Black Billionaire Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Hotel Could Join Marriott

Sheila Johnson, one of America’s most prominent Black billionaires, is in talks to rebrand the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C., as a Marriott property, according to reports in the Washington Business Journal.

The luxury hotel could join Marriott’s Autograph Collection, giving it access to the hospitality giant’s global customer base and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.

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Salamander Hotel, the Luxury Property in Washington, DC

The 373-room luxury hotel sits near the National Mall overlooking the Tidal Basin, making it one of Washington, D.C.’s most prominent luxury assets. It was acquired in 2022 for $139 million by Johnson and London-based real estate investment firm Henderson Park.

They purchased it from Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and relaunched it under the Salamander Collection flag. Since then, Salamander DC has become a go-to for travelers seeking both luxury and cultural depth, from its spa to Dōgon, the acclaimed Afro-Caribbean restaurant led by Chef Kwame Onwuachi. 

Upon opening, the restaurant received national acclaim and was ranked among the two best restaurants in Washington by Washingtonian magazine in 2025. A potential rebrand would now signal a major strategic shift for the property.

Salamander DC’s Potential Marriott Rebrand

According to The Washington Business Journal, the hotel is in talks to be acquired by Marriott’s Autograph Collection through a partnership between private equity real estate firm Henderson Park and Salamander Collection. The Autograph Collection is a group of distinctive, independent hotels, according to the company’s website. 

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The talks come two years after the location underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation, according to The Grio.“Henderson Park and Salamander Collection collectively determined that the hotel, because of its size and location, would benefit from additional reach and loyalty points of a large brand,” a spokesperson said, according to The Grio. 

“As part of this transition, Henderson Park and Salamander Collection also agreed that a new manager should have deep experience running city hotels under the Marriott flag, and therefore it is proposed that Salamander will transition out of the hotel.” The hotel is expected to continue accepting reservations during the transition in ownership, reports The Grio.

Sheila Johnson, the First Black Female Billionaire

Johnson co-founded Black Entertainment Television with her then-husband Robert Johnson before selling it to Viacom in a deal worth nearly $3 billion. She launched Salamander Hotels and Resorts in 2005. 

The Washington, D.C., property was her brand’s first in the capital and helped grow a portfolio that now includes seven properties across Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Jamaica, and Anguilla. With an estimated net worth of $850 million, Johnson is the only Black woman to hold ownership stakes in three professional sports franchises simultaneously. 

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She has positions with the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. She also became the first Black female billionaire in American history following the sale of BET to Viacom. 

The Salamander Washington DC is located at 1330 Maryland Avenue SW, steps from The Wharf and the National Mall. The hotel holds a Forbes Travel Guide four-star rating and a AAA four-diamond designation.

Sheila Johnson at the Tribeca Film Festival. Image Credit – WikiCommons (Creative Commons)