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Tag: Black Owned

  • Black-Owned Beachfront Escapes Making Cultural Waves

    The travel landscape is evolving, and Black hoteliers and property management groups are making significant waves by creating spaces where Black travelers feel truly seen and celebrated. From the vibrant shores of Africa to the idyllic islands of the Caribbean and beyond, these Black-owned beachfront escapes are redefining paradise and offering culturally enriching experiences.

    Nafsi Nomad – Tanzania

    Located in the serene coastal village of Paje, Zanzibar, Nafsi Nomad offers a collection of Black-owned rentals that blend comfort with cultural immersion. Each space is thoughtfully curated with local artisan work, providing guests with a unique and enriching experience. Paje itself is renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and stunning turquoise waters, making it a dream destination for beach lovers worldwide. Nafsi Nomad invites you to immerse yourself in the best of Zanzibar.

    My Irie Escape – Jamaica

    Experience Jamaica in a whole new light with a stay managed by My Irie Escape. This locally owned property management group on Treasure Beach offers personalized getaways that introduce visitors to authentic Jamaican culture, warm hospitality, and unforgettable moments. With six distinct villas, each stay promises a different experience. Whether you choose the Destiny Villa with its pools and ocean views or the private Minerva House steps from a secluded beach, My Irie Escape ensures a memorable journey.

    Blue Apple Beach Club – Colombia

    Situated on Tierra Bomba Island, just a 20-minute boat ride from Cartagena, Blue Apple Beach Club is a boutique hotel and beach club offering a Mediterranean-inspired escape. Guests can enjoy beautifully designed rooms, suites, and bungalows, alongside a beachfront bar, restaurant, and infinity pool. Blue Apple Beach is also committed to sustainability, utilizing solar energy, practicing zero waste, and investing in the local community, blending relaxation with responsible tourism.

    RoMarley Beach House – Mexico

    Founded by Rohan Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, RoMarley Beach House in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, offers a laid-back luxe coastal retreat. This oceanfront property provides studio to three-bedroom luxury suites with stunning views of the Riviera Maya shores. Guests can savor Caribbean cuisine at the on-site restaurants, relax in beach cabanas, and enjoy live reggae performances, creating the ultimate sensory vacation experience.

    Anguilla Great House Beach Resort – Anguilla

    Experience a slice of Caribbean heaven at Anguilla Great House Beach Resort. Adjacent to a golf course and featuring a beach bar and terrace, this oceanfront accommodation offers air-conditioned guestrooms with free Wi-Fi. Vacationers can enjoy a range of water activities like kayaking, sailing, fishing, and snorkeling, making it an ideal spot to soak up the sun and ocean breeze.

    Negril Tree House Resort – Jamaica

    Nestled on the iconic Seven Mile Beach, Negril Tree House Resort provides oceanfront rooms in a family-friendly, laid-back atmosphere. Famous for its shimmering sands, spectacular underwater grottos, and breathtaking Caribbean sunsets, the resort is a haven for beach lovers. Guests can indulge in watersports on the calm waters and savor authentic Jamaican flavors at the on-site restaurant, featuring dishes like conch, fresh seafood, and plantains.

    These Black-owned beachfront properties are not just destinations; they are cultural experiences that celebrate heritage, community, and the beauty of paradise. They are actively reshaping the travel industry, offering authentic and empowering escapes for Black travelers and beyond.

    Which of these Black-owned beachfront escapes is calling your name? Have you visited any of them? Share your dream destinations and experiences in the comments below!

  • Black Hotel Owners Preserve Heritage Through Hospitality

    While Black hotel ownership represents a small fraction of the industry, its cultural significance is immense. Across the nation and beyond, Black hoteliers are transforming inns, boutique hotels, and guesthouses into more than just places to stay – they’re becoming vibrant living archives of heritage, honoring traditions, and redefining the very essence of hospitality.

    Redefining Hospitality, Preserving History

    In communities marked by both pain and perseverance, these Black-owned establishments serve as powerful symbols of remembrance and renewal. They embody a new generation of hosts whose resilience and spirit are dedicated to preserving heritage through the art of hospitality. These aren’t just businesses; they are destinations rooted in untold stories and community pride.

    Featured Cultural Stewards:

    • **The Redline Venice – Los Angeles, California**: Founded by Kamau Coleman and Michael Clinton, this ‘museum guesthouse’ transforms a historically significant area into a destination of belonging. Named after the discriminatory practice of redlining, the property, curated with local artists and historians, highlights different aspects of the area’s Black history in each suite.
    • **Hubbard Mansion Bed and Breakfast – New Orleans, Louisiana**: This family-owned B&B is the only Black-owned establishment on iconic St. Charles Avenue. The restored 19th-century Greek Revival mansion is filled with family heirlooms and period antiques, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of old New Orleans.
    • **The Historic Magnolia House and Gardens – Greensboro, North Carolina**: Listed in multiple editions of The Negro Motorist Green Book, this historic site provided lodging for African American artists, writers, and athletes during the Jim Crow era. It’s one of the few Green Book sites still operating in its historic context, with walls displaying memories of icons like James Brown, Ike & Tina Turner, and James Baldwin.
    • **Six Acres Bed and Breakfast – Cincinnati, Ohio**: Built in the 1850s by abolitionist Zebulon Strong, this property served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, the restored estate offers a peaceful, historically rich experience, located on beautiful grounds just minutes from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
    • **Sanctuary Mandela – Johannesburg, South Africa**: Once the home of Nelson Mandela, this boutique hotel pays homage to the human rights activist’s spirit. Surrounded by lush gardens, it features curated exhibits, personal photographs, and art from the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s archive, offering a tranquil space for reflection and healing.
    • **Shearer Cottage – Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts**: Established in 1903 by Charles Shearer, the son of an enslaved person, this inn was the first place African Americans could lodge in Martha’s Vineyard during segregation. Still family-owned and operated, it offers a laid-back yet luxurious experience close to beaches and downtown.

    These establishments are more than just accommodations; they are vital cultural landmarks that connect guests to history, community, and a profound sense of belonging. They demonstrate how hospitality can be a powerful tool for preserving and celebrating heritage.

    Which of these heritage-preserving hotels would you love to visit? Have you stayed at any Black-owned accommodations that left a lasting impression? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below!

  • Discover Black-Owned Stays in Unexpected Destinations

    Finding Black-owned hotels and resorts can be a challenge, even in destinations with significant Black populations. In the U.S., less than 2% of hotels are Black-owned, highlighting a need for greater visibility and support within the hospitality industry. Recognizing this gap, we’ve curated a list of exceptional Black-owned luxury stays in some truly unexpected places around the globe.

    Immersive Safaris in Southern Africa

    African Bush Camps, founded by Zimbabwean guide Beks Ndlovu in 2006, offers a rare opportunity for a luxury safari experience owned and operated by Black professionals. Spanning Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, these camps emphasize immersive, personalized itineraries that prioritize community engagement and conservation. What sets African Bush Camps apart is Ndlovu’s commitment to hiring local guides, ensuring an authentic connection to the region’s culture and nature.

    Cartagena’s First Black-Owned Hotel

    In Cartagena, Colombia, Harlem native Shawn Roseburg created Casa Noir, the city’s first Black-owned hotel. Located in the vibrant Getsemani neighborhood, Casa Noir celebrates Black culture and heritage in a city where nearly half the population identifies as having African descent. Despite Cartagena’s reputation for Black cultural expression, Casa Noir stands out as a unique haven, offering amenities like room service, a rooftop bar, spa services, a jacuzzi, and airport transportation, placing guests at the heart of the city’s main attractions.

    Jamaican Paradise and Balinese Serenity

    Eclipse at Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a sought-after resort known for its blend of luxury and natural healing. This biophilic sanctuary offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and lush hillsides, with nearly 60 luxurious accommodations. Guests can enjoy two restaurants, three bars, a spa, an infinity pool, and a private beachfront. The two-bedroom estate ocean suite provides an intimate experience with private patios and outdoor showers.

    In Bali, Indonesia, Hotel Sages offers a magical stay, born from the owner’s vision of an artistic retreat. This villa resort in Canggu’s serene environment features stunning high arches, open courtyards, and tranquil outdoor spaces, embodying relaxation, intention, and mindfulness. It’s a testament to creating peace and luxury through artistic touches.

    Caribbean Elegance and Vineyard Charm

    La Maison Michelle in Barbados offers a unique blend of elegance, sophistication, privacy, and warmth. Perched on a hilltop with panoramic views of the Platinum Coast, this boutique resort features seven luxurious villas. Its modern interior design contrasts beautifully with lush tropical gardens and cascading waterfalls, offering a customizable experience with private chefs for authentic Caribbean culinary journeys.

    On Martha’s Vineyard, the Narragansett House in Oak Bluffs provides a dreamy, airy stay in a charming 1870s Victorian gingerbread home. Infused with modern furniture, art, and vintage décor, it captures a “vineyard cottage chic” vibe, offering rooms of various sizes suitable for solo travelers, couples, and families.

    Grenada’s All-Inclusive Luxury

    Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is an AAA 5-diamond rated, all-inclusive resort situated on the breathtaking Grand Anse Beach. Stretching along 1,600 feet of powder-white sand, this first-class property impresses with 17 luxurious pool suites, stunning sunset views, and private rock gardens. The exceptional staff ensures guests feel at home, providing utmost care and a truly memorable Caribbean experience.

    Have you stayed at any of these incredible Black-owned properties? Share your experiences or dream destinations in the comments below!