According to the latest data from the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers (NABHOOD), Black-owned hotels only account for two percent of the United States. While they may be small in size, Black-owned hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfast spaces have created a significant footprint in the hospitality industry, as many of them are award-winning for their amenities, customer service, and more.
The next time you head out of town, check out one of these rare gems. Here is a list of the top Black-owned hotels in the United States.
Urban Cowboy
The Urban Cowboy is a hospitality brand that started as a passion project turned obsession for Lyon Porter and Jersey Banks after they built their dream home and opened it to the public in New York City. Their home became a place in Brooklyn where people found reprieve from Manhattan and made lifelong friends.
The two created a community known as “The Cowboy,” which turned into a community of travelers and artists worldwide.
The Urban Cowboy’s Victorian-style mansion in Nashville is the perfect blend of new and old, with claw-foot bathtubs and high ceilings. The hotel has a chic vibe, delicious cocktails, and good music. The 8-suite hotel is a great place to meet new friends. There’s even a wood-fired pizza parlor in the back.
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Owners: Lyon Porter and Jersey Banks
- Before you go: The hotel is for guests at least 21 years of age.
The Ivy Hotel
For some real-life Bridgerton vibes right in the U.S., Baltimore, Maryland’s Ivy Hotel is the place to be. Voted as one of the top three luxury hotels in the U.S., this 17-room hotel is glorious. It has a luxury spa, alluring public spaces, and a restaurant for guests with unique fare. It’s a great hotel for disconnecting. You can take your coffee or tea to the garden or choose a book from the hotel’s library.
Located in the heart of Mount Vernon, The Ivy Hotel exemplifies Black excellence while showcasing Baltimore’s rich culture.
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Owners: Eddie and Sylvia Brown
- Before you go: This is a “highly inclusive” hotel, which means everything offered by The Ivy, except dinner and spa treatments, is included in your room rate. Pets are permitted as long as they are under 25 lbs. Pets will cost $50 a day.
Akwaaba Mansion
The Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn offers everything a traveler could dream of. While the bed and breakfast is small, with only four rooms, it has a ton of charm and character that will have you planning your next stay before departing.
Each room has a special theme and unique decor that makes guests feel welcome and at home. A Southern-inspired breakfast and afternoon tea are served each morning. The Brooklyn location is one of three Akwaaba Mansions across the country.
- Locations: Brooklyn, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; The Poconos, Pennsylvania
- Owner: Monique Greenwood
- Before you go: A complimentary breakfast is served each morning at the inn. Check-in times range between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Salamander Resort And Spa
Located in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country is Salamander Resort & Spa. This more than 340-acre Black-owned property offers supreme luxury, incredible views, and historic charm.
A large portion of the property is dedicated to their equestrian facility. Guests can enjoy activities like horseback riding, zip lining, nature hikes, and more. The resort has 168 rooms, all glittered with hints of blue and green and decors honoring the equestrian life.
- Location: Middleburg, Virginia
- Owner: Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET
- Before you go: Resort activities include indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a complimentary putting green for aspiring golfers, a full equestrian center, and lawn games including croquet, bocce ball, corn hole, and life-sized chess.
The Oak Bluffs Inn
Notable guests have stayed at The Oak Bluffs Inn, including Spike Lee and Woody Harrelson. Even with the notable guests, the award-winning Oak Bluffs Inn is unpretentious and inviting to everyone. Located in the celebrity hotspot Martha’s Vineyard, this 10-room, Black-owned inn is situated in an ideal location, close to the must-see landmarks and restaurants.
There are plenty of beaches, boardwalks, and restaurants within walking distance of the inn. Innkeepers Erik and Rhonda have owned and operated Oak Bluffs for 21 years. It is a staple in the Martha’s Vineyard community.
- Location: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
- Owners: Rhonda and Erik Albert
- Before you go: Unfortunately, the Oak Bluffs Inn does not have ADA-accessible rooms and bathrooms. Accessibility features such as ramps and elevators are not available on the property or within the inn. All guest rooms are accessed exclusively by a set of stairs, a gravel parking lot, and a gravel walkway.
La Maison Midtown
La Maison is the first Black-owned women’s bed and breakfast in Houston. Located in the heart of Houston, Genora Boykins and Sharon Owens created a five-star urban retreat. The bed and breakfast is a harmonious blend of classic elegance and comforting warmth. The co-owners vision of the accommodation is to “escape to the city.” Guests who choose one of the seven rooms will have the chance to immerse themselves in Houston’s diverse cultures and indulge in its captivating array of places and events.
- Location: Houston, Texas (Midtown)
- Owners: Genora Boykins and Sharon Owens
- Before you go: Celebration packages are available for anniversaries, birthdays, romantic weekends, Valentine’s Day, and more.
Clevedale Historic Inn And Gardens
The Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens is on four acres and features four bedrooms within the main homestead. The bed and breakfast has quickly become a popular event hub in Spartanburg County and the perfect accommodation for peace and relaxation. Husband-and-wife duo Paul and Pontheolla Abernathy’s love for the arts inspires the many events that take place on the property.
Each morning, guests receive a Southern-inspired breakfast made by Paul or Pontheolla because both love to cook. The inn features a lush English garden that’s perfect for taking pictures or reflecting.
- Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Owners: Paul and Pontheolla Abernathy.
- Before you go: Be sure to check the website for a list of events, including the inn’s “Jazz in the Secret Garden” events.
Hilton Cabana Miami Beach
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach offers stylish rooms and suites and an optimal location to enjoy Miami’s excitement. A stay here means guests will have direct access to the beach and the nine-mile Miami Beachwalk. The hotel is also near Lincoln Road’s shopping and dining, and the Miami Beach Convention Center.
If you’re not going for business, leisure activities can be found near the two ocean-view outdoor pools, poolside cabanas, or the hotel’s private beach. Bike rentals are complimentary, and there’s a bar with beach service. Choose a room with an ocean-view balcony or a suite with a terrace to soak up the warm Florida sun.
- Location: Miami Beach, Florida
- Owners: Hilton Cabana Miami Beach is owned by RLJ Lodging Trust, which was founded by Robert L. Johnson.
- Before you go: The minimum age to register at the hotel is 21 years old.
The Hamilton Howell House
There’s so much history to explore at The Hamilton Howell House in Atlanta. Located at 102 Howell Street NE, it was built in 1893 by Atlanta’s leading African American architect and builder, Alexander Hamilton, Jr., as his family home.
The Howell/Youngblood family acquired the house in 1984, making them only the second family to live in it since its construction. The family that owns it now offers it as a bed and breakfast.
Each room is named after Black American cultural icons, including Aretha Franklin – the Queen of Soul; Sun Ra – the avant-garde jazz musician; W.E.B. DuBois – scholar, author, philosopher, and activist; Elizabeth Catlett – painter, printmaker, and sculptor; Maya Angelou – poet, singer, playwright, director, and activist, and John Coltrane – pioneering jazz saxophonist and composer.
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Owner: Mtamanika Youngblood
- Before you go: The bed and breakfast can be reserved for meetings, events, and family reunions.
Wanderstay Boutique Hotel
Wanderstay Boutique Hotel is a 10-room, adults-only themed hotel. The rooms are themed around the Black and White Art Museum, Safari Escape, Desert Vibes, and Houston Sports Teams. Guests can also book a room and let staff choose their own room theme as a surprise. It was created by Deidre Mathis, the woman who brought the first Black-owned hostel to the U.S.
Located in Houston’s Midtown area, each of the 10 rooms provides a different and unique theme or experience. According to Mathis, Wanderstay Boutique Hotel is the first adults-only themed boutique hotel in the U.S.
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Owner: Deidre Mathis
- Before you go: 2 p.m. early check-in is available for all guests.
Hubbard Mansion Bed And Breakfast
There’s no better way to experience the beauty in New Orleans than by staying at the Hubbard Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Located on the iconic and charming St. Charles Avenue, the Hubbard Mansion is a Black, co-owned bed and breakfast known as an elegant Greek revival home.
The mansion is centrally located, with first access to the French Quarter, Audubon Park and Zoon, the Central Business District, and more. Its location on St. Charles means guests will stay in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the country and close to world-renowned restaurants and more.
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Owners: Don & Shelia Hubbard
- Before you go: On-site parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There are Black-owned accommodations that cater to every traveler, from urban escapes to staycations where you can be immersed in nature. Supporting Black-owned hotels not only contributes to ensuring these spaces stay open but also helps to ensure their continued existence. While Black business growth has steadily been on the rise, Black-owned businesses have taken a hit since the pandemic.
According to the U.S. Black Chambers Inc., more than 40% of pandemic-induced business closures were from African American owners. Making an effort to support Black-owned businesses helps to ensure they stay open, especially hotels and resorts, where Black hotel owners make up a small number.
