Virginia is tricky. If you’re looking for a massive, hundred-room resort with a "Black-owned" sign out front, you’re going to be looking for a while. Honestly, the landscape of black owned resorts in virginia is more about high-end boutique experiences and historic restoration than cookie-cutter mega-hotels.
It hasn't always been this way.
Back in the day, places like Bay Shore in Hampton were the "Vacation Paradise of the South." We’re talking 70-room hotels, amusement parks, and a boardwalk where you could see Chuck "Guitar" Chavis play. But then integration happened, and ironically, those exclusive Black spaces took a massive financial hit. Many closed.
Today, the scene is resurging, but it’s sophisticated. It’s "old money" vibes meets modern ownership.
The Crown Jewel: Salamander Middleburg
You can't talk about luxury in Virginia without talking about Sheila Johnson. She’s a co-founder of BET, but in Middleburg, she’s the woman who basically reinvented the luxury equestrian escape.
Salamander Middleburg is a literal five-star powerhouse.
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It sits on 340 acres of horse and wine country. Most people don’t realize how hard it was to get this place built. Johnson fought for years against local pushback to open a resort that now regularly pulls in the Forbes Five-Star rating. It’s got 168 rooms, but it feels like a private estate.
If you go, look at the details. The throws in the rooms? Johnson designed them. The art? Often from her private collection. It’s not just a business; it’s a vision of what high-end Black hospitality looks like when it has the capital to compete with the best in the world.
The equestrian center is the real deal. We’re talking a 14,000-square-foot stable and 25 acres of dedicated riding space. Even if you don't ride, just sitting in the Gold Cup Wine Bar with a glass of local red feels... right.
Historic Charm at Magnolia House Inn
Down in Hampton, things get a bit more intimate. You’ve got the Magnolia House Inn.
This isn't a resort in the sense of having a golf course and ten pools. It’s a Queen Anne-style historic home built in 1885. Joyce and Lankford Blair bought it in 2004 and turned it into a sanctuary.
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Hampton is steeped in history. The inn itself is on the National Register of Historic Places. When you stay here, you’re basically a few blocks from the waterfront and the site where the first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619.
The Blairs are the heart of the place. You aren't just a confirmation number. You're getting homemade breakfast and a lesson on the local area from people who actually live there. It’s the kind of place where people come back year after year just to catch up with the owners.
The Rural Escape: Ma Margaret’s House
If you head out to Reedville, you’ll find Ma Margaret’s House B&B.
It’s a grandmother’s house that was expanded and restored. It overlooks some seriously beautiful country vistas. Think weddings, romantic getaways, and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail.
Reedville is quiet. Like, really quiet.
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It’s the kind of place where you go to actually hear your own thoughts. You can kayak at the local marina or just sit on the porch. It represents a different side of Black ownership in Virginia—the preservation of family land and the turning of a "family home" into a public asset.
What People Get Wrong About This Niche
People often search for "resorts" and expect a Marriott. In the world of black owned resorts in virginia, that’s the wrong mindset.
Except for Salamander, many of these properties are boutique. They are high-touch. They are owned by individuals, not faceless corporations. This means the service is personal, but it also means the "resort" amenities—like spas or multiple restaurants—might be spread out or provided through local partnerships.
For example, if you're staying at a Black-owned B&B in Spotsylvania, you might spend your day at Vibin' With Val (formerly Rosemond Vineyards), a Black woman-owned winery in Fredericksburg.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you’re planning a trip focused on supporting these businesses, don't just book and show up.
- Book Direct: Skip the big travel sites. These owners lose 15-20% of the booking fee to the big platforms. Call them or use their specific website.
- Check the Events: Salamander hosts "The Family Reunion" every year. It’s a massive celebration of Black chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality leaders. If you want the full experience, time your visit with these cultural pillars.
- Explore the "Fringe": Some of the best experiences are just across the border. Wellspring Manor & Spa is technically in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, but it’s so close to the Virginia line that it’s often included in these itineraries. It’s a 7-acre estate with a curated Black art gallery and a full-service spa.
- Research the History: Before you go to Hampton or Middleburg, read up on the history of Jackson Ward in Richmond or the Bay Shore Hotel. Understanding what was lost helps you appreciate what is being built now.
The reality of the travel industry in 2026 is that "luxury" is being redefined as "authenticity." A massive hotel can give you a clean room, but a place like Salamander or Magnolia House gives you a narrative.
Support the visionaries who are reclaiming space in the Virginia landscape. Whether it's a 300-acre equestrian estate or a five-room historic inn, the quality is there. You just have to know where to look.