Celebrating Juneteenth By Sharing Our Favorite Black Owned Hotels
A round up of Black-owned hotels across the world that we think everyone should pay attention to
On this Juneteenth, we strive to honor the hard-won legacy of the day by reminding ourselves that travel is itself a profound form of freedom. Freedom to move through the world in ways that rest our minds, reclaim our time, and allow us to explore unapologetically.
So, how better to honor our boundless freedom and environmental sovereignty than to shout out some of our favorite Black-owned hotels around the world! Shayna will be holding down the international gems, and Candace will be offering up some phenomenal spots found in the U.S. So whether you’re in the mood for a deep desert restoration or historical cultural immersion, we’ve got something for you, babe! 👇🏾
🏨Our fav Black-owned hotels in the States
The Good House Hot Spring Hideaway (Desert Hot Springs, CA)
General vibe: An adults-only desert escape where the only scheduling conflict is deciding between a soak in natural hot spring mineral water or a nap under a shady palm tree. Think: undisturbed peace with a side of effortless luxury.
TLDR: California desert, natural mineral pools, the ultimate adult wellness recharge.
As a SoCal girlie who spent most of her childhood basking in the Palm Springs sun during family vacays, I just love how this desert is continuously getting her flowers, and the Good House is a perfect way to soak up the magic of California’s Coachella Valley.
The Good House is an ultra-exclusive oasis featuring just 7 deluxe king rooms and one villa that can host up to 8 people. But, because it’s so small, the level of intimacy and quiet luxury here is unmatched. The entire property is anchored around its healing, natural hot spring mineral waters, which are kept at perfect, muscle-melting temperatures.
Your room is practically a sun-drenched sanctuary equipped with all the conveniences you need (like fridge and microwave), with select suites offering private patios that open directly onto blissful desert greenery. Out on the grounds, you can indulge in on-request massage treatments, steam in the sauna, or chat with fellow travelers by the outdoor fireplace.
Oh, and if you’re feeling the need for a deeper release, you can check out their expansive spa options, ranging from facials, sound baths, and even a nice Laughter Yoga session. Cause we all know, laughter is the best medicine. Basically, if you’re craving a sun tan and a regulated nervous system, this is a good spot for you, babe.
The Dew Drop Inn (New Orleans, LA)
General vibe: You’re stepping into a living piece of Black musical history where the soulful energy of the legendary Chitlin’ Circuit meets a cool, modern boutique luxury.
TLDR: New Orleans, iconic musical heritage, legendary Central City culture.
Let’s be real: there are many different types of New Orleans trips that you can do. Some foodie-centered, some libation-focused, many chaos-intended. But if you and your besties are looking for a more authentic experience far away from the standard tourist traps of Bourbon Street, then we have the spot for you.
The Dew Drop Inn is an absolute cultural crown jewel in NOLA's Central City neighborhood. Lovingly restored to its mid-century glory, this property operates as a 17-room boutique hotel, a historic 410-capacity music venue, and a neighborhood lounge. Back in the day, icons like Little Richard, Ray Charles, and Allen Toussaint performed and slept here; today, each of the seventeen rooms acts as an "informal museum" dedicated to a specific music legend.
You check into the Little Richard or Irma Thomas suite, grab a signature happy hour cocktail by the pool, and then head straight to the on-site club downstairs to watch a live, world-class jazz set without ever leaving the building.
This unique hotel is for the culture-obsessed traveler who wants their luxury served with a side of deep, profound history. It feels like walking into an exclusive, history-steeped after-hours lounge where the walls practically vibrate with old-school rhythm and blues. So yeah, less bead-throwing and more blues and brunchin’.
Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens (Spartanburg, SC)
General vibe: Think old-world Southern elegance redefined with warmth, majestic architecture, and four acres of breathtaking botanical beauty. It’s giving grand but also like visiting your incredibly sophisticated auntie’s country estate.
TLDR: Spartanburg, South Carolina, romantic garden estate, gourmet breakfasts.
Built originally in 1913, Clevedale Inn is a striking Colonial-style bed and breakfast offering just 4 meticulously designed guest suites. Operated by a Black couple who treat hospitality as a fine art, this boutique gem sits on four acres of spectacular, manicured lawns—even boasting a beautifully refurbished vintage railroad train car on the property grounds (and yes, you can actually stay in it!)
No matter which room you claim, your stay includes high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, premium bath products, a 24/7 beverage station (fully stocked with coffee, hot chocolate, and tea), and their legendary, daily home-cooked Southern breakfast. The hosts serve up rotating gourmet masterpieces like sweet potato pancakes topped with pecans or luxurious crab cake eggs Benedict. I mean, I’m literally drooling while typing this out. 🤤
Other than taking down as many biscuits and gravy as your stretch pants will allow, you can spend your time at the property strolling past the blooming flowers on the estate trails, challenging friends and foes to a game of pool in the common room, or catching one of the many events that happen among the century-old trees.
Basically, this charming spot is for the traveler who appreciates historic charm, stunning landscaping, and top-tier culinary pampering. Cause what babe doesn’t love a healthy heap of hospitality along with some her-story 💅🏾.
Narragansett House (Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard)
General vibe: The ultimate seaside “Black Girl Magic” gathering hub, steeped in the rich, historic Black joy of Martha’s Vineyard.
TLDR: Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, historic Victorian charm, steps from Inkwell Beach.
Though I was raised in California, I was born in Massachusetts, and most of my family still resides on the East Coast of America. I have such fond memories of seafood broils down on Cape Cod and long walks along cool pebble beaches with my family, so I absolutely stan a solo or girls trip to the serene East Coast.
Located in the heart of Oak Bluffs—a historic safe haven and vacation staple for Black families for generations—the Narragansett House is a stunning 1870 Victorian bed and breakfast. With 19 uniquely decorated rooms, this boutique property keeps the community vibe close and personal.
The guest rooms are styled with bright, cheerful coastal pops of color and feature essential comforts like private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and cool ocean air (with window A/C units to keep things breezy). Your stay includes a complimentary breakfast that will keep your belly full and face smiling, but the true focal point of the property is its iconic front porch, lined with welcoming, tea-spilling rocking chairs.
I mean, just imagine spending your morning at the Narragansett House eating local pastries on the front porch while swapping travel stories with other Black women, walking just three blocks down to Inkwell Beach to dip your toes in the cool ocean, and then spending your evening exploring the lively black-owned shops and restaurants of downtown Oak Bluffs, all within easy walking distance. This is for the babe who wants beach days wrapped in rich, generational community connection.
🏨Our fav Black-owned international destinations
Spice Island Beach Resort (Saint George's, Grenada)
General vibe: Picture this: Girl’s trip. All-inclusive. Seven-hour spa package. Unlimited margs. Beachfront views. Hot outfits and hotter gossip. It’s just Tuesday. Tomorrow is a new day.
TLDR: Grenada, multiple Black-owned Caribbean hotels, pick your adventure
The Spice Island Beach Resort is a family-owned, beachfront hotel on the island of Grenada, aka the Spice Island. This property has been owned by the Hopkin family of Grenada for over 60 years, and the current President and Managing Director is Janelle Hopkin, a third-generation hotelier.
This all-inclusive resort has 64 suites, with some of the larger suites also having private pools and/or direct access to the beach. While their fantastic cocktail collection speaks to me as a beverage journalist, this resort is also very family-friendly with loads of activities for children and adults. They’ve got an Activity Center for kids, non-motorized water sports, beachside yoga, spa packages ranging between two and seven hours, and so much more. Listen, if you’re a parent, I’m sure you love your kids. That being said, I want everyone who visits to take the seven-hour solo spa experience and report back to me about how to changed your life. Your family will understand.
If you are curious about other Black and/or Indigenous-owned activities to do in the Caribbean on your vacation, check out The Caribbean Green Book! I wrote about this brilliant collection of Caribbean-owned-and-operated lodgings, activities, eateries, and more for Essence, and more people should know that this resource exists, especially with summer fast approaching.
Arijiju (Laikipia County, Kenya)
General vibe: Where Mansa Musa would send his favorite poets to connect with nature and Spirit to inspire them to create the greatest pre-colonial bangers of all time.
TLDR: Kenya, living on a reserve, FANCY FANCY
Five words to sum up this Black-owned property: very boujee, very worth it. While I haven’t been there (yet), it’s high on my list. If you want to be submerged, infused into the majesty of East Africa’s wilderness and free-roaming wildlife while also experiencing a quintessentially luxurious experience, this is the place to be. If you’re worried about lions and elephants, don’t sweat because this private hotel was founded by someone who lived in the bushland of Kenya; there is an agreement with animal conservationists who are constantly monitoring the migration patterns and daily movements of larger animals by radio collars to keep human-animal conflict under control.
As a lover of creative eco-tourism, I love that this boutique hotel also uses the money they make to directly support/maintain elephant migration corridors, lion research projects, and fund the continued protection of black rhinos. Arijiju is complete with three suites and two massive cottages, an infinity pool overlooking Laikipia’s expansive wilderness, claw-foot tubs in each bathroom, the in-house movie theater of my dreams, chefs who make delicious meals from locally farmed ingredients, and unforgettably site-specific excursions.
Oh, and did I mention that up to SIX spa treatments PER DAY are included when you stay and, because of the distance from the city lights, visitors get an unobstructed view of a starlit sky? As an animal lover (elephants are my favorite animals) and someone dreaming of the day she can move to Africa, this hotel is what luxury looks like to me.
Hostelle (around Europe)
General vibe: The perfect hostels for a summer Euro trip for the gworls, by the gworls.
TLDR: Affordable Black lady-owned hostels across Europe.
Getting hosted at a hostel is very popular for folks traveling through Europe, especially if you’re visiting multiple countries, so why not stay at the first and only Black-owned, woman-only hostel chain in Europe?
Hostelle was founded by Bianca Brasdorp in 2012, and she’s been making history ever since. Brasdorp has hostels in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, and she’s currently building her latest addition in Paris and documenting the process on TikTok.
Her hostel room sizes vary from very small (four to six people) up to 20 people per room, so if you have a large enough group and plan ahead, you can rent out a room to yourselves. Every Hostelle hostel is centrally located so it’s easy for travelers to use public transportation to venture through the city, plus Europe is very walkable, in general.
Townhouse Art Hotel (Cartagena, Colombia)
General vibe: A colorful, curated, peaceful art space with great food and comfy beds that’s 15 minutes away from a downtown so epic I’m throwing my booty in a circle just thinking about it.
TLDR: Colombia, artist’s paradise, a peaceful getaway next to a party destination
Colombia is an increasingly popular travel and relocation destination for Black people, particularly Cartagena, so we wanted to share a a fave option for where to go if Colombia is on your list. Townhouse Art Hotel is a five suite, boutique hotel (including a rooftop penthouse suite with a private pool and sunbathing deck) located about 15 minutes outside downtown Cartagena. This hotel is also a quick away from Museo Histórico de Cartagena de Indias, a museum detailing the complex history of the indigenous peoples of the region.
Townhouse houses a cocktail bar, a small rooftop restaurant, and Members Only, a live jazz and burlesque club. Basically, you don’t have to travel to downtown to find a party. This hotel was founded by Portia Hart, who we interviewed a few months ago in a BBA exclusive Q&A.
Our freedom is taking flight
Supporting Black-owned spaces isn’t just something we do for one day in June—it’s a year-round commitment to investing in our community’s collective joy, creativity, and radical rest.
Whether you’re looking to heal your nervous system in a California mineral pool, experience the ultimate luxury safari in the Kenyan bushland, or hit up a European hostel tour with the gworls, these properties prove one thing: our freedom has absolutely no boundaries.
Happy Juneteenth, babes. Keep exploring, keep resting, and keep taking up space unapologetically exactly where you see fit.
So, tell us: Which of these incredible spots are we checking into first? 👇🏾
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I am from Massachusetts, and I want to take a group of my Black students to Oaks Bluff for a historical retreat one day. It might cost an arm and a leg, but trust me it WILL happen one day! 🙏🏿 Thanks for sharing! Happy Juneteenth!
I’m a SoCal girly too ! Never would have known about these, time to book some trips. Thank you 🫶🏽✨