 
Essence
November 2004
The Inn Crowd
Plan the perfect weekend getaway at one of these Black-owned
bed-and-breakfasts
By Rachel Jones
When most people visualize a bed-and-breakfast, the
word quaint comes to mind, complete with images of
a front-porch swing, polished antique cupboards and
cheese grits simmering on the stove. For those
seeking a peaceful escape, or travelers tired of impersonal
chain hotels, the bed-and-breakfast inn is an intriguing
blend of comfort and elegance. At a B&B,
guest can enjoy genteel surroundings at properties
that usually have no more than ten rooms and at a price
that typically includes a full-breakfast service and
an afternoon tea or a happy hour.
These days the bed-and-breakfast experience is becoming
as diverse as the people who own them. We found
five African-American-owned inns, opened in the last
four years, that offer a range of attractions, from
sun and sand on Martha's Vineyard to a sophisticated
literary escape in the nation's capital. The
owners say African-Americans seek out their inns because
there's a welcoming vibe that extends beyond the food
or the Afrocentric touches. For many guests,
it's their first time sampling the B&B experience,
and they say they feel right at home.
Rooms at the Inn
Five bed-and-breakfast inns where you'll find gracious
hospitality:
Akwaaba D.C.
1708 16th St., N.W.
Washington DC 20009
866-466-3855 (toll-free); Akwaaba.com
Atmosphere: Owner Monique Greenwood
calls her D.C inn a "literary-themed haven". The
beautifully decorated rooms in this stately nineteenth-century
row house instantly evoke the spirit of famous Black
authors, including Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes,
Octavia E. Butler and Walter Mosely. (Our favorite
is the Zora Neal Hurston Suite, pictured on the following
page.) Greenwood has skillfully mixed gorgeous
antiques, bargains from Ikea and vibrant African bric-a-brac
to create an atmosphere both refined and cozy. The
literary angle attracts book lovers and book clubs,
and a basement suite is available to writers who are
completing book projects.
Meals: Akwaaba's full breakfast
ranges from chicken and waffles to biscuits and salmon
cakes to heart-healthy turkey bacon-nothing too fancy,
but culturally familiar.
Attractions: The location,
near the famed Dupont Circle and U Street neighborhoods,
is within walking distance of the national headquarters
of Delta Sigma Theta, Jack & Jill of America and
the National Baptist Convention. Howard University
is also nearby. U Street offers the legendary
Lincoln Theatre and numerous Black-owned shops and
restaurants.
Room Rates: From $150 to $190
a night.
Essence
November 2004
Discover Comfort with Class
Exploring Inns of Color
Brought to You by: Mercury
After a hard week of work, you deserve a weekend getaway - a
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inns. Just settle into the comfort of this SUV
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like royalty while maintaining all the warmth of home. These
African-American owned B&Bs offer elegant accommodations,
mouthwatering cuisine and old-world charm. With
a wide variety of getaway packages, these inns are
the ideal destination for a rejuvenating road trip
or a romantic weekend.
Akwaaba by the Sea
West Cape May, New Jersey
718-455-5958
The very name of this bed and breakfast graciously
invites you to stay. Akwaaba means "welcome" in
a language spoken in Ghana, West Africa. From
the moment you step into this charming 1850s Victorian,
you'll feel as if you've been transported back to a
simpler, more leisurely time. Each guest room
is named after a prominent African-American from Cape
May and furnished with Victorian antiques blended with
a fine collection of African artifacts. Begin
your day with a scrumptious southern breakfast (we're
talking good stuff like crab cakes, cornbread and cheese
grits). Then head out to explore scenic Cape
May, America's oldest seaside resort. The beach,
quaint shops and four-star restaurants are only a few
blocks away.
Win a Weekend Getaway of Discovery & Comfort!
Visit www.Essence.com and
enter the Comfort with Class Sweepstakes for a chance
to win: A gift certificate to a featured bed-and-breakfast
for a fabulous weekend stay and the use of an all-new
2005 Mercury Mariner SUV, to complement your stay.
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