Black-owned Hotels and Spas To Add to Your Travel Bucket List

Black-owned hotels, spas, and vacation spots offer travelers a chance to experience the best while celebrating diversity and culture. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious getaway or a cozy retreat, these establishments provide a unique opportunity to connect with history, art, and tradition.  Here are some Black-owned Hotels and Spas To Add to Your Travel Bucket List.

Black-owned Hotels in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

The Harlem Flophouse

If you’re looking for a unique place to stay, The Harlem Flophouse is a single-family Victorian home near Central Park in New York. Owned by Renee Watson, this Harlem Renaissance-inspired home will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and living among the greats. A point of refuge during the Great Northern Migration, The Harlem Flophouse, offers cozy rooms, most with a shared bath, live music, free parking, and access to a free swimming pool in nearby Marcus Garvey Park. 

Narraganset House, Oak Bluffs

Kahina Van Dyke is a third-generation owner of Narraganset House on Martha’s Vineyard, in Massachusetts. It is one of three inns owned by the family on the island, all within walking distance of the downtown area and the beach. Narraganset is a stunning 5-room Victorian home that will feel like you’ve stepped back in time.  

The Ivy Hotel, Baltimore

Eddie and Sylvia Brown own The Ivy Hotel, with its 17 rooms, a library, and of course the Spa at The Ivy. Magdalena restaurant serves French cuisine with a Maryland twist, where you can also enjoy afternoon tea. Rates include breakfast, in-room minibar, evening cocktails and snacks, valet parking, and a private car service to take you where you need to go in Baltimore. 

Black-owned Hospitality: Southern Gems to Explore

The Magnolia House, Greensboro, NC

The Magnolia House was once a Green Book hotel. During segregation, it was one of the few accommodations that were friendly to Black travelers. The Magnolia House was listed in six issues of the Green Book beginning in the mid-fifties. Today, Natalie Pass-Miller runs the establishment; popular for weekend getaways and weddings.

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens

Paul Roberts and Pontheolla Mack Abernathy owned Clevedale Inn in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The colonial home dates back to 1913 with its stunning facade and southern-style porch. Guests will enjoy the community fireplace and the relaxing and welcoming atmosphere of this Black-owned bed and breakfast. 

La Maison in Midtown, Houston

Genora Boykins and Sharon Owens are friends who decided to purchase this bed and breakfast despite having no prior experience in hospitality. They spent years learning and building the inn and now run La Maison in Midtown, with its cozy southern-style decor and food, guests will stay in one of seven comfortable rooms. Rates include breakfast and WI-FI. This Black-owned bed and breakfast is worth a visit.   

Black-owned Spas and Retreats

Salamander Resort & Spa

Salamander Resort and Spa is the only Black female-owned five-star resort in the U.S. Sheila Johnson is not only the owner and CEO of Salamander, she is also the co-founder of BET. Located in Middleburg, Virginia, Salamander offers guests an eclectic mix of spa services, outdoor activities, and sprawling grounds to enjoy. 

iwi Fresh, Atlanta

Inspired by her grandmother, Yolanda Owens, took the knowledge she acquired over the years to create iwi Fresh; it is what it is, and she considers herself the skincare farm chef. Both her farm and spa bring about the best from the earth and bring them to the skin and the body. Her natural products are true to what they are, hence the name; it is what it is. It’s the place to go for facials, mani-pedi, and in her own words, “wellness for us.” 

If you’re like me and rooting for everybody, Black, then this list of Black-owned hotels and spas is a great starting point. Consider adding one or a few of them to your upcoming travel plans.