When it comes to travel, spectacular isn’t too much to ask for. Your next trip deserves to be extra special, and these six hotels deliver! Not only can you treat yourself to an extraordinary holiday that breaks the mould, you can support Black hotel owners in the process.
This short list is just a small taste of the fabulous BIPOC-owned travel experiences out there. We hope it inspires you to keep exploring!
Jnane Tamsna, Marrakech, Morocco
Meryanne Loum-Martin’s boutique hotel is the stuff of dreams. Palatial, yet homey, and Insta-worthy from top to bottom, you could fill up your cloud with portraits of Jnane Tamsna.
Spend your days exploring the North African interior designs, take your dinner in the 9-acre gardens, or enjoying a soak in one of five beautiful pools. Jnane Tamsna also offers unique experiences like a Moroccan cooking class, Arabic calligraphy lessons, and even camel rides!
Primate Lodge, Kibale, Uganda
Imagine sitting by the campfire while all the wildlife of Kibale National Park serenades you. Imagine sliding open your guestroom doors to uninterrupted views of Mother Nature. What you’re imagining is Primate Lodge.
A 16-cottage boutique hotel and luxury safari camp constructed with local materials and operating on solar energy, Primate Lodge is a wondrous way to experience Uganda’s outdoors. Especially when you stay in Elephant Banda, the two-storied honeymoon cottage that includes romantic, private dining for two.
The Zanzibari Hotel, Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Zanzibari is one of those places where you’ll feel as though you’ve somehow been before, and you instantly know you belong. The luxury boutique hotel co-founded by Masoud "Masa" Kilanga and David "Babs" Guthrie boasts 8 stunning suites and a pair of two-storey private villas for utmost pampering.
Enjoy the relaxed hammock-friendly atmosphere, exquisite 4-course al fresco dinners, and many guided excursions. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town, is just around the corner, and the hotel’s parent company, A Tent with a View, offers extraordinary safari tours throughout Tanzania as the perfect pair for your beach break.
The Villas at Sunset Lane, St. John’s, Antigua
Parked on a hillside overlooking Dickinson Bay, Jackie’s bright boutique hotel gives you the full Barbie Dreamhouse fantasy. Service, of course, is unparalleled – you’ll be on a first-name basis with your hosts and fellow guests, and Jackie herself will lovingly prepare your dining experiences to perfection.
The adults-only hotel offers two types of suites to best suit your needs, plus a two-bedroom poolside villa with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry where you can make yourself right at home. Best of all, The Villas at Sunset Lane is a beautiful site for intimate destination weddings right on the beach.
La Créole Beach Hotel & Spa, Guadeloupe, French West Indies
This stylish beachfront hotel boasts spacious suites ideal for families, couples, or even long-term stays (tempting, isn’t it??). Best of all are the two-level Mahogany suites with their uninterrupted ocean views and drop-dead gorgeous interior designs.
As its name might suggest, Créole cuisine reigns supreme at this resort, though it’s complemented by selections inspired from all over the world, which you can enjoy in the four restaurants and bars. If it’s a little adventure you’re craving, head to La Kaz Notik for heaps of water sports like SUP, windsurfing, kayaking, and flyboarding. Don’t forget to pop into La Créole Jazz Club for a rhythmic nightcap.
Asanjaa Ndembo, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Don’t let the setting fool you; your stay at Asanjaa Ndembo might be within hearing distance of the Great Ruaha River, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be roughing it! Each of the eight suites in this family-owned boutique hotel features a private verandah, plunge pool, pop-up spa, and all of the comforts you need at your fingertips.
It’s an idyllic escape for any occasion, but especially for intimate weddings. After all, lovebirds, what could be a more fitting honeymoon treat than birdwatching in the Miombo forest?
