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Babylonstoren

A 1692 working farm and hotel in the Cape Winelands at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains, with cottage suites set among an eight-acre kitchen garden, Babel restaurant, and a Garden Spa.

At Do Not Disturb, we match you with one of our dedicated luxury travel experts who designs a tailor-made itinerary around how you want your time away to feel. With deep destination knowledge and meticulous planning behind the scenes, we transform complex travel into something effortless and entirely your own.

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At a glance

Babylonstoren is at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains, 25 minutes from both Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and around an hour by road from Cape Town.

The property dates back to 1692 and is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the country. Founder Karen Roos has paired the original architecture with a contemporary edit, drawing on finely chosen materials and pieces from contemporary designers worldwide. The result is a working farm that operates as one of South Africa’s most distinctive hotels.

The eight-acre kitchen garden holds hundreds of edible plants and is the centrepiece of the property, supplying the on-site Babel restaurant. Babel takes bookings months in advance and consistently ranks among the country’s finest dining rooms. A swimming pool, a Garden Spa, and dedicated farm experiences complete a stay that is as much about the land as the accommodation.

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In detail

Food and Drink

Babel is the main restaurant and one of the finest places to eat in South Africa, taking bookings months in advance. Most of the produce is grown on the farm, with menus shifting daily to follow the kitchen garden.

The Greenhouse handles lunch in a glasshouse setting among the produce. Breakfast at the hotel covers a substantial spread of farm produce, baked goods, and preserves made on-site.
Spa and Wellness

The Garden Spa draws on plants from the kitchen garden across its treatment menu, with a focus on natural ingredients and farm-led therapies. Treatments cover massages, body scrubs, facials, and bespoke garden rituals.

A large swimming pool sits among the gardens, with the surrounding farm offering walking routes through the produce beds and the surrounding vineyards.
The Farm

The eight-acre kitchen garden is the centrepiece of Babylonstoren, holding hundreds of edible plants laid out in geometric beds and supplying the restaurants directly.

Guided garden tours, daily harvesting walks, a cellar tasting in the on-site winery, and a working bakery give guests a substantial farm experience to fill the days. The wider farm extends into vineyards, orchards, and the Simonsberg foothills.

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Room Types

Farm Cottage Suites

The 13 farm cottage suites are well appointed, with Karen Roos preserving the 18th-century feel and giving it a contemporary edit.

Lightly accented colours, clean lines, and considered furnishings throughout. The cottages line a pleasant lane leading to the restaurant.

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The Farm House

A larger standalone option for groups and families, with multiple bedrooms and a separate living area in a restored Cape Dutch farmhouse.

A strong choice for groups wanting privacy with the full Babylonstoren experience on the doorstep.

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Our reviews

“Our trip was truly magical and full of core memories that will last us a lifetime.”

Michael • Bora Bora Honeymoon

“We just returned from an incredible journey through Ireland, and we couldn’t have had a better experience”

Brad • Ireland Adventure

“This was a flawless experience right from the beginning, we had so many thoughts and ideas flowing around and they took all of them and perfectly curated the most beautiful honeymoon for us.”

Kris • Sicily Honeymoon

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