Babylonstoren is a beautifully restored Cape Dutch farm, owned and managed by the ex-editor of South Africa’s Elle Decoration, is already creating quite a stir. Situated on the cross roads between Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl, the farm is right in the centre of South Africa’s Winelands.
The eight-acre fruit and vegetable garden is at the heart of this working farm. It was originally one of the Company Gardens of the Cape, where for centuries ships would replenish with fresh water, fruit and vegetables aat the halfway stop between Asia and Europe.
Today, there are seven cottages, three of which are one bedroom, four are two bedroom all whitewashed with thatched roofs, that overlook the garden and the vineyards and have a lounge and basic kitchen. The thick walls help the cottages stay cool in summer and cosy in winter - the rooms are heated by open fires in the chillier months, which make Babylonstorn a delightful year-round option.
New accommodation options on the farm are the nine one bedroom suites which all have access to an outdoor pool and hot spa area that has a salt room, sauna and vitality pool.
There are cup cake turn downs and a real tea garden from which guests can select any combination of fresh flowers and herbs for infusion. There are donkeys to feed, eggs to collect for breakfast, bicycles to ride, a running stream for paper boat floating, a pool to splash in. This is a real working farm, where guests can become as much a part of the daily routine as they choose.
Children under 2 stay free if sharing a room with their parents, in a cot.
