Nottoway Plantation and Resort

The South’s most magnificent remaining antebellum mansion, Nottoway Plantation splendidly overlooks the Great Mississippi River, and continues to entice visitors, from near and far, to take a step back in time to the days of glory and grandeur. With a natural backdrop of colorful gardens and two hundred-year-old oaks, Nottoway is the ultimate blend of Southern history and hospitality, and an exceptional choice for leisure travel, destination weddings, casual and fine dining, and corporate and social group retreats. The historic mansion features eight private Bed & Breakfast rooms, beautifully appointed with original antiques and furnishings, and private baths with sparkling new fixtures that blend in with the period. Recent enhancements to the historical experience include full service Mansion Restaurant, two elegant ballrooms for banquets and meetings, premier hotel and cottage rooms and suites, outdoor pool and cabana, tennis courts, golf and spa packages.

John Hampden Randolph was originally a cotton planter, but believed that a fortune could be made in sugar production. In 1844 he mortgaged his Louisiana home and 46 slaves to borrow money for the construction of the first steam-operated sugar mill in Iberville Parish, well on his way to becoming a successful sugar magnate. He acquired the land for his “white castle” in 1855, and hired renowned New Orleans architect Henry Howard to design the grand mansion. Construction of Nottoway was completed in 1859, and it became home to John, his wife Emily and their 11 children.

Designed in Greek Revival and Italianate style, the Nottoway Mansion features ceilings that are 15 ft high and doors 11 ft tall. Within the three levels, the home flaunted 64 rooms, six interior staircases, three modern baths, 22 massive square columns, 165 doors and 200 windows. Its most unique room is the semi-circular white ballroom with Corinthian columns and hand-cast archways.

Nottoway was opened to the public in July of 1980, and has become one of the most impressive plantation experiences in the deep South. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the lavish home daily, and watch a nine-minute documentary narrated as Mr. Randolph telling the story of Nottoway to his grandson. The plantation museum showcases artifacts and articles dating back to the days and lives of the Randolph family. Copies of photographs and historic documents, such as the pardon for John Randolph after the Civil War, help to further tell the story of plantation life in the 1800s.

Since summer of 2008, ownership has invested more than $14 million in a complete restoration of the grand home, and a hotel expansion of nine brand new Acadian-style cabins including three corporate suite units with kitchens, eight deluxe guestrooms, and a second honeymoon suite. The ground level of the castle was transformed into The Mansion Restaurant, a casual and fine dining venue serving fresh and local Louisiana cuisine seven days a week. Three elegantly appointed bridal dressing rooms were constructed, along with another lavish ballroom that accommodates banquets and meetings for up to 125, as well as an open-air pavilion with heating and air conditioning. Resort amenities now include on-site Salon & Spa, tennis and basketball courts, and a plush lounge, business center and fitness room.

Fun Fact: Where the restaurant, lounge, and museum are located today used to be home to the Randolph childrens' private bowling alley.

Original Property Opened: 1859

Contact Information:
Street Address:
31025 Louisiana Hwy. 1,
White Castle, LA 70788

Historic Hotels of America toll-free reservations number (800) 678-8946