Akwaaba

What Akwaaba does

Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns is a privately held, founder-led collection of upscale historic bed and breakfast inns operating three properties along the U.S. Northeast Corridor — Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn's Stuyvesant Heights (opened 1995), Akwaaba Philadelphia in University City (opened July 2018), and The Mansion at Noble Lane in Pennsylvania's Poconos Lake Region (opened May 2012). The company is co-owned by husband-and-wife team Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood, the latter serving as President and CEO; Monique is a former Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine and author of the bestseller 'Having What Matter'. Combined inventory totals approximately 24 guest keys (4 in Brooklyn, 6 in Philadelphia, 14 in Poconos) plus three vacation rental homes added in 2024, with adjacent offerings including a seven-room spa at the Poconos property, in-room massage services, wedding and honeymoon packages, a glamping garden in Brooklyn ($85/tent add-on), and — most recently — the standalone Akwaaba Tea Salon & Event Space in Philadelphia, which launched in 2024 after a crowdfunding-funded renovation.

The underlying technology stack is deliberately standard and non-proprietary: Akwaaba operates its direct-to-consumer lodging bookings through ThinkReservations (integrated into akwaaba.com with real-time availability and 50% deposit capture), uses OpenTable for Tea Salon seatings (three daily services Fri–Sun), Shopify for merchandise sales, and Mailchimp for newsletter distribution. Reservations are also accepted via toll-free phone (866-466-3855), with no apparent OTA (Booking.com, Expedia) distribution disclosed. The competitive advantage sits in the physical and cultural assets — restored 1860s and 1880s architecture, Afrocentric interior design, antique furnishings, and celebrity adjacency — rather than in software or algorithms.

The business model is a multi-revenue-stream hospitality operation. Lodging is primary (room rentals across three properties with a 50% deposit requirement), supplemented by Tea Salon service and events (high-tea seatings, private events, gift shop), spa and enhancement add-ons (Swedish and deep tissue massage, romantic turndowns, specialty cakes, flowers), and bundled packages (Pamper Me, Town and Country multi-property discount, wedding packages, Waiting to Exhale girls' getaway). Pricing is unit-based rather than subscription: example add-ons include $85 glamping tents, $125–$180 spa services, $55–$90 romantic enhancements, and $15/night Philadelphia parking. The customer base is primarily consumers booking romantic getaways, weddings, group celebrations, and university-area visits, with a Frequent Stay Program (50% off a third night after two cross-property stays in 12 months) targeting repeat guests. Distribution is almost exclusively direct, supported by organic social (Facebook, Instagram, X), Google Reviews, earned media from prior HGTV and OWN coverage, and a Mailchimp newsletter. The company has no institutional investors, no parent company, and operates with 1–10 employees.

Name

Akwaaba

Legal name

Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns

Website

https://akwaaba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns is a privately held, founder-led collection of three upscale historic bed and breakfast inns in Brooklyn (1995), Philadelphia (2018), and the Poconos (2012), plus a Tea Salon launched in 2024. It serves leisure and celebration travelers — couples, wedding parties, and university visitors — primarily through direct-to-consumer bookings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boutique Bed and Breakfast Hospitality

NAICS

Bed-and-Breakfast Inns (721191), Other Traveler Accommodation (72119), Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Country Inns & Rural B&Bs (THAGAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Remote/Alternative Accommodation Management (Cabins, Tiny Homes, Glamping) (BPAJAIAG)

Keywords

• Bed and breakfast lodging
• Historic inn hospitality
• Romantic getaway packages
• Tea salon service
• Wedding accommodation packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Lodging / Room Rentals: Primary revenue stream from renting guest rooms and suites at three properties: Akwaaba Mansion (Brooklyn), Akwaaba Philadelphia, and The Mansion at Noble Lane (Poconos). Reservations secured with 50% deposit.
2. Tea Salon & Event Space: High tea service, private events, and Afternoon Tea catering at the standalone Akwaaba Tea Salon & Event Space in Philadelphia, operating Fridays through Sundays with three seatings.
3. Spa & Enhancement Add-ons: In-room spa services (Swedish and deep tissue massage, couple's massage), romantic enhancements (champagne turndowns, bubble baths), and specialty cakes sold as add-ons to lodging stays. Spa services paid directly to therapists; enhancements billed with reservation.
4. Glamping Garden: Private glamping tents offered as add-on to Brooklyn inn bookings during warm-weather seasons. Includes outdoor living space with firepits, dining area, and bbq grilling station. $85 per tent.
5. Vacation Packages: Bundled packages including Pamper Me spa packages, Wedding packages (Just Get Me to the Church on Time, This Must Be Heaven honeymoon, Oh What a Night romantic night, Gifted Idea gift certificates), and Morning Breakfast/Afternoon Tea for Philadelphia guests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Akwaaba is a boutique bed and breakfast inn collection offering overnight lodging across three historic East Coast properties (Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and the Poconos). Core revenue is generated from room rentals secured with a 50% deposit, complemented by tea service at the standalone Philadelphia Tea Salon, in-room spa enhancements, glamping add-ons, and curated romantic, wedding, and group getaway packages. Reservations are processed through the company's own website with an integrated ThinkReservations booking engine and a toll-free call center.

Product overview

Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns is an upscale lodging collection consisting of three distinct properties offering bed and breakfast accommodations: Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn (opened 1995), Akwaaba Philadelphia (opened 2018), and The Mansion at Noble Lane in the Poconos (opened 2012). The portfolio also includes the Akwaaba Tea Salon & Event Space in Philadelphia and a Glamping Garden experience in Brooklyn. The company offers various add-on packages and enhancements including spa services (Pamper Me), wedding packages, romantic packages (Oh, What a Night!, Whipped Cream & Pleasant Dreams), and specialty dining experiences (Morning Breakfast/Afternoon Tea). A Frequent Stay Program provides loyalty rewards across properties. The company is owned by husband-and-wife team Glenn Pogue and Monique Greenwood, who serve as president and CEO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Akwaaba Mansion Brooklyn A restored 1860s Italianate landmark bed and breakfast in Brooklyn's Stuyvesant Heights featuring four uniquely decorated guest rooms, antiques blended with Afrocentric elegance, original 14-foot ceilings, ornate fireplaces, parquet floors, and private ensuite bathrooms (most with jetted or soaking tubs). Includes the Glamping Garden for outdoor stays.
• Akwaaba Philadelphia An 1880s historic manor bed and breakfast in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood featuring six guest rooms and suites accommodating up to 20 lodgers, original ornate woodwork, stained glass, marble fireplaces, gracious porches, and decor inspired by Philadelphia's rich music legacy. Located within walking distance of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania.
• The Mansion at Noble Lane (Poconos) A boutique spa resort in Pennsylvania's Poconos Lake Region on 22 lush acres featuring 14 guest rooms, three vacation homes, a seven-room spa, an Olympic-sized heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and a private tea room. The 25,000 sq ft Gilded Age mansion was formerly the estate of F.W. Woolworth Corp. founders.
• Akwaaba Tea Salon & Event Space A freestanding tea salon and event space in Philadelphia offering 90-minute high tea service with fine loose-leaf Brooklyn Tea Company teas and a cultural spin on English Afternoon Tea fare. Reservations through OpenTable for three daily seatings (11am, 1pm, 3pm) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Includes a retail gift nook and private event hosting.
• Glamping Garden An outdoor glamping experience at the Brooklyn inn featuring oversized tents with queen bed/futon sofa, private decks, firepits with s'mores kits, outdoor living room with working fireplace and movie screen, and dining area for up to 14 guests. Priced at $85 per tent per day, available during warm-weather seasons.
• Pamper Me Spa Package In-room spa services at Brooklyn and Philadelphia locations including Swedish massage ($125 for 60 min, $170 for 90 min), deep tissue massage ($135 for 60 min, $180 for 90 min), and couple's massage at double the single rate. Payments made directly to spa therapists on day of service.
• Oh, What a Night! Romantic Package A romantic honeymoon package featuring a candlelit room, bubble bath, chilled champagne with strawberries and homemade whipped cream, chocolates, and breakfast for two in bed. Priced at $120.
• Wedding Packages Multiple wedding packages including 'Just Get Me to the Church on Time' (bridal party overnight stay), 'This Must Be Heaven' (honeymoon with complimentary fourth night), and gift certificates. Includes use of formal parlor and common spaces for pre-wedding photography.
• Town and Country Package A combined city-and-country experience package booking two or more nights at Akwaaba Philadelphia or Brooklyn plus a stay at The Mansion at Noble Lane in the Poconos, with 10% savings on the lodging bill.
• Frequent Stay Program A loyalty program offering 50% off one night stay for guests who book two of the three locations within a 12-month period. Two-night minimum stays required at each location.
• Waiting to Exhale Girls' Getaway Package A girls' getaway package featuring bubbly, a special occasion cake, and a fireplace (in season) for groups booking all rooms at the inn. Inspired by the film 'Waiting to Exhale'.
• Whipped Cream & Pleasant Dreams Enhancement A romantic add-on featuring candles, bath salts, silk rose petals, cider, chocolates, strawberries, and homemade whipped cream. Priced at $90 with bubbly or $75 with sparkling cider.
• Let Them Eat Cake Enhancement A special occasion 7-inch cake available in vanilla with buttercream, chocolate, strawberry shortcake, carrot cake with raisins and nuts, or red velvet. Priced at $55.
• Say it With Flowers Enhancement A beautifully arranged flower bouquet placed in the guest room. Priced at $65.
• Morning Breakfast / Afternoon Tea A multi-tiered tea service at Akwaaba Philadelphia featuring specialty teas from Brooklyn Tea Company, seasonal scones, soup and salad, and a chef's choice of four savories and four sweets. Overnight guests receive a complimentary gift of golden teaspoon and porcelain tea bag caddy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Celebrating 30 years in business in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship.

• OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017OWN produced 'Checked Inn,' a reality TV series filmed at The Mansion at Noble Lane in the Poconos, which aired in 2017 on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The show featured co-owner Monique Greenwood and drove substantial national brand awareness.
• HGTVflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHGTV's 'Restore America' documentary series documented the restoration of Akwaaba Mansion Brooklyn, providing significant national media exposure and credibility for the brand. The coverage was instrumental in establishing Akwaaba's reputation as a premium historic restoration hospitality brand.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lark Hotels: A boutique hotel collection operating independently designed inns and hotels across New England and beyond. Comparable to Akwaaba as a multi-property boutique lodging brand emphasizing design, character, and curated local experiences.
• Twin Farms: An all-inclusive luxury Relais & Châteaux resort in Barnard, VT on 300 acres. Comparable to Akwaaba's Poconos estate as an upscale historic countryside property with strong culinary, spa, and romance-oriented package offerings.
• Hotel Fauchère: A historic boutique hotel in Milford, PA founded in 1880. Comparable to Akwaaba as a long-running, owner-operated historic Northeast property serving foodie and leisure travelers in a small-town setting.
• Blantyre: A Relais & Châteaux luxury country house estate in Lenox, MA on 110 acres offering fine dining, spa, and seasonal stays. Comparable to the Mansion at Noble Lane as a high-end historic estate property with curated packages and romantic positioning.
• The Inns of Aurora: A collection of historic boutique inns in Aurora, NY operating five restored properties. Directly comparable to Akwaaba's multi-property historic-landmark inn model with curated guest experiences and farm-to-table dining components.

Broad incumbents

• 21c Museum Hotels: A multi-property boutique hotel brand combining contemporary art museums with lodging. Comparable to Akwaaba in its cultural-curation differentiator and curated guest experience, though at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Auberge Resorts Collection: A portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, inns, and resorts across North America, Europe, and Latin America. Comparable to Akwaaba at the brand-collection level, though Auberge operates at vastly greater scale with institutional backing.
• The Mayflower Inn & Spa: A luxury country inn in Washington, CT now part of Auberge Resorts Collection. Comparable to Akwaaba's upscale inn/spa positioning and romance-driven marketing; Auberge provides scale and distribution that Akwaaba lacks.

Others

• Mr & Mrs Smith: A curated booking platform and membership club for boutique and luxury hotels worldwide. Comparable to Akwaaba as a distribution and discovery layer for boutique lodging; Akwaaba could plausibly list on such platforms to extend reach without OTA-style margin sacrifice.
• Historic Hotels of America: A program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation recognizing historic lodging properties. Comparable to Akwaaba as a credibility/marketing association for heritage properties; Akwaaba's HGTV-documented Brooklyn restoration suggests potential eligibility for such programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MoniqueAkwaaba
• Facebookakwaaba.com/redirect?redirect_to=facebook
• Instagramakwaaba.com/redirect?redirect_to=instagram
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akwaaba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Akwaaba