Unique opportunity to stay and dine in a home built in 1790 during the Spanish colonial period. Due to the home's 230 years old age, and the preservation of its unique materials and layout, those expecting 5-star luxury may be disappointed. History and architectural buffs, along with those who enjoy good food and good times, will be absolutely thrilled with Ormond. The location is excellent, with Ormond being in a central location as a base for visiting the area's attractions. We went with a group of friends to Ormond, booked several rooms, and had a private room at the restaurant for dinner. The food was wonderful, and the super-friendly staff made us feel like family. We had a great time enjoying ourselves in the home after dinner. One of the rooms we booked, the Ormond Room, has a large long table that is perfect for a bar, and the room opens out onto the home's second floor veranda. The staff was quick to supply ice and a wine key. My husband and I stayed in the Green Room and slept like babies. We knew we would probably want to sleep in, so we did not get the breakfast package and rather picked up breakfast to-go from a nearby cafe and brought it back to Ormond for our group to enjoy (Ormond is within a mile of a supermarket and dining options). The grounds are beautiful; don't miss the opportunity to walk up the Mississippi River levee for a stroll along the paved exercise path atop the levee for sweeping views of the home as well as of the river and boat traffic. Thank you to the staff at Ormond who made our stay so enjoyable and fun. We will definitely be back!

Ormond Plantation House is not as spectacular as Oak Alley or Houmas House but what it lacks in charm is more than made up for in the friendliness of its staff. Rooms in the house are very large with ensuite baths, etc. A long second floor balcony runs along the front of the house and is accessible from all rooms. The property is known for it's wedding resources and judging by the photos in the reception area they are spectacular. Best fall is their restaurant which attracts locals for it's mighty fine meals. The chef, wait staff and all were very accommodating including sharing his recipe for a meaty double size pork chop which won the prize for the evening's meal. The chef was also there the next morning for breakfast which he actually served! Don't hesitate to book an evening here if you venture from New Orleans.

If you watched the epic 1939 movie Gone With The Wind--and who hasn't?--you might have gotten the idea that all plantation houses in the Old South resembled Tara and Twelve Oaks. Not so. Welcome to Ormond. Located at 13786 River Road in Destrehan in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, near the more celebrated plantation houses of Destrehan and San Francisco, Ormond is a French Colonial-style, Creole-inspired plantation house that was built in the late 18th century using bricks between cypress studs. This type of construction, called briquettes entre poteaux or brick between posts, was used on the front and rear walls with a type of adobe filling on the side walls. Rounded cement and brick columns supported the front veranda or gallery with wood columns on the second floor supporting the roof. Ormond was built in 1789 by sugar baron Pierre Trepagnier, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1798. That is only one of several interesting stories and legends attributed to the plantation that are graphically explained during a guided tour of the property. Today, Ormond is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is operated as a bed-and-breakfast, open for public tours and hosts weddings, luncheons and other private events.