Experience Luxury and Breathtaking Nature at Babylonstoren, an Elegant Farm Hotel in South Africa's Popular Wine Region.
Located in the heart of South Africa's wine region between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Babylonstoren is an exquisite blend of sustainability, luxury and beautiful nature. The property is a green paradise that stretches over 200 hectares. It offers not only quality accommodation but also vineyards and an extensive fruit and vegetable garden.
The rooms and cottages are elegantly designed offering understated luxury with a perfect blend of modern amenities and traditional Cape Dutch architecture. Some of the farm buildings, which are over 300 years old, have been converted into sophisticated guest accommodations. Thick, whitewashed walls, elegant gables and cosy fireplaces meet stylish, modern interiors with designer furniture. From the suites in the Farmhouse and the cosy Garden Cottages you can step right out into the wonderful garden. The Fynbos Cottages are new builds in traditional style and have a kitchen and living room overlooking the vineyards. Complimentary teas, olive oil, and homemade wine are available for guests.
Babel, the hotel's popular restaurant, offers a unique culinary experience. In keeping with the farm-to-fork philosophy, most of the ingredients are harvested fresh from the gardens at Babylonstoren. This makes every meal a celebration of local and seasonal flavours, with changing menus each named after the colours of its ingredients. At the Greenhouse, you can enjoy picnic-style food and refreshments, while the Old Bakery transforms from bakery to Italian restaurant in the evening.
Set amidst a bamboo forest, lush greenery and waterways, the Garden Spa is an experience that harmonises with the changing seasons. Spa treatments often use fresh herbs that come directly from the extensive gardens. The Bamboo Pavilion houses a hammam, hot spa, relaxation room and fitness room. For a mindful start to the day, a complimentary Garden Stretch and Breathing Session is offered every weekday at 8am.
There is much to discover on the farm. It almost resembles a small village with various shops offering home-produced food, drinks and cosmetics. A highlight is the Scented Room, where you can watch essential oils being extracted or even make your own scrubs and masks. In terms of wines, Babylonstoren offers everything from bold reds to crisp whites, all embodying a unique blend of simplicity and elegance. Activities on offer are varied: wander through gardens of culinary and medicinal plants, go on a guided mountain hike, enjoy a wine tasting or take part in one of the enriching workshops.
Sustainability Criteria
- At the Babylonstoren Learning Centre, employees’ children are cared for and supported, including free meals
- There is an after-school tutoring programme for children
- Children’s homes and aged care facilities in Gauteng are supplied with fresh produce every day
- The hotel has installed insect hotels everywhere for bees and insects
- They refrain from using pesticides on the whole farm
- They actively protect the farm’s natural renosterveld vegetation, which is part of the South African fynbos biome
- Photovoltaic systems are installed throughout the farm. This has reduced the conventional electricity consumption by 80%
- The food in all restaurants is grown organically on the farm
- PLA (degradable in 45 days) and aluminium cans are used to package their own products
- Water-saving mechanisms are engineered into our irrigation systems and interwoven with the everyday operations of the farm. This has reduced consumption by 50%
- No municipal water is used, and only water from the own borehole source is used
- The bathroom amenities in the rooms are made in-house
- In the spa area, attention is paid to holistic well-being in harmony with nature
- Free meditation classes are offered daily
Features & Activities
- Bar at Hotel
- Holiday Villa, Chalet or Cabin
- Family Friendly Hotel
- Gym at the Hotel
- Hotel in a Historical Building
- Hotel for Honeymooners
- Hotel in the Mountains
- Hotel Close to Nature
- Pool at the Property
- Spa Treatments Available
- Guided garden tours and farm walk.
- Cycling and canoeing/rowing on the farm dam.
- Fishing.
- Mountain drive (from a stay of 2 nights).
- Daily stretching and breathing exercises at Babylonstoren Balance.
- Bread baking with bakers.
- Wine cellar tour and wine tasting.
- Olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting.
- A special treasure hunt that particularly delights younger guests.
- Tour of the essential oils every weekday at 10.00 am.
- Feeding the fish in the ponds.
Location
Babylonstoren is about 40 minutes by car from the airport and about 60 minutes from the center of Cape Town.
Note: When visitors come to Babylonstoren, either for lunch or for a tour of the gardens, an entrance fee is payable for access to the gardens.
