, pays tribute to the hardworking fishermen of the Gulf Coast. Diners can expect seasonal dishes with locally sourced ingredients, such as oysters and causeway shrimp. There is also a rooftop bar by the pool called Above the Grid that is open year-round and serves cocktails and small bites. Henry’s Gin Bar, with its gorgeously lit marble counter, serves one of the city’s iconic cocktails, the Ramos gin fizz.

Guest rooms are classically designed with sophisticated beiges and browns, with threads of color in the form of navy blue seating or patterning on the bedding. An added bonus? Guests are treated to complimentary coffee and tea service every day until 10:00 a.m.

Rates at the Nopsi Hotel start at $192 per night.

The Hamilton Howell House

Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

THE HAMILTON HOWELL HOUSE/FACEBOOK

Best for: Visitors to Atlanta who want to stay in a historical home near the King Center.

Why stay here: The Hamilton Howell House is a renovated 1893 mansion celebrating African-American history with a homier feel than any chain hotel out there.

Best way to book: Book directly through the hotel’s website, which actually takes you to their Airbnb listing.

Built by the renowned African American architect Alexander Hamilton, Jr. in 1893, The Hamilton Howell House in Atlanta, Georgia, was originally the Hamilton family home.

The Howell family purchased it in 1984 and have lovingly restored it over the last 30 years. Now a bed and breakfast, it’s homier than your average hotel. The property features a full kitchen that guests can use to cook their own meals.

It’s near The King Center and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center, which makes it an excellent option for visitors who want to explore Atlanta’s Black heritage.

The five rooms, which feel more like guest rooms in a family friend’s house (albeit one with excellent taste), are named after African American icons, including W.E.B Dubois and Aretha Franklin.

Rates at The Hamilton Howell House start at $195 per night.

Spice Island Beach Resort

Grand Anse Beach, Grenada

SPICE ISLAND BEACH RESORT/FACEBOOK

Best for: Families who will spare no expense for a luxury vacation.

Why stay here: This luxury resort has the amenities and accommodations to back up its luxury price tag. From the time you arrive until the time you (sadly) have to leave, you’ll be immersed in the world-class opulence and comfort Spice Island Beach Resort has to offer.

Best way to book: Book directly through the resort or through your favorite credit card portal.

On Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, Spice Island Beach Resort is a luxury all-inclusive resort owned and operated by the Hopkin and founded by Sir Royston Hopkin. Grenada, which is in the West Indies, is known as the “spice island” because its top exports are spices like cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

While here, guests can enjoy water sports like paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkeling, plus tennis, biking and more. Or, just relax by the beach and its sun-kissed waters.

Among the dining outlets, Oliver’s Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner and serves Caribbean Creole fare. Sea and Surf Terrace and Bar is open for lunch and serves international dishes, as well as a Sunday buffet.

Guests can pamper themselves at award-winning Janissa Spa with treatments such as a sea salt body scrub or reflexology massage or relax with various yoga classes taught on the property.

There are just 64 guest suites, each featuring a balcony or patio, Nespresso machines and Molton Brown bath amenities. Each room is designed with the view and scenery in mind, with expansive windows to bring in natural light, calming white and cream colors, four-poster beds and splashes of vibrant colors suited to the Caribbean setting.

Rates at Spice Island Beach Resort start at $1,260 per night based on double occupancy.

Jnane Tamsna

Marrakech, Morocco

JNANE TAMSNA/FACEBOOK

Best for: Visitors to Marrakech who want to stay at a local hotel with the amenities and comforts of a larger property.

Why stay here: Fabulous, authentic interior design and Moroccan hospitality at its best.

Best way to book: Book through IHG since, thanks to its partnership with Mr. & Mrs. Smith Hotels, you can earn and redeem points here.

In addition to the incredible interior design of owner Meryanne Loum, Jnane Tamsna is known for being the only Black woman-owned hotel in Morocco.

Spread across five houses, the boutique hotel has five pools, a tennis court and a restaurant that serves local dishes with a tailor-made daily menu that highlights Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can arrange to enjoy a number of activities on the property, including magic classes for children and cooking classes so they can bring Moroccan flavors back home with them.

The 24 rooms at Jnane Tamsna are homages to traditional North African and Arabic styles, with handcrafted wood furniture, African art, colorful textiles and wildlife prints. Some even feature fireplaces for chilly nights.

Rates at Jnane Tamsna start at $212 or 30,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

La Créole Beach Hotel and Spa

Grosier, Guadeloupe

LA CREOLE BEACH HOTEL AND SPA/AURÉLIEN BRUSINI/ FACEBOOK

Best for: Family travelers who want a Caribbean beach vacation.

Why stay here: La Créole Beach Hotel and Spa in Guadeloupe offers an excellent starting point to exploring the adventure-filled island of Guadeloupe, including plenty of activities, a spa and several restaurants and bars to enjoy when you return to your accommodations.

Best way to book: Book directly on the hotel’s website to take advantage of rate offers like bed and breakfast inclusions, honeymoon offers and more.

La Créole Beach Hotel and Spa is on the small Caribbean island (and French territory) of Guadeloupe. The island is a longtime favorite of adventure seekers looking to spend time in the great outdoors and take their chances with attractions like the mildly active volcano of La Soufrière. For those who prefer to spend their time outdoors on the beach, take your pick of strands with gold, white or black sands.

La Créole Beach Hotel and Spa is set in a tropical park and features a jazz club, as well as several restaurants and bars. Guests can find local cuisine at Le Zwag and more international fare at Le Route Des Epices. Spa enthusiasts can book unique treatments at La Créole Spa, like balneotherapy, a bath of mineral spring water with essential oils and soft lighting traditionally used to ease chronic illness.

Travelers of all ages are welcome, and there’s even a kids club for children between the ages of 4 and 12. There are also tennis tables and a place to enjoy water sports like jet skiing and stand-up paddle boarding.

Guest room decor is uncomplicated, with clean white linens and colorful details in the form of pillows and seating. Each room has an individual air conditioning unit and large French windows for gorgeous garden and sea views, plus Caribbean breezes for cooling off.

Rates at La Créole Beach Hotel and Spa start at $168.

Best credit cards for booking hotels

There are over a dozen excellent travel rewards credit cards out there for hotel stays. The right one(s) for you will depend on if you’re loyal to a particular program or chain, whether you want premium perks, and if you value benefits like annual free nights, automatic elite status and lucrative earning rates.

Here are three great credit cards to use for booking stays across a variety of hotel chains and independent properties while still enjoying money-saving features and high-end benefits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates: This card earns 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the Amex Travel portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year). Plus, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. Remember, Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 ratio, and there are sometimes transfer bonuses.

Benefits: This card is absolutely packed with perks, but among the travel-related ones you’ll want to maximize, including some hotel-specific benefits, are:

*Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).

Read our review of the Amex Platinum card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates: Earn an unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.

Benefits: Cardholders get $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, plus 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel). Through the Capital One Premier Collection, cardmembers can enjoy free breakfast, on-property credits and room upgrades (if available) on stays at participating properties booked through Capital One Travel. They also receive up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees).

Read our review of the Capital One Venture X.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Earning rates: This card accrues 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through March 2025, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points). It also racks up 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Benefits: Cardholders receive a $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal upon opening the card and each following cardmember anniversary. They also receive a 10% bonus based on their total spending during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $10 spent. This card also has some of the best travel protections in the industry, including trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance and primary rental car coverage, among other policies.

Annual fee: $95.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Related reading:

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.

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