Black travelers spend billions of dollars traveling throughout the United States every year. We stay in hotels, resorts, Airbnbs and everything in between. But when it comes to actually owning those accommodations, we’re drastically underrepresented. Black hotel owners represent only about 2% of the industry, which means finding genuinely Black-owned places to stay isn’t always easy.
We know because we looked.
And we looked carefully. Many of the properties that appear on lists of Black-owned hotels online have closed, changed ownership or were never actually Black-owned in the first place. Some are managed by Black-owned hospitality companies or connected to Black hotel executives, but that isn’t the same thing as Black ownership. For this list, we wanted properties where we could verify meaningful current Black ownership, from major resorts and luxury hotels to boutique hotels and historic inns.
Two properties on our list are owned by the same person, Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET and founder and CEO of Salamander Collection. We generally wanted to showcase different Black hotel owners, but with so few Black-owned hotels in the country, leaving out one of Johnson’s major properties simply for the sake of variety didn’t make sense.
We wish we could give you a great Black-owned hotel to book in every major city in America. Right now, we can’t. But we’re hopeful that as more Black entrepreneurs and investors enter the hospitality industry, this list will continue to grow. For now, here are 10 Black-owned hotels and places to stay worth knowing about.
10 Black-Owned Hotels, Inns & B&Bs
1. The Ivy Hotel | Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s The Ivy Hotel is owned by philanthropists and entrepreneurs Eddie and Sylvia Brown, who transformed a historic Mount Vernon mansion into an intimate luxury hotel with individually designed rooms and suites, a spa and the acclaimed Magdalena restaurant.
The Ivy is also a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, giving eligible American Express Platinum and Centurion Card Members access to additional benefits when booking through the program, such as daily breakfast for two, a property credit, room upgrades when available, guaranteed late checkout and other benefits.
Why we love it: The Ivy proves that supporting a Black-owned hotel doesn’t mean compromising on luxury. It’s one of the country’s most distinctive Black-owned luxury hotels and earns our #1 spot.
2. Salamander Middleburg | Middleburg, Virginia
Virginia’s Salamander Middleburg is owned by billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and founder and CEO of Salamander Collection. Located in Middleburg, Virginia, about an hour outside Washington, D.C., the 340-acre resort sits in the heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country. Johnson opened the resort in 2013, creating the country’s most prominent Black-owned luxury resort. The property features 168 rooms and suites, a Forbes Five-Star spa, multiple dining options, indoor and outdoor pools, an equestrian center, and experiences ranging from horseback riding to culinary and wine activities.
Why we love it: Salamander Middleburg represents Black-owned luxury hospitality at its highest level. It’s a true destination resort with the service, amenities and experiences to compete with the country’s best luxury properties. It’s also a Virtuoso property, so eligible reservations booked through our travel agency BWP Travel can include additional VIP benefits such as daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit, room upgrades when available, and other amenities.
3. Innisbrook Resort | Palm Harbor, Florida
Also part of Sheila Johnson’s hospitality empire, Innisbrook Resort is a sprawling 600-acre resort near Tampa with four championship golf courses, six pools, tennis and pickleball, a Salamander Spa and multiple restaurants. Its famous Copperhead Course hosts the PGA TOUR’s annual Valspar Championship.
Johnson’s Salamander entities acquired the resort business and related assets in 2007, although Innisbrook has an unusual ownership structure that also includes individually owned condominium units. We generally wanted to feature different owners on this list, but Innisbrook is simply too significant a Black-owned resort property to leave out.
4. The Oak Bluffs Inn | Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Located in the heart of Martha’s Vineyard’s historic Oak Bluffs community, The Oak Bluffs Inn is a 10-room Victorian inn owned by Rhonda and Erik Albert. The couple purchased the property in 1998 and have operated it ever since.
The location makes this one particularly special for Black travelers. Oak Bluffs has generations of history as a summer destination for Black families, and the inn sits within walking distance of the beach, restaurants, shops and the African American Heritage Trail. Past guests have included Spike Lee, Wynton Marsalis, Lalah Hathaway and bell hooks.
5. Dew Drop Inn | New Orleans, Louisiana
Few hotels on this list come with a story like the Dew Drop Inn. The legendary New Orleans property originally opened in 1939 under Black entrepreneur Frank Painia and became a hotel, nightclub and important stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, welcoming performers including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Irma Thomas and Fats Domino. It was also listed in the Negro Motorist Green Book.
Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. purchased the property from Painia’s grandson and brought it back to life as a 17-room boutique hotel, music venue and pool club. Each guest room pays tribute to a figure connected to the Dew Drop’s history.
6. Wanderstay Boutique Hotel | Houston, Texas
Wanderstay Boutique Hotel is the creation of hotelier and world traveler Deidre Mathis. The adults-only Houston boutique hotel has 10 individually themed rooms and thoughtful touches including towel warmers, a pillow bar, guest kitchen and free parking.
Mathis launched Wanderstay Hospitality Group in 2018, first opening Wanderstay Houston Hostel before expanding into the boutique hotel in 2023. Her growing hospitality company makes Wanderstay one of the newer Black-owned hotel brands we’re excited to watch.
7. The Mansion at Noble Lane | Bethany, Pennsylvania
Set on 22 acres in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, The Mansion at Noble Lane is a historic Gilded Age estate transformed into a 14-room boutique resort by former Essence editor-in-chief Monique Greenwood. Guests can enjoy an indoor pool, spa services, tennis, fitness facilities and plenty of space for retreats and group getaways.
The Mansion is part of Greenwood’s larger Akwaaba hospitality brand. Travelers can also experience Akwaaba properties in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, making this more than a single Black-owned inn. Explore the Akwaaba Collection.
8. Clevedale Historic Inn & Gardens | Spartanburg, South Carolina
Clevedale Historic Inn & Gardens is a historic South Carolina estate owned and operated by Pontheolla and Paul Abernathy. The couple purchased Clevedale in 2012 and transformed the property into an intimate bed and breakfast and event destination surrounded by historic gardens.
This is the kind of property for travelers who prefer the personality of an independently owned inn over a traditional hotel. The Abernathys remain actively involved in the experience, including preparing Southern-inspired breakfasts for their guests.
9. La Maison in Midtown | Houston, Texas
La Maison in Midtown is an intimate urban bed and breakfast in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood. Sharon Owens remains identified as an owner of the property, which has been welcoming travelers for more than two decades.
With just seven guestrooms, La Maison is much smaller than a traditional hotel, but that’s part of the appeal. It offers travelers a locally owned alternative to Houston’s big hotel brands while still providing a polished, upscale stay in the middle of the city.
10. The Historic Magnolia House | Greensboro, North Carolina
The Historic Magnolia House isn’t simply somewhere to sleep. It’s a piece of Black travel history you can still experience today. During segregation, Magnolia House appeared in six editions of the Green Book and welcomed Black travelers who were denied accommodations elsewhere. Guests over the years included Ray Charles, James Baldwin, Jackie Robinson, Louis Armstrong, James Brown and Carter G. Woodson.
The property was purchased and restored by the Pass family, and today Greensboro native Natalie Pass-Miller is its owner. The fully restored property operates as a bed and breakfast, restaurant, event space and living connection to the era of Black travel that made places like Magnolia House necessary.
