Two room apartment on the second floor of an 1853 dependency apartment which housed the school room, governess’s room, billiard room and office on the grounds of Lansdowne 3 miles north of historic Natchez, Mississippi. Built for Charlotte Hunt and George Matthews Marshall on 600 acres in 1853, Lansdowne was planned as a wooded country estate but became a working plantation in the late 19th century following the loss of the Marshalls’ Louisiana plantations. The spacious 18 x 20 bedroom has a Queen sized iron bed with contemporary bedside tables and lighting while an original bureau and period armoire provide space for clothing. The bath is completely updated with luxurious marble tile shower. The second room has a fully stocked modern kitchen, dining table with seating for three or four, and a comfy sofa (converts to small bed) for socializing. A wide wooden gallery with ceiling fans stretches 40 feet across the front of the building. The property is still owned by direct descendants of the original owners, one of whom, Marsha Colson, lives on site. The other owners and their children and grandchildren visit frequently. The Governess Quarters has been occupied by family members since the 1930s and is now primarily a vacation rental property.
A twin building facing the Governess Quarters across a courtyard originally housed the kitchen and washing room and quarters for the cook and butler and children’s nurse. It is now a fully furnished 2 bedroom 2 bath vacation home with kitchen, laundry, separate dining and living room and accommodates 5 to 6 guests.
Lansdowne is now comprised of 120 acres of woodlands and pastures, hiking and riding trails and two ponds. Nature lovers may see deer, rabbits, wild turkeys, great blue herons, Mississippi kites, great horned owls, cuckoos, cardinals, thrashers, warblers, and even indigo and painted buntings. The main house is furnished with original family pieces and contains original wallpaper and faux bois and faux marbre baseboards and doors. Guests are invited to join the resident owner for a tour. Contact Marsha or a designated assistant to schedule a tour. DIRECTIONS From downtown Natchez or from Highway 61, follow Martin Luther King/Highway 555 about 1 mile past the city limits. Turn onto Marshall Road and continue about 1/4 mile, bearing left at the fork. Follow the driveway to the right of the main house and park anywhere near the two-story brick building on the right. Please park 15 feet or more away from the building. Enter the apartment from the door at the top of the stairs. An standard key will be provided. Enjoy your morning coffee under the ceiling fans on the wide second floor gallery and end the day watching fireflies while crickets and cicadas sing. For info on other events, tours, museums, music and restaurants, go to visitnatchez.org, natchezpilgrimage.com or Yelp.
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Important information
You need to know
Property # 1420127vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: With owner approval
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
About the area
Natchez
Located in Natchez, this apartment is in a rural area. First Presbyterian Church and William Johnson House Museum are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mississippi River and Natchez State Park. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
How much does it cost to stay at Country Retreat! ?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Country Retreat! on 14 May 2026 start from AU$265, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Country Retreat! ?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Country Retreat! ?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Country Retreat! ?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Country Retreat! located?
Situated in a rural location, this apartment building is 3 mi (4.8 km) from Liberty Ball Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of St. Mary Basilica and Martin Performing Arts Center. Stratton Chapel Gallery and First Presbyterian Church are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Was wonderful! It was a peaceful and quiet environment with a charming historic “apartment.” Marsha was lovely and welcoming, available when needed while still allowing for privacy and quiet. I felt home even while away.
This is the perfect little place to stay! It’s so quiet and peaceful, but not far from town. Marsha was fantastic and easy to communicate with. I would definitely book this again
The property was lovely. The suite was charming with everything you would need to be comfortable. Marsha was easy to get in touch with and very accommodating. We would definitely choose this spot again!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Marsha was so friendly and readily available if needed. We felt right at home. The property was peaceful and so beautiful. We were able to explore the grounds, enjoy the large courtyard, visit the cemetery, etc. Our rooms were clean and tasteful. I would highly recommend.
A nice stay at a friendly countryside quiet plantation estate.
Lansdowne is lovely. Nice quiet plantation home on the Fall Pilgrimage in Natchez MS. Close enough to downtown to get easily to and from but still quiet and a bit secluded. We ended up in the wrong room as her hostess got her reservations mixed up, but it turned out best for us since we were downstairs instead of up. We loved the sweet pets on the property and even got a private tour of the main house, circa 1853.
Lansdowne estate was nestled within a private wooded area. Perfectly peaceful and wrapped in history. Our Host was readily available to assist with any requests during our 4 day stay. The Governess Suite had all of the amenities needed from the kitchen to the bathroom. The Suite was clean and orderly upon arrival. In the evenings, the courtyard was filled with whimsical lighting. Shopping and restaurants just a short drive away. Staying at Lansdowne was a great way to add a twist to a standard fishing trip on Lake St. John! Highly recommend a stay at Lansdowne.
Sylvia D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Carol S.
7 Apr 2024
Liked: Location
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Not expected!
Obviously, the reservation date got overlooked! I had stayed there previously with wonderful accommodations, but not this time. It appeared no one was expecting us!
We had a wonderful quiet stay and Landsome Plantation. It was like stepping into the past with all the future amenities. Everything was clean and ready for us when we arrived on-site. Would love to go back again one day.
My husband and I had a great one night experience at a very historical spot. The bed was comfortable, the place was clean and the short drive to town was easy. We stayed a little later the next morning than planned just for the historical main house tour. Enjoyed hearing the stories of the host’s family and seeing the beautiful main home and furnishings. We would recommend more than just a quick one night stay to visit more of the historic sites and walk around the property.
Quiet retreat in woods but near to local accessories
This place was awesome! Filled with the old world architecture to take you back in time: antiques, old wood floors in great condition but modern bath and kitchen for all our needs. Quiet and peaceful with horses grazing nearby. Lovely! Also owner took care of any problems we had quickly. Thanks Marsha for hosting us! ;-)
This is a excellent place to stay when in Natchez. Quite country setting, but only a short 3 mile drive to downtown and very convenient to other attractions in the Natchez area. Very clean, nicely adorned apartment with all the amenities for a pleasant stay. The property is well kept. I definitely recommend staying here.
Loved staying in the governors suite at Lansdowne. Very spacious apartment with your own private balcony overlooking the acreage. Modern updates to the property have been done With quality and aesthetically pleasing. I will definitely stay there next time we are in Natches
Beautiful property that is extremely well maintained and located! Lots of history and charm. I have never worked with a better property manager than Marsha, she is outstanding! Most highly recommend this property, you will not be disappointed!
Extremely nice accommodations in the country just 3 miles from downtown Natchez. The two room apartment has everything you'll need at a great price. The queen bed is very comfortable and the updated bathroom is very nice.
Marsha, the owner, gave us a tour of her lovely, historic home. We've stayed in downtown Natchez on several occasions. But, our stay at Lansdowne was a very quiet and relaxing change of pace. Thanks again Marsha.
Governess Suite at Lansdowne Plantation was magical!
Just a few minutes from Downtown Natchez this country retreat was a step back in time. Marsha and Charlotte were so gracious and made sure I had everything I needed.This large one bedroom was tastefully renovated with all the modern conveniences, yet the beautiful historical character was abundant with oversized mantles, high ceilings, and amazing views of the lush landscape. The bed was very comfortable too. Tours of the main house on the estate are offered and it is truly a sight to behold with original furnishings and designs from way back when. Such an interesting, comfortable and peaceful place to stay. I highly recommend!
ellen b.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
About the host
Hosted by Margaret Marshall Colson (Marsha)
The present owners are the fifth generation of Marshalls to live at Lansdowne. During the 1950s and 1960s they were among the fifteen family members who lived in the main house and the two dependencies. Now our children and grandchildren, the sixth and seventh generations, visit for long weekends and holidays as often as possible.
Why they chose this property
The The property is now 120 acres of fields, pastures, ponds, and woodlands heavily wooded with pine trees, oaks and magnolias and home to hummingbirds and cuckoos, wood ducks, herons and egrets, red tailed hawks, Mississippi kites, pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, rabbits, foxes, deer and wild turkeys. Whether sipping a mint julep on the gallery, fishing or enjoying a quiet reflection by the pond, or walking through the fields in search of berries, you will find beauty and tranquility at Lansdowne, just 10 minutes from downtown Natchez.
What makes this property unique
Peace and tranquility in a beautiful country setting just 10 minutes from downtown!
Languages:
French, Slovak
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests