2025 Travel Noire Awards: Celebrating the Best Black-Owned Luxury Resorts and Hotels
The hospitality industry is witnessing a rise in exceptional Black-owned luxury accommodations, recognized for their world-class service and unique cultural perspectives. The Travel Noire Awards annually celebrates these accomplishments, highlighting properties that redefine the meaning of luxury. This year’s nominees for Best Black-Owned Resort/Hotel showcase a diverse portfolio, harmonizing cultural heritage with opulent experiences.
Nominees for Best Black-Owned Luxury Resort/Hotel
The 2025 nominees offer a range of destinations, from historic landmarks to tropical paradises, representing the vision and excellence of Black entrepreneurs globally. Here's a look at the nominated properties:
Half Moon Resort – Montego Bay, Jamaica
Located on 400 acres with two miles of pristine beachfront, Half Moon Resort is a top-rated luxury destination in Jamaica. Since its opening in 1954, the resort has upheld its legacy as a luxurious retreat while maintaining its Black-owned roots. Three of the original founding families continue to shape the resort's vision. The resort offers individually-appointed rooms and suites with views of the Caribbean Sea, an award-winning spa, an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and an equestrian center.
The Ivy Hotel – Baltimore, Maryland
The Ivy Hotel, situated in a restored 19th-century mansion in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, stands as one of America's few Black-owned boutique hotels. Recognized as a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond property, it offers 17 guest rooms and suites adorned with luxurious fabrics, four-poster beds, and gas fireplaces. Guests can enjoy the garden, library, billiards, and explore Mount Vernon. The property also features Magdalena, an acclaimed Maryland bistro, and a small spa.
Jnane Tamsna – Marrakech, Morocco
This retreat in Marrakech is the creation of Meryanne Loum-Martin, a Senegalese-Parisian designer, and her husband, Gary Martin, an American ethnobotanist. Jnane Tamsna offers an authentic cultural immersion experience, preserving Moroccan traditions and celebrating African art. The property features five houses and 24 rooms, each with a private terrace. It boasts five swimming pools across nine acres of gardens. Jnane Tamsna is known for its culinary excellence, local ingredients, and "Diversity Excursions" program that offers camelback rides, cooking classes, and calligraphy lessons.
Salamander Middleburg – Middleburg, Virginia
Founded by Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, Salamander Middleburg is the cornerstone of her hospitality empire. Located in Middleburg, Virginia, this resort spans 340 acres near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort with 168 guestrooms and suites. It features a 23,000-square-foot spa and an equestrian facility with 25 acres dedicated to riding and a 14,000-square-foot stable.
Urban Cowboy Lodge – Catskills, New York
For a Catskills getaway near New York City, the Urban Cowboy Lodge in Big Indian is a noteworthy option. With the expansion of the neighboring Slide Mountain Inn, the property now encompasses 200 acres with 44 rooms across 13 buildings. Accommodations include private decks, hand-printed wallpaper, and Pendleton robes. The lodge features an Estonian sauna, indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, tennis courts, and hiking trails.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Travel Noire Awards
The winner of the 2025 Travel Noire Award for Best Black-Owned Luxury Resort/Hotel will be announced on September 26. The Travel Noire Awards recognize excellence in travel and tourism, celebrating properties delivering outstanding hospitality and service.
