Kristin Kitchen Owner and Founder of Sojourn Heritage Accommodations has a vision of what she wants to share when her guests visit her properties. Not only does she want to give her guests a memorable and lasting experience of their accommodations, she wants to leave them with a slice of history rich with emotions, feelings, and a sense for the past.
With a focus on the African American history and culture in the US, Kristin paints a picture of the tales, struggles and the joy that many experienced and endured. Kristin finds herself seeking out properties that were a part of history. Kitchen’s first boutique hotel, Six Acres Bed and Breakfast was a piece of history. It was once a home where individuals would go for refugee to seek a safe haven. Often referred to as ‘underground homes’ the owners of such places were greatly involved in transporting and relocating many runaway slaves. As Kristin says when she shares her vision, “Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the home by honoring its original use of providing food and shelter to weary travelers.”
Kristin’s desire to share her love of Africa American history and culture via her boutique hotels has granted her four properties. One in Cincinnati, Ohio, two in North Carolina (Rocky Mount & Shelby) and another in Miami FL., and she plans to expand her brand by increasing her group of hotels in the next several years. So be on the look out as she expands her offerings.
Four of the key factors, Kristin looks for when choosing a new site for her developments are preservation, restoration/revitalization, economic stabilization, and job creation.
As her team organizes to preserve a property, local history is collected, and themes & attractions are chosen to add value to the local area.
The restoration and revitalization efforts seek to involve local businesses and vendors and adds a spark of unity to the neighborhoods.
The importance of economic stability is another focus for Kitchen and her team. Building partnerships to service the community when in need allows for fiscal growth.
Finally, through Sojourn Heritage Accommodations, there’s a hands-on apprenticeship program to secure jobs to locals who desire to work in hospitality and Heritage tourism.
What Kitchen has built is unique. It has an allure, a pizzazz, and a refined approach to hospitality today. Not only will your stay be a memorable one with her unique decor and style, you will get a slice of rich and colorful history, which adds to the lasting memory of such a one-of-a-kind experience.
Kristin Kitchen’s story and more information can be found at https://sixacresbb.com/our-brand/
I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon one of the Kitchens properties, and I look forward to watching what she will share next!
