Looking to go full Southern hospitality on your next trip? Fully immerse yourself in the distinct charm and character of the antebellum South with a stay at one of these historic and elegantly restored plantation homes that have been converted into hotels and B&Bs. From rocking chair-lined porches to home-cooked meals, you won't find more accomodating accomodations in the whole country, I do declare!
One of America's most photographed plantations (and with good reason, the oak-lined road for which Oak Alley Plantation is named really is enchanting) has several furnished cottages not far from the Big House that they rent out to guests. Imagine taking a sunset stroll to the levee to watch the Mississippi thunder by, then waking up the next morning and being treated to a full, Southern-style country breakfast.
The attention to detail that went into restoring Bocage Plantation's old, 1837 house is admirable-- they've got authentic old paintings and antiques, a clock made by Louis Tiffany, and an impressive collection of Old Paris porcelain vases that would have made even the most imperturbable old-timey Southern belle swoon. The old estate's fascinating history isn't to be missed either: according to the stories, it was a wedding gift to 14-year-old Fanny Bringier, who wound up running the plantation while her husband, Christophe Colomb (yes, he was related to Christopher Columbus!) was busy immersing himself in the arts.
At Nottoway Plantation, an estate-turned-resort, you can either choose a historic mansion room, furnished with period antiques and a massive four-posted bed, or a more modern deluxe room, which still maintains its Southern charm as they're housed in cottages that have porches (rocking chairs and sweet tea included). The mansion itself is really something-- it's the largest remaining antebellum house in the South!
If Myrtles Plantation looks kind of familiar, it's probably because you've heard about it before... the place is notoriously haunted, and they make no bones about it. There's at least 12 ghosts who call the old mansion "home", and each has its own sad (and sometimes spooky) tale. Chloe is the most famous:
According to the legend, Mr. Woodroff had a promiscuous streak and began an affair with a house servant, a girl named Chloe. Chloe knew that if she didn't give into Woodroof's demands she would end up working in the fields, so she surrendered and the affair began behind Sara's back.
Eventually, Woodruff grew tired of Chloe, and because of her fear of being removed from the house, she began eavesdropping on the family's personal affairs. Chloe was of course caught, and in payment for the offense had one of her ears cut off. Afterward, she was only ever spotted wearing a green turban that hid the horrible scar Woodruff left behind.
Here's where the story gets a little fuzzy. Some say Chloe began slowly poisoning Clark Woodruff's wife Sara and her children so that she could nurse them back to heath and win herself a place in the house. According to others, however, Chloe's motivation was revenge. For the Woodruff's oldest daughter's birthday, Chloe baked a cake with a handful of very poisonous oleander flowers. Both daughters (including Sara) had a slice of cake and died within a matter of hours. Clark Woodruff was spared.
Frightened that they would be blamed for the deaths, the other slaves dragged Chloe into the courtyard and hanged her from the huge front tree. Her body was weighted down with rocks and tossed into a nearby river. Woodruff barricaded many of the rooms inside the plantation, the ones that reminded him of his children, and a few short years afterward was murdered himself. Others spooks include William Drew Winder, an attorney who was shot in 1871 and died on the 17th step as he attempted to climb the stairs. There's also a famous mirror inside the plantation that's rumored to hold the spirits of Sara and her two murdered children. Often times people will see them reflecting back, or will find handprints on the glass when no one's around to leave them.
If you'd rather not think about the spirits, you can distract yourself by checking out the massive verandah, crystal chandeliers, rich tapestries, marble mantels, and gold-leafed furniture. It was originally built in 1796 by General David Bradford!
Like many plantations in South Carolina, Mansfield mostly grew rice. Nowadays, though, the family has put the estate to use as a B&B! Three old buildings have been converted for guest use: the School House, the Kitchen House, and the old Guest Cottage, all of which offer views of the lush trees draped with Spanish moss in the surrounding lowcountry marshes. It's also conveniently located near the charming little town of Georgetown... perfect for a day trip!
Step back in time... way back, because Prospect Hill Plantation was first settled in 1699, which is about as old as it gets in the US. There are several historic buildings spread across the beautiful estate, which is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and each has retained some aspects of the original use, which means 11 totally unique rooms and cottages. You can explore the grounds, which have animals, an arboretum, and more, or you can relax by the pool (which looks gorgeous, but I'm assuming isn't from the 17th century).
The Shack Up Inn is a totally different take on the idea of staying at a plantation, because instead of sleeping in an ornately-restored mansion, you'll be in a souped-up sharecropper's shack. The place is oozing with soul and character-- they're most famous for hosting (and even inspiring) blues musicians from across the South. You can even check out the original mechanical cotton gin on your way to their on-site drinkery, the Juke Joint Chapel bar. How cool is that?
