Because traveling is fun, but it's also exhausting...
Self-care is super trendy right now (it’s about time!) and that trend extends to all niches, even travel! Traveling is often pegged as being something for adventures, go-getters, or social butterflies. While that can be true, traveling is for anyone, even the introverted, cuddle-up-with a good book on the weekends individual (I'm talking about myself, by the way).
Because while travel does give the opportunity to explore new places and meet new people, it also allows us to treat ourselves kindly: a Swedish spa, a Moroccan hammam, or an indulgent food tour in Japan. You can relax on vacation, too! Similarly, when we think about Valentine's Day, we often neglect to remember that self-love is just as important as the love we share with our partners, family or friends.
So, in the spirit of Valentine's Day and Black History Month, here's a list of Black-owned hotels around the globe that specialize in self-care!
Great House Beach Resort in Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla
Owned by W Fleming, Anguilla Great House has welcomed guests for over 33 years. The West Indian-style beachfront hotel features 35 spacious rooms, some with a garden view and others overlooking the ocean. Guests can create a personalized vacation experience with all-inclusive packages and special meal plans, taking the stress out of the trip planning process.
Hotel staff can also arrange fun activities for guests, including scuba diving, sailing, golf, tennis, dolphin encounters, horseback riding along the beach, and more! Take a glass-bottom boat ride to see triggerfish, greenback turtles, and giant coral; go for a guided hike along century-old trails between North Hill and Sandy Ground; or explore Anguilla’s rich history at Big Spring, one of the destination’s most famous historical sites. The ocean lover in me is screaming right now.
Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, New York
Monique Greenwood, former editor-in-chief for Essence magazine, opened the first Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inn in Brooklyn almost 25 years ago! Just a 15-minute subway ride from Manhattan, this B&B is an 1860s landmark mansion with 14-foot ceilings and ornate fireplaces, blending antiques and Afrocentric elegance. Guests can choose between four guest rooms with private baths, some with double Jacuzzis! A secluded garden, glassed-in porch, shaded courtyard, and a personal concierge to arrange tours are just a few of the amenities available to guests.
In addition to the Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn, Greenwood has opened properties in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Cape May, New Jersey, as well as The Mansion at Noble Lane in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains! No matter which property you pick, make sure you come to breakfast hungry! The innkeepers serve a hearty Southern spread in the morning, which includes chicken and waffles, fish and grits, and a variety of other delicious menu items.
Jnane Tamsna in Marrakesh, Morocco
Upon walking into the Jnane Tamsna, guests see Loum-Martin’s impeccable interior design, in addition to her husband and ethnobotanist Dr. Gary J. Martin’s masterful hand at creating the hotel’s nine-acre garden. Fusing traditional and modern elements of Moorish design, the 24 rooms are exquisite. The property is home to five houses, as well as five pools, a tennis court, and a private villa. Give me my African royalty aesthetic, please!
Jnane Tamsna offers a variety of activities, too, including a cooking class with chef Bahija that allows guests to discover local dishes and spices for the ultimate culinary experience. Go beyond the city walls and see the majestic Atlas Mountains on a guided bike tour, or take a sidecar to discover the Medina or Agafay Stone Desert.
La Créole Beach Hotel & Spa in Gosier, Guadeloupe
Open for 35 years, the luxury resort La Créole Beach Hotel & Spa was designed to immerse its guests in an authentic French Creole vibe. Owners Daniel Arnoux and Patrick Vial-Collet — both born and raised in Guadeloupe — are the masterminds behind the property, which houses more than 200 spacious rooms and suites.
Personalized service, a spa, infinity pool, kid’s club, the hotel beach, La Créole Jazz Club, and two restaurants serving delicious French Creole food are just a few of the reasons why you should book a stay here. You can also take yoga classes and aqua gym workout sessions, or partake in a variety of other activities, like kayaking, windsurfing, deep-sea diving, jet-skiing, and chartered excursions!
The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland
If you're ever in Baltimore, you're gonna want to try this place. Considered Baltimore's hidden gem, The Ivy has 17 beautiful guest rooms and suites. This is in addition to a luxury spa, charming public spaces, and their very own bistro! Listed as one of the best hotels in the country, you might never want to leave!
A stay at The Ivy includes made to order breakfasts, their tradition of afternoon tea, their mansion bar, and more. Owned by Eddie and Sylvia Brown, The Ivy Hotel gives visitors a luxurious place to stay while being able to explore Baltimore's rich history, varied neighborhoods, and unique communities.
Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, is the owner of the 168-room Salamander Resort & Spa. It’s no surprise that this luxurious 340-acre property, located in the Virginia countryside, took a decade to build and design! In addition to its 23,000-square-foot spa, this resort offers fun outdoor activities, including zip-lining, hiking, and horseback riding, and an equestrian program. Guests can bike throughout the property, into town and even to the surrounding wineries!
Salamander Hotels & Resorts also has other properties in Middleburg, Virginia, Destin, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Tampa Bay, Florida. So, vacationers have a few options when planning a luxury getaway for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
African Bush Camps in Botswana, Zimbabwe & Zambia
The African Bush Camps were founded by Beks Ndlovu, a professional safari guide, these luxe tented camp and lodges offer wildlife and safari experiences in some of Africa’s untouched areas.
The camps are sustainable, with minimal impact on the environment and their Foundation projects empower local communities. Their aim is to conserve and preserve the beautiful areas in Southern Africa, while providing you with options for safe and relaxing safaris!
RLJ Kendeja Resort & Villas in Monrovia, Liberia
The first hotel of its kind in Liberia, this four-star resort is known for stunning views overlooking the Atlantic ocean!
Offering a year-round outdoor pool and a private beach area, RLJ Kendeja Resort has a spa centre and fitness centre, and guests can enjoy meals at the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every room is also equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels and private bathrooms. Views of the sea, pool or garden are also featured in certain rooms. For your comfort, you will find bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries.
Islabela in Cartagena, Columbia
An island in the Caribbean, surrounded by friends, a hotel with excellent service, and views for days: That place exists here at Islabela. Some 20 miles away from the city of Cartagena, in the pristine Islas de Rosario, this eco-hostel is committed to preserving the white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and crystal clear waters that surround it.
Live a unique experience immersed in nature. Their facilities provide maximum privacy to guests; the only thing you have to worry about is relaxing and letting yourself be carried away by the tranquility of this beautiful paradise! There are 4 cabins (3 doubles and one triple) with ocean views. All cabins are provided with a private bathroom, shower, fan and closet. A delicious continental breakfast is served daily. The hotel also strongly believes in the conservation of the environment, and their facilities are equipped with solar panels and have electricity 24 hours a day.
Los Enamorados in Ibiza, Spain
One of the many tropical destinations at the top of my list is Ibiza, and Los Enamorados fits the bill for my idea of a luxurious beach getaway! Founded by former pro basketball player Pierre Traversier and former editor Rozemarijn de Witte, the duo have brought their creativity and curatorial sensibilities to this charming boutique, which includes a beach bar, restaurant, and eclectic bazaar!
All rooms are decorated with a unique, personal touch, Italian sheets, fluffy towels, a set of snorkels and anti-allergic, three double Coco-mat mattresses. If you can’t see the sea from your balcony, they even guarantee you a 100% refund! Have breakfast, treat yourself to a coffee or homemade pastries, sip on a healthy juice or a sizzling cocktail, and have a delicious bite to eat at the resort restaurant. All dishes and plates are created with a focus on supporting local produce and offering fresh fish caught by local fishermen. And last but not least, what gives you more of a holiday feeling than a bit of extra pampering? Get a massage – relaxing Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu or healing Reiki – using the finest oils and scents.
