Black-Owned Hotels

The 10 Most Beautiful Black-Owned Hotels Around The World

By Shontel Horne

Between Airbnb, hostels, hotels and traditional bed and breakfast properties, travelers have countless options for accommodations when traveling around the world. There is a hotel for every type of experience a traveler could want, and with enough research, you can even support black hospitality entrepreneurs in the process.

From Virginia to Marrakesh, if you want to support a black-owned hotel while you explore new destinations, these gorgeous properties are well worth the visit.

Jnane Tamsna – Marrakech, Morocco

Everything about this North African resort is fabulous, from the striking urban Moroccan design to the chic owner, Meryanne Loum-Martin. The property consists of 24 guest rooms, five pools and nine acres of gardens, and one night at this majestic hotel will make you want to stay forever.

Spice Island Beach Resort – Grand Anse, Grenada

We’ve already written about our love for this picturesque hotel, but the family-owned, all-inclusive resort continues to be one of the most opulent, inspiring hotels around. The rooms here are a bit pricey, but once you set foot on the lavish property, you’ll see that it’s worth every penny.

Negril Tree House Resort – Negril, Jamaica

American-born owner Gail Jackson has a background in civil engineering and moved to Jamaica more than three decades ago to help create the Negril Tree House Resort with her late husband. Rooms at the mid-level property can be found for around $131.

Villa La Maison Michelle – St. James. Barbados

Husband and wife duo Michelle and Guy Jenkins own this heavenly property, which was built on land purchased by Michelle’s father more than 50 years ago. The property has just seven suites and boasts some of the best views in all of Barbados.

ikhaya Lodge – Cape Town, South Africa

Located in the heart of Cape Town, this property is the perfect blend of modern and traditional African design and features loft-style apartments that make you feel right at home, which is the goal because “ikhaya” translates to “home” in the Bantu language of Xhosa. If you plan on staying here, be sure to request a room with stunning views of Table Mountain.

Soweto Hotel and Conference Center – Soweto, South Africa

Like most of the hotels on our list, this four-star luxury boutique hotel is both black and female-owned. Blending a modern, chic design with a touch of eclectic charm, the hotel manages to be stylish while also recognizing South Africa’s painful history with apartheid. Be sure to ask for the room where Michelle Obama stayed during her visit!

Salamander Resort and Spa – Middleburg, VA

BET co-founder Shelia C. Johnson personally designed this lavish property herself, which boasts 168 rooms and suites on 340 acres in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Not only are the rooms at Salamander elegant, but the property has features you won’t find anywhere else like an equestrian center, a fishing pond and ziplining all on site! Pictures of this resort simply don’t do it justice.

La Maison in Midtown – Houston, Texas

Rooms at this cozy Texas bed and breakfast blend southern charm and contemporary design, with rooms starting at just $169. Guests can expect Jacuzzi tubs, a delicious continental breakfast every morning, and hospitality that makes you feel like you’re a part of the family.

Paradise Cove – Anguilla

Hurricane Irma did major damage to this tropical oasis, but Paradise Cove bounced back and is more resilient than ever before. The property has 29 guest rooms, so expect coastal-inspired villas and suites, a gorgeous pool and stunning views of the beach which is just 500 yards away from the hotel.

RLJ Kendeja – Paynesville, Liberia

Just one of the many hotels around the world owned by BET founder Robert Johnson, this four-star West African resort sits on 13 acres near Monrovia and boasts 78 guests rooms, a luxurious swimming pool, a lush spa and views of the ocean.

Sandy Haven Resort

Negril Resort

And as a bonus you can rent out this Black owned, Private tent to sleep on exotic beaches around the world. Tour Guide & Private security included.

adventure@weloveexploring.com

Catch me if you can

On A Quest To Be The 1st BLACK Woman

To Travel To ALL Countries

Jessica Nabongo is a wanderlust, writer, photographer, entrepreneur, and public speaker. At her core, she is a dreamer looking to craft a life and career that interconnects her passions and talents. She also wants to use her story to educate and inspire others to travel and experience the world around them.

Jessica was born and raised in Detroit to Ugandan parents. She attended college at St. John’s University in New York. Following graduation, she started (and ended) a career in pharmaceutical sales, moved to Japan to teach English, and completed a Masters degree at the London School of Economics.

As her career path changed, travel, writing and photography continued to show up as vehicles of self expression, and she realized they were essential parts of her life, thus leading to the creation of her travel blog, The Catch Me If You Can. Jessica also created Jet Black, a boutique luxury travel firm that curates itineraries to countries in Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

Jessica is on a mission to visit all 195 UN countries, making her the first woman of African descent to do so. She has completed 159 of 195 as of March 2019.

Follow her story here on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thecatchmeifyoucan/

How I pay for my travels

BADASS TRIPS ON A NOT-SO-BADASS BUDGET –

HOW I PAY FOR MY TRAVELS.

Friends and acquaintances frequently ask for my secret with regards to my travels. More specifically, how can I afford it? I, although thankful for and humbled by the places, cultures and people I have experienced over the years, wish I could travel more. The truth is there are no secrets to traveling and doing it often. Anyone who wants to travel can do it. Here is how I ‘do’ it.

I live simply. My car is over 10 years old and I bought it cash. I decided a long time ago to never finance a car. If I cannot afford it in cash, then I cannot afford paying a car note plus interest. This is money I could be saving for my next trip/adventure. As a matter of fact, I pay for everything in cash. I do not own one single credit card, it is the biggest banking scam! I live off of less than 53% of my income. Additionally, I save and invest about 22% of my income toward my retirement and wealth building, put 6% of my income towards my son’s college fund and give away an additional 2% towards causes that are dear to me. Could I afford to spend more of my discretionary income? Yes! But why? Living minimally has allowed me to travel more and I value that more than any new pair of shoes.
I travel off season. We all know the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. But in the travel industry, there are only three seasons that matter: peak, shoulder and off and I care about them! Why do I travel off season? One word: Cheaper. Off season is the time of year when a destination sees the least amount of tourist, therefore prices on everything from airfare to hotel rooms to attractions drop as well. I went to Jamaica for the first time in July of 2014, which is considered the beginning of hurricane season. My airfare was about 32% less than usual and my hotel was offering a 6 nights stay for the price of 3 nights. I hopped on a plane and enjoyed a beautiful 7 days’ vacation (not a single drop of rain during my stay). If you can’t resist a bargain but are concerned with Mother Nature ruining your vacation, then buy insurance or have a backup plan just in case it is too yucky to go outside.
I am okay with staying at a hostel or a two star hotel. Traveling, for me, is about experiencing everything: the people, the food, the culture, the scenery. My hotel room is more of a rest and shower place for me. As long as the place is clean, in a safe neighborhood and no more than my budgeted $50 per night for hotels, then it works with me. Significantly reducing my hotel cost is saving me money and allowing me to travel longer.
I sacrifice. I was able to afford my recent trip in Haiti by bringing my lunch to work and having breakfast at home. Instead of the deluxe manicure and pedicure, I’d go for the regular treatment. I became creative and changed up girls night out to game night at my house (BYOB and I provide the food and games). In about 45 days of sacrificing life costly pleasures, I was able to save enough money for my airfare and attractions. Sacrificing, creativity and realizing that having fun does not have to cost money is key in funding my travels.
I freelance. I have skills that I have gained over the years and try to find ways to monetize them. By trade, I am an accountant and spend time doing some bookkeeping work for small businesses that do not have the budget to hire a full time accountant. I also do freelance writing and editing. We all have skills that we can monetize. Maybe you have a good eye and can start a freelance photography business. Or maybe you are a good planner and can start an event planning business. Maybe you like kids and have some time on the weekend and can start a babysitting service. We all have skills! The key is to take inventory of your strengths, find where those strengths are needed and charge a pretty penny for your services. With the extra income you can afford more trips!

No SECRET! What are some of the ways you pay for your travels? Share your tips!

-The Accountant - Nellie V

TRAVEL SECRETS

TRAVEL SECRETS FOR THE new explorer

Whether it’s an overseas trip or a day trip/adventure, these tips will make your life easier while on the road:

Tip #1: Make Copies. Ever lost your ID, passport or credit cards. It can be a nightmare, but if you had made copies of at least your ID, your return flight will be less of a headache… Can you imagine at the airline counter explaining that your ID has been stolen and that you are who you say you are? No fun! Make copies: take a set with you that you will leave at your hotel and another one at home. Make a color copy of your passport.

Tip #2: Tell Someone! Leave a copy of your trip itinerary with trusted friend or family member. Include everything from location, phone numbers and the time you are supposed to leave and return.

Tip #3: Confirm! Delays and cancellations happen, call a day in advance to confirm your trip/adventure.

Tip #4: Leave Your Valuable at Home! I understand that we want to be cute, however, whether it’s a ziplining day trip or an international trip, leave your jewelry and other valuables at home… You will not need them anyways!

Meet - Play - Travel

A Woman, Dog and Violin

AN Exploring WOMAN. A LOYAL DOG FIJI. A VIOLIN. 14,000 MILES ON A BICYCLE.

From time to time, we come across stories that just blow our mind. They are stories of women who are daring, adventurous, and just totally awesome and baddass! This is the story of Jasmine Reed, a Los Angeles native, who along with her dog Fiji and her violin, finished bicycling 14,000 miles around North America in a little over a year.

Her dream is simple (or is it?): ‘turn the road into a music school, learn from the musicians she meets while at the same time inspiring others to face fears and live outside the box’.

What’s Next For Jasmine? A tour of Asia, Europe and South America, which will take more than six years to complete. Check her out on Instagram and follow her adventures.

You are a true Explorer, Jasmine and have inspired us!

“I hope to inspire others to throw out their excuses, face their fears, live outside the box and accomplish their goals – no matter how “unrealistic” they may seem. I want excuses to disappear, accountability to fall in their place, and the ability to knock down barriers with one punch. I live my life constantly seeking the answer to one question. How do I make what I am told is impossible possible?”

Jasmine Reese

Sheila the Explorer

If you follow Sheila on Instagram, you will soon realize that she does it all: climbing, hiking, kayaking, cycling, snowshoeing, skiing, and snorkeling. She is the ultimate Explorer and we are honored that she took some time to answer our questions.

Who Is Sheila?

I am now in my mid 40’s, having grown up a “tomboy” who liked bugs and snakes, liked going out with my father when he hunted and was part of the college track team. I’m with a guy who shares my love of adventure. We are perfectly comfortable spending a week together outdoors with no bathroom or showers and all the other deprivations you sometimes deal with in the wilderness. And while I can say I’ve had adventures exploring Paris, New York and London, what really gets me going are trips into challenging isolated wilderness environments that carry an element of risk, take us to amazing remote places and there are no other people around to rely on. I climb, hike, kayak, cycle, snowshoe, ski, and snorkel.

Sheila In Brazil

I went on a two-week expedition in the Amazon region of Brazil where we climbed into the forest canopy, and explored the plants and animals of the Rio Negro. Unlike most of our adventures where we go off on our own, this trip was well-supported by guides and we were with a small group of adventurous people who have become our friends. Our senses were constantly overloaded with the sights, sounds and challenging environment of the rainforest. We also recently travelled to the West Coast to climb redwood trees. Tree climbing has become a real passion and we are fortunate to have friends with groves of these ancient giants on their property where we can climb them using ropes and techniques that do no harm to the trees.

Learning While Exploring

The biggest lesson that I have learned on an adventure is that I must have self-confidence. My foundation for self-confidence is gaining the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to become competent at whatever I’m attempting to do. Most of my adventures are physical and mental challenges with no room for cutting corners, rationalizing, wishful thinking, avoidance, denial or panic. For example, before attempting a winter ascent of Mount Whitney, I practiced self-arrest techniques on steep ice drifts on frozen Lake Michigan near our home. While nowhere near as good as practicing on a real mountain slope, I wasn’t going to climb on snow without practicing the basic skills for stopping a fall. As it turned out, I did come loose on the mountain at over 13,000 ft elevation and fell, bouncing down the icy slope like a rag doll. I knew the usual outcome of this is fatal, either from slamming into rocks or flying off a cliff. I concentrated on digging my ice ax into the snow, over and over until it held me right before reaching a boulder field. I escaped with only a few bruises. The whole thing was captured on my partner’s helmet camera and you can see it on my YouTube channel.

Adventure Motto

I am a huge fan or John Muir. His saying; ‘the mountains are calling and I must go’ really resonates. For me, adventure is calling and I must go. I’m no adrenaline junkie, but I feel an unexplainable pull to experience challenging outdoor adventures. Things like swimming with whale sharks, hiking across frozen Lake Superior to camp on island in the subzero conditions, climbing into the crown of a giant redwood tree, or crossing a remote section of the Grand Canyon.

I Explore Because…

I Explore because it concentrates my mind…when I’m engaged in a situation where a lapse of my attention could be fatal to me or the guy I love, it clears my head of distractions and leaves me feeling exhilarated at the conclusion. Adventure also helps keep things in perspective. When you’ve spent a night at high altitude in a blizzard or had to scoop scummy drinking water out of a hole in a rock, it’s hard to get all bothered if your co-worker turns the office AC down a little lower than you like or your drink is served without enough ice.

What Are You Most Proud Of?

A lot of the time I spend outdoors is doing volunteer work to help the natural environment. Things like monitoring different plants and animals, collecting seed for habitat restoration, removing invasive plants and working on prescribed burns. OK, I won’t lie: lighting up a big grass prairie is a huge thrill that I would pay to do!

In our area, the county forest preserve district burns in the spring and the fall to maintain the ecosystem of the woods and grasslands.

How to Make Money While Traveling

Remote Lifestyle:

Want to work and travel?

Want to work from home and spend more time with your family?
Looking for a Side Hustle?

Want to quit your job and travel the world but are concerned about finances?

Ok the later applies to me, but this blog is for you!

Top two on my bucket list is to travel the world and live in another country for at least a year. Discovering ways to finance this journey has become much easier with the boom of digital nomads and social media platforms.

There are several avenues through which you can make money while on the go. They do not require you to be physically present and can be conducted (*with good internet) from any location in the world. They include:

1. Save for your adventure
Fail to plan, Plan to Fail!

Creating a nice cushion account before embarking on your journey will allow time to get settled in your new location and to find alternative ways to generate income.

Saving as much as $500-1,000 per month will yield 6,000-12,000 for the year. By Joining Saving Money Challenge, you can save $500 in 30 days starting with just $1! The amount doesn't have to be huge, but a little put in each month would pile up to an appreciable sum over the long run.

2. Deferred interest credit card

With proper disciple, credit cards can be a valuable tool while traveling. Not only can you earn travel reward points for free travel, you also can use Interest Free credit cards that provide deferred payments over an extended amount of time. You purchase items with your credit card during a specified period and hold off paying the interest that accrue. When you pay the balance before the time stipulated ends, the interest that had accumulated would be waived. Credit cards also provide insurance for things like rental cars, travel cancellations, delays, and other emergencies that might occur on the road.

Bank Americard
This card is offering a 0% intro APR for 18 months, and a 0% fee on balance transfers made in the first 60 days.

3. Freelance Work

Monetize your skills! Open an account on the following freelance work sites and market your skills there:

Fiver

Upwork

People Per Hour

Freelancer

You can offer your services to customers worldwide and can work even while on the road.

4. Housesitting

What is Housesitting?
The bulk of your expenses while traveling are accommodations! If you have a pet you would understand that taking them along could be quite a hassle and expensive. You can entrust your house and pet to a house sitter who takes care of the property and pet(s) in your absence while making use of your facilities. This will save you the cost of taking care of the pet on the journey.

Alternatively, you can become a house-sitter. While traveling, you can decide to stay in a person's house, take care of their facilities, and save cost of accommodation. For an annual membership fee you can join and have access to housesitting listings on sites such as:
TrustedHousesitters $99/yr
MindMyHouse $20/yr
HouseCarers $50/yr

5. T-shirt business
You can create awesome designs and print on T-shirts to sell. Company such as Printify offer print on demand and drop-shipping so there's no need to be bothered with inventory. In addition to T-shirts, you can also create designs for hoodies, mugs, bags, decors, stickers and more that can be sold on e-commerce sites such as Etsy.

6. Teach English online
This is an awesome opportunity to engage in while on the road. You can teach the English language to non-native speakers or for individuals preparing for exams. In addition, there are opportunities to teach English online without a Bachelors degree!

A list of online English teaching companies that don’t require a degree:

7. Start a Blog
How to Make Money Blogging

When I started Organize Kaos in 2010, there was very little information on how to start a blog. Today there's a plethora of information at the end of your fingertips! Get started today with services below:
Blue Host
-Free Domain Name
-Free SSL Certificate
-1-click WordPress Install
-24/7 Support

GoDaddy.com
-Domains
-WordPress
-Hosting
-E-commerce
-Easy Website Builder

Once started, blog can be monetize by

Adding Cost Per Click ads in the from of banners. The most popular type of networking ads is through Google Adsense

Including Affiliate Program links in your content. Join Amazon Associates, one of the largest affiliate networks available.
Sell Private Ads.
Sell Memberships. With site like, Patreon Fans pay you a subscription amount of their choice in exchange for exclusive experiences and behind-the-scenes content.

Not a blogger? No worries! You can hire a freelance writer on Fiverr to help create content for your site.

8. Start YouTube channel
These days, video content is viewed more than any other form of content. Create a YouTube channel, churn out good content, and make money over the long run. Getting started is fairly simple! All you need is a cellphone and a YouTube account and you're ready to begin! Keep in mind you will need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours before you can monetize your content. I started my YouTube channel, Organize Kaos, in 2010 with no knowledge of how to create a channel. I just hit start on my cellphone and the rest is history. There's a ton of YouTube Tutorials on how to start a channel if your intimidated by the process.

9. Become a Social media manager
For this, you don't need a lot of skills; you just need to be social media savvy to start. You could manage social media accounts for celebrities, influencers, or even companies and get paid for it. Mentioned earlier, you can offer this service on freelance site such as Fiverr

10. Create and Teach an Online Course

Everyone has skills and experiences that are unique and valuable! Share your knowledge and get compensated for it! Sign up with Teachable and join over 62,000+ instructors and create an online course using their powerful but simple all-in-one platform. This can be done remotely and virtually and make money in the process.

11. Start a podcast
Chances are that you have something to say about any range of topics, a podcast can be an excellent way of doing that. After a while you will gain enough traction to begin to make money from it. Check out Podcasting For Beginners to help you get started!

12. Become A Virtual Assistant
Virtual administration is one of the fastest-growing remote career fields, with job listings growing over 20% in 2017 according to FlexJobs data. Virtual assistants provide support to their employer or clients in the form of answering emails, transcribing documents, preparing statements and letters, organizing files, coordinating schedules and calendars, making travel arrangements, and generally taking charge of administrative tasks to help a client focus on the other aspects of their jobs. According to the current virtual assistant job listings on FlexJobs, some of the companies hiring for virtual assistants include:

With the information above, you have the tools you need to begin making money while doing what you love!

*Insider tip: Use a local sim card on an unlocked phone to ensure faster internet. Also invest in a Hot spot to travel with to guarantee fast speed.
-Be Free

-Sapphire Starr

www.sapphirestarr.com

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