Image courtesy of Spice Island Beach Resort
Whatever type of travel you're craving — be it a weekend away at a charming bed and breakfast, or an elaborate tropical vacation — you're in luck. Below, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Black-owned hotels and resorts, from Baltimore to Cartagena.
The Ivy Hotel, Baltimore
Image courtesy of The Ivy Hotel
When in Baltimore, stay at the two-Michelin-Key Ivy Hotel, owned by the power couple Eddie and Sylvia Brown. The former Mount Vernon mansion is grand and handsome, replete with red brick, a leafy courtyard (where you must try the lemon soufflé pancakes) and classic rooms filled with four-post beds and sumptuous drapes. Don't miss the hotel's bistro, Magdalena, where everything is homemade and thoughtfully sourced. Use the freshly baked bread to sop up the expertly crafted mignonette that accompanies the fresh oysters. And the buttermilk-fried catfish is a must, too.
Fora's Relais & Châteaux partner perks include daily breakfast.
Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg
Image courtesy of Salamander Resort & Spa, Middleburg, Virginia
This charming, sophisticated five-star resort in the Washington, DC area is perched on 340 acres of manicured grounds, which serve as the backdrop for numerous activities, including lawn games, putting practice, archery, horseback-riding lessons and more. Sheila Johnson, a hotelière and all-around tour de force in the hospitality industry, is the reason Salamander Resort & Spa is what it is today.
Relax at the property’s holistic spa, and indulge in locally sourced cuisine at one of its several restaurants. Or, opt for a delightful excursion to the town of Middleburg before touring one of the nearby wineries.
Fora Perks include $100 hotel credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Salamander Washington DC
Image courtesy of Salamander Washington DC
Sheila Johnson strikes again with this reimagined hotel, which boasts an on-site restaurant by none other than chef Kwame Onwuachi, of Tatiana fame. It's one of the best hotels in DC for numerous reasons. You'll love its prime location on the Southwest Waterfront, with proximity to the National Mall and the Wharf, a charming DC neighborhood with a local vibe. When you're not exploring, hit the spa, gym and swimming pool overlooking the Potomac. Men will delight in the hotel's Grooming Lounge, where they can pair their trim or full-blown grooming session with a coffee or custom mocktail, best enjoyed from the vintage leather chairs.
Fora Perks include $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
Image courtesy of Spice Island Beach Resort
Think of a tropical postcard, and you’ll envision Grenada, a 21-mile stretch of gorgeous beaches, rainforests and vibrant villages and towns. This all-inclusive resort — founded by Sir Royston Hopkin, whose family owns and operates the resort to this day — on the white-sand Grand Anse Beach features 64 luxe villas.
Paddleboard, kayak and snorkel in crystal-clear waters, play tennis or go for a round of golf, enjoy beachside yoga and so much more. The resort is also a great homebase from which to explore the island’s extensive natural beauty.
Fora Perks include a complimentary 50-minute massage for two, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
African Bush Camps Thorntree River Lodge, Zambia
Image courtesy of African Bush Camps Thorntree River Lodge
African Bush Camps is deeply connected to their natural environment and community. The company was founded by Beks Ndlovu, a professional Zimbabwean guide, who sought to meaningfully connect guests with the unique nature and culture of southern Africa. African Bush Camps hires locally, and all of their camps and lodges are designed with sustainability in mind. Even better, the African Bush Camps Foundation, funded by the company's safaris as well as donations, combats issues like food scarcity and low school attendance in their lodges' respective communities.
Fora Perks include a complimentary 50-minute massage for two, breakfast daily and an extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Blue Apple Beach, Colombia
Image courtesy of Blue Apple Beach
Portia Hart, a British-Trinidadian, flew to Colombia for a trip and never returned. Blue Apple was founded in 2016. You can party, dine on locally sourced, sustainable food, lounge by the pool and embark on numerous excursions at this beach-club-meets-boutique-hotel, a converted private home.
Its vibrant, laid-back and warm atmosphere reflects the property’s eclectic and upbeat design. The lovely staff quickly become friends, and like-minded visitors and locals enjoy relaxed, carefree days amid the gorgeous island of Tierra Bomba. Blue Apple is also a certified B-Corp, a paragon of sustainability: They are solar-powered and zero-waste.