Sell Africa, from anywhere in the world
Sell Africa, from anywhere in the world
Accommodation, Winelands
Grand Africa Safaris > Blogs > Babylonstoren
Michelle recently spent a glorious weekend at Babylonstoren- here are her thoughts about this wonderful farm. “We regularly recommend Babylonstoren to our guests, and while I have been there for day visits, experiencing the beauty of the farm on an overnight stay was absolutely magical.” This is the kind of place guests can spend even 2-3 days to enjoy the complete offering. Calling Babylonstoren a working farm doesn’t do justice to the incredible, curated, creative space. A genuine commitment to sustainable farming and working with the seasons is evident throughout, and the farm’s ethos of building a positive legacy is visible at every touch point. The ever-evolving tapestry and floral richness of the gardens serve as inspiration for every part of Babylonstoren, including the modern Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop, and the Restaurants.
The ever-evolving tapestry and floral richness of the gardens serve as inspiration for every part of Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is situated in the heart of the main winelands regions of South Africa, Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. A picturesque 40-minute drive from Cape Town sees you land at this gem at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains. I would also highly recommend making it a helicopter transfer, as the views of the sea giving way to the captivating winelands is truly magnificent when viewed from above.
From the moment we arrived at the beautiful gates (often an Instagram favorite location), we felt at home. Babylonstoren feels like a huge, well-loved, and manicured garden. The hotel itself is a charming blend of history and modernity, and it is evident that great care has been taken to create a serene, welcoming space that invites guests to explore at their own pace. We stayed in the One Bedroom Cottage and adored its central setting and charming interiors.
We stayed in the One Bedroom Cottage and adored its secluded setting and charming interior
Each open-concept cottage offers a lavish en-suite bathroom as well as a cozy living room with thick walls, elegant gables, and a warming fireplace, which we lit on a chilly evening. The bookcase is stocked with an amazing collection as well for the times you want to curl up and relax inside. A modern glass cube that houses a kitchen has been neatly incorporated into this spotless Cape Dutch design. Every little touch in the cottage was beautiful, and the handwritten welcome note with fresh produce from the farm really made us feel special. The farm is open to day visitors, but at night a hush falls and guests are free to enjoy the restful beauty on their own, it feels like a private paradise.
All of the eateries celebrate a farm-to-fork philosophy, and it’s wonderful to see the menu change as the season delivers different produce.
There are two restaurants on the property – Babel, perfect for more formal occasions, and The Greenhouse – open-air cafe-style offerings. All of the eateries celebrate a farm-to-fork philosophy, and it’s wonderful to see the menu change as the season delivers different produce. There is an incredible focus on sustainability, and the storytelling around the farm’s commitment to the community and the environment is clearly evident at every touch point.
The wine-tasting and cellar tour experience was wonderful, informative without being fussy, relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyable!
The wine-tasting and cellar tour experience was wonderful, informative without being fussy, relaxed, and thoroughly enjoyable! Another highlight was browsing through the bakery, butchery, and boutique. Babylonstoren also offers really informative workshops throughout the year focusing on an array of fantastic themes like bee-keeping, fynbos flower arrangements, and more. The service is absolutely personal and passionate with every encounter, and the team’s love for what they do is clearly evident. A must-experience is their incredible Spa – with a variety of quiet zones, pools, saunas, and steam rooms, the Spa treatments should definitely be visited at least once during your stay!
The farm is wonderfully large and we decided the best way to explore it was on bikes ! Meandering paths will see you cycling through the beautiful orchards and really drinking in the fresh winelands air.
The farm is wonderfully large and we decided the best way to explore it was on bikes
There are also canoes, guided daily walks through the food garden, and many more opportunities to really engage with the farm and its people. It’s not uncommon to see the chefs foraging for herbs and ingredients in the morning, and if you’re lucky, you will also spot the resident giant tortoises making their way through the gardens at their leisurely pace.
The variety of accommodation options , the magnificent size, and the range of activities make Babylonstoren an automatic yes to include in any itinerary, from couples to families. Perfect for either pre or post-safari, it offers the ideal restful retreat with superlative service.
For me, the team was truly the highlight, the legacy that they are building through their unique approach to nature conservation and community engagement and involvement is really inspiring. By the time we left, we felt like we were leaving friends behind, thank you to the entire team and a special note to Muranda, every moment as Babylonstoren was magical beyond compare.