Nottoway Plantation has added "& Resort" to its name, with a Greek Revival-Italianate antebellum mansion at the center of a growing complex beside the Mississippi River in White Castle, Louisiana.
About 25 minutes south of Baton Rouge, White Castle is named for its star attraction, and is an occasional stop for overnight riverboats. It shows up on itineraries, however, as Nottoway.
The 1850s-era sugarcane plantation now has 40 guest rooms and suites, including several in the main mansion; in December 2015, manager Neil Castaldi said there are plans to build 100 more rooms, a full spa and a nightclub. Nottoway's complex already has a large gift shop, restaurant and cafe, three ballroom/party pavilions, fitness center, hair and nail salon, museum, meeting facilities and pool under the oak trees on the well-manicured lawn and gardens.
Walk up the levee, where riverboats tie up, and there's the Mississippi River, which is visible from the porch and upper floors of the immense house.
Nottoway is 35 minutes southeast of Lafayette and an hour from New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport.