Babylonstoren Farm Hotel
Premier
₤ 206 (Pps)
Premier
₤ 206 (Pps)
Babylonstoren Hotel & Wine Estate lies in the heart of the Cape Winelands fairly close to Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It comprises a 250 ha working wine and fruit farm, a beautiful formal garden, fantastic restaurant and some truly unique accommodation all within the setting of a beautiful 300 year old Cape Dutch homestead.
Babylonstoren has a unique ambience with a sense of purity, simplicity and quiet. However there’s also lots to enjoy here. The formal French garden is divided into multiple 'rooms' a la Villandry in France (with guided tours offered daily which are well worth it.)
More active pursuits at Babylonstoren include walking or mountain biking through the vineyard, hiking up the Babylons hill ('toren' in Afrikaans), canoeing on the farm dam or swimming in the 'farm-dam' style swimming pool - though I have to say that no farm dam has ever looked as inviting as this one…There's also a small spa - and a gym in case you're feeling guilty - as well as a fromagier featuring cheeses from neighbouring Dalewood Fromage.
Lots of their organic garden produce finds its way into their restaurant, Babel, and into their innovative breakfast menu with its delicious fruit and vegetable smoothies. Dinners are now offered though what’s on offer varies according to the day. The restaurant is open on selected days and a supper platter or gourmet pizzas are on offer on other evenings.
From the outside, the 12 suites look like old Cape Dutch outbuildings, complete with water furrows and wood pile stores. But open the door to your cottage/suite and you are welcomed by a light and airy contemporary décor. There are open plan studio suites, slightly larger one bedroom suites and lovely two bedroom suites which have their own kitchen cum glass-walled conservatory area overlooking the garden. Each bedroom is en suite with a 1930's bathroom - all black and white tiles and understated glamour.
The Manor House at Babylonstoren is also available on an exclusive use basis. This traditional Cape Dutch manor houses comprises three en suite bedrooms in the main house and two exquisite modern suites in the outbuildings so that it can be taken by a party of 10 people - there could be few better places to celebrate an anniversary or a special birthday with some close friends.