Bed-Stuy bed & breakfast inn offers luxury and Afrocentric elegance
Nestled in the historic Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, the Akwaaba Mansion is a bed and breakfast that provides luxury lodging while honoring Afrocentric culture. The 1860s Victorian home stands out as a landmark, offering guests a unique blend of elegance and cultural reverence.
With four uniquely decorated bedrooms, cozy private baths, a glass-enclosed sun porch, and other amenities, the Akwaaba Mansion caters to every visitor’s need.
“You know you’re walking into a mansion,” says Innkeeper and Director of Operations Randy Fraser. “Almost like they’re expecting a grand person—and we are. We’re expecting our guests and we consider them royalty, and treat them as such.
“We hope when they come, they feel luxurious, and [that] it’s okay to spend some time away from home in a beautiful space.”
Video by Leah Mallory
Laura Pegram, who has been visiting Akwaaba for nearly 25 years, echoed this sentiment.
“When you walk into Akwaaba, you feel spoiled from the second you step through the door,” she said. “You feel as if this is a haven for luxury; your every need is met before you even articulate it. Music greets you the second you walk in. I always think I’m home. The moment we walk through the door, we feel this peace. If there were stressors that impacted you prior to your arrival, it all falls away.”
Central to the experience at Akwaaba Mansion is its design, which features Afrocentric artifacts and elements.
Interior photos courtesy of Akwaaba Mansion (Leah Mallory photos)
“When our guests come, if they happen to be African American, they really can identify cues that reflect who they are, and make them feel seen,” said Monique Greenwood, CEO of the Akwaaba Mansion. “Those could be things like the mud-cloth lamp cover, a throw that has African art in it, or a mix of books we tend to put around. It gives people a sense of this being a place where you’re celebrated and not just tolerated. And for those not of the culture, they see beauty, and that works as well.”
Greenwood said that the name Akwaaba itself—which means “welcome” in Twi, one of four major dialects of the Akan people—holds cultural significance.
“I chose the name because it’s lyrical and has that cultural reference,” she said.
“As soon as I step through the door, I feel at home and welcomed. It’s almost as if I move into a sanctuary of sorts, where I’m surrounded by objects that help me feel more inspired,” said Pegram.
For Greenwood, Akwaaba represents an escape from life’s stressors, and a place to form connections.
“Once they walk in these doors, they can leave the rest of the world outside,” she said. “It is a serene space, a space that allows you to find yourself again, and there’s so many people who need that.”
With its unique combination of antique Italianate features and African influence, the Black-owned bed and breakfast collection is redefining the perception of luxury – making the experience truly one of a kind.
For more info, visit www.akwaaba.com/akwaaba-mansion.
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