Babylonstoren - The Details
Babylonstoren is inspired and awe-inspiring. Cradled in the lee of the Simonsberg mountains, an eight acre formal garden is laid out in the midst of vineyards and fruit orchards that arch up towards the craggy, teeth-like wilds of the mountains beyond.
Little white cottages are immaculately restored and designed in the Cape Dutch style, with clean, clear, comfortable minimalist interiors, from which to best enjoy the flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables of the gardens. With its spa, vast barrel-round pool created from an old feeding trough, and cutting-edge clean, utterly refreshing restaurant and tea room, guests enjoy plates full of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. It is a real taste of paradise.
There is something magnificent and romantic about having how the rooms have been interwoven with the farm and the surrounding gadren, but this is the story of Babylonstoren. A garden so abundant and delicious that it needed people to wander, pick, pluck and eat. All this is the creation of Karen Roos, once editor of Elle Décor. She then designed accommodation that would work best alongside the garden. Thus the newly added Fynbos cottages are a mixture of one-bedroom and two-bedroom open-plan accommodations that are luxurious and modern but still retain that authentic farm house feeling whilst being surrounded by the beautiful vineyards and orchards. Each have a glass box kitchen, with a thick wooden table at which to dress your salads and tuck into sumptuous ‘farmhouse’ delights in the sunshine.
The restaurant, Babel, is clean, clever and new. Plates are adorned with garden produce as juicily and beautifully as if fruit and flowers had never been served before. A more informal setting in the Greenhouse is the perfect place for a lunch that explodes with colour and flavour. Here you can sample some of the finest rustic cooking in South Africa and enjoy it all surrounded by the natural beauty that Babylonstoren provides.
Babylonstoren really is an ideal location for anyone. For families with children there is so much to do like picking fruit, feeding farm animals or simply exploring nature, but it also lends itself for people wishing to experience a peaceful and serene paradise. With certain areas where children aren't allowed, couples can escape everyday life and enjoy the peaceful and tranquil setting.
Although prices are slightly higher than some of your other Cape Town or Franschhoek Hotels, Babylonstoren is fantastic value for money and provides you with an unforgettable experience.
Babylonstoren is best combined with a few nights in Cape Town, with the
Cape Grace and
Cape Cadogan being our favourites. Cape Town provides a vibrant and plentiful experience with lots to see and do, yet Babylonstoren allows you to escape that and truly immerse yourself in some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Although your city and wineland break can be placed before your safari, ideally it should be after. With lots of early mornings and late nights on safari, Babylonstoren is the perfect place to relax afterwards.
If you are unfortunately time restrained and don't have time to stay over, make sure you pop in for lunch on your full-day winelands tour. Whether you eat in their famous Babel Restaurant or the newly refurbished greenhouse, you can be sure of an exquisite home-grown menu.
2023 Guest Reviews
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