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BABYLONSTOREN. Photo by Heribert Bechen –

Top 10 Intriguing about Babylonstoren, Paarl

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food, and wine, and evokes a sense of well-being.

1. Babylonstoren is a 200-hectare farm that dates back to 1692

View of a farm during sunset. Photo by Federico Respini on

Babylonstoren is a 200-hectare farm that dates back to 1692 and is located in the Drakenstein Valley in the Cape Winelands, nearly halfway between Franschhoek and Paarl. Owner Karen Roos has expertly crafted the ideal farm haven here, where the luxury is in the setting鈥檚 authenticity and integrity.

A stylish hotel, a 3.5-hectare garden that supplies three restaurants and a tranquil spa, a contemporary wine-tasting facility, a boathouse with a row boat, endless dirt roads, and a pervasive sense of tranquility that follows you everywhere can also be found here.

2. Babylonstoren is a 45-minute drive east of Cape Town, near the town of Paarl

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

A 45-minute drive east of Cape Town, near the town of Paarl, you turn down a dirt track, past rows of vines, and park up. A golf buggy comes to take your luggage as you stroll towards the reception, where you’re met with a friendly 鈥淗owzit?鈥�.

 The gnarled rather crumpled Simonsberg Mountain is away to the right, behind a converted 1692 Cape Dutch farmhouse and the row of whitewashed old workers鈥� cottages that have been transformed very, very tastefully into accommodation.

3. Babylonstoren is one of the most beautiful places on earth

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

Babylonstoren is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and there are so many reasons why you should visit it today. From the stunning gardens and fruit orchards to the award-winning wine estate and restaurants, Babylonstoren has something for everyone.

Plus, with its charming cottages and luxurious suites, it鈥檚 the perfect place to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you鈥檙e looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience, then make sure to add Babylonstoren to your list!

4. Babylonstoren’s elegant interiors look like they’ve come straight from the pages of a glossy style mag

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

Stepping over a small stream, you enter your cottage and emit a 鈥淲ow鈥� – seriously, you will. The elegant interiors look like they’ve come straight from the pages of a glossy style mag, but that’s not surprising: owner Karen Roos was formerly editor of South African Elle Decoration.

In front lies a beautifully landscaped 8-hectare garden, with giant orange pumpkins, an indigenous cycad ‘forest’, yellow citrus orchards, scented healing herb beds, a block of mulberries, and bright vegetables in every hue.

Wander in and pick your fruit, or veggies and herbs if you’re here to self-cater; some cottages have kitchens, but the restaurant’s the main event. Sublime cuisine with beautifully color-coded dishes is hard to beat.

5. Being at Babylonstoren is what a holiday is all about

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

 Later, head to the spa, borrow a mountain bike for a short spin around the farm, and watch the sunset with a drink in hand from the top of the small hill nearby. This is what a holiday is all about.

6. Babylonstoren has a fruit and vegetable garden with great botanical diversity

A pumpkin at BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

Babylonstoren has a fruit and vegetable garden with great botanical diversity. Every aspect of Babylonstoren 鈥� including the contemporary Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop, and Restaurants 鈥� is led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden.

Combining the simplicity of Babylonstoren, it has farm buildings with style. The farm hotel is characterized by thick whitewashed walls, elegant gables, and hearty fireplaces, emulating an authentic farm-stay experience.

7. The garden at Babylonstoren serves as the farm鈥檚 epicenter

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

The garden at Babylonstoren serves as the farm鈥檚 epicenter, surrounded by a total of 3.5 hectares (8 acres) of fruit and vegetable orchards.

The garden is divided into 15 clusters, each of which includes vegetable areas, stone and pome fruits, nuts, citrus, berries, bees, herbs, ducks and chickens, a prickly pear maze, and other features.

Water flows into the garden via rills from a stream, passing through ponds planted with edible lotus, nymphaea lilies, and waterblommetjies.

Every one of the garden鈥檚 more than 300 plant varieties is edible or has medicinal value. They are also grown as organically and biologically sustainable as possible. The garden鈥檚 fruits and vegetables are harvested all year for use in two farm-to-fork restaurants. A natural stream flows from Simonsberg Mountain to the Berg River along the garden鈥檚 edge, providing habitat for indigenous wild olives. Every spring, a collection of approximately 7000 clivia lilies explode in a spectacular display in their shade.

8. Babylonstoren farm hotel menus are always guided by what is available

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). RESTAURANT BABEL. Photo unattributed –

Babylonstoren farm hotel menus are always guided by what is available in the garden.

We have a farm-to-fork philosophy which means we like to serve seasonal food and that reflects our 鈥減ick, clean, and serve鈥� approach.

9. Babylonstoren Hotel is surrounded by a stunning 9-acre garden

BABYLONSTOREN (PARK). Photo unattributed –

The Babylonstoren Hotel is surrounded by a stunning 9-acre garden with historical significance. Located in the Simondium area of the Cape Winelands, this luxury boutique hotel offers guests a beautiful and relaxing retreat.

The words 鈥榣uxury鈥� and 鈥榬ural setting鈥� go hand in hand at Babylonstoren Hotel Cape Town; nestled between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, they are more than a fitting description of this one-of-a-kind destination.

Many of the original farm buildings have been converted into beautiful, elegant guest rooms. There are nine one-bedroom suites, each with access to an outdoor pool and a hot spa. The salt room, vitality pool, and sauna are all housed in a decked wooden building, adding to the facility鈥檚 tranquil atmosphere.

White-washed walls enhance the Babylonstoren farmhouse hotel鈥檚 character.

 10. Relax at the Babylonstoren Garden Spa

Health and Wellness at a Spa. Photo by Alan Caishan on

The Garden Spa at Babylonstoren, like everything else at the resort, is inextricably linked to the garden and the changing seasons. We like to think of it as a living spa because it is set in a bamboo grove with serene greenery and a plethora of lei water channels to help set the mood.

Our bamboo pavilion, which houses the facility, houses the hammam, the chill room, the hot spa, and the gym.